Ford Ranger vs Mazda Pick Up II

Thank you

Jim

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. I recieved the 2d opinion I was looking for plus about 25 more!!! Anyway, let me close here. Again, thank you. Your wisdom has likely saved me from a big problem.

Respectfully,

Jim

One nice thing about a big truck is it will come equiped with a tow package (beefed up alterantor for trailer brakes, transmission cooler, transmission temp. gauge, class IV hitch). You can buy a F150 with a towing package but for me the difference in price vs. capabilities lead me to F250. My brother in law though has a 1997 F150 with the factory tow package and it pulled a 2N decently up and down some steep Kentucky hills when we bought the tractor.

Well did you open a can of worms :) LMAO

Book says a TO-35 is about 3300lbs wet.

From my 2002 Ford brochure Maximum Trailer Towing weights:
Ranger = 6,070lbs depending on configuration (4x4)
F150 = 8,800lbs " "
F250/F350= 12,500lbs

Now from a cost perspective my sons 2001 Ranger 4x4 with all the fix'ns was $19,800 out the door and gets 24mpg maximum.

I just looked up a 2003 F350, SWR, XLT, LWB, Super Cab, Stock, $24,800 plus T&L. About $27,284 out the door here. About 27% higher but twice the truck capibiltys.

Can some Rangers pull this load? Sure. But with a trailer and tractor you'll be close to the maximum towing weights and the truck won't last long, assuming every day towing.

So for 27% more I can get a twice the truck and have a more stable towing platform, have twice the cab room, about 1/3 larger bed.

I personally would look at a F250 as they would be about $800 cheaper with all the same driveline componets as the F350 SWR but lower GVWR. If you don't tow commerical, then the GVWR means nothing to you.

T_Bone

It will take me a week to reply to everyone, "can of worms" is right. Anyway, first - thank you for taking the time to reply and provide all that information. I appreciate your insight. I would probably have better luck pulling the Ranger with the Fergie but the distance is too great, 45 miles. Good news is I only have to make the trip once monthly. Let me close here; again, thank you for your information.

Jim

Scott

Plus add on the fact that many people's driving habits are generally geared for gas engine driving (short trips with lots of stops) and the diesel would never live up to its potential.

Of course if your truck spends most of its time hauling where its getting 16mpg compared to a gasser getting 8mpg then it starts to pull away.

Don't get me wrong I'm very envious of your truck but its just not right for every situation.

V10 towing 20,000lbs GCW @ 8mpg average using 5k oil changes for 10,000 total miles
Oil and filter= $16eh= $32net
Fuel $1.50gal average= $1875

PSD towing 20,000lbs GCW @ 12mpg average using 5k oil changes for 10,000 total miles
Oil and filter= $32eh= $64net
Fuel $1.50gal average= $1250

100k= PSD total fuel and oil change cost $13,140
100k= V10 total fuel and oil change cost $19,070

Diesel wins by $5930 per 100k miles
My 2K2 diesel cost $3,450 vs V10 $500= $2950 diff

$5930-$2950= $2,980 diesel savings the first 100k miles.

Assuming fuel prices will stay the same (ya right) $1.50gal for 300k miles a PSD saves $14,840 in fuel.

A V-10 cost for the same truck as spec'd below $30,900 or $.103/mile for 300k miles, I already dicounted the up-front cost of the diesel engine.

I paid $30,900 for my PSD truck so my net cost per mile is $30,900-$14,840= $16,060 or $.0535/mile for 300k miles or 1/2 the V10 cost.

Lets take it one step more. Lets say the average price of fuel, gas and diesel, in the next 5yrs averages $2.10/gal, from 5yrs to 10yrs averages $3.10/gal, using 30k total miles/yr at 70% empty and 30% towing 20,000lbs GCW, V10 8mpg towing 14mpg empty, PSD 12mpg towing 20mpg empty, then we get:

V10= empty fuel cost= $39,000 Towing fuel cost= $29,251 or $68,252 gross fuel cost for 10yrs

PSD= empty fuel cost= $27,300 Towing fuel cost= $19,500 or $46,800 gross fuel cost for 10yrs

PSD saves $21,415 in fuel cost over a V10

I have not even considered how a PSD will out pull a V10 towing 20,000lbs as to make a V10 last 300k miles one would have to tow at 60% of rated torque RPM.

The diesel wins hands down in cost and towing power no matter how you run the numbers.

Them boys on the RV boards are always giving fits about diesel so I made the above comparrision.

T_Bone

Well thats what the RV'ers have been reporting on towing/empty numbers. I've been watching them for awhile as internet people sometimes tell "white lies" LOL

You should see what they report on the cab overhead puters after they chip the PSD. 26, 28mpg, of course the chip screws the puter up and reports the wrong mileage but them guys sure smile until they post them numbers and find out there wrong.

The Chevy 8.1 gets slightly better but not much for a 500ci engine, about .5mpg more at the most when towing and about the same when empty.

I've had two 318 engines and both have been great and got mileage like you do.

When you get a chance, slip down a few threads and tell us your wick idea. Enquiring minds want to know :)

T_Bone

Even my Toyota 1-ton wouldn't be happy pulling that load in the mountains. I'd have no qualms with it on the flat lands, but in mountains, nah, I'd rather not.

No need for concern. The reason for asking was a second opinion (got many more though). I had my doubts when a friend stated a Ranger would pull the TO-35 fine. Thank you for taking the time to reply though.

respectfully,

Jim

Please explain why a 3/4 ton truck would be required for such a small tractor? A Dakota or half ton truck would be entirely suitable.
I cannot understand why anyone would discount a half ton full size truck. Just doesn't make sense. If we were talking about a Farmall M or Deere H or something, but a Ferguson?

I guess my point is more that people will tend to already have the truck and then get the tractor. Thats my situation, I already have the Dakota and a 1/2 ton GMC. Either one can pull my Farmall Regular with no worries, especially the GMC. Neither is capable of pulling my Farmall Super M. Once you know the capabilities of your truck you can work with it. If I needed to pull my Super M I'd definately get a bigger truck, but for now what I have is fine.

Other reasons the big truck crowd can do things I can't: gearing and more wheels. None of which have much to do with the size of the truck.

I don't see the harm in a Dakota pulling a 4000# load, especially in comparison to people using a full sized truck to pull 10,000#. Even a 1 ton is not that much heavier in comparison and a duallie should theoretically have less weight per tire on the ground due to the larger contact area given by 6 tires.

You know, I probably wouldn't argue with you half as much if you weren't so acerbic in your posts.

Some people say that the internet gives people the true right of free speech. I disagree I say it gives them the right to not get punched in the mouth for saying whatever they want. I could see saying some of that stuff to your pals, but not to a complete stranger.

Frankly, if I was going to tow a trailer with a TO-35, I'd want a full-size truck, i.e. F-150, at the least. For safety's sake, you can't have too much truck(within reason, of course).