Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

[mxcarne]

I had an after market tube hitch installed from U-Haul. Ford says 2600lbs towing capacity. I want something like http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/2652573684.html. I have never towed more than a 12ft aluminum kingfisher with a 10hp motor. Another thing I need to consider is backing it up a driveway and into a 1 car garage. Can someone's more experienced eye tell me if I'm on the right track or is this a bit out of my league?

 

[oldskool7_11]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

i tow a 15' fiberglass/50hp with a 94 2.3l 5 speed. i have never really had any problems at my local ramps and it tows and stops it fine. you really have to give it some gas and slip the clutch to get out of the steeper ramps. i have used the same truck to move a 14' dual axle trailer with a vw bus on it around my yard and not had any issues. getting into the garage should be no problem.

 

[oldskool7_11]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

also use the e-brake. the truck will going swimming if you just put it in gear when loading/unloading.

 

[642mx]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

2600 lbs? 2WD 4 banger Rangers don't weigh much more than that...lol

If yours is a 2WD, reg cab... your towing capacity isn't much more than 1500 lbs. FWIW, I have a 99 Mazda B2500 4 hamsters and a stick (same truck as a ranger) and it STRUGGLED pulling a 3 seater jet ski up a steep ramp once. I also tried to pull my Baja out of the barn (just to change oil in the boat) on level ground and the truck wouldn't hardly move it 100 feet no matter how much I slipped the clutch....haha

 

[bigdee]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

2600 lbs? 2WD 4 banger Rangers don't weigh much more than that...lol

If yours is a 2WD, reg cab... your towing capacity isn't much more than 1500 lbs. FWIW, I have a 99 Mazda B2500 4 hamsters and a stick (same truck as a ranger) and it STRUGGLED pulling a 3 seater jet ski up a steep ramp once. I also tried to pull my Baja out of the barn (just to change oil in the boat) on level ground and the truck wouldn't hardly move it 100 feet no matter how much I slipped the clutch....haha

Could the gear ratio be different? I have a buddy with the same truck,extended cab,4 cylinder,5 speed and he pulls a 19 foot Sunbird 4.3 I/O all over the place with no trouble. I tow a 20' pontoon and a skiboat with a four banger S-10,admittedly, it takes a little finesse with the clutch but after 5 years and 134000 miles it is still kicking.

 

[mxcarne]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

2600 lbs? 2WD 4 banger Rangers don't weigh much more than that...lol

If yours is a 2WD, reg cab... your towing capacity isn't much more than 1500 lbs. FWIW, I have a 99 Mazda B2500 4 hamsters and a stick (same truck as a ranger) and it STRUGGLED pulling a 3 seater jet ski up a steep ramp once. I also tried to pull my Baja out of the barn (just to change oil in the boat) on level ground and the truck wouldn't hardly move it 100 feet no matter how much I slipped the clutch....haha

Doh!! I some how looked at the 3.0 towing. I guess mine is actually 1580 according to the manual. With that in mind, is it still possible, or should I say sensible?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

25 hp and a 14' tinny would be a much better plan

 

[642mx]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

Could the gear ratio be different?

I doubt it. The labels are different, but other than that, its pretty much the same truck.

 

[mxcarne]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

25 hp and a 14' tinny would be a much better plan

This sounds about right, my old 12ft sea king with a 9.9 was scary though... and not to mention I've grown up and outwards sense then.

 

[642mx]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

Doh!! I some how looked at the 3.0 towing. I guess mine is actually 1580 according to the manual. With that in mind, is it still possible, or should I say sensible?

Possible?... maybe. Sensible?... nope.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

This sounds about right, my old 12ft sea king with a 9.9 was scary though... and not to mention I've grown up and outwards sense then.

A deep and wide 14' flat bottom (think bass boat)is a LOT more boat than 12' rowboat... I had a 12' shallow v with a 7.5 back in the day... no comparison

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

or if you plan on slightly bigger water something like this could suit you well although not quite as stable for walking around.... still WAY better than the ole 12'er.. look at the pics at how much more width they have

Also notice that the one on the right is wider..... very little difference in weight but a very noticeable difference in stability

 

[southkogs]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

What about something like this one?

Kevin should even like it ... it's got "reevets." (I've been crackin' up at your signatures)

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

I thought about something like that at first but I'm not sure that the weight doesn't start getting a little high..... the cast decks, floors and lockers add up.... not certain how much.... Dad has a 17' bass tracker that I towed once with my wrangler.... It was definitely heavier than the jeep should be towing but I didn't weight it.... I guess if someone is feeling less lazy than me we could get some numbers together but I don't feel like looking em up lol

gotta love reevets tho LOL

 

[southkogs]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

My last boat was a 15' fiberglass tri-hull with a 65hp. Probably not too different in weight than what you originally posted, mxcarne. I towed it with a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer with a 4.0l. Moving it down the road was real easy, but what I was happiest with is that some of the ramps here in TN have a pretty steep slope to them. The 4.0 never gave me an ounce of trouble pulling my boat out, but it did have to work at it. I don't think a 2.3 would have made it. I know Denver is rather flat, but consider the ramps you'll be pullin' back out of - gettin' in is the easy part for the car.

 

[oldskool7_11]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

i would tow that boat in your 1st post with my bicycle. the ranger will be fine.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

The most practical answer would be to get up with the person on GL,go look at the boat,tell the seller your concerns about towing and ask if you can hitch her up for a trial run. I am sure you will definitely feel that your truck is pulling a load, but so what,at least you will be aware that it is behind you!!! The Rangers that I have driven seem to have a stronger 1st gear than my little S-10 that pulls a much larger boat than the one in your post.

 

[mxcarne]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

Thanks a ton for everyone's help. I decided to pass on the fiberglass and keep my eye out for a nice 14-16ft flat bottom jon boat like View attachment 120296 Something nice and light.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Towing with a 2008 Ford Ranger 2.3l 5spd

I find that when towing with a vehicle that is at or near its towing limits the boat ramp which you use is probably the limiting factor. There are some ramps near where i boat that people get in but can't get out.
Your skills with the clutch will be tested... stay as light as you can with a boat selection for that tow rig.
Good luck!

 

[DMDave]

I've watched the wrong vehicle being used at the local boat ramp and the results can be humorous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrS5zzHncR4

[youtube]BrS5zzHncR4[/youtube]


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