Ok...next question. I was out fiddling in my 6x10 enlosed trailer today, and I realized...it'll be tuff to fit all my stuff in there for the CA move. Much less the 5x10 that UHAUL wants to rent me.

So...what about the UHAUL 6x12 trailer? Would there be any problems pulling this behind the Ranger? I'm worried about that beast acting as a big sail across the desert, or overpowering the brakes on the truck (though I realize the trailer has surge brakes). Here's the info on the trailers:

5' x 10' Trailer
Tandem axles and surge brakes
Capacity Empty weight: 1,250 lbs
Max load: 1,550 lbs
Maximum Gross Weight (trailer plus load): 2,800 lbs
Dimensions Inside: 9'10" x 4'9" x 4'7" (118" x 57" x 55") (LxWxH)
Interior Volume: up to 230 cubic feet
Door opening: 45'' x 48'' (WxH)
*************

6' x 12' Trailer
Tandem axles and surge brakes
Capacity Empty weight: 1,800 lbs
Max load: 2,600 lbs
Maximum Gross Weight (trailer plus load): 4,400 lbs
Dimensions Inside: 11'7" x 6' x 5'5" (139" x 72" x 65") (LxWxH)
Interior Volume: up to 396 cubic feet
Door opening: 60" x 58" (WxH)
*************

As you can see, the 6x12 offers a lot more storage space. It's a dual-axle unit, so I should be able to balance it properly (low tongue weight for the Ranger). Both trailers cost the same amount to rent.

Thoughts? I'm worried about the 3.08 gears killing the tranny, but I should be ok if I just nurse it along, right? What about the hills? How bad is I-40 or I-10 out west?

Brandon

 

I guess I feel you'll be just fine.

I'd bet that towing in od is outta the question, if it hunts for gears, then take it out of OD.

You could put on a tranny cooler, definite adavantages to it, but I don't think that it would be needed for a one time haul.

I'd reccomend checking/ draining ATF before haul, and possibly changing it afterwards, but that is up to you.

with the 4.0L you should be able to march up and down the hills pretty decently, even with the 3.08 gears, and loaded trailer.

 

What is your transmission? Is its a manual, the larger trailer might be way to big....the smaller one could be pushing it depending on how you stuff it....(BTDT) I bout a 00 ranger etended cab 3.0 manual just before I moved to LA. Had some problems with it not going into gear occasionally...finally, after several times at the dealer trying to have it fixd, they determined that it was the clutch "slave" cyclinder. When I made the trip back here (near St Louis) I rented a 5 x 8 or 10...I forget which. I stuffed it and my tonneau cover bed WAAAY too full! (Also, truck didn't have a factory hitch). Took the low road trhough the desert...made it fine but I could tell I was pushing it (it sometimes wouldn't even drive in 5th!...had to go in 4th alot!). Well, about three weeks after I was back, the tranny just quit...clutch just went to the floor, heard some clanking, etc.....It was still under warranty, and the fact that it was documented that it had been in the shop multiple times for trans/clutch problems probably saved me. I wound up trading it in while it was still in the shop. I now have a 4.0 Automatic super cab. Its amazing how much more the auto trans can haul....In fact I'm poosting a question about its towing limits as well. Hope this heps.

(PS I definetely wouldn't go the high road thru the rockies, beautiful, but the mountains are tough when towing...you always see 2-5 vehicles, may times uhauls, on the side of the road on an incline, broken down, smoking!))

 

Originally posted to an earlier thread:


I think the max. trailer weight on the bumper ball is 1500 lbs.
Check with U-Haul to find out the GVW on their small trailers. The 4x6's and 5x8's should be towable with your truck. They have a chart to see what your max trailer size is, but I would only hook up as much as you need. You don't need a big, half-empty box swinging around behind you. Load it 60/40. 60% of the weight in front of the trailer axle, 40% behind. If it's tail-heavy it'll swing you all over the highway. Keep to the speed limit or less. Flashers under 45 mph.
You didn't mention where in Ca. you're moving to. Big state.
If you're going south, use the southern route. I-80 to I-81 down into Tenn. I-40 to I-30 to I-20 to I-10. Run I-10 all the way through El Paso, New Mex. and AZ. The biggest hills you'll hit are the Blue Ridge and Smokies in Va and Tenn. Some rolly-polly through AZ.
Consider the weather. The last half of this route is 1500 miles of desert. Tires, belts, hoses etc. If you decide to night-drive, watch out for alligators (dead truck tires) on the highway. They come up fast at 65 mph in the dark.
Good Luck


In addition: I would definately go for the trans. cooler. Heat kills transmissions and the Southwest is getting fried this year. Phoenix hit 116 F the other day. Plan your gas stops and keep extra water in the truck. The hot pavement also eats up your tires, so consider a night-drive.
CB