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Topic ClosedFord Rangers
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1223 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Ford Rangers
    Posted: 08 May 2014 at 4:05pm
     That makes a lot more sense having a V6. I think you will be fine perhaps you may wish you had more HP but that may depend upon your gearing. 
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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vyfarrell View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 2014 at 3:55pm
The ranger we have is  a 2006 207-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 engine, automatic. 
The maximum towing capacity is rated at 5580 pounds.  Dropping that down to, 5000 pounds,the numbers looks like this:

 5000
-2630  (unloaded rpod 179 weight)
-1155- (cargo carrying capacity of 179)

=1215 under the 5000 limit

Will test it out and see how it goes, and if necessary get something else to pull the trailer. Don't want to be worrying about brakes failing / engines going out... not my idea of a good time!  :)  I do appreciate all of the feedback.
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hogone View Drop Down
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Joined: 09 Apr 2013
Location: High Ridge, MO
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Posts: 1060 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2014 at 6:43am
I was really going to stay out of this one but can't help myself!!  Hard to believe a 4 cylinder Ranger has a towing capacity of 5500.  That's almost as much as my F150 V8(4.6).  Just my 2 cents if this is the case, I think it would be extremely under powered.  Nothing against rangers here, because as everyone knows, FORD rocks!!!!  hogone
Jon & Pam
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2023 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
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Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo View Drop Down
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Posts: 138 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2014 at 12:23am
Ford Motor Company uses two criteria to rate their truck's towing capacity.  First they rate it conventionally by weight, then it's rated by "trailer frontal area".  Meaning the frontal area of the trailer less the frontal area of the truck.  The total frontal area of an r-pod is about 65 square feet, I don't know the frontal area of a Ranger.  The 2006 Ranger is rated to tow 50 sq. ft., with a 3.0 or 4.0 V6.  If you decide to tow with a Ranger, keep a close eye on the front brake pad wear and rotor condition, Rangers are notorious for front brake wear under severe conditions.
Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Posts: 1454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 9:48pm
Originally posted by vyfarrell

its a 4 cylinder... towing capacity if 5580.. talked to the ford dealer yesterday and he said it would be fine.. just suggested not going to the max capacity just to keep on the safe side.  in any case I welcome any feedback.


Pardon my skepticism but I think something isn't right.  Maybe you have a 4L 6 cylinder truck?  I don't think you are going to be happy towing 5580 pounds with a 4 cylinder truck and I pretty willing to bet you have something wrong.  The number of cylinders, I hope. 

In any case you should be aware that the towing capacity is diminished by any load on the truck itself.

TT
2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 9:25pm
   Our 2010 Liberty had a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. it had a 3.7 V6 210 hp. It struggled to tow our r-pod 171. I think with a four cylinder and a heavier r-pod you are going to have a very difficult time. I think these ratings from manufactures are misleading. Your Ranger may be able to tow the r-pod with out breaking something mechanical but it will be very slow going.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
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2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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vyfarrell View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 5:53pm
It is an automatic.. maximum  load trailer weight for an automatic per the manual is 5580.  We took it to the Ford dealer yesterday and had them look over the Rpod 179 information - he said it would work... just suggested not trying to get to the maximum.  I guess we will know for sure when we try it out :)   I appreciate the feedback.
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 4:51pm
My ranger was a few years older (2000) 4X4 with  v6.  iT My have pulled my 177 but it would have had its pants full.  I don't know if they are stronger in later years.
Keith-N-Dar
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wingnut2312 View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Aug 2013
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Posts: 231 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 4:30pm
My brother said, "maybe around the block" when I asked if he would tow ours with a Ranger.
2014 rpod 182G
Ford Expedition
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 3:17pm
I found 5300 for auto, 2800 manual.  For that wheel base and drivetrain I would expect that to be rated for 3500 as most other vehicles.  So I would agree that you are ok, I just wouldn't exceed 3500 fully loaded.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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