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

[hhamp5246@xxxxxxx]

> Can my 2001 Ford Ranger with a 4.0 liter, V-6 SOHO engine safely and 
> adequately pull a 2006 19'Airstream Safari Bambi that has a UBW of 
> 3,680 lbs. and a GVWR of 4,500 lbs.?  My Ranger has a GVWR of 5020 
> lbs. and a rear GAWR of 2750 lbs. I read that the maximun trailer 
> weight rating for this Ranger is 5885 lbs.

Hi ???

In a word. No.  Some things to consider....

My oft-repeated suggestion to stay around 75% of the manufacturer's 
tow rating seems to be generally supported by most experienced 
trailerists as the safe and conservative POV.  The following is 
excerpted from an older post on this topic.

    ==============================================

The view that any vehicle ought to be quite safe towing its "rated 
load" has a certain amount of support, in that a lot of people 
believe it. And there is pretty general agreement that it is 
unwise and possible dangerous to EXCEED maximum ratings. But many 
of us feel strongly that "quite safe" is misleading. Recognizing that 
safety is always relative and not absolute, I offer the following 
reasons for disagreeing with the POV that a Jeep Cherokee (for 
example) is safe towing 5,000 lbs:

1. The tow rating is ALWAYS a maximum figure, and is as large as the 
manufacturer dares make it. They hope you will buy their stuff for 
towing.  Their rating may or may not be right for you and the 
conditions under which you tow.

2. MOST tow ratings (nothing personal or specific vs any particular 
tow vehicle) do not allow for long steep grades - up or down. IMO, 
brakes are a bigger factor than power.

3. Most tow ratings make no allowance for bad road conditions.

4. Most tow ratings are accompanied by asterisks that call attention 
to special equipment "required". Your rig may not have those features.

5. Most tow ratings make no allowance whatever for emergency 
maneuvers.  I assure you your vehcile WILL NOT turn or stop as 
fast or as safely with the maximum load as it will with a lot less. 

6. Vehicle tow ratings make no allowance for the DRIVER'S "tow 
rating".  No insult intended, but if you have to ask how much your rig 
will tow, you have neither the experience or the knowledge to handle 
the maximum load safely.  IMO. 

7. One of the most-overlooked factors in safe towing is a COMBINED 
maximum that very often dictates a much lighter-than-maximum TOWED 
load. The weight of cargo & passengers in the tow vehicle must be 
deducted from the permissible towed load to find the true rating. 

8. What is reasonably safe and comfortable at 45 mph may well be a 
lethal weapon at 75.  Tow ratings, IMO, do NOT reflect any respect 
for this hazard.  

BOTTOM LINE:  IF you trust the experienced trailerists who have been 
there and done that and don't want to go back, you will not exceed 
about 75% of the rated maximum.  The number is of course not writ by 
the finger of God on a stone tablet - it is merely an indication that 
you should stay well below the manufacturer's maximum allowance if you 
want a safe, comfortable trip.  Some say the figure ought to be as low 
as 50 or 60%.  But virtually all agree in principle if not detail with 
these concerns.