Who is towing an Outrage with a Ford Ranger?

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Author Topic:   Who is towing an Outrage with a Ford Ranger?

mightyanchove posted 12-31-2002 01:12 AM ET (US)
I am looking at a few Whalers..."still". And I "still" continue to have issues.
I do not know about how my Ford Ranger, 4-Liter V6, will handle a good sized boat.
I am looking at the Outrage and limiting the size to 21 footers. I think their dry weight is 2100lbs.
My Ranger is tow-rated for about 5000lbs. It seems logical to me that it should handle the load, but I am not sure about how well it will do it.
If you have any experience here please drop me a line.
gnr posted 12-31-2002 07:46 AM ET (US)
Are you sure that Ranger is rated to pull 5000 lbs? I think the 5000 lbs might refer to the max combined weight of truck trailer and payload it should pull. Check the sticker on your door pillar for the Gross Combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR. Subtract the weight of the truck, passengers and payload and the remainder is the max your trailer can weigh. I used to pull about two thousand pounds of boat motor and trailer behind my 87 Ranger with the 2.9L. It would pull it but it didn't like to.
whalertim posted 12-31-2002 07:55 AM ET (US)
Mighty there is a lot of past discssion on towing here. I'm sure that others can help you more that I can, but I do want to throw in my 2 cents.
I towed a Montauk for several years with a 1992 Jeep, 1996 Jeep and also a 1993 Chev pickup. The jeeps would pull my Montauk with out any problem. Where the problem comes in is stopping. Nither of these vhicles wanted anymore than the weight of the Montauk when it was fully loaded with fishing gear and gas. The 93 fullsize pickup done great! Had no problems at all starting or stopping.
Just because a vehicle is rated for 5000 lb. doesn't mean that it is always safe to tow to its capacity. I now tow with a full size 1989 Chevy Blazer. It really does a good job pulling a 20 ft. 1979 Outrage. I would not consider putting it behind one of the Jeeps.
Tim
Greenhead posted 12-31-2002 08:31 AM ET (US)
I used to tow a 19' Outrage II with a 92 Ford ranger (4WD, manual transmission, 4-Liter V6). I didn't have any problem towing the rig as the truck had plenty of power and handled well under a load. If I recall correctly the entire package (Boat, motor, trailer, fuel, accessories) came in about 3300 lbs and the truck was rated to tow 3500. I should add while the truck towed the boat fine it did feel as if it was about maximum capacity. I wouldn't have thought to put anything larger on the truck regardless of the rating.
kgregg posted 12-31-2002 08:32 AM ET (US)
mightyanchove - I tow an Outrage 19 with a 4.0 liter V6 equipped Explorer. This should be same engine as one in your Ranger. I have had no problems with this setup. I have Class II hitch on Explorer. Look into http://www.etrailer.com/ for info on your Ranger. Good luck.
diveorfish posted 12-31-2002 01:09 PM ET (US)
Even the towing weight of a rigged 21 Outrage gets up there. Assuming the 21 Outrage hull weighs only 2100 lbs, when you add up all the items and gear, your rig could weigh close to 5000 lbs.
Boat--------------2,100
1 engine------------500
good Trailer------1,200
100 gal. gas--------680
2 batteries----------50
------
so far you are at 4,530 lbs
add kicker(or twins), T-Top and personal gear and you could be at 5000 lbs.
Many recommend that you be at least 15% under the max capacity of your vehicle, which is about 4250 lbs. It seems that you are on the border line.
My personal experience is that towing at your vehicle’s max capacity is not comfortable and the vehicle definitely gets stressed. If you have to tow over 30 miles on anything that is not a nicely paved flat interstate, you may not have enough vehicle for an uneventful drive.
JohnNorthEast posted 12-31-2002 03:48 PM ET (US)
I tow my 1885 18 foot outrage on a 1998 ford ranger v-6 4x4 with no probelm. It is an easy tow. I feel comfortable on highway or side roads, inclidng climbs etc., ....Stopping, is always a concern, and I suggest keeping a safe distance etc. Use a class II hitch however.
xsailor posted 12-31-2002 03:59 PM ET (US)
I tow my 18 OR with a riding lawn mower, it handles the load fine, except when I try to turn or stop to miss the flower beds. When I want to do more than move around the yard I use a full size 1/2 ton 4WD P/U, rated to tow 7900 #. As Stated in an earlier posting, there are still times I wish I had brakes on the trailer.
I had a Nissian, rated to tow 5000#, I felt unsafe with more than 2000# on a trailer, not because I couldn't tow it - I didn't feel like I could control it in an emergency situation.
