Has anyone towed 7,500 lbs.

[Bill Hippel]

I towed over 7500lbs a couple of times
I would say the car handles it very good but uphill is a struggle with the 2liter diesel

Thanks, that is good to here. I am feeling pretty good about towing my boat up a steep boat ramp.

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[this cannot be changed]

up a boat ramp should be no problem with power
i only have problems keeping speed over 55mph uphill with over 14%gradient

 

[Bill Hippel]

up a boat ramp should be no problem with power
i only have problems keeping speed over 55mph uphill with over 14%gradient

Thanks for the towing advice.

 

[Bill Hippel]

One more question what drop ( 6 or 8") do you use on your hitch ?

 

[John E Davies]

One more question what drop ( 6 or 8") do you use on your hitch ?

That depends entirely on your trailer coupler height and its tongue weight. Hardly any big boat trailers use weight distribution hitches - and they should! - so a heavy tongue, say 600 pounds, is really going to make your truck squat. You can buy an adjustable ball mount, that takes a lot of the hassle out of getting the truck and trailer to ride close to level. Rear airbags may be needed ultimately. Have you leveled your trailer and measured the coupler height above the ground, and weighed the tongue on an accurate scale?

Here is some interesting reading:
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/156765-how-much-tongue-weight-trailer.html

John Davies
Spokane Wa USA

 

[JimJa]

I no longer have my 2.3L '19 Ranger, having upgraded to a '24 RR. About 10% of the 80,000 miles of the '19 was towing typically around 5,500# from WY to Southern Utah. Grades are long (up to 20 miles) and steep with elevations to 8,000'. I live at 7,500'. Use caution, take your time and your 2.3L will do just fine. No overheating concerns. Consider:
- When towing, bigger is better - F-150, F-250 etc., but your Ranger will tow 5,500 just fine.
- A tongue weight scale is a good idea since the boat motor is a lot of weight hanging off the rear.
- Most boat trailers have surge brakes. They work fine but proper maintenance and adjustment for the weight of your boat is a must. Electric brakes are better but conversion is pricy.
- I increased tire pressure 2# in the front and 4# in the rear. If you have sway, more may be necessary.
- Also experimented with tow/haul mode but found drive or sport mode to be just fine.
- Finally ... Anticipate. As George Carlin would say, "Every other driver out their is an idiot." I'll add, expect them to do dumb and unexpected things.

Lots of good advice from others too.

 

[Bill Hippel]

Thank you John and Jim, I went to a local u-haul and purchased a 7,500 lbs tow weight and 750 tongue weight with a 5 3/4 drop solid non adjustable hitch with a 2" heave duty ball. Than I took my Ranger and the hitch to the boat yard and lined it up with the trailer it looked like a good fit.

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