Mirrors are staying. Purely function. I had clip on mirrors, shake way too much, can't see jack.

GCVW: Gross Combined Vehicle Weight. Total weight of truck and trailer. 4.0 SOHC rangers are rated for 9500 with 3.73 or 4.10 gears.

GAWR: Gross Axle Weight Rear. Total weight on rear axle. On smaller on trucks you must watch this so you don't overload it. A Ranger with an 8.8 is rated for 2600 pounds.

GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Weight of tow vehicle, including the hitch (or pin) weight. Again, watch on smaller vehicles. The 4.0 Ranger is rated from 5260 pounds.

 

On a mazda 5 speed i dont think its as much of a clutch problem as internal strenght.

 

ok, so what does your 5th wheel weigh?
how do you figure out how much weight is on the axle and the pin?

from what you posted, your truck weighs 4300 subtracted from 9500 means that the trailer can't weigh more then 5200? or 5k with 200 for a pin? doesn't the pin or hitch (same as tounge) have to be something like 10% of the trailer's weight?

 

fifth wheel pin weight is closer to 25%.

 

I think it is sweet.

Sounds like a good setup.

 

to some of you guys that posted here just to bash the OP for utilizing his truck for what its designed to do, you know, haul stuff, I suggest opening up your owners manual and do a little studying before bashing the OP. He clearly did his homework and knows and understands the cababilitys and limitations of the truck he drives. Maybe some of you should do the same so you don't seem so ignorant the next time. To the OP, nice camper!

 

i decided to google the shadow cruiser and came up with an rv site in indiana. wana rv. i clicked on one and it gives a dry hitch weight of 1107lbs. would that be the pin or tounge? here is the link.

Wana RV Center

good price but im guessing that is used or demo.

another question. some guys mention pin, i mentioned tounge and that site used dry hitch.

is it called pin when it is a 5th wheel and tounge when it's a regular style or non 5th wheel?

 

Hey,

Can you recommend a 5th wheel hitch/mounting kit for the ranger? I am having a hard time getting any local companies installing them on a down-sized truck, they refuse.

Thanks.

 

What a great thread. It's threads like this that keep me around. Oh the DRAMA.

 

They Refuse to install them because it's dangerous and a Ranger is NOT designed to tow a fifth wheeler. Listen to them. They know what they are talking about.

 

Main reason newer transport trucks have autos (which are still computer controlled standards) is because a lot of older drivers are having knee problems because the clutches are so damn hard to work in traffic. There is no true auto in the class 8 truck world

 

i remembered getting bashed for asking about hauling a bumper pull camper when i had my ranger. if its within the weight ratings and pulls fine i see no harm in it. hell, around here if you have a ky farm plate you can legally pull any amount you want no matter what your door sticker says

 

And the writing on the beer can says this may impair your ability to operate a vehicle...go bother someone else with your useless ideals of what people should be doing. I tow all the time with my Ranger using the ball on the bumper...oh my God I am horrible, I better just call my self in.

 

Total trailer weight can't be over 5200 pounds. This includes pin weight. Pin weight is typically used to describe 5th wheels, tongue weight on bumper pull.

The manual for the camper told me that it was 750 pounds dry weight. The water tank is slightly behind the rear trailer axles, so at least the pin weight doesn't sky rocket when I load it up with water.

Thanks

Thanks again

Nope, that's not the camper. That thing is huge! This one is a 95. The company went under in 98, and was bought out, and have had tons of changes since then.

Yes I can. It's the Husky kit for downsized trucks, part number 07045. Search on huskytow.com under products for it. I followed the directions to a tee, works well! These base rails are universal, so you can use other hitches with these base rails. I'm using the Robin industries hitch that came with my camper.

Yea, go figure.

You're an idiot. It's not dangerous, you don't know have a single clue about towing, so don't chime in. Leave it to the people that have some real experience pulling stuff.

Yea, I'm not exactly not sure what it is in WI. It's best just to stay in the vehicles ratings in case of out of state travel. People sure love to bash around here when they don't have a clue what they're talking about, don't they?

Cheers to another person that tows with their truck.

This is a picture of the camper:

 

glad you responded. so the weight before or after the axle can affect the tounge or pin wieght. i thought so.
i'm sure that the trailer people would be able to help find something that suits my trucks towing restrictions when i am ready to purchase one.
do you know which company bought out your manufacturer? do they still offer similar stuff?

 

cant say ive ever seen a 5th wheel on a ranger but looks cool and different lol, keep on keepin on.....

 

Many people think that a 5th wheel is well over the max payload of a ford ranger, however, the truth is it all depends on what your towing, and what kind of trailer you are using to tow with. Personally I have 2 rangers; a 1988 4x4 that has been re-enforced in the rear-end specifically for hauling heavy loads, I have an axle from an F350 super duty that I have made to fit this truck, complete with the leaf springs, add leaves, and a lift kit. I have pulled the 2.3L engine that came standerd in this truck, and sliped in a 4.3L cummings turbo diesel w/an allison transmission. I built this truck for work, and that is exactly what she does. She may not be the best looking truck in the world, "needs a paint job" but she will pull anything you can put behind her, inclusing a fully loaded 5th wheel trailer. What's more, I have had it checked out and she now has a max GCVWR of 13,000 lbs. I use this truck to run hotshot loads for trucking companies. I can carry more than most hotshots, but I stil can't carry as much as a Rig. But I'm still just as fast as other hotshots.
My 97 Ranger is still stock. looking to upgrade it soon.

 

HOLY THREAD RESURRECTION BATMAN!!! lol

 

you know, I read throught this whole thread but there was just too much reading in that last post in one small space.

 

well no one ever said you had to read it!

 

actually I just did, and it sounds like we need some pics of your 88

 

Yes, we need pics of that Ranger! Sounds like a badass rig!

 

Sorry but the way I have her built is my lil secret, I can't let that cat out of tha bag! about the only way I am going to beat that is if I put the new Eco-Boost engine in it, then I'll be the fastest and the strongest rig on the road.

 

So you don't want people to see your truck? I call BS then.

 

You can think what ever you want, the only to see it is in person, besides, it's kind of hard to take pictures with out a camera, and by this time next month if not sooner I'll have it sold.