WDH for Ford Ranger

[Mkos1980]

We towed out Boat last year with no problems, but I do get a little tongue heavy and now that I see Equalizer makes a 600TW / 6000 kit for surge brakes it now has my interest.. The trucks Class III hitch states. STD Load 3,500 350TW and under that it states 6,000 600WD. Although the truck is only rated to tow 5500 I consider that the max. Boat itself states 3200 lbs and trailer title states shipping weight of 1180. Add that in with 50 gallons fuel and about 150lbs of gear it puts me about 4900-5000 lbs. Were going to be doing more traveling this year over a few states and feel it would be a wise investment now only for helping the sag, but also for safty of sway and a better ride. I've thought about putting on an add a leaf and new shocks, but when I took my leaf off and gave it to a commercial spring shop, they tested it for lbs or something and it came in perfect with what ford recommends. They said to keep it the way it is, add some new shocks to replace the 50K mile ones and invest in a WD type hitch. Any thoughts? Truck is an 04, 4.0L and 4.10's Heres a recent pic of setup and of side shot to show amount of room available for WD setup possibly.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

As I stated in a recent thread, I'm a recent convert to WD hitches. Just towed a 3500# boat @2,000 miles and it was rock solid and stable the entire way.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Just found out eTrailer has a kit for surge which is a copy of the Equalizer it says but they add more friction grips. Its called their "Pro Series SC" I emailed them as they said the system is for 400-700 TW's

 

[KM2]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Another thing to consider is adding air bags. Firestone makes air bags that are adjustable and help the springs. Don't know the cost and how it compares to the WD hitch.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

the WD kit would be better.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

I ended up purchasing the Reese/Draw-Tite Pro Series kit which is also made for surge per the email from Draw-tite. Its basically a copy cat of the Equalizer system. Cheapest I found it was 330 from etrailer shipped, but then I found the 750lbs kit, which is the smallest kit on clearance for 260.00 from Camping World. I'll let everybody know how it does when I get it all installed sometime in April.

 

[DJ]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Mkos,

I've towed with three different Rangers. (1998, 2002, 2004) All were similar: (the last was an "Edge" with "STX" package.)

-3.0L Auto's.
-Trailer tow packages-option code: 535.
-Super Cabs-like yours.

The Ranger is one tough little truck, however:

1. It does not handle tongue weight well, as you discovered (long aft of axle overhang).

2. Braking and power were fine.

BE CAREFUL how much weight you put on the rear axle. The truck needs to set just above LEVEL, when loaded-on level ground. A weight distributing hitch is good but air bags will help tremendously. Otherwise, the front axle "unloads" as you back down the ramp and you "skid" down the ramp, NOT a good feeling.

If anything, bias the rear axle a little light.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Otherwise, the front axle "unloads" as you back down the ramp and you "skid" down the ramp, QUOTE]


I do that now sometimes on a steep ramp. lol I'm hoping the wd will put some lbs on the front axle. I'm fortunate that the 4.0L's came with the 8.8 Rear ends as the 3.0 and 2.3 came with the 7.5 Let me apply a little more load. I also purchase the payload package 2 with the truck giving it more spring pressure and upgraded shocks.

 

[DJ]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Mkos,

The 7.5's or 8.8's carry the load just fine.

As you've noticed, it's the weight "transfer" that you have to be concerned with.

It sounds like you have a handle on it and recognize it. I went with the air bags so that I could be in instant control.

Good towing to you. Keep us posted.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

I believe that Ford actually states in their towing guide that the Ranger isn't recommended to use a WD hitch, but that being said, I wouldn't tow without one over any distance with any serious trailer weight. Once you've towed with a WD hitch, you won't ever want to go back. be aware that most WD set ups unload completely when launching down a ramp due to angle and that too much torsion bar preload can unload the rear wheel slightly. From looking at your pics, you don't need much help to level the truck at all, it just sounds like you need to balance the weight transfer slightly.

I prefer the Reese style set up, I've got a few different weight torsion bars as well, but I tow many different trailers.

You will most likely only need the lightest set up for that rig and it will do wonders for your handling and ride quality while towing. If set up right, you won't feel the trailer behind you at all.

 

[DJ]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

I believe that Ford actually states in their towing guide that the Ranger isn't recommended to use a WD hitch, but that being said, I wouldn't tow without one over any distance with any serious trailer weight. Once you've towed with a WD hitch, you won't ever want to go back. be aware that most WD set ups unload completely when launching down a ramp due to angle and that too much torsion bar preload can unload the rear wheel slightly. From looking at your pics, you don't need much help to level the truck at all, it just sounds like you need to balance the weight transfer slightly.

I prefer the Reese style set up, I've got a few different weight torsion bars as well, but I tow many different trailers.

You will most likely only need the lightest set up for that rig and it will do wonders for your handling and ride quality while towing. If set up right, you won't feel the trailer behind you at all.

All that is 100% true. There are WDH's available for trailer boats. They account for the "unloading" while launching. It's all in how the spring bars are set up.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Really? I just downloaded the ranger tow guide and it said to use WD for anything over 3500 lbs. Says it in my 04 booklet too. I'll scan it up if I can. As for loosing some rear traction, if need be I'll unload the bars real quick or just use 4x4

 

[DJ]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Really? I just downloaded the ranger tow guide and it said to use WD for anything over 3500 lbs. Says it in my 04 booklet too. I'll scan it up if I can. As for loosing some rear traction, if need be I'll unload the bars real quick or just use 4x4

Good idea on "unloading the bars". I did not mean that Rangers shouldn't use equalizers, I meant to be careful backing down if they are still attached.

You've got it covered.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: WDH for Ford Ranger

Really? I just downloaded the ranger tow guide and it said to use WD for anything over 3500 lbs. Says it in my 04 booklet too. I'll scan it up if I can. As for loosing some rear traction, if need be I'll unload the bars real quick or just use 4x4

The towing guides I have here for my 94, 95, and 98 Rangers all say that a WDH isn't recommended. It don't actually say not to, just 'not recommended'. All of mine are also 4 cylinder - 5 speed stick trucks, so the factory tow rating is pretty low on them anyhow. I think the max on the 4 cyl is about 1500, although I've towed over 7,000 with no problems for shorter distances. A realistic max weight for a Ranger would probably be about equal to the weight of the truck provided you have a proper hitch. Beyond that the trailer pushes the truck around too much at higher speeds. I find that a 3500lb boat can be a real handful at highway speeds but it's totally comfortable towing it at slower speeds. I don't do an freeway driving on the way to the ramp from here so it's not a problem, but if I take my boat with me elsewhere, I use my full size truck. I just hate to pay the fuel bill on a truck that gets 12-13 mpg at best empty.