Yea I have a 03 flareside xlt and I don't have a tow **** and I know that I can tow stuff I was just wondering what **** I should get or even if its worth it and how much weight wise I can tow without doing damage to my truck. Aswell I would like to know without the **** where I can hook the tow rig up to? I looked under my bumper and I can see the cables for the brake light connection for the trailer but I am not sure what I can hook my rig up too. Thanks

 

whats a ****?

you can get a ball to bolt onto the bumper, but that only has a 200 lb tongue weight and you can only pull 2000 lbs.

if you get a tow bar with receiver and a ball, it has a 500 lb tongue weight and 5800lb tow capacity (for 4.0 sohc(i think))

what engine do you have?

 

There's a full explanation and ratings in your owner's manual.

 

The wiring should be pretty straightforward. In fact I thought all Rangers were pre-wired for a trailer, you just need the pigtail w/ the adapter from your dealer. Even my otherwise very basic '99 XL Sport 4x2 was pre-wired. My dealer did me a 'favor' and threw in the pigtail to sweeten the deal. Although for all I know it was standard equipment.. The LII of course came w/ the tow package..

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much you can do to improve your towing capacity. From everything I've seen or read about the GCVR (Gross Combined Vehicle Rating) seems to be the weak point, so lightening your truck would probably help. Carying less crap and people in the truck would free up more weight to tow.

That said I'm pretty sure I exceeded the spec all the time w/ my old truck (the '99 XL Sport). She still ran though. I think the key is to go easy on it, feather the clutch, etc. Also don't do it every day. If you need to tow a lot every day then you need to invest in a super duty..

 

hes got a 4.0 sohc

 

tow rating for your bumper hitch (lower than the truck) are stamped right where you install the ball