Ford Rangers
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4683
Printed Date: 06 Jul 2025 at 1:42am
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Topic: Ford Rangers
Posted By: vyfarrell
Subject: Ford Rangers
Date Posted: 04 May 2014 at 9:10pm
| Is anyone using a Ford Ranger to tow their pod? I have a 2006, 4x4, V6 4 cylinder. We put a 2014 R-Pod. Looking at a 2014 179, dealer will throw in 60 watt solar panel, WHD and braking system. |
Replies:
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 05 May 2014 at 1:47pm
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What's the towing capacity? You said V6 - 4 cyl, which is it a 6 cyl or 4 cyl? |
Posted By: vyfarrell
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 2:33pm
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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.
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Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 3:15pm
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Check that it's not the MAX towing cap, vs the suggested. Without real knowledge, those two can get muddled up quick. Check your wheel base also. Rangers should be wide enough. Also, you may or may not have a towing package. That will determine the cost of the brake controller install.
I had a two door Wrangler Sport. The dealership told me it would be no problem to tow a 182G. After more research, I found him to be a stupidan that could have got my family killed. I proceeded to let him know what I thought of him... Do some online research or contact Ford. My brother's an engineer on the Triton. I'll ask him what he thinks. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 3:17pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 4:30pm
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My brother said, "maybe around the block" when I asked if he would tow ours with a Ranger. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 4:51pm
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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 Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: vyfarrell
Date 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. |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 9:25pm
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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) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 06 May 2014 at 9:48pm
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 |
Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 07 May 2014 at 12:23am
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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 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 07 May 2014 at 6:43am
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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 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: vyfarrell
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 3:55pm
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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. |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 4:05pm
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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 |