What? You needed a new rear end before you bought the truck? And have done a bunch of other mods instead of replacing it? Are you not reading what you write?

 

LOL adam

 

To the OP, if you try this with a brake-less trailer....then drive smart.

A trailer with brakes is recommended. There is nothing wrong with taking the extra precautions.

 

You've got it all wrong man. I bought the truck in fine mechanical order. Things wore out since I've had it. I did need pinion bearings before I towed the Dmax, and just never got to fixing them because I had put almost 6 grand into the truck and had just put $650 into a front differential.

 

AND TO EVERYBODY ELSE:

Please post the concerns that the OP might have to worry about if he attempts this with a brake-less trailer, and stop the bickering.

Thank you.

 

I got dragged into this by guys who are over-cautious. Understandable, yes. Need to be overly cautious? No. If he isn't putting his foot to the floor, he'll be absolutely fine, and giving himself extra braking room will not tax his braking system as much.

 

Shift linkage, CV's, transfer case, rear end, front diff shot, hubs......now that is a list I know of that you replaced since you got the truck. Do you really think its a good idea to recommend to another member that its ok to tow something like that? I don't think so, no it isn't fine, your truck may have hauled a big trailer to florida but look what you have replaced since.

To the O/P .... better to be cautious then to take advice saying its ok to do from a member that has basically had almost everything in the drivetrain replaced

 

You'll be fine, just plan ahead on stopping. The most I've pulled with my Ranger was around 3700lbs, I was more worried about going then slowing. I've crossed the scale at 20k with my F350 only truck brake, no trailer brakes and it stops just fine.

 

I've pulled two Laser mowers on an open landscaper just recently with the new truck.
Each unit weighs 1395 lbs.
which is a tad shy of 3k. Plus the weight of the trailer, which is in the neighborhood of 1k (a 7'x12' open trailer)
so, pulling 4k pounds, WITHOUT brakes (it has electric brakes, i need to convert it to surge style still) is a pain. Don't get me wrong, the truck will do it, it will NOT be happy, but if you are careful and you take care of your truck.
you should be fine. However, i've never taken them for more than like half hour to 45 minute trip.

I'd be cautious if i were you.

 

Really? That's what I've pulled, well 2 large Gravelys+dirtbike in bed on a 7x14' open trailer with parachutes for ramps. I don't know it's back there unless I'm pulling out into traffic or situations where I want to accelerate fast.

 

LOLOLOL really, you don't need brakes and a controller for a 2k pound trailer/load. Besides the fact its a one time, maybe 80 miles trip? I'm guessing it's mostly highway, you shouldn't even need to brake much if you drive smart. I can make a trip like that and not brake until I'm coming up on the exit ramp. then you'll be making a few low speed stops going through town?

YOU CAN DO IT. I tow a 2700 pound trailer/boat REGULARLY. NO BRAKES. Sure. I'd like em. Sure, I'll get some eventually. but no, brake early be aware and you won't have problems.

Now, even IF you have the issues with your brakes, so what? get new brakes after. around $100.

I have the same truck as you. 54k miles. no tranny issues, engine runs great, 16 mpg towing. had the truck for almost 30k miles and only just replaced the brakes.

 

if your truck doesn't have brakes, then no, I wouldnt do it.

 

Keep in mind that my truck has done that A FEW DOZEN times... Once ain't gonna bother the truck.

 

borrowed a f150 from a friend. thanks for the help.

 

You would'a been fine. I work at U-Haul and I've seen S-10s and beat to hell Rangers come in and rent an AT (auto transport), most of our trailers ARE equipped with hydraulic brakes activated by a safety chain. If in the future you decide to use the Ranger to transport another vehicle or anything else that's heavy, it wouldn't be a bad idea to install a trailer brake controller. But like said earlier, drive smart. You can only control what you do, everything else just has to take it's own way.

 

i'm not saying you can't do it.
but what i am saying, is that if you do it, just take your time.

 

lol I didnt catch that one.