List,
I have had several responses to my note. All say towing my TR250/MGB on
a trailer with a 3.0L V6 Ranger will work. Obviously not as well as with
something larger, but not dangerous -- as long as the trailer has
brakes.
However, I would feel better about all this if I had some insight as to
why the same truck -- same engine -- same 4 wheel drive -- same axle
ratio, but with a automatic rather than 5 speed has a much higher weight
rating: 3,820# rather tha 2,360# max trailer weight and 7,500# rather
than 6,000# GCWR.
I know towing is harder on a clutch than on a torque converter, but is
that all there is to it? Any thought?
Thanks again to all who answered. I guess I just like to know the "why"
of things if I can. If I think it's just the clutch, and it's really
something else, maybe I could cause myself some trouble.
Don Malling
Don Malling wrote:
>
> List,
>
> I have a 1993 Ford Ranger 3.0L V6 4 wheel drive manual 5 speed with low
> range 4 wheel drive. It has 40K miles and gets better than rated gas
> mileage, so I think it's in good condition. I would like to use it to
> tow my Triumph/MGB on a trailer.
>
> The Ford towing literature says that the max trailer weight is 2,360#
> with a GCWR 6,000#.
>
> The same truck with same engine, 4 wheel drive, same axle ratio, but
> with automatic transmission has a maximum trailer weight of 3,820# with
> a GCWR of 7,500#.
>
> That's 1460# more max trailer weight and 1500# more GCWR for the
> automatic transmission.
>
> I had always knew that the automatic's were easier on the drive train
> for starting from a stop with a trailer load, but I didn't realize there
> was such a difference.
>
> I'm not sure I understand the difference. I had assumed that the clutch
> on a truck would hold the load (hold the engine) -- the engine would
> simply slow down under a load -- going up a hill. Does the weight
> difference mean that I will slip the clutch under load on the open road
> with the manual?
>
> The trailer weight rating of 2360# is about the weight of an LBC. I had
> hoped I could build/buy a trailer at about 600# or so. Looks like I will
> be over the weight limit by the weigh of the trailer.
>
> Any thoughts? Are the factory ratings conservative? Can I get away with
> 600# or so over weight? I would be sure to have brakes on the trailer,
> plus I can down shift on the hills.
>
> Don Malling
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