here's my story: i bought a 99 ranger with the 3.0 a little over 3 years ago and she was been good to me. but last summer i picked up a new foreman and a nice sled, well to make a long story short, how much better does the newer 4.0 pull compared to the 3.0? i tow about 2000 pounds almost every weekend and i dont want to kill her. she just cant keep up speed going up the smallest incline. it might have to something to do with the 33's but its got the 4:10 gears. i searched and everybody has a mixed opinion: so the ultimate quesiion will a 02 ranger supercab 4x4 pull 2000 pounds like nothing or should i just up the ante and get an F-150? looking forward to your comments, thanks atom

 

You'll be fine with a 4.0. I have an 03 3.0 and when I had 4.10's and 35's I pulled an 18' trailer with 2 4wheelers and 2 dirt bikes on it without completely doggin out.

 

my main concern is hilly terrain, cuz we got some big *** hills in northen WI

 

My 00 4.0 which is the OHV pulls really good so I imagine that the newer 4.0 would be just as good. I pull a double steel waverunner trailer every weekend with two skis on it. I can barely tell itz behind me.

 

In my northwestern part of georgia, there is no flat ground, every road is up and down up and down.

 

yea we have an 03 4.0 with 33's and we pulled a 20ft trailer loaded to the nuts for awhile and it was amazing

 

Ya i just pulled a trailer with three dirt bikes on it today.....forgot it was back there.
I love it!

 

All I have to say is if it's every weekend just be careful. Keep up on maintenance and what not. Don't be surprised if your brakes wear a little quicker. During the summer I tow our boat which is somewhere around 2500 I think. I don't remember the number right now. The guy that owned the truck before me was a painter too and had a trailer that was at least half a ton and he had it for three years. So, I think you'll be fine.

 

Towing 2000 pounds with the 4.0 SOHC engine is not a problem. I tow my race car on a trailer with a combined weight of around 3500 lbs plus about 800 lbs of gear on the bed. I have climbed over the Rockies with it, and only had to shift into third on the steepest inclines. Sometimes traffic slows me enough on a steep incline that I have to hit 2nd gear to get back up to speed but that is not common.

Stopping is more of a concern to me and I have trailer brakes for that. I recommend them to anyone that tows significant weight.

I don't have experience with the 3.0 but I use to tow with the 2.9L engine. That was a lot more work on hills. I could not climb anything but a slight incline without having to shift to third and even second on the steeper grades. That was with 4.10 gears and 31 inch tires. I'm glad those good old days are gone.