Dave W
Mark D posted 12-31-2002 08:15 PM ET (US)
I used to tow my 17' with a 1989 Ranger 4x4.
5 speed trans. It had a small V6. I now use Jeep Grand with straight 6 much better.
mightyanchove posted 12-31-2002 08:22 PM ET (US)
Your all are so right. Sorry about my confusion with what I am able to tow... I think I make up for my stupid questions by not making as many stupid moves!
Anyway, it seems to me that the 17-Outrage will be the most I can realistically handle. I still want bigger though and I guess that if the opportunity pops up I will have to evaluate it. I wish I had the cash for a bigger truck...
In any event, it is clear to me that I will have to look to the smaller boats or look at a lighter craft ... like maybe I should take up kayaking till I get the bigger truck!
PS Dave that is cool about the mower and all, but I don't care what you say ... you Outrage does not make a good lawn ornament ... it is very very tacky and the skid marks your mowers making when your going down hill... tisk tisk tisk
I hope you don't do that over your septic tank!
Happy New Year all!
IRLsnookslayer posted 12-31-2002 08:37 PM ET (US)
I dont think you'll have any problem towing a boat up to 20ft, we have a 15ft supersport which we tow with out v-6 explorer(same setup as a ranger) all the time, and we used to have a 25ft grady white which we would tow around town and it did the job, you should have no problem with a small outrage imho,,,tight lines...:)
xsailor posted 12-31-2002 09:26 PM ET (US)
I'm REAL careful going down hill with the 18 on the lawn mower, even down the curb causes white knuckles.
Dave W
rookie posted 01-01-2003 11:32 PM ET (US)
mightyanchove,
This is my first post on this site, but I figure this is a good spot to throw in my two cents.
I have a 93 Ford Ranger, 4-liter V6, that I use to tow a 1980 v20 outrage. The outrage has a 150 hp Mariner and a tee top. The Ranger hauled the boat from sunny Panama City Beach, FL all the way to snowy Massachusetts without a problem. I definitely "felt" the boat back there but was comfortable going 55 mph all the way up. Now I use the truck to haul the boat from my house to the boat launch (about 5 miles) a few times a week from May through October without any problem.
I think you're fine with this setup as long as you plan on doing most of your towing locally. Just like the others said, don't plan on setting any speed records or riding any bumpers.
Good luck with your decision!
the rookie
TightPenny posted 01-02-2003 05:57 PM ET (US)
My Ranger manual lists 2000 pounds as maximum trailer weight.
Swellmonster posted 01-03-2003 09:36 AM ET (US)
Bigger is better!
Check your owners manual, your rear end ratio too. I hope the truck is automatic.
Im sure your truck has the factory tranny cooler too, right?
mightyanchove posted 01-03-2003 10:00 AM ET (US)
I do not have the owners manual for this truck. But I did call Ford and gave them my VIN #.
They were not willing to give me any information over the phone, but will send the towing information within 10 days.
As for the cooling system... The transmission was rebuilt by AAMCO a couple years ago. They told me that the cooling system in my truck is now updated and better than factory.
With a lack of solid information though, I am pulling myself off the market till Ford's towing information comes my way.
gnr posted 01-03-2003 11:07 AM ET (US)
MightyAnchovie
Go out and take a look at the sticker on your drivers side door pillar. You will see a number next to an acronym- GCVWR- which means "Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating"
This is the maximum weight the whole package, Truck, cargo, passengers and trailer can weigh. You will also find the "Dry Weight" listed on that sticker. Subtract the dry weight plus the estimated weight of fluids, passengers, cargo etc from the GCVWR and what's left over will be the max weight your trailer can weigh.
Towing capacities can vary a great deal within the same model depending on the rear end gear ratio, the transmission set up, the brakes and the suspension componets. You can buy an F150 tow rated for as low as 2300lbs to as high as 8700lbs depending on the above variables.
You can always tow more then the vehicles tow rating. It might even seem like it pulls just fine but it will wreck your transmission etc. and when things go wrong and your trailer starts getting squirley back there things will get bad in a hurry.
Good Luck
and
Be Safe
Bob Zollo posted 01-04-2003 11:03 PM ET (US)
I pull my 17 whaler with a GMC sonoma 2wheel drive 4.3 motor and can do it safely at 60mph >>>>>BZ
dboy posted 01-05-2003 06:54 AM ET (US)
The whole secret to this forum is can you stop. I tow lots of things with different vehicles, from boats to farm equiptment but if you can't stop with a surprise in front of you there is going to be trouble whether you are careful or not. My grandfather had a pair of horses that could pull enormous loads but when he came to a down hill he stopped and put runner chains on the sled or made darn sure the brakes on the wagon were working well, otherwise he took part of the load off. The small investment in trailer brakes is very cheap insurance.

