Tow capacity help... |
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oledb4
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 122 |
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Posted: December-23-2011 at 9:54pm |
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I'm most likely going to be buying a new car and obviously need one able to launch my 86 nautique 2001...does anyone have any experience or know someone with experience with a 3.0 Ford Ranger Edge launching a boat? I believe the weight will be fine for towing, it has a tow capacity of just under 4k, I'm just worried about gettin the boat out of the water considering the extra weight for gas, water, and possible upgrades (tower, etc)....any advice helps. Thanks guys.
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oledb4
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 122 |
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It is a 4x2 btw
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SN206
Grand Poobah Joined: February-25-2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Status: Offline Points: 2339 |
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Pulling is one thing....stopping is another.
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...those who have fallen and those who will.
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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How far do you plan on going? Is it an automatic? New or used?
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oledb4
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 122 |
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Wouldn't be more than 10-15 miles...it's used and it is an auto...I would not be on any highways or anything like that
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eric lavine
Grand Poobah Joined: August-13-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13413 |
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if you've ever experienced a trailer with good operating trailer brakes, then pulling it wouldnt even be a question, sn, points out the obvious,
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"the things you own will start to own you"
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NCH20SKIER
Grand Poobah Joined: December-16-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2207 |
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I used to tow my 83 with a V6 explorer which probably has a similar power plant - never an issue pulling out of the lake always used 1st gear (automatic trans). Slow to get up to speed from the lights and stops were planned / anticipated in advance
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'05 206 Limited
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M3Fan
Grand Poobah Joined: October-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3185 |
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From a stop, the car is going to use 1st whether it's in D or 1. |
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2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
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Tim D
Grand Poobah Joined: August-23-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2641 |
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I've seen Rangers spin trying to pull a Ski Tique out. Not enough weight over the rear wheels.
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Tim D
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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Being able to pull up the ramp is critical if you are executing the pullout by yourself. If you have another person, you can push with the prop to get momentum if you have to. If the wheels spin, the rig can slip downhill, not a good feeling!
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politicallycorrect
Senior Member Joined: May-19-2011 Location: vermont Status: Offline Points: 239 |
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Maybe this will help you decide if the vehicle is good for boat launching...explorer boat launch
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Skin grows back...fiberglass doesn't!!
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Maximal691
Senior Member Joined: July-26-2011 Location: Saratoga ny Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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You will be fine just driving down the road as long as you use caution when coming to stops. I'd more concerned about getting the boat out of the launch being two wheel drive. There are plenty of factors that go into it though, the quality of your tires, steepness of the launch, and how slick the launch surface is. Does the ranger have limited slip? If not you only have one wheel actually doing the work. The last thing you want to do is be "that guy" at the boat launch on a busy saturday.
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Maximal691
Senior Member Joined: July-26-2011 Location: Saratoga ny Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6yVkGGwZG0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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OverMyHead
Grand Poobah Joined: March-14-2008 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 4861 |
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I tow with a 2.9 liter dodge dakota with 200,000 miles. I have towed twice five hours to green lake. Last year I fought overheating on the way home in very hot humid conditions. Local is not much of a problem but trailer brakes would be highly recommended. I always go up the ramp in 4 low. Would not feel real confident with two wheel on the ramps.
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For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats.
1987 Ski Nautique |
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Bri892001
Grand Poobah Joined: September-27-2008 Location: Boston MA Status: Offline Points: 4947 |
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I tow with a Jeep Liberty 4*4, which is not necessarily the stoutest 4*4, but it does the job. I can put it into 4Low, which is huge. Not just on the boat ramp, but maneuvering around some steep dirt grades nearby, especially from a dead stop.
If you're on a budget, you might be better off with a heavy rear wheel drive car, like a Caprice Wagon or something. My father used to tow a pretty heavy boat with an Electra wagon. Plenty of weight over the rear wheels, it never had any trouble on the ramp. |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Youtube link |
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P71_CrownVic
Gold Member Joined: July-07-2008 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 534 |
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I think a Saturn Ion should do the trick!
