Truck: 2000 Ranger XLT w/ 47K miles. Loaded kayaks, began to move up a ramp, then engine died. Tank was low, but not not empty. Made repeated tries, but not even a kick. AAA road service guy also tried, after pouring in nearly 2 gallons of gas, and checking fuel shutoff button (designed for crash conditions, but ?), which was found not to have tripped. No luck, so called AAAd for a tow truck; Ranger brought to a repair place.

Shop reported that when a mechanic tried to start the engine, it fired right up. No problem was found. Nor did I get any code when I used my OBD tool. And no starting problem since the failure to start, but we're spooked; afraid of getting stranded.

The engine has died because of low fuel before the above incident, once when my son was driving the truck, and once when I thought I was checking the gas gauge before a 15 mile trip, but glanced right (where the gauge is on my other vehicles) instead of left, and so did not note a nearly empty tank. In both of these cases, the engine started after a gallon of gas was added.

What might be going on?

Thank you for your ideas.