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Author	Topic: Who is towing an Outrage with a Ford Ranger?
mightyanchove	posted 12-31-2002 01:12 AM ET (US) I am looking at a few Whalers..."still". And I "still" continue to have issues. I do not know about how my Ford Ranger, 4-Liter V6, will handle a good sized boat. I am looking at the Outrage and limiting the size to 21 footers. I think their dry weight is 2100lbs. My Ranger is tow-rated for about 5000lbs. It seems logical to me that it should handle the load, but I am not sure about how well it will do it. If you have any experience here please drop me a line.
gnr	posted 12-31-2002 07:46 AM ET (US) Are you sure that Ranger is rated to pull 5000 lbs? I think the 5000 lbs might refer to the max combined weight of truck trailer and payload it should pull. Check the sticker on your door pillar for the Gross Combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR. Subtract the weight of the truck, passengers and payload and the remainder is the max your trailer can weigh. I used to pull about two thousand pounds of boat motor and trailer behind my 87 Ranger with the 2.9L. It would pull it but it didn't like to.
whalertim	posted 12-31-2002 07:55 AM ET (US) Mighty there is a lot of past discssion on towing here. I'm sure that others can help you more that I can, but I do want to throw in my 2 cents. I towed a Montauk for several years with a 1992 Jeep, 1996 Jeep and also a 1993 Chev pickup. The jeeps would pull my Montauk with out any problem. Where the problem comes in is stopping. Nither of these vhicles wanted anymore than the weight of the Montauk when it was fully loaded with fishing gear and gas. The 93 fullsize pickup done great! Had no problems at all starting or stopping. Just because a vehicle is rated for 5000 lb. doesn't mean that it is always safe to tow to its capacity. I now tow with a full size 1989 Chevy Blazer. It really does a good job pulling a 20 ft. 1979 Outrage. I would not consider putting it behind one of the Jeeps. Tim
Greenhead	posted 12-31-2002 08:31 AM ET (US) I used to tow a 19' Outrage II with a 92 Ford ranger (4WD, manual transmission, 4-Liter V6). I didn't have any problem towing the rig as the truck had plenty of power and handled well under a load. If I recall correctly the entire package (Boat, motor, trailer, fuel, accessories) came in about 3300 lbs and the truck was rated to tow 3500. I should add while the truck towed the boat fine it did feel as if it was about maximum capacity. I wouldn't have thought to put anything larger on the truck regardless of the rating.
kgregg	posted 12-31-2002 08:32 AM ET (US) mightyanchove - I tow an Outrage 19 with a 4.0 liter V6 equipped Explorer. This should be same engine as one in your Ranger. I have had no problems with this setup. I have Class II hitch on Explorer. Look into http://www.etrailer.com/ for info on your Ranger. Good luck.
diveorfish	posted 12-31-2002 01:09 PM ET (US) Even the towing weight of a rigged 21 Outrage gets up there. Assuming the 21 Outrage hull weighs only 2100 lbs, when you add up all the items and gear, your rig could weigh close to 5000 lbs. Boat--------------2,100 1 engine------------500 good Trailer------1,200 100 gal. gas--------680 2 batteries----------50 ------ so far you are at 4,530 lbs add kicker(or twins), T-Top and personal gear and you could be at 5000 lbs. Many recommend that you be at least 15% under the max capacity of your vehicle, which is about 4250 lbs. It seems that you are on the border line. My personal experience is that towing at your vehicle’s max capacity is not comfortable and the vehicle definitely gets stressed. If you have to tow over 30 miles on anything that is not a nicely paved flat interstate, you may not have enough vehicle for an uneventful drive.
JohnNorthEast	posted 12-31-2002 03:48 PM ET (US) I tow my 1885 18 foot outrage on a 1998 ford ranger v-6 4x4 with no probelm. It is an easy tow. I feel comfortable on highway or side roads, inclidng climbs etc., ....Stopping, is always a concern, and I suggest keeping a safe distance etc. Use a class II hitch however.
xsailor	posted 12-31-2002 03:59 PM ET (US) I tow my 18 OR with a riding lawn mower, it handles the load fine, except when I try to turn or stop to miss the flower beds. When I want to do more than move around the yard I use a full size 1/2 ton 4WD P/U, rated to tow 7900 #. As Stated in an earlier posting, there are still times I wish I had brakes on the trailer. I had a Nissian, rated to tow 5000#, I felt unsafe with more than 2000# on a trailer, not because I couldn't tow it - I didn't feel like I could control it in an emergency situation. Dave W
Mark D	posted 12-31-2002 08:15 PM ET (US) I used to tow my 17' with a 1989 Ranger 4x4. 5 speed trans. It had a small V6. I now use Jeep Grand with straight 6 much better.
