Maximum towing capacity questions.

[JNG]

The manual states that the max towing capacity WITHOUT trailer brakes is 1650#. In most states anything being towed over 3000 to 3500# requires trailer brakes by law. In response to that most trailer manufacturers do NOT build their under 3500# trailers with brakes. I own 3 trailers all under the 3500# gvwr limit. One of which would definitely be under Fords limit. One would be questionable. One is 2500# gwvr. Why did Ford rate the Ranger so low without trailer brakes? Is it a braking capacity of the truck itself? Even the lowly Tacoma 4 cylinder can tow up to 3500# with no limitations. The Ranger checks all the right boxes for me except for this. Any insight on this? Thanks.

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[rangerdanger]

The manual states that the max towing capacity WITHOUT trailer brakes is 1650#. In most states anything being towed over 3000 to 3500# requires trailer brakes by law. In response to that most trailer manufacturers do NOT build their under 3500# trailers with brakes. I own 3 trailers all under the 3500# gvwr limit. One of which would definitely be under Fords limit. One would be questionable. One is 2500# gwvr. Why did Ford rate the Ranger so low without trailer brakes? Is it a braking capacity of the truck itself? Even the lowly Tacoma 4 cylinder can tow up to 3500# with no limitations. The Ranger checks all the right boxes for me except for this. Any insight on this? Thanks.

Why the limit is so low without a brake controller is anyone’s guess, probably to reduce liability and accidents. Make sure you get the tow package and a brake controller if you’re going to tow over the limit.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/towing.1322/

 

[JNG]

Why the limit is so low without a brake countroller is anyone’s guess, probably to reduce liability and accidents. Make sure you get the tow package and a brake controller if you’re going to tow over the limit.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/towing.1322/

Unfortunately that would mean adding brakes to 2 trailers which would be cost prohibitive. Btw no watercraft/trailer package sold in the USA under 3000# gwvr comes with any sort of brakes period.

 

[rangerdanger]

Unfortunately that would mean adding brakes to 2 trailers which would be cost prohibitive. Btw no watercraft/trailer package sold in the USA under 3000# gwvr comes with any sort of brakes period.

It’s recommended not required. State law should supersede Ford’s recommendation.

 

[Stic-o]

In California, any trailer over 1500# must have brakes.

 

[JNG]

Like I stated earlier, MOST states. There are a couple on the east coast that have low gwvr trailer brake requirements as well.

 

[Pinecrestjim]

The manual states that the max towing capacity WITHOUT trailer brakes is 1650#. In most states anything being towed over 3000 to 3500# requires trailer brakes by law. In response to that most trailer manufacturers do NOT build their under 3500# trailers with brakes. I own 3 trailers all under the 3500# gvwr limit. One of which would definitely be under Fords limit. One would be questionable. One is 2500# gwvr. Why did Ford rate the Ranger so low without trailer brakes? Is it a braking capacity of the truck itself? Even the lowly Tacoma 4 cylinder can tow up to 3500# with no limitations. The Ranger checks all the right boxes for me except for this. Any insight on this? Thanks.

You might want to read the owner’s manual of each competitor for the maximum non-braked trailer limits. The twins can tow up to 2,000# unbraked, the F150 appears to be 1,500# depending upon how you interpret the OM and the lowly Tacoma is the lowest of all midsized trucks at 1,000# unbraked. I researched them all before finally ordering a Ranger.

 

[rangerdanger]

@JNG you get around.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ford-lost-a-sale.583546/

 

[Ron_W]

You might want to read the owner’s manual of each competitor for the maximum non-braked trailer limits. The twins can tow up to 2,000# unbraked, the F150 appears to be 1,500# depending upon how you interpret the OM and the lowly Tacoma is the lowest of all midsized trucks at 1,000# unbraked. I researched them all before finally ordering a Ranger.

Interesting that the Ford Towing Guide does not list towing capacity for non-braked trailers. (the 2019 guide includes the Ranger). Only limits, 7500 lbs with trailer package, 3500 lbs without, and 5000 lbs from bumper. The non-braked trailer is usually determined by the state's laws. My guess is that since we have the first printing of the owners manual, and we have seen other mistakes, the owners manual is probably wrong.

 

[Geoff]

I don't think there is an error in the owners manual regarding maximum un-braked towing.
The manual states:

GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer, including all cargo and passengers, that the vehicle can handle without risking damage. (Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, not at Gross Combined Weight Rating.)
​

The 2019 Rangers (4x2 and 4x4) GVWR = 6050 lbs but it also specs a max payload of 1860 lbs (4x2) and 1650 lbs (4x4).

Note: 6050-1650 = 4400 lbs which is damn close to the specified the curb weight of 4441 lbs for the 4x4 Supercrew.

My conclusion is the 1650 Lb un-braked spec is legit from a legal point of view but in reality how well do the brakes work on this Ranger?
(IMO, my 2002 4L Ranger 4x4 brakes sucked and it really needed trailer brakes to retain a decent stopping distance).

Note: The specs are right from the Ford Ranger pages.

 

[Ron_W]

I don't think there is an error in the owners manual regarding maximum un-braked towing.
The manual states:

GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer, including all cargo and passengers, that the vehicle can handle without risking damage. (Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, not at Gross Combined Weight Rating.)
​

The 2019 Rangers (4x2 and 4x4) GVWR = 6050 lbs but it also specs a max payload of 1860 lbs (4x2) and 1650 lbs (4x4).

Note: 6050-1650 = 4400 lbs which is damn close to the specified the curb weight of 4441 lbs for the 4x4 Supercrew.

My conclusion is the 1650 Lb un-braked spec is legit from a legal point of view but in reality how well do the brakes work on this Ranger?
(IMO, my 2002 4L Ranger 4x4 brakes sucked and it really needed trailer brakes to retain a decent stopping distance).

Note: The specs are right from the Ford Ranger pages.

You are right. But in looking at ford manuals, this is the only one that actually lists a non-brake weight. Even the towing guide only states about the GVWR being the braking capacity on page 40.

 

[kep]

The trailer i used the most with my compact tractor comes in right about 3700 lbs with no brakes, I'm not going to lose sleep over this at all. It's brakes are still light years better than the old (well it was new when I bought it) 77 chevy half ton pulling 5000 lb cars.

 

[Strokerduster]

Everyone buys based on their own needs. At my stage in life, I don't need to tow a 5k+ trailer anymore. I don't NEED 4wd. I grew up with Louisiana mud and live in the Texas hills. I saw all of the Ford press demos and 4wd was not necessary for anything they did. 2wd + locking diff will take me anywhere they went or I want to go. My current 3.0 Ranger has done/pulled anything I needed for the last 5 years. As long as it will carry a couple dirt bikes and pull this......I'm good to go. Your results may differ.

 

[don4331]

The manual states that the max towing capacity WITHOUT trailer brakes is 1650#. Any insight on this? Thanks.

SAE spec J2807 section 4.5.1 requires a stop from 20 mph within 35'. Ford has determined that the max trailer that can be braked in that distance is 1,650 lbs.

This new spec is dramatically reducing everyone's unbraked trailer maximum.

 

[Geoff]

SAE spec J2807 section 4.5.1 requires a stop from 20 mph within 35'. Ford has determined that the max trailer that can be braked in that distance is 1,650 lbs.

This new spec is dramatically reducing everyone's unbraked trailer maximum.

Good info. That explains a lot. Thanks!

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