Hi everyone this is my first post in here and i am considering buying a 89 ranger and i need to get some info first. I need a vehicle that can tow between 1600-2000 pounds safely. I currently own a 94 t-bird but i have now put 2 transmissions under the car in a year im assuming and also according to my transmission guys because i pull a heavy trailor several times a month for my job ( i own a sound reinforcement company). The ranger im looking at has a 2.3 I-4 and a 5 speed manual transmission. I can seem to find anything on a ranger this old in reguards to its towind limits so i do appriciate any help that i can get. Thanks guys

Jess

 

yea look for a f150 or a 4.0 ranger....my 2.3 only had a 4 wheeler behind it and i wouldnt pull much more then that with it

 

I have an '06 Ranger (4 cyl / 5 spd) and tow a light car on a single axle trailer. The car and trailer have a combined weight of about 2700 lbs. The stock max load rating is 2300 lbs. Since I'm towing more than the stock rating, I set up the truck and trailer well with a correct tongue load and properly adjusted electric trailer brakes. I'm surprised the little 2.3L can tow it that well. I cruise down the freeway at 80 and still get 20-21 mpg. It slows down on the up hills, but not nearly as bad as anicipated. The only problem I think may happen is that the clutch will wear prematurely.

 

that and the fact that if you hafta stop fast ur finished. the truck isnt set up to tow that much weight. While it will move - cause its on wheels after all, it may not stop it. Given the trailer brakes will prolly slow u down alot, dont depends entirely on the trailer brakes, the truck brakes must also be able to handle the load, and if your over loading it, they arent made for that.

its also a SERIOUS DOT violation.

 

So lemme get this right....you're pulling a 2000# trailer behind a Thunderbird!? That is SWEET!!!!

However, I'd say you need some more power to pull that load. It would do it, but as FMD has made so clear, it isn't safe, legal, or smart, unless you take extra measures to ensure safety.

 

ya i would go 4.0 ranger or I6 f-series

 

So, let’s look at this logically. You state that my 4x2 Ranger is not able to stop the 2700 lb trailer. I disagree. Tow ratings are based on transmission, motor, and wheelbase. Here are the factory Ford tow ratings:

2.3 Manual – 1580
3.0 Manual – 2640
4.0 Manual – 3380
2.3 Auto – 2240
3.0 Auto – 2600
4.0 Auto – 6000

All of these trucks use an 11.3” front rotor and the same brake pads. If you cross reference the part numbers they are all the same. But, this is only for the 4X2 as the 4X4 Ranger gets better brakes with a 12.0” front rotor. So, what were the brakes designed for? According to the above, the max tow rating for the 11.3” brake system is 6000 lbs. So, the brakes are definitely "set up" to stop my 2700 lb trailer and I won't be "finished".

For trailer brakes the normal rule of thumb is any trailer over 1500 lbs should have trailer brakes. And they should be set-up so that during a normal stop the trailer helps the truck to stop. Because during a lock-up situation (Ranger has ABS) the truck brakes will definitely be overstressed with some of the trailer weight, but it is OK because the truck was designed for it.

SERIOUS DOT violation? C’mon.