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Again question about towing weight
Hello,everybody,I have a Ranger xl, 2.3 liters,automatic trans.just finish to install extra transmission cooler ,gauge trans temp.,air lift suspension and trailer hitch for 3500 pounds.Intend to pull a boat which weight with trailer 3200-3500 pounds,for 30 50 miles maybe 15-20 times a year.What you think about this?I will kill my little truck?
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I've pulled more with my 2.5L but then again, that's when I first got the truck... I wouldn't do it now knowing what I know now lol
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welcome to RF
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Lets see this air-lift suspension!
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
(Post 931633)
Lets see this air-lift suspension!
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welcome to R-F, Adrian!
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welcome
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About air lift
Ride Control Rear Leveling Kit Ships between 04/17/2008 - 04/18/2008 Air Lift's mid-range air shocks are ideal for light- and medium-duty pickups, vans and SUVs that need up to 2,000 lbs of leveling capacity Durable shock construction for years of loyal service Completely adjustable between 5 and 100 psi for the perfect balance between a comfy ride and stable support Designed for leaf spring suspensions Installation Time - 2 Hours or Less $204.95 |
Your owners manual sets a maximum trailer weight of 2100~2240 for a 2.3 auto depending on which cab and bed combo you have. Those numbers assume that there will be only a driver and a full tank of fuel on board. For every pound of cargo, passengers or accessories added to the truck, you should reduce the max trailer weight by the same amount. Although the warning is largely ignored, Ford also says that a weight distributing hitch should be used for any trailer exceeding 2000 pounds behind any Ranger.
The extra trans cooler and gauge are great ideas for towing but they don't change the engine torque. You might be able to get away with "cheating" somewhat on the trailer weight for the level ground of Illinois but the 2.3L would be struggling with 3500 pounds. Acceleration would be "liesurely" and any decent grade would slow it to a crawl. If you have a reg cab 2.3L, you probably also have the smaller/narrower 9" rear brakes. If it's a Supercab, you may have the 10" upgrade. Either way, if the gross combined weight (truck, cargo, passengers and loaded trailer) exceeds the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (on the door jamb sticker), then the trailer needs to have its own braking system. In this case, you are probably talking ~7000 GCW which exceeds the GVWR of every Ranger. You'd need trailer brakes. So, you have the smallest Ranger engine, the lightest duty automatic transmission and maybe the smallest brake combination. You plan to do regular towing at about 1500 over the GCWR. In your situation, even with trailer brakes and a weight distributing hitch, I think a 3500 trailer is pushing things too far. |
Originally Posted by rwenzing
(Post 932341)
Your owners manual sets a maximum trailer weight of 2100~2240 for a 2.3 auto depending on which cab and bed combo you have. Those numbers assume that there will be only a driver and a full tank of fuel on board. For every pound of cargo, passengers or accessories added to the truck, you should reduce the max trailer weight by the same amount. Although the warning is largely ignored, Ford also says that a weight distributing hitch should be used for any trailer exceeding 2000 pounds behind any Ranger.
The extra trans cooler and gauge are great ideas for towing but they don't change the engine torque. You might be able to get away with "cheating" somewhat on the trailer weight for the level ground of Illinois but the 2.3L would be struggling with 3500 pounds. Acceleration would be "liesurely" and any decent grade would slow it to a crawl. If you have a reg cab 2.3L, you probably also have the smaller/narrower 9" rear brakes. If it's a Supercab, you may have the 10" upgrade. Either way, if the gross combined weight (truck, cargo, passengers and loaded trailer) exceeds the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (on the door jamb sticker), then the trailer needs to have its own braking system. In this case, you are probably talking ~7000 GCW which exceeds the GVWR of every Ranger. You'd need trailer brakes. So, you have the smallest Ranger engine, the lightest duty automatic transmission and maybe the smallest brake combination. You plan to do regular towing at about 1500 over the GCWR. In your situation, even with trailer brakes and a weight distributing hitch, I think a 3500 trailer is pushing things too far. Annnnnd How? Hah, actually, that is very right.. I wouldnt really recommend towing much of anythign with a 2.3L myself.. Not to sound disheartenign or anything, but stepping up to a 4.0 woudl be your best decision if you are thinking on towing that much that often during the year. |
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