So I plan on towing a 6x12 tandem trailer, on my 1992 ranger 4x4 automatic, has a tranny oil.cooler and integrated into the radiator. It has 4.10 gear ratio, and a class 3 hitch. Now I saw the towing capacity is 4100 lbs. I'm towing close to 3000 lbs. Plus 420 lbs on my bed. So it's 3420 payload and tow, my curb weight runs about 3600s? What's the GCWR on a 1992 ranger, automatic 2.9L 4.10 gear ratio. I have brake controller installed all ready. Second question, who has towed with a similar weight up a 6% grade? Your experience? I'm thinking I'm pushing onto the red zone here, may or may not rent a tow vehicle. Towing about 250 miles, 500 miles round trip. I will be using a weight distribution hitch as well. Overnight towing. Thank you

 

With my 3.0 2X4 truck pulling a 7X12 trailer with 3 motorcycles (1200 lbs of motorcycles) was a struggle to maintain highway speed. What you are not considering, is altitude, temperatures, weather conditions and topography. You haven't mentioned if this is an open trailer or a utility trailer. An enclosed trailer is going to tougher to tow because of it's Sail Area (wind resistance) This is one of the reasons I stopped towing this set up with my 2004 3.0 2X4 and bought a 2004 4.0 4X4 4D.

While you could get away with this tow, you are going to put your drive train at it's limit and your patience too.

Good luck.

b

 

Be sure to turn the OD off. Check your fluid and make sure it is bright red and does not have a burnt smell. You might want to put a temperature gauge on the output of your external tranny oil cooler.

Your gas mileage will be in the toilet.

 

Thank you for your feedback.

It's an open trailer, utility trailer, not a cargo or enclosed trailer, yeah the sail effect would do it for the ranger. Usually it be an overnight tow, well at least when the cargo is on Truck and trailer. Can't move bees in the day. The incline I'm worried about, but I know it's gonna be cold. Elevation I think is 2500 to 3000 feet. Highway speed in tow 55 max. I've towed before on the truck but only 1200 lbs on a much smaller trailer, and did fine nice and flat. Just the grade incline and decline. Is my concern.

 

Yeah I hardly use over drive unless I'm doing +55 mph. As for gas mileage its gonna be bad I'm planning on taking containers while in town, wouldn't want to pull up at a gas station with bees, they will probably hate me for it. Tranny good, recent service so I know I got new oil.

 

You will have more horsepower with the colder air. With the utility trailer you should be fine. I am sure, with bees, you will have them tarped too. Like any truck, stay in a low gear and brake in short stabs and stay at lower speeds in the down hill. That way air will get to the brake pads/rotors. High speed will just cause more heat and longer/more frequent braking periods for your rotors, which will cause damage to drums/rotors. Watch the RPMs going up and down, you'll be fine. Just don't do this drive often as you are over stressing a truck that historically has great longevity, if treated well.

b

 

yes this truck I have has been very good to me. I love it too much. It's no longer the original engine, the engine cracked in 2014 cylinders 1,3,5 and passenger side head came out in 3 pieces, not by me though, I let someone borrow the truck. The truck just hit 300,000 miles. Yes low gears it's what I plan on doing up and down. Done it several times with no load or tow. RPMS I'm gonna install an aftermarket tach, the stock no longer reads properly. Bees are netted or not, there gonna have screen doors to prevent from going out when I fuel up.

 

Soni forgot to give an update. I ended up towing a small trailer up to the Central valley. I love my ranger too much to put too much strain on it. In the end I upgraded the leaf spring to a 1/2 ton .Had about 1300 lbs in the bed plus tongue weight on the small trailer. Truck ran fine at 55 mph, up hill on the grape vine (4500 ft elevation with a 6% grade) truck ran at 45 mph in 3 Rd gear. No overdrive. Didn't have over heating issues. Since then I loaded up the big trailer had about 3500 lbs truck ran ok, 45 to 50 mph, nice and flat no hills truck did fine. No over heat issues.

 

I have a 92 3.0 v6 5-speed manual and im about to put a 4,000 lbs tow capacity hitch on it. Im looking to tow other rangers with a tow dolly. I restore older rangers and im going to be using my 92 to pull with. Would it be a good idea to or not a good idea.

 

Answered here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3...pacity-155828/