Has anyone towed 7,500 lbs.

[Bill Hippel]

I have a 24' boat and duel axel trailer that total 6,200 lbs. I have watched videos that showed the Ranger towing 7,500 lbs but I would like to here from 6G members that have used the 2.3L Ranger to tow 7,500 lbs.

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[JT58]

I am curious on this and will be watching as I was considering a Ranger to replace my 2023 Colorado that has the non turbomax weaker 2.7L engine. I came close to buying a new Ranger but bought the used Colorado instead as it was 6K cheaper. I didn't know the difference between turbo and turbomax engines at the time and thought it could tow 7K LBS. Much to my disappointment it can't tow much and now I'm stuck with seeking another new vehicle- possibly back to the Ranger. I need to tow about 5500 LBS. It's needs to be a low trim too- XL is what I'm looking at.

 

[jgruben1134]

I am curious on this and will be watching as I was considering a Ranger to replace my 2023 Colorado that has the non turbomax weaker 2.7L engine. I came close to buying a new Ranger but bought the used Colorado instead as it was 6K cheaper. I didn't know the difference between turbo and turbomax engines at the time and thought it could tow 7K LBS. Much to my disappointment it can't tow much and now I'm stuck with seeking another new vehicle- possibly back to the Ranger. I need to tow about 5500 LBS. It's needs to be a low trim too- XL is what I'm looking at.

5500 will be no problem with the 2.3

 

[Griff]

I am curious on this and will be watching as I was considering a Ranger to replace my 2023 Colorado that has the non turbomax weaker 2.7L engine. I came close to buying a new Ranger but bought the used Colorado instead as it was 6K cheaper. I didn't know the difference between turbo and turbomax engines at the time and thought it could tow 7K LBS. Much to my disappointment it can't tow much and now I'm stuck with seeking another new vehicle- possibly back to the Ranger. I need to tow about 5500 LBS. It's needs to be a low trim too- XL is what I'm looking at.

Get one with the 2.7 dual turbo engine.

 

[Steeliegreen]

Following.

 

[JT58]

Get one with the 2.7 dual turbo engine.

I thought about that- it's more expensive and I have a Bronco with the 2.7 in it. The 2.7 is not that efficient. I rather the fuel efficiency when not towing for my work commute with the ability to tow 5500 on occasion.

 

[superj]

I am curious on this and will be watching as I was considering a Ranger to replace my 2023 Colorado that has the non turbomax weaker 2.7L engine. I came close to buying a new Ranger but bought the used Colorado instead as it was 6K cheaper. I didn't know the difference between turbo and turbomax engines at the time and thought it could tow 7K LBS. Much to my disappointment it can't tow much and now I'm stuck with seeking another new vehicle- possibly back to the Ranger. I need to tow about 5500 LBS. It's needs to be a low trim too- XL is what I'm looking at.

Get an stx. Its a barebones appearance packged xl. Really, its rims, ac, power windows and locks. I havent towed yet but some of these guys have with the 2.3 and it did really well.

 

[OccamsRanger]

I have not done 7,500, but I just towed a trailer that's about 4,000 pounds over 1,000 miles and it was absolutely no problem- except killing my mileage. I would imagine 7,500 would feel a bit heavy but doable.

 

[drvred]

What kind of air pressure are yall running while towing.
My camper is about 3700 loaded and I have been running 38 all around on the stock Goodyears.
Still struggling a little with sway.

 

[OccamsRanger]

I'd have to check, I didn't adjust mine at all. I don't have sway, but my trailer is pretty short.

 

[jgruben1134]

What kind of air pressure are yall running while towing.
My camper is about 3700 loaded and I have been running 38 all around on the stock Goodyears.
Still struggling a little with sway.

I am usually very picky about tire pressures, but I didn't even bother checking, unfortunately, so 5,000lb form Atlanta to Ohio and back, over the mountains (read large hills for our western friends) with no issues, and no sway. If the sway is that bad, is there anything in your camper you can move forward? Might just be a load balance issue.

 

[Alaska Steve]

I am curious on this and will be watching as I was considering a Ranger to replace my 2023 Colorado that has the non turbomax weaker 2.7L engine. I came close to buying a new Ranger but bought the used Colorado instead as it was 6K cheaper. I didn't know the difference between turbo and turbomax engines at the time and thought it could tow 7K LBS. Much to my disappointment it can't tow much and now I'm stuck with seeking another new vehicle- possibly back to the Ranger. I need to tow about 5500 LBS. It's needs to be a low trim too- XL is what I'm looking at.

I had the 5G Ranger with the older 2.3L… long story short, the 2.3L will get that done. I have the 2.7L in the 6G Ranger now.

 

[John E Davies]

I have a 24' boat and duel axel trailer that total 6,200 lbs. I have watched videos that showed the Ranger towing 7,500 lbs but I would like to here from 6G members that have used the 2.3L Ranger to tow 7,500 lbs.

A big caution, I am sure your trailer has brakes, but boat trailer brakes are very often not working very well due to rust and not enough maintenance. For this reason alone, I suggest that you tow with a larger truck that has large brakes and more mass. Your Ranger brakes are marginal at best, and the truck is way too light for this load IMHO. I towed a 25 foot SeaRay that weighed 7000 pounds with fluids, I used a 1/2 ton pickup with scary results, and went to a 1 ton. No more pucker factor on mountain grades and when encountering suddenly stopped cars on the freeway! It is not just about moving the load, you have to stop it too, reliably, even when the trailer brakes are not doing their job!.

The Ranger 2.3 engine would be OK in terms of torque except at high altitudes and steep grades. I definitely recommend the 2.7 for any tough towing conditions.

If you do tow with your Ranger, I suggest a brake upgrade on the boat trailer - electric over hydraulic actuator and stainless rotors and calipers on both axles. They will look very cool and will impress your buddies, and may save you and your passengers lives, plus they are way easier to service..

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[fordtrks4ever]

Towed a 7x24 cargo trailer with electric brakes 375 lbs. tongue weight total weight 4700 lbs. approx.
5/24 build Ranger 2.3 eb poor milage was expected and no issues.
Do like when turn signal is on in tow haul mode the wide mirror camera angle.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Pulled around 4000 of boat so far, and its been fine. That said, havent tried pulling at the limit.

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