Seriously though...my 1986 weighs just under 4K pounds with fluids/fuel/trailer/etc. Keep that in mind. My Silverado will spin until the diff locks, then it will come out. |
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oledb4
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 122 |
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is that with the original trailer or have you upgraded?? |
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oledb4
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 122 |
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and what about a 3.0 4x4 manual transmission...My thoughts are the 4x4 would def help, but not sure the effect manual transmission has on it...
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OverMyHead
Grand Poobah Joined: March-14-2008 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 4861 |
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My above mentioned Dakota is a manual. I have not had any issues with towing. It is the reason I always use 4 low. Rather than work the clutch in difficult situations I can let it out and creep along with plenty of time for fine steering adjustments. It has never stalled in 4 low no mater how bad my teenager might dump the clutch. A side issue is cell phone use. I loved driving my 88 accord with a manual, then my next vehicle was an automatic. After replacing the tranny on that one I though I would go back to a clutch when I bought the 2000 year vehicle new. In the interim cell phones became common place and although I would not advocate driving and using a cell I admit at times I answer it, and adding that in with steering and shifting is a bad deal.
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For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats.
1987 Ski Nautique |
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oledb4
Senior Member Joined: December-06-2011 Location: Orlando, FL Status: Offline Points: 122 |
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I read the tow cap on an '03 3.0 v6 ranger 4x4 manual was around 3200...I believe boat+trailer weight is above that...would the 4x4 make up for the difference?? or how does all that work?? |
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OverMyHead
Grand Poobah Joined: March-14-2008 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 4861 |
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Someone else might have more insight on that. I don't know what it does for tow ratings, I just know it gives confidence at the ramp.
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For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats.
1987 Ski Nautique |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Ok, you must have the 1/2 ton with the junk posi!!!!! The 3/4's use the good one!!! You should have purchased a 3/4. |
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john b
Grand Poobah Joined: July-06-2011 Location: lake Sweeny Status: Offline Points: 3241 |
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OK, I just couldn't resist any longer. I took the bait. My wife prefers to use the Escape anytime she needs to tow an outhouse however! |
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1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox"
If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
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TX Foilhead
Grand Poobah Joined: February-01-2009 Location: Kingsland TX Status: Offline Points: 2076 |
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4X4 would be preferable because of the slick boat ramps. Stick is even better, I used to have a V6 F150 with a stick, just stick it in 4 low and 2nd and it would drag anything it would tow right up a steep slippery ramp.
A V6 F150 might be worth looking at, I had 3 Rangers and an Explorer and got the same MPG as the full size V6, but it was night and day difference in the way it towed. They all could use some more power, but the full size never felt like the trailer might make it do something. Never had anything happen with any of them though. |
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TX Foilhead
Grand Poobah Joined: February-01-2009 Location: Kingsland TX Status: Offline Points: 2076 |
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If our boat ramps were as flat as John's, I think a I could probbably just use my golf cart at the. neighborbood ramp.
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Maximal691
Senior Member Joined: July-26-2011 Location: Saratoga ny Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Towing with front wheel drive cars is scary. No thank you. I tow the boat with a newer 4x4 Tacoma 6cylinder which isn't too bad, but you do know the boats there, unlike when I use our f550 diesel dump.
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john b
Grand Poobah Joined: July-06-2011 Location: lake Sweeny Status: Offline Points: 3241 |
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I have found that the CC trailers are very easy to pull and provide a good ride for the boat, even though they have leaf springs with no shocks. I am considering putting brakes on mine for the ultimate in towing comfort.
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1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox"
If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
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Maximal691
Senior Member Joined: July-26-2011 Location: Saratoga ny Status: Offline Points: 109 |
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Brakes will help, I just don't like the idea of the car being so light. In panic situations the tail will end up wagging the dog.
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bkhallpass
Grand Poobah Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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A 4X4 is typically rated with a lower towing capacity than a rear wheel drive 4X2 of the same model. In terms of towing the only thing a 4X4 does for you is offer 4 wheels powered at the ramp. I have two 4X4s and have never put either into 4wd to get a boat out at the ramp (they are heavy vehicles). BKH |
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