Hi all:

I have a 99 4.0V6 manual w/ tow package (receiver hitch, 4-pin light connector).

I'm interested in exploring "light RV" camping (mostly pop-ups and such), but I realized I don't have a good idea of how to determine what my ranger could reasonably / safely tow. When I look up specs, I see all kinds of different numbers. Also it appears that because I have a stick shift, I loose 25% of my tow capacity?

If I understand tow capacity correctly, then there are two numbers I need to know: tongue weight, and total trailer weight, right? If not, please educate me!

I thought about putting an electric break in, but I've had others tell me anything that needs electric breaks is too heavy for the ranger...

I'd appreciate your feedback!
--Jim

 

A lot of people say the manual trans is derated due to ford not wanting to deal with people who blow through clutches because they burn them up. Ive only had a manual in mine a short time but it does fine.

My first set up is with my 16' boat. With the trailer,gear and gas its right around 3500lbs. Not including any passengers. I towed it all last summer. Longest ride was over an hour, Didnt have any trouble. I dont think I would want to go much over 3500-4000lbs.

The 2nd is my sandrail and H-trailer. The trailer is about 600 and the buggy is about 1700. Tow this 2 hours through the mountains. A lot of full throttles up hills, no problems. Neither of them have trailer brakes, Would be good to have, but i dont feel they are 100% necessary.

Both of them have low wind resistance as well which I suppose really helps.

 

Actually automatics are better for towing and safer so have higher manufacturer's towing limit, not related at all to driver, lol, old wives tale.

There are a few things that need to be known
GCWR(Gross combined weight rating), this is the weight of the vehicle, driver, passengers, fuel, ect.., and any other weight in the bed AND the trailer weight, so everything down to the coffee in the cup in the holder, lol.

GCWR is all about the Brakes, can they stop that much weight, lol.

If you ever have to be weighed on a scale thats what they are looking for, they could care less if you blow your engine or trans pulling too much weight, lol, they just want to make sure you can stop with that much weight.
This is also why many states require trailer brakes above a specific trailer weight.

Then you have towing weight, this is about the weight of vehicle, engine size, transmission and rear axle gearing.
Weight of vehicle matters because too much trailer weight can push you sideways but trailer brake can compensate for that

Obviously engine, trans and axle ratio will have a limit, this is more subjective to the owners choice, your the one that has to pay to fix any damage to drivetrain, lol
Ford does offer their own suggested limits for your drive train, while these are technically not "legal" limits, places like u-haul do use these and won't rent you a trailer based on these limits

GVWR(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), this is usually on Drivers Door sticker
This is a manufacturers weight limit for the chassis; driver, passengers and load, if pulling a trailer the tongue weight must be included in GVWR
If your GVWR is 4,600lbs
Truck weights 3,300, driver 150, passenger 150 , thats 3,600, leaving 1,000 for load in bed and trailer tongue weight, i.e. 1,000lbs = 1/2 ton truck ranger rating

GCWR and GVWR are "legal" limits, so if you are over either you can be given a ticket AND......your insurance company can deny any claims if you are involved in an accident, doesn't have to be weight related accident, most insurance policies have "operating vehicle in a legal, lawful manner" clause, so.............if they have a way out they can "legally" use it

GCWR and GVWR are set by the VIN, so no modifications can change these, V8, 10" rear axle, doesn't matter, VIN is what tells police or anyone else the "legal" limits

The trailer weight you chose to tow is your own choice, you just can't exceed GCWR or GVWR "legally"