2000 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity (Helpful Guide and Tips)
Not every truck has the ability to tow a lot of weight. Some are made only to haul heavy cargo loads, while others can do that and tow heavy trailers. The towing capacity depends on the manufacturer and what they want each vehicle to do safely.
We have seen three different numbers so far. The first comes from the owner’s manual, which states that 2200 is the limit. The second says between 1500 and 6000 pounds while the third says up to 4120. It will depend on the model of Ranger you get.
To learn more about the towing capacities of the Ford Ranger, just continue to read our article. It explores the issue so you can know what you can tow when you want to get away from it all. Take a few moments to see how this information is helpful to you.
2000 Ford Ranger Towing 101
How Much Can a 2000 Ford Ranger Tow?
The 2000 Ford Ranger towing capacity seems to be a state secret as not only have we found a fourth number, 5320 pounds, we have also seen where the towing capacity is listed as N/A. The maximum tongue weight is listed as 300 pounds, while the dead weight hitch is listed at 2000 pounds.
While people mention that the towing capacity may change between trim models, they do not mention those differences. The best thing to do is look up the towing section in the owner’s manual before you buy to make sure you get the right figure for your model.
People just are not forthcoming with this information, and even a call directly to FORD may be the best option available to you. Just make sure to have all the pertinent truck details when you call.
2000 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
When we view what owners have to say, they talk about everything else but the towing capacity of their vehicle. When they do mention towing something, the answer is in the ballpark range and not a specific amount.
Since we are getting different numbers from every resource we are looking at, the best we can do lie somewhere between 1500 and 6000 pounds. FORD is not much help as some of their manuals do not list anything specific about towing capacity when converting them to online data.
Keep in mind that the Ford ranger is a very light truck. It may top out around 4000 pounds if that. That means it cannot tow heavyweights. Some manuals will say only 2200 pounds.
So you have a few numbers to work with and double-check.
2000 Ford Ranger Bumper Towing Capacity
The bumper towing capacity is a lot lower than the frame towing capacity. The bumper is not going to be that strong given the lightweight of the truck. It is estimated that the bumper on this truck can haul about 1200 pounds.
In some vehicles, the standard towing is at 1580 pounds, while the maximum amount of weight the Ranger can tow rises to just over 4000 pounds. But as we have said before, the maximum towing weight ranges, and depends on who you talk to.
If the trailer you are hauling has trailer brakes, you may be able to tow more weight than the standard or actual bumper tow weight. In almost every vehicle we have analyzed, the actual tow weight does rise when trailer brakes are considered.
2000 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
We will say this. many authoritative websites do not want to go back 20 years or so to investigate the towing weight of an old Ford Ranger. Some stop at 2007 while others stop at 2002. Then some do not go beyond 2020.
The hitch manufacturers also do not provide any real information as their hitches range in towable as well.l Some are rated for 3500 pounds while others for 6000 pounds. They do not say which model the hitch will work on best. They just title it 2000 Ford Ranger.
If you are towing under 2000 pounds, you will only need a class I hitch, and over 2000 to 3500 pounds, you will need a class II. For up to 6000 pounds, you will need to upgrade to a class III hitch.
2000 Ranger 4.0 Towing Capacity
Two models are using the 4.0 engine. The regular V6 can tow approx. 3,600 pounds. The Super cab version does not perform as well and can only tow up to 3400 pounds. That is for the manual transmissions. The automatics can tow 5,800 and 5,620 pounds respectfully.
The difference is that the super cab can handle more passengers; thus your tow rating will decrease. Tow weight ratings will differ between trucks in the same series. it will depend on their frames, how they were built and the actual purpose of the vehicle.
2000 Ford Ranger 2.5 Tow
With an automatic transmission, the tow rating is not that great. According to the source we were finally able to track down that listed actual tow ratings, you will not tow very heavy or large trailers.
The capacity for this model is 2,180 pounds, and you may fudge an extra 20 pounds if you are lucky. The key to towing successfully is to remain under that weight, have trailer brakes installed, and attach the right hitch.
