You can't tow a Bobcat with a Ranger!

[Synfulz]

So funny story about towing weights. I had a Ram 1500 Hemi and I rented a dump trailer to haul rock. I was rocking a large portion of my yard for landscaping. It was a 4 yard dump trailer I think. So I go to the yard and pull in to load up. The loader guy had a full bucket(big loader) and he had only dumped about a 1/3. I am waving him come on man dump more lol. So he filled the trailer about 3/4 full. I pull up to the scale with truck and trailer 19.5k Lbs. I was like, damn. But I went home slow and easy no issues. Next trip back he is dumping again and I stop him with about the 1/3 bucket. He just looks at me and smiles.

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[OFC Ranger]

So funny story about towing weights. I had a Ram 1500 Hemi and I rented a dump trailer to haul rock. I was rocking a large portion of my yard for landscaping. It was a 4 yard dump trailer I think. So I go to the yard and pull in to load up. The loader guy had a full bucket(big loader) and he had only dumped about a 1/3. I am waving him come on man dump more lol. So he filled the trailer about 3/4 full. I pull up to the scale with truck and trailer 19.5k Lbs. I was like, damn. But I went home slow and easy no issues. Next trip back he is dumping again and I stop him with about the 1/3 bucket. He just looks at me and smiles.

The local rock quarry is only a mile from my house. I think I made 4-5 trips. One load was clearly a lot more than the last and the scale confirmed it. I as like oh well, but yea real kind of butt pucker moment and going extra slow on the way back to the house for that one.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Rented this Bobcat mini-skid steer MT-100 yesterday, but I don't have, and couldn't find an appropriate trailer so I had it delivered. I didn't have time to try and tow Ranger with it, but I'm sure it would have pulled it no problem.

I spent the better part of yesterday and some of today adding 6 inches to the far side of my detention pond which I dug last year. Then cut a new over flow to the road ditch, and a few other small projects while I had it. It's a very handy machine, but being a stand on machine, it's a full body workout with every dip or bump. I felt like I was skiing deep moguls all day. The photo does it no justice at all, but it's 6' wide and over 100' long, crested in the center, so I can cut the full width with my riding mower. I still need to rake out the track marks, and seed.

The near side didn't get finish graded, because I'm still bringing in fill as I can find it. I have a "clean fill wanted" sign up, and since last June, had over 40 loads dumped (1,100 yards or so) but need at least another 500 yards.

One of teh neighbourhood dog walkers, asked if I was building a dog track, lol

 

[Rebel Ranger]

I definitely want to pass on this kinda teachable moment. Sounds utterly terrifying.

I put brakes on my small trailers. It wasn't hard or expensive to do and I'd rather the truck's brakes not have to do any extra work at all.

I haven't rented any "large" equipment to pull with my Ranger, but am curious. Do the trailers at rental places usually have brakes? Electric? Surge? I've rented a few tow-behind augers, but they didn't even have lights and aren't heavy enough to need brakes with any tow vehicle.

I worked as a Supervisor at a Home Depot Tool Rental, and the trailers there only had surge brakes, not electric. Each piece of equipment was designated for what the truck had to be able to tow, and we had some smaller bobcats that our Rangers would have been able to tow. The other option is at Home Depot, you could rent one of their trucks to tow the bigger equipment. That is fine if you only need it for half a day or maybe one day, otherwise the delivery fee is cheaper.

 

[Stic-o]

So I guess this didn't happen ?

 

[ljames]

You can do safely and very slowly, over short distances, or across town. The trailers Brakes need to be working correctly and 3-500 lbs of balast in the truck bed before I would do it. Most all rental yards require a 3/4 ton truck min. to consider the rental. The ass end of the Ranger is too light for any heavy trailer and load.

 

[BassRanger]

You can do safely and very slowly, over short distances, or across town. The trailers Brakes need to be working correctly and 3-500 lbs of balast in the truck bed before I would do it. Most all rental yards require a 3/4 ton truck min. to consider the rental. The ass end of the Ranger is too light for any heavy trailer and load.

Why would you want added weight over the rear axle of a truck to tow a trailer or haul a heavy load? The trailer and/or load puts weight over the rear axle. Having unnecessary weight just takes away from payload.

 

[Stic-o]

The 3/4 ton rule is kinda dumb. A 90's or earlier 3/4 ton will have (not all) the same or even lower capacity then a new Ranger. My Ranger even with bigger tires will put pull my dad's '01 F-250, stop faster, and gets better mileage. Now if your taking a newer truck, yes I get it. Just Trucks have changed a lot. The current Ranger, is more like a early 2000 F-150 capacity wise.

 

[ljames]

Why would you want added weight over the rear axle of a truck to tow a trailer or haul a heavy load? The trailer and/or load puts weight over the rear axle. Having unnecessary weight just takes away from payload.

Because the receiver hitch sticks out a few inches beyond the bumper and effectively causes a lever arm, and during a ass tightening moment, the added moment of initeria is what will cause you to wreck. ALSO as you add weight to the hitch you are taking weight off the front tires. ADDED weight on the tow vehicles rear end (in front of rear axle) and the overall weight of the 3/4 ton pickup is the reason you can tow more.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I'm very happy to not be around some of you while you are towing.

 

[BassRanger]

Because the receiver hitch sticks out a few inches beyond the bumper and effectively causes a lever arm, and during a ass tightening moment, the added moment of initeria is what will cause you to wreck. ALSO as you add weight to the hitch you are taking weight off the front tires. ADDED weight on the tow vehicles rear end (in front of rear axle) and the overall weight of the 3/4 ton pickup is the reason you can tow more.

Improper tongue weight, exceeding weight ratings, and general unsafe towing practices are what typically cause trailering accidents.

Removing weight off the steering axle is why it's generally recommended that you strongly consider a WDH as you start getting past 500lbs on the tongue on 1/2 ton/smaller trucks.

Overall weight, frame rigidity, and longer wheel base is what makes larger trucks more suitable for towing heavier weights. I've literally never heard of someone adding weight to the bed of a truck to tow a larger trailer.

 

[ljames]

Improper tongue weight, exceeding weight ratings, and general unsafe towing practices are what typically cause trailering accidents.

Removing weight off the steering axle is why it's generally recommended that you strongly consider a WDH as you start getting past 500lbs on the tongue on 1/2 ton/smaller trucks.

Overall weight, frame rigidity, and longer wheel base is what makes larger trucks more suitable for towing heavier weights. I've literally never heard of someone adding weight to the bed of a truck to tow a larger trailer.

you clearly have not studied physics. AND sure that is why they call it weight distribution.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

you cant be 100% certain of that.....

Actually I think I can. I am 100% certain I am very happy to not be around some of the posters while they are towing.

I'm open to admit I'm wrong if you want to explain, but doubtful you can disprove my statement.

 

[ljames]

I am happy to not be around any one, towing anything-ever. The level of danger is certainly amplified.

 

[BassRanger]

you clearly have not studied physics. AND sure that is why they call it weight distribution.

What element or principle of physics would dictate you add weight to a truck bed in order to more safely tow a heavy trailer? I'm always up to learn.

Funny enough trucks with the highest towing capacity and payload regardless of their class are typically base model, small cab, long box and they're usually the lightest of the model.

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