My first post here so go easy on me :)

Have an 08 Ranger FX4 4.0 with 4.10 gears.

Want to pull this load,

http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/10896/wallpaper.jpg

Which, full of fuel and gear, on the trailer weighs about 4,600 lbs.

Trailer has surge brakes.

Thoughts are much appreciated.

Thx,

Jerry D

 

if its a auto its rated for 5600lbs you should be fine.

Braking would be my concern. Take your time with it at first until you get used to it.

 

I'm pretty sure that 4.0 autos can pull upwards of 5600 pounds. You should be good to go.

Ah Zabeard beat me to it.

 

Without hesitation, you will be fine. I do however recommend a HEAVY DUTY trans cooler!!

 

Yes it's an auto. Sorry missed that little bit of info.

I don't have a weight distributing system for this trailer, since with a fold away tongue and the surge brakes, finding a compatible setup isn't very easy.

I plan on trying to pull this load with a standard weight carrying hitch.

Jerry D

 

Standard hitch will be fine, but heed my warning, if you pull it often have a heavy duty 25,000 GVW trans cooler installed. It is cheap insurance...

 

Consider the warning heeded :)

I'll look into a trans cooler before I undertake to tow the boat again.

Thanks for your advice.

Jerry D

 

and also a tranny temp gauge....

 

Doh... I forgot that...lol

Other than that though, you shouldn't have any problems, that boat is smaller than mine, and my truck pulls it fine.

 

if he has the stock auxiliary cooler he does not need another one, too many coolers will slow the flow down and wont cool well. which is why you should not run the stock cooler in the radiator, the stock aux cooler, and an additional cooler.

My warning is to not run too many coolers and dont use an Efan for towing...

If he has the stock auxiliary cooler he will be perfectly fine. Ford rated it for 5600 it will do 5600 in stock form without issue. You run into issues with bigger tires, different gears, efan..etc etc..

 

I agree with Zach.

Your fine as is. Only things I'd suggest is:
Over inflating the rears by 3-4 psi
Turn OD off
Leave the torsion bars to the factory setting/height (many people crank them higher)

I tow a 3500lb 19ft bay *and* have a number of mods to boot. Even with a crank underdrive and e-fan I had no cooling problems this summer. Just have the OD off to keep the rpms up between 2500-3000 and you'll be fine.

btw, The 4.0L is a short stroke motor so don't be scared to keep it the revs up.

Rich

 

Ok, then take off the factory auxiliary cooler and put a heavy duty one on, The trans in these trucks isn't the greatest. Keep it cool just to be safe IMO. I had no issues with my last small truck in the 160,000 miles I used it to pull and that was one of the things i did, that and change the fluid every 50k...

 

His FX4 should already have a nice trans cooler already.....mine did.

Off topic, I pulled one of my dad's old dump trucks and my 4.0 had no problems. I also had to pull in on the grass a little so I went to 4low and it pulled it off idle. Love my 4.0.

 

yea the stock cooler is bigger than the 25k lb cooler. I have both.

leave it stock. you will be perfectly fine

 

i dont think the 5r55e is that weak, mine have been through tons of crap, did a little extra work to it now its awesome, love it.

 

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I have a 2000 4.0 OHV with a 5-spd. The truck came with a class three hitch, but (regardless of hitch size) what would be my upper limit of towing if the need ever arose?

Thanks for any responses,

-Chance

 

chance you need to check your manual for your specific style truck. I will warn you it is rated much lower since it is a manual trans. something like 2600lbs. it is really low for one basic reason is that people tend to slip the clutch alot more while towing. this will cause major issues for the clutch. if you are good with the clutch you can tow much more. i know several people that tow just as much as the auto trans (5600 lbs)

I would not exceed 5600lbs on the ranger, no matter the config of the ranger.

 

i have pulled so much with my little 3.0 i have a towed a 95 maxima on a u haul car trailer. an i still could travel an 70 but that was all an on the way back home i towed a 70 elcamino on the way back all on the bumper.

 

So if you're easy on the clutch (as I am anyway) then I can tow a larger load? Sounds pretty good. Our pipeband is looking into getting a trailer to haul drums and gear so I figured I'd help out if I could for towing. Granted, it's not going to be anywhere near the load limit, but I was curious as to what I could safely haul in a pinch. I also have two VW's and I KNOW at least one of them will require 'extra mobility assistance' at one point or another.

Thanks for the help!

-Chance