RE: [A/S] Ford Ranger pull a 19' Safari Bambi?

["DT & BW" <dtbw_1999@xxxxxxxxx>]

We pull our 2002 19' Bambi LS with the Ford Sport Trac with the 4 liter,
4:10 rear end and the 5/6 speed auto.  It works great. Of course, the Sport
Trac has the 126" wheelbase and that is important given the narrower track
of the tires on the Ranger/Sport Trac trucks compared to the F150/250
series.  We have had it all over the Rockies and no problems.  The 4:10 is a
MUST though.  BTW, I referred to the auto tranny as a 5/6 as it is listed as
a five speed, but if you watch the tach, you will notice 6 distinct shift
points as the overdrive acts as the 6th gear.  I also recommend that you get
the SCT programmer so as to get a drive train routine that is tailored to
towing.  I was amazed at the difference.  With 3 years of towing behind us,
the only thing that has happened to the Sport Trac is that the tranny did
have a planetary gear bearing fail.  We had the full extended Ford warranty,
so it was fully covered.  Ford stated that the bearing failure was NOT
related to towing.  The bearing itself was a $9 part, but it caused about
$2000 in damages as the shavings from the failing bearing traveled around
the tranny.  Oh well, one new tranny in place and we are ready to roll
again.

David