Why can I tow MORE?

[R***A**N**G**E***R]

Kinda bored first off, anyways I ran across this ( 1996 truck review ) of MY truck and was wondering why I can tow 6,000 lbs and can haul in the bed of my truck 1,650 lbs BUT the newer top of the line ford rangers with all the options ordered are now LOWER then my original specs.

Here is a link to the REVIEW

http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=1996_Ford_Ranger&ReviewID=2861

Here is the actual ad with items high lighted:
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1996 Ford Ranger
Still at the head of a very good class.

By Sue Mead

Review Pages
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1. Overview
2. Walkaround and Interior
3. Driving Impressions
4. Summary, Prices, Specs

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Overview

The Ford Ranger has been the best-selling compact pickup truck in America for the past nine years. In fact, it's sixth overall on the list of top-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 1995.

So, what's in store for '96? The good news is that you'll find the same features and attributes that have made Ranger the truck of choice for a broad range of light pickup owners, a range that includes increasing numbers of women buyers. And the even better news is that you'll find a few additions and upgrades well conceived to keep this vehicle in its current position on the sales charts.

The Ranger may have just one name, but it isn't one truck. It's actually 19 when you count up all the choices. There are Regular Cab and SuperCab versions; shortbed (6 ft.) and longbed (7 ft.) models; the choice of 2-wheel drive or 4wd; base and uplevel trim packages (XL, XLT and STX); and the sporty Flareside Splash, with its stepside bed fabricated from composites rather than sheet steel.

New this year is a Flareside pickup box option for both the Ranger XL and XLT Regular and SuperCab models, available only with 2wd 4-cyl. models.

Depending on the model, Ranger pickups can accommodate anywhere from two to five passengers. It can also handle loads ranging from 1450 to 1650 lbs., and tow trailers weighing from 2000 to 6000 lbs., depending on the powertrain you choose.

But in addition to this wide array of style and capability choices, this small pickup has evolved from its early history as a rough and ready mini-hauler to a more versatile and comfortable all-purpose truck with many modern safety features. For instance, the Ranger is the first compact pickup truck to offer an optional passenger airbag to complement its standard driver's airbag. And, like its F-150 big brother, it has an added safety feature. To accommodate a rear-facing child seat, the passenger airbag can be deactivated with a key-operated dashboard switch.

Civilization is steadily overtaking the compact pickup class, a trend that's reflected in the Ranger's list of standard and optional features. Standard equipment includes amenities like illuminated entry, tinted glass and a floor console with dual cup holders, while options can add fog lamps, power windows/doors/locks, key-less remote key-less entry and, of course, a variety of sound systems.

Obviously, Ford and other truck manufacturers are responding to all the folks who drive pickups primarily because they like the style. Driven primarily as image vehicles, they have to satisfy owners who expect passenger car features and comfort.

 

[superds]

Sometimes Ford has rated vehicles at lower towing levels for less than obvious reasons. For example, someone on here mentioned that for a specific year (or range of years) the automatic transmission version was rated at more towing capacity than the manual transmission for no apparent reason, it was surmised that Ford wanted to save on warranty claims of clutch slipping drivers of manual transmissions.

This particular example could be due to the lower options they are now offering on the 2010 Rangers (rated up to 5760 lbs towing). Another possibility is that they want you to buy an F150 instead so they lower the "capability" of the Ranger to convince you to buy the F150 if you really need more towing capacity.

 

[JohnnyO]

The Ranger with the highest towing capacity (most of the time) has been a 2wd 4.0 because the truck itself weighs less than a 4wd. Not all years was a 4.0 available in a 2wd however, and they are rare when you find them.