If you have heavier towing needs, it would be advisable to go with a stronger vehicle that can handle that task.
What Can a 2000 Ranger Tow?
You may be a bit limited in what you can tow, depending on the model of Ford Ranger you own. The tow weights are different for different models, and it will depend on the type of transmission you have in your Ranger.
The automatics can tow heavier weights than the manual transmission options. Sometimes up to 500 pounds or more. The 3.0 is made in both transmissions, and the automatic can tow just over 4,100 pounds while the standard transmission only gets to tow 2,600 pounds.
Check your owner’s manual to see what it says, as your truck may be a bit different than the information we are seeing.
Can a 2000 Ford Ranger Pull a Trailer?
This is something you have to take into consideration and think seriously about. If you have a few people riding in the cab and you are using a regular 2.5 automatic transmission, then chances are the answer will be no.
But if you are using an automatic super cab, then the answer is most likely to be yes. The super cab can tow up to almost 6,000 pounds. The manual version is not so powerful, and the answer would be no. The towing capacity is below 3000 pounds.
Check which model you own and what type of transmission you have before deciding on hitching up a trailer. You may not be able to do it.
Can a 2000 Ford Ranger Pull a Car?
This would depend on the type of car you want to tow and how much it will weigh. Chances are you may not be able to pull anything bigger than a Honda CVCC or an old Mini.
The transmission and model of your Ranger will tell you if you can do it or not. Also, the make, model, and weight of the car will give you the correct answer. When it comes to light trucks like the Ranger, it is best not to try to tow anything unless you are absolutely sure it can handle the weight.
Can a 2000 Ford Ranger Pull a Camper?
At best, it may be able to pull a small pop-up camper or a teardrop trailer. That is unless you own one of the bigger Rangers Ford produced that year. The smaller models rarely get over 3000 pounds, and if you own a manual transmission, you will not be able to tow a lot with it.
Also, it will depend on the weight of the passengers and the supplies you are bringing along that will tell you if you can tow a camper or not.
2000 Ranger Tow Package
This is as hard to find as the actual towing capacities were. The best answer we can give is that you may get a transmission cooler, trailer harness, and nothing else. The word is that the towing packages will differ depending on the model of your Ranger.
That means that you have to talk to some good Ford accessories outlets to see if they even offer the package for the 2000 Ford Ranger. Most people are only talking about the most recent years and not about the Ranger.
It may take some phone calls to different Ford dealers to get the correct answer.
2000 Ford Ranger Tow Hitch
For towing under 2000 pounds, you are looking at buying a class I trailer hitch. Then for those trailers weighing between 2000 and 3500 pounds, you will need a class II. Finally, for those trailers over 3500 but to 6000 pounds, you will need a class III trailer hitch.
They are all reasonably priced, and depending on where you shop; you should get a good deal. The receiver size is going to be the key element when looking at the hitch style.
2000 Ford Ranger Tow Mirrors
Your cost for these necessary items will depend on the type you buy and which brand you prefer. They can be as cheap as 6 dollars for simple blind spot mirrors and go up to $130 or more for regular towing mirrors.
Which one you buy will depend on your preferences and the type of trailer and cargo you are towing. Do some comparison shopping and do not be afraid to save money and opt for used ones.
If the mirrors are in good shape, then they are still going to be a valuable addition to your task.
2000 Ford Ranger Front Tow Hook
The front tow hooks seem to be made for manual transmission Rangers only. They are solid and can hold the truck in place without causing you any hassles. Some tow bars, though, are only rated for 5000 pounds, so you need to make sure your Ranger weighs less than that, including any cargo it is carrying.
You will need a left and right tow hook and 6 bolts, 3 for each, to successfully tow your vehicle. Just make sure to attach the hooks onto the right part.
Tow Comparison Chart for 2000 Ford Ranger
It took a while, but eventually, the state secret for towing weights for the 2000 