mightyanchove	posted 12-31-2002 08:22 PM ET (US) Your all are so right. Sorry about my confusion with what I am able to tow... I think I make up for my stupid questions by not making as many stupid moves! Anyway, it seems to me that the 17-Outrage will be the most I can realistically handle. I still want bigger though and I guess that if the opportunity pops up I will have to evaluate it. I wish I had the cash for a bigger truck... In any event, it is clear to me that I will have to look to the smaller boats or look at a lighter craft ... like maybe I should take up kayaking till I get the bigger truck! PS Dave that is cool about the mower and all, but I don't care what you say ... you Outrage does not make a good lawn ornament ... it is very very tacky and the skid marks your mowers making when your going down hill... tisk tisk tisk I hope you don't do that over your septic tank! Happy New Year all!
IRLsnookslayer	posted 12-31-2002 08:37 PM ET (US) I dont think you'll have any problem towing a boat up to 20ft, we have a 15ft supersport which we tow with out v-6 explorer(same setup as a ranger) all the time, and we used to have a 25ft grady white which we would tow around town and it did the job, you should have no problem with a small outrage imho,,,tight lines...:)
xsailor	posted 12-31-2002 09:26 PM ET (US) I'm REAL careful going down hill with the 18 on the lawn mower, even down the curb causes white knuckles. Dave W
rookie	posted 01-01-2003 11:32 PM ET (US) mightyanchove, This is my first post on this site, but I figure this is a good spot to throw in my two cents. I have a 93 Ford Ranger, 4-liter V6, that I use to tow a 1980 v20 outrage. The outrage has a 150 hp Mariner and a tee top. The Ranger hauled the boat from sunny Panama City Beach, FL all the way to snowy Massachusetts without a problem. I definitely "felt" the boat back there but was comfortable going 55 mph all the way up. Now I use the truck to haul the boat from my house to the boat launch (about 5 miles) a few times a week from May through October without any problem. I think you're fine with this setup as long as you plan on doing most of your towing locally. Just like the others said, don't plan on setting any speed records or riding any bumpers. Good luck with your decision! the rookie
TightPenny	posted 01-02-2003 05:57 PM ET (US) My Ranger manual lists 2000 pounds as maximum trailer weight.
Swellmonster	posted 01-03-2003 09:36 AM ET (US) Bigger is better! Check your owners manual, your rear end ratio too. I hope the truck is automatic. Im sure your truck has the factory tranny cooler too, right?
mightyanchove	posted 01-03-2003 10:00 AM ET (US) I do not have the owners manual for this truck. But I did call Ford and gave them my VIN #. They were not willing to give me any information over the phone, but will send the towing information within 10 days. As for the cooling system... The transmission was rebuilt by AAMCO a couple years ago. They told me that the cooling system in my truck is now updated and better than factory. With a lack of solid information though, I am pulling myself off the market till Ford's towing information comes my way.
gnr	posted 01-03-2003 11:07 AM ET (US) MightyAnchovie Go out and take a look at the sticker on your drivers side door pillar. You will see a number next to an acronym- GCVWR- which means "Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating" This is the maximum weight the whole package, Truck, cargo, passengers and trailer can weigh. You will also find the "Dry Weight" listed on that sticker. Subtract the dry weight plus the estimated weight of fluids, passengers, cargo etc from the GCVWR and what's left over will be the max weight your trailer can weigh. Towing capacities can vary a great deal within the same model depending on the rear end gear ratio, the transmission set up, the brakes and the suspension componets. You can buy an F150 tow rated for as low as 2300lbs to as high as 8700lbs depending on the above variables. You can always tow more then the vehicles tow rating. It might even seem like it pulls just fine but it will wreck your transmission etc. and when things go wrong and your trailer starts getting squirley back there things will get bad in a hurry. Good Luck and Be Safe
Bob Zollo	posted 01-04-2003 11:03 PM ET (US) I pull my 17 whaler with a GMC sonoma 2wheel drive 4.3 motor and can do it safely at 60mph >>>>>BZ
dboy	posted 01-05-2003 06:54 AM ET (US) The whole secret to this forum is can you stop. I tow lots of things with different vehicles, from boats to farm equiptment but if you can't stop with a surprise in front of you there is going to be trouble whether you are careful or not. My grandfather had a pair of horses that could pull enormous loads but when he came to a down hill he stopped and put runner chains on the sled or made darn sure the brakes on the wagon were working well, otherwise he took part of the load off. The small investment in trailer brakes is very cheap insurance.