Re: Ranger
I guess since this thread has been brought back up I'll add to it again.
I used a 1999 4x2 Ranger to tow a 2500lb boat from NJ to southern FL last fall, plus the bed was loaded with misc items as was the boat. I wouldn't try to launch that kind of weight but it did just fine down I95 the whole way. I had no issues at all, it drove fine, got decent mileage, and made it in no more time than I normally take for that ride.
The boat was an old trihull, plus we loaded it with several other items that needed to go too, probably another 800lbs or so, and the bed had loads of tackle and boxes of misc. household items like glasses, dishes, etc. A buddy was moving there and we took turns driving his three vehicles.
I'm not saying it didn't feel the weight but it did the job just fine, stopped fine, and handled fine. It wasn't going to win any races but it had no problem keeping up with traffic.
It made me really wish mine had the 3.0L engine.
I think if they still offered that motor, I'd go buy a brand new one today. But I'm just not game on having an American truck with a foreign motor. Its bad enough the trans in my 1994 is Asian, as was the trans in the 1999 I drove to FL.
The week point of the Ford Ranger is the trans/clutch set up, every one of these I've owned has had some sort of clutch or shifting issue most of its life. Mind you, none have ever failed and left me on the road. The auto trans is even worse in the older models, and from what I hear not much better in the newer trucks.
I pull a 2200 lb 18 1/2' aluminum boat, a 2500lb glass trihull, and an array of smaller trailers with my 1994, and have pulled a tandem axle landscape type trailer for years with it with no issues. Mine being a 2.3L is slow to get rolling but a gear change would solve that. My last Ranger had 4.10 gears and it did great with a larger trailer.
When it comes to traction, in some cases, the Ranger does better than my one ton Dodge van, which will get stuck on wet grass, but does tow on flat land just fine.
