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Class ll towing: Ford Ranger pickup or Volvo 850?

We recently bought a small travel trailer, single axle, 2350 lbs. dry weight. We're pulling out the upper bunks and won't be loading too much in it so I expect even with the water tanks filled it will be under 2500 lbs. My boyfriend's older 5-speed 4-banger Toyota pickup really strains pulling it so I was going to either get a Class II hitch for my '95 Volvo 850 Turbo wagon (220 hp with a tow rating of 3600 lbs) or buy a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup, 5 speed 3.0L V6. But I notice the Ranger is only around 185 hp and the tow rating is only about 2500 lbs (5 speeds are rated lower for towing than automatics but I still prefer a stick).

Anybody with more car and truck savvy than me care to comment on which would be a better tow vehicle? Though the 850 is an older car, the engine still has good compression at 140K and the tranny (a factory rebuilt auto) is only a year old and has 6K on it. Then again, it's front wheel drive and the Ranger is a 4 x 2 with rear or all-wheel drive. I hate to drop $8000 on the Ranger when the Volvo would work just as well. I have limited experience with towing and would welcome any advice.

2 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Well I gave up on my 1995 ranger also with the v6 along time ago it's not known for it's towing ability that's for sure. I now have a 1990 Ford F250 extra cab and tow a heavy toy hauler 5500lbs dry. I recollect your towing an RPod? it should do just fine behind that Volvo. Now in comparison the Toyota Tacoma has a bigger tow capacity 3500lbs with the 4 cylinder 6500lbs with the v6. neither will be a racer going up a hill but with those numbers and better gas mileage I should have bought that then the Ford. It's a macho thing I guess. Keep also in mind those older toyota rvs are also pushing 3-4000lbs of camper on a 4cylinder and have been doing so for years.

    Ground clearance is an issue if you plan on boon-docking near a river some place, your volvo is a bit on the lower side in that category as well.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    you in all possibility can tow it yet you would be actual on the automobiles' potential and doubtless over once you element in gasoline and kit on board the boat. in case your launching in the spring and retrieving in the fall, won't be a situation. in case you intend to tow to the water each and every weekend 40 miles away, could be a situation. superb to get a greater precise weight of the rig to make specific. (playstation ) Brakes on that length rig is an exceedingly sturdy concept no depend what tows it and required by potential of regulation in some places.

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