Forum Discussion

fintip's avatar
fintip
Explorer
Jan 03, 2020

Towing a 2640lb 16ft TT with a Ford Ranger 4.0L?

Title pretty much says it. I just jumped in head first and bought a travel trailer, and now I need to swap my car for a truck to tow it.

My trailer is a '58 16ft 2640lb unit. Big non-aerodynamic front, unfortunately. No trailer brakes yet, but installing them will be one of my first projects (though I do have to bring it 700 miles back without them installed first).



I plan to live in it. At least for the first few months, I won't have to move it around. Ideally, in the near future, I'd like to not be moving it around too much, but I don't want to be afraid of driving it if I need to as much as I need to.

At the same time, I would like to not have terrible mpg while living in the parked Travel trailer/TT and driving the Towing vehicle/TV around.

In other words, having two separate vehicles isn't an option for me, need a towing vehicle that can be a reasonable daily driver.

Finally, I need it cheap.

So:
1. Can tow 2640lbs + stuff inside comfortably
2. Can get decent MPG when not towing
3. Is reliable
4. Is Cheap

Seems like an impossible list, but since I don't need to find the truck attractive, I've realized I do have what seems like a pretty good candidate:

A late 90's -> early 2000's Ford Ranger / Mazda B 4000 (4.0L with towing package).



I've read what I could find on google about towing travel trailers with these trucks, and I think it seems reasonable. They're rated for 6500lbs towing, get 21mpg highway, go for pretty cheap pretty often, and are reliable. Plenty of them come with a tow hitch receiver installed, and if I'm lucky I'll even get an extended cab. It's enough that after all the research and all the models, this is the one I've decided to create an account here and ask for advice about, and finally feel like I can get the ideal compromise.

Any thoughts? Any alternative recommended vehicle?

In theory I would prefer an SUV, and was originally keen on the idea of an '05 hyundai santa fe, but I think they just won't cut it long-term... transmission, and being underpowered while towing, and at the edge of its towing limit. Most of the SUV's are more expensive, too, and not really built for towing (underpowered, not great transmissions), and will require the installation of a hitch receiver. I did see a 2002 Nissan Xterra, high miles but well maintained and with a replaced transmission, and those are said to be rated for 5k lbs towing, but everyone said they felt underpowered while towing, and the mpg is significantly worse (similar to an F150).

Would love some advice. Thanks.
  • Jebby14's avatar
    Jebby14
    Explorer
    Feb 11, 2020
    beer is liquid bread, therefore eating some beef jerky with a beer before and after is like a sandwich.... perfectly acceptable lunch right?
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Feb 11, 2020
    Grit dog wrote:
    Jerem, while I respect and agree with your post, it must be false.
    Because gdetrailer swears auto transmissions are better than both beer in a can and sliced bread together!


    Whew, I may need to change my opinion. I Mean, better than canned beer AND sliced bread!

    Ha ha ha ha!
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Feb 08, 2020
    Jerem, while I respect and agree with your post, it must be false.
    Because gdetrailer swears auto transmissions are better than both beer in a can and sliced bread together!
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Feb 08, 2020
    I would skip the Ranger. I had 3 of them. I loved the 2wd 5 speed 4cyl truck I had. It was the best truck I ever owned.

    My 4.0’s were junk. Overheating, sloppy shifting(slush-o-matic), transmission breaking (manual) ugh.

    I would lean more towards a Tacoma, Frontier, S10 with a V6 and a 5 speed manual.

    BTW.. the 4.0 rangers get worse fuel economy than my 2011 Tahoe. Just as a frame of reference.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Feb 06, 2020
    Gdetrailer wrote:

    Even the OP Fin has posted "Just wanted to add, I found out the manual xterra does have a lower tow rating, it's 3500 for the standard and 5k for the automatic."


    That is direct from the manufacturer that they have and do derate a manual over automatics.

    Ford has done this also, can't say for sure GM or Ram but most likely they have derated for manual.

    When faced between a manual with LESS capacity and a auto with MORE capacity for nearly the same price, the HIGHER CAPACITY of the automatic trumps the lower capacity of the hand shaker..

    They HAVE a reason to derate manuals so, otherwise they WOULD be rating manual transmissions the same OR HIGHER capacity over automatics if a manual transmission was superior..

    Come on, it IS time to move from technology designed back in the 1920s (manual transmissions and manual clutch)..

    The standard manual transmission train has left the station 10-15 yrs ago and it is never coming back. This really should not be a conversation but I get it, the stick huggers have a hard time making a change and playing taps for their old friend.


    I do agree with you that most/alot/all manual trans vehicles are derated compared to the same vehicle as an auto trans. Not sure where that means they're not capable to do a job that they're rated for.
    I got one in my shop right now, that fits that bill, but at 175k miles and with the clutch I put in it, it handles an extra 300+ ft lbs of torque over stock and is stone reliable. But the junk factory clutch exited the vehicle at abut 40k miles.

    I'm not hanging on to the past, he!!, I'm in my mid 40s and the first "nice" truck I had was a 1990 model and it was a 5 speed and the current truck is a handshaker as well, with a couple other handshakers in between and a bunch of autos.
    Regardless, in the context of the OP's search and budget, the best vehicle, regardless of what the trans identifies as is the best vehicle.
    You'd have to understand what goes into every rating to know if the trans truly has less capacity and if it's the reason for the rating.

    From a cost and simplicity standpoint, the manual still wins in the long run. You can replace the clutch for anywhere from $118 to $550 for a very high performance model with a set of hand tools and a floor jack.
    What's it cost to rebuild an auto trans and who knows how to do that in their backyard?

    Again, I'm not bagging on auto transmissions, but it's evident some folks love their opinions and theirs only.
  • ajriding's avatar
    ajriding
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2020
    I've never been in vehicle with another driving who was really good at the clutch. All can make vehicle go, but to have minimal impact on the clutch plates is an art, so I will assume most here are average drivers so clutch life when hauling a TC will be shorter, so an auto makes sense for many.
    I looked at my clutch after 90k and it barely had scratches on the high spots, so clutches can last a very long time, or they can get burnt out in 30k miles also.

    And btw, yes, Fords can be junky trucks. Great up until they start getting miles on them which is less than other trucks. Though failure rates might be as low as 5% that is a big number, to say 90-95% of these truck do not have issues is not motivating me to go buy one. I may be off, numbers might be 30% failure. Whatever they are in my research their problems surfaced much more often that other brands of trucks. You can shop for a truck based on the people who have no issues, or you can shop based on the ones who do have issues. Roll the dice. You really should go to a Ford forum to research this as nobody is going to take camper forum advice for buying a truck. We all chime in for the benefit so you can at least be aware and go find out for yourself.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Feb 05, 2020
    GrandpaKip wrote:
    Jebby14 wrote:
    ^ side note, i dont prefer a stick because its better (this stopped being true a long time ago) I prefer a stick because i like the driving experience better. Nobody would build me a V8 4x4 with a stick (shy of a G wagon or something excessive) so i went auto.

    The last truck I drove with a stick was a Chevy C30. 4 speed w/granny, no power steering or brakes. I don’t remember it being a better driving experience ;-)
    Sports cars need a stick.


    :B

    Yep, although I didn't drive a stick, one of my brothers did back in the 70's with a 66 Comet, three on the tree.. Had a 170 CU engine but he could toss you into the back seat shifting it under full throttle.. He wore out the column shifter and ended up installing a floor shift, easier pattern but still, on clutch, shift up, on clutch downshift and coming to a stop don't forget to shift to 1st..

    Fun as a kid, but I along with many on this forum hopefully grew out of the racing kid stuff when towing..

    Your driving a tow vehicle that weighs in 5,000 lbs- 8,200 lbs empty then coupling 4,000 lbs-12,000 lbs trailer behind it, you are not going to win the hole shot at every light and expect a clutch or an automatic trans to live long.

    As an adult with well over a couple of million miles of driving, I would quit my job in a heart beat if driving a manual transmission was my only source of getting back and forth to work.. Traffic lights, congested roads and plain idiots that do stupid things in front of me just would make a 100 mile daily round trip even worse if had to manually shift gears and stomp on clutches..

    I wouldn't ever wish or tell someone to go out and intentionally buy a manual shift for a tow vehicle for towing in today's traffic..
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Feb 05, 2020
    Jebby14 wrote:
    ^ side note, i dont prefer a stick because its better (this stopped being true a long time ago) I prefer a stick because i like the driving experience better. Nobody would build me a V8 4x4 with a stick (shy of a G wagon or something excessive) so i went auto.

    The last truck I drove with a stick was a Chevy C30. 4 speed w/granny, no power steering or brakes. I don’t remember it being a better driving experience ;-)
    Sports cars need a stick.
  • Jebby14's avatar
    Jebby14
    Explorer
    Feb 05, 2020
    ^ side note, i dont prefer a stick because its better (this stopped being true a long time ago) I prefer a stick because i like the driving experience better. Nobody would build me a V8 4x4 with a stick (shy of a G wagon or something excessive) so i went auto.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Feb 04, 2020
    Grit dog wrote:
    Gdetrailer, yes I understand and am quite familiar with most trucks and drivetrain combos from the last 30 years. From driving, owning, managing fleets of (aware of overall cost of ownership) and wrenching on them.
    Correct, clutches don’t last forever. And I agree that high miles original clutch is a liability. No more than an auto trans with the same miles though. And both could be great or both could be junk. The more info, service records etc the buyer can get, the more informed a decision they can make.
    I don’t agree that the, now 20+ year old feature of tow haul is the best thing since beer in a can. Yes it’s good, yes it is merely a substitute for grabbing a lower gear yourself when talking downhill runs. Higher shift-points are plus though. But a manual trans has that capability too. Just requires operator input.
    Just like this entire discussion, whether it’s which brand of vehicle , which engine,etc, in the old, high mile, low budget category, in general, the best condition, lowest miles vehicle wins. Auto or manual.


    Grit dog,

    Even the OP Fin has posted "Just wanted to add, I found out the manual xterra does have a lower tow rating, it's 3500 for the standard and 5k for the automatic."


    That is direct from the manufacturer that they have and do derate a manual over automatics.

    Ford has done this also, can't say for sure GM or Ram but most likely they have derated for manual.

    When faced between a manual with LESS capacity and a auto with MORE capacity for nearly the same price, the HIGHER CAPACITY of the automatic trumps the lower capacity of the hand shaker..

    They HAVE a reason to derate manuals so, otherwise they WOULD be rating manual transmissions the same OR HIGHER capacity over automatics if a manual transmission was superior..

    Come on, it IS time to move from technology designed back in the 1920s (manual transmissions and manual clutch)..

    The standard manual transmission train has left the station 10-15 yrs ago and it is never coming back. This really should not be a conversation but I get it, the stick huggers have a hard time making a change and playing taps for their old friend.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 15, 2025