Posted 2006-12-11 2:30 PM (#793 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 606
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
I would say you could Sheik Yerbouti, and possibly one other Bouti with a small truck and and a B-up. I would opt for the V-6 wouldn't want to see you have to B-up your Bouti to get where you are going.
Posted 2006-12-11 2:31 PM (#794 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 25
With a small truck, such as a Ford Ranger, it's probably best to stick with a Brenderup. But if you're referring to a mid size truck such as a 1/2 ton Ford F-150, there are plenty of trailers this vehicle can safely tow.
Posted 2006-12-13 4:09 PM (#796 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 3
Location: Dallas, TX
OK, so specifically a Ford Ranger. One place I looked referred to them as a "midsize". On the Ford website, they say the following:
Weight-carrying max. trailer capacity:
Rear step bumper: 2000lbs, tongue: 200lbs
Hitch receiver: 3500 lbs, tongue: 350 lbs
Weight-distributing max. trailer capacity:
Hitch receiver: 6000 lbs., tongue: 600
It doesn't differentiate between 4 cyl. or V6, although I'm sure the V6 would be the best for the most, yes? But not so great for gas mileage when not towing...
More specifically, I like the looks of the CM Odyssey, which supposedly weighs about 2600 lbs. If I only hauled my 1 1000lb. horse, plus a couple-three hundred lbs of hay and tack, then I would definitely need a V6? And I would definitely need the weight-distributing type of hitch? Or what?
And have just found out about a one-horse slant w/ tack room by Shadow. Supposedly 1350lbs., so even with the horse and all, would still be in the 3000lb. range...
I apologize for asking such newbie/blond questions!!!
Posted 2006-12-13 6:21 PM (#797 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 621
Location: Danielsville Georgia
If you haven't bought a truck yet buy a regular 1/2 ton with a v8.With such deals on trucks that have been going on for a few years I could't imagine even thinking of one of them small ones and be invold with horses or anything else for that matter.
it appears you would be well under 5000# with your anticipated load. so properly set up with a wdh, brake controller, 4.0 v6, 4.10 rear you will be fine. be aware that is a full load for a ranger and the truck will act as such. nothing wrong with a full load, might even be safer........people tend to show more respect for the load when they "know" its back there. i hauled 6000 pounds of horse/trailer thousands of miles with the trailblazer. it did a fine job. there are also a couple regulars where we trail ride who pull with a ranger, and a tacoma. good luck.
Posted 2006-12-14 11:02 PM (#799 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 634
Location: Tipton, IN
The 4.0 V6 will get no better mpg than a 1/2 ton with a 4.6 or 5.4 V8. You'll be lucky to get 17 out of the V6 in a Ranger, and I KNOW you can get 17 out of an F250 4x4 lightduty that was made until 2000 with the 5.4 because I had one and pulled a 3 h0rse Titan with just a 3'ft long wall tack room. Pulling that trailer I got 12-13 mpg with a 3.73 rearend.
Posted 2006-12-17 10:36 AM (#800 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 220
Location: MO
The real issue is not will it pull the load. But, will it handle the load: Stopping, turning and emergency issues. An overloaded Ranger or other small truck can be dangerous when the weather gets bad or traffic gets heavy. Plus, the damage you can do to the trans and suspension.
Get a truck that's rated to handle a little more than the load you plan to carry. You'll be happier and safer.
Posted 2006-12-17 11:07 PM (#801 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 363
Location: Albany, Oregon
Originally written by Cloud9 on 2006-12-17 8:36 AM
The real issue is not will it pull the load. But, will it handle the load: Stopping, turning and emergency issues. An overloaded Ranger or other small truck can be dangerous when the weather gets bad or traffic gets heavy. Plus, the damage you can do to the trans and suspension. Get a truck that's rated to handle a little more than the load you plan to carry. You'll be happier and safer.
I believe he had no intention of exceeding the tow rating of the truck he gets. I don't believe a maxed out dually is any safer than a maxed out ranger "when the weather gets bad or traffic gets heavy". Maxed out dually trannys and suspension take a dump also. If a vehicle is operated within the factory design parameters it will do its job....we hope anyway 1/2 ton to 1 ton dually.
Posted 2006-12-18 9:26 AM (#802 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 2621
Originally written by xyzer on 2006-12-17 11:07 PM
Originally written by Cloud9 on 2006-12-17 8:36 AM
The real issue is not will it pull the load. But, will it handle the load: Stopping, turning and emergency issues. An overloaded Ranger or other small truck can be dangerous when the weather gets bad or traffic gets heavy. Plus, the damage you can do to the trans and suspension. Get a truck that's rated to handle a little more than the load you plan to carry. You'll be happier and safer.
I believe he had no intention of exceeding the tow rating of the truck he gets. I don't believe a maxed out dually is any safer than a maxed out ranger "when the weather gets bad or traffic gets heavy". Maxed out dually trannys and suspension take a dump also. If a vehicle is operated within the factory design parameters it will do its job....we hope anyway 1/2 ton to 1 ton dually.
Ahhh, but SO MANY folk are SO QUALIFIED to second guess the engineers at GM, Ford, Chryco/D-B. Gotta de-rate the ratings doncha know ?
It can't be SAFE pulling more than 80% of whatever they say Ya can pull.
Gotta have enuf brakes on the truck to stop the trailer if the trailer brakes fail at 80 MPH - oh yeah, can't trust them injiunears
Posted 2006-12-18 10:41 AM (#803 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 3
Location: Dallas, TX
Easy there, big fellas!!!
Look, I'm just a 50+ crazy old broad who's getting tired of arranging trailer rides every time I want to take my horse somewhere, and I'm only wanting to haul my one little maybe1000lb horse, with maybe a bale of hay or 2, and a saddle and some grooming equipment to a few notsofarshows a year, in the easiest to handle trailer I can afford. I can't afford 2 vehicles of any stripe, so I have to settle for one small/midsize truck and gas mileage these days HAS to be consideration (well, for me anyway, as I don't have lots of money, I care a teensy bit about the environment, and I don't want to continue to allow the big oil companies to rape me, at least! Sorry, I'll push the soapbox back in the corner now!), because the dang vehicle has to be my everyday ride as well. So, sorry, no 1/2 ton V8 for me!!! I don't have enough experience with large vehicles, either, and THEN add a trailer?! I just want to have a little more flexibility in getting my horse around. If I should ever happen to want to drag her across country, I WOULD be wise enough to arrange transport in a "big rig", OK?
Plus, I've since done more than a little research, and found that a Ford Ranger is the best overall small midsize truck for my needs, and the Brenderup Solo is the lightest and most affordable trailer - for me and me alone.
So, case closed, thanx for some of your advice, and don't try to blow any Rangers pulling Brenderups off the road just for sport, OK?!
Posted 2006-12-18 11:12 AM (#804 - in reply to #792) Subject: RE: Small/midsize truck for towing?
Posts: 363
Location: Albany, Oregon
Originally written by Reg on 2006-12-18 7:26 AM
Ahhh, but SO MANY folk are SO QUALIFIED to second guess the engineers at GM, Ford, Chryco/D-B. Gotta de-rate the ratings doncha know ? It can't be SAFE pulling more than 80% of whatever they say Ya can pull. Gotta have enuf brakes on the truck to stop the trailer if the trailer brakes fail at 80 MPH - oh yeah, can't trust them injiunears
Well if you are using the 80/80 rule(80% load @ 80 MPH) The Ranger would have a tough time doing that so I guess they would be way behind the dually doing 80 mph when he lost his brakes and piled er up.... the ranger would see the incedent at 55mph and have time to slow er down brakes or not. Speed Kills more than injiunears tow limits!
Small/midsize truck for towing?
Talk to y'all later...