Hey I have a dumb question. I have an '08 ranger sport 4x4. I am moving st the end of the month and will be travelling around 5,000kms. I will be towing a 4x6 or 5x8 uhaul trailer, and an ATV in my truck box. Would it be able handle that ?

 

Yes, it should be fine, but there are "rules"

Towing is about the maximum weight of the trailer fully loaded not specific to the size of the trailer, i.e. hauling pillows or gravel, lol.

U-haul will have rules for each trailer size and rules about YOUR trucks capacity, which is Ford's Rating and trailer hitch rating on the vehicle
Manual transmission vehicles have a lower "allowed" tow weight rating than automatics, simply because automatics are stronger transmissions than manuals, NOTHING to do with driver skill, just FYI, lol.

Some areas require trailer brakes if trailer load weighs over a certain amount, for a 5,000km journey I would check the areas you will be crossing, you can be stopped and made to leave the trailer where it sits and return with a trailer that has brakes, so heads up
Trailer brakes, tongue brakes or electric brakes, are a good idea in any case, they save wear and tear on your brakes and are safer going downhill and in panic stop situations

If you have an automatic then spend the $65 for a 2nd transmission cooler if you don't have one now, best money you will ever spend on any vehicle with an automatic

Found the Ford Towing guide for 2008, page 22 for Ranger: https://www.fleet.ford.ca/resources/...TTgdeSep08.pdf

GCWR is gross combined weight rating, and this is important
The 4x4 extended cab Ranger itself weighs 3,400lbs with driver, and no extra loads
So if GCWR is 6,000lbs then you subtract 3,400 from that, leaving you with 2,600lbs for cargo AND trailer
This is why 4x4s and extended cabs can have lower trailer weight rating than 2WD regular cabs, because they are HEAVIER and GCWR is over all weight

GVWR is gross vehicle weight rating, this is maximum load of only the vehicle

These are the "rules", the "What weight MAY I tow" guide lines, and what U-haul will use
What you CAN tow will be more, but you have to keep in mind insurance companies also go by "the rules" so heads up on "breaking the rules", if heaven forbid, there is an accident, your insurance company may walk away, even if weight was not a factor, because of the contract clause wihich states you must operate vehicle in legal lawful manner, and overweight is illegal, so vehicle shouldn't have been on the road, this gives them an OUT and they will take it.

 

Ron - what trans cooler do you recommend in a Ranger?

 

Derale makes good ones and in many models/sizes, also has plug n' play kits with correct hose fittings

Size is determined by use, and average temp in your area.
You want ATF to stay above 175degF but below 205degF, but there is no thermostat for ATF
The trans cooler in the radiator cools ATF but also keeps it warm in very cold weather, so double duty, lol.

Generally a "4 pass" cooler would be fine, cooling tube passes 4 times thru the fins

 

Thanks. It's on my list of things to look at when I finally have the Ranger back as a daily driver. I'll check out Derale's offerings.

 

I ripped this trailer in a lil ole Fleet Truck 2008 standard Ford Ranger. Dallas to Savannah.
The U-Haul 5x8 empty feels like you aren't even towing it. Good torque.
Once your woman fills it with her shoes you still can rip it, you just have
to turn off the AC (60/40) and buy Powerades. This little truck
ran uphill (with my foot to the floor) at 65. Downhill? 95!
Scared the woman something awful. The trailer is 890 lbs.
The max is 1598? I KNOW I was a bit over. Insure yourself.
Load properly. Tongue weight is a real deal.
I put 600 lb.s (+/-) in the bed also. Really no problems.


Litttle bit of wiggle and shift when passing big diesels.
TOTALLY impressed with this bad Forda Jamma!