hey guys, so i am probably going to get a 2006 or higher manual 2.3 liter extended cab (for the years that had that engine with the body) and i know the towing capacity is fairly low, but i was wondering if i could occasionally tow some light weight lawn equipment or like a sofa or something. if i can and i decide to tow more often, should i get better shocks?

 

2002 to 2011 had 2.3l DOHC engine, with manual trans it has max towing weight of 1,580lbs
So as long as your trailer AND cargo together weight under 1,581lbs you are legal

You "can" tow more weight than that, its just not legal to do it

I don't see 2.3l extended cab listed after 1997, which was a different engine?
I know you can't get the new 2.3l in a 4x4
Not sure about extend cab

No, shouldn't need different shocks, you would just have 150-200lbs tongue weight

2006 Ford towing guide here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/d...VTTowGuide.pdf

Rangers on the bottom of page 18
2002-2011 will be the same with same engine and body type

 

i saw on edmunds.com that the ranger had a 2.3 liter extended cab only on a couple years. so as long as im under 15oo lbs im good

 

That's what Ford says :)

Yes, I don't know why you couldn't get 2.3l in an extended cab, it had more power than the older 2.3l SOHC Lima engine

 

If you end up getting an older 2.3 extended cab, your towing numbers might be a little lower, but they should still be over 1000lbs, so you should be fine. For example, my 96 2.3 manual has a towing capacity of 1300lb, although I wouldn't trust it to haul that much very far with the hills around here. For whatever ranger you are looking at you should be able to look up the towing numbers online for that specific model. I have found charts in the past with all of the towing numbers for all the years and makes, but I don't remember where those were at the moment so I can't give you a link unfortunately.

 

My 99 XLT 4.0 4x4 is my first truck. Rated Towing is 9500 lbs. but with it’s 180k miles what would you COMFORTABLY tow with it? Yes I’ll make sure there’s fresh fluid and a trans cooler.

I’m looking at 7000 lb lightweight campers. Small for extended stays so my instincts want to push the envelope. they also say get a tent!!!

Maybe mountains maybe not. It’ll start in the flat Midwest no matter?

What would you comfortably tow?

 

You need to re-check your figures....
It looks like you are using the GCWR--Gross Combined Weight Rating which is the weight of the truck AND trailer/payload. If your Ranger is an automatic then the max trailer weight is 5900 lbs. If a manual trans then it's 3400, and both of those ratings are dependant on the axle ratio. Could be as low as 3600 and 3000 lbs. And, those figures were when your truck was new. Being 21 years old with the mileage you have on it, I'd cut the tow figures in half to be on the safe side.
Brand new 2020 Ranger is only rated to tow 7500 lbs.

 

You can see, or download, the 1999 Ford Towing guide from here: https://blueovaltrucks.com/tech/pdf_...wing_guide.pdf

Page 14 has Ranger info
You are mistaking Gross Combined weight rating(GCWR), 9,500lbs, with "towing weight"
GCWR is the "combined weight" of the Ranger itself, the load IN the Ranger + the trailers total weight, this is for the Ranger BRAKES, its stopping power

If you have a super cab 4.0l 4x4 with automatic transmission, the max tow weight is 5,660lbs
If Manual trans its 3,200lbs

Automatics are stronger transmissions, so will always have a higher towing weight rating

You also still have to be under GCWR
Ranger super cab 4x4 weights about 3,600lbs with driver
9,500 - 3,600 = 5,900lbs
If you max'ed out trailer weight at 5,660 then
5,900 - 5660 = 240lbs for extra person or gear in the Ranger

If you have a manual trans the trailer towing weight is lower and so is GCWR, 7,000

 

I've got the 94 with the 4.0. Brakes are definitely the weakest link. W/o antilock brakes it takes me about double the normal stopping distance pulling only about 3-4k lbs. Those brakes just lock up and skid pretty easily. The 99 might come with antilocks so might have better stopping capabilities?

 

Pulling a trailer that heavy requires brakes on the trailer.
Most states require trailer brakes on trailers over 1000 lbs.

If you have an accident pulling a trailer that heavy without brakes, it WILL be your fault, no matter who hits who.

 

Being new to pickups I ASSumed it could pull a MEDIUM 15-20’camper or even a large boat. Frankly I’m surprised. How much we learn every day. Maybe we save someone a headache.

It is an extended cab with auto. Really appreciate it!



reslly appreciate your help.