Break-In Towing

[Stronglight]

Hi, new member and new ranger owner here, I hope you'll excuse this first post but I have a deadline and a question.

As I understand it, the owner's manual is somewhat self-contradictory, stating no towing in the first 1,000 miles, and yet, not to exceed 70mph towing in the first 500 miles. I have a 1,000lb 5x8 utility trailer, no brakes, that I'm going to load with about 400lbs of stuff, and as of now I have less than 200 miles on the truck.

I'd like to use the new truck for an event 100 miles away this weekend. Should I not try to tow this load, or is this relatively light enough that I won't damage anything if I keep under 70? For what it's worth, it's an FX4 with tow package.

Curious what you all think. Thanks!

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[machinist85]

I would think with such a small amount of weight you would be fine. They probably just don't want someone towing a 7,000 pound trailer before break-in.

 

[TBR17]

Nice looking truck! Chrome looks great on that color.
I have towed (under 3k lbs) with both my Rangers and no issues.
Only 500 miles on my current one and there's no stopping me from launching the boat tomorrow.

 

[FX4Offroad]

I would think if you followed the standard break-in instructions, and tow light weight as you stated, you would be fine.

Watch your speed, and vary the throttle.

 

[Leftcoast]

I wouldn't do it with 200 miles on the motor and brakes.

 

[Racket]

400 lbs? Seems like you'll be fine.

 

[Leftcoast]

400 lbs? Seems like you'll be fine.

That's the load. The trailer was another 1000 without brakes. Those are the estimates. It could easily be closer to a ton. It's their truck. They can break it in whatever way they like.

 

[HenryMac]

Hi, new member and new ranger owner here, I hope you'll excuse this first post but I have a deadline and a question.

As I understand it, the owner's manual is somewhat self-contradictory, stating no towing in the first 1,000 miles, and yet, not to exceed 70mph towing in the first 500 miles. I have a 1,000lb 5x8 utility trailer, no brakes, that I'm going to load with about 400lbs of stuff, and as of now I have less than 200 miles on the truck.

I'd like to use the new truck for an event 100 miles away this weekend. Should I not try to tow this load, or is this relatively light enough that I won't damage anything if I keep under 70? For what it's worth, it's an FX4 with tow package.

Curious what you all think. Thanks!

Nice Ranger.

Follow the Owners Manual... no way I'd be towing anything until after 1,000 miles.

 

[ctechbob]

I'd send it, I mean really. There's not a lot of difference if you loaded 4 people in the truck and a bedload of cargo. Ford doesn't say 'don't put anyone other than the driver in the truck for the first 1000 miles'

I'm sure someone will say 'but what about the frontal area'. Ok, haul two refrigerators in the bed.

Take it easy, drive reasonably, and it's not going to hurt the truck one bit.

I'm pretty sure Uhaul, Hertz, and Home Depot don't have a fleet of drivers running their new rentals around 1000 miles before they put them up for rent hauling things.

 

[Stronglight]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Ultimately I decided against it. It occurred to me that the truck might be smart enough to tell that I had a trailer on it before 1000 miles on the odometer, and I was able to figure out another way to get the trailer where I needed it anyway. I do think it would have been fine mechanically. Now I just need to get another 800 miles on the Ranger before the next event. Thanks for considering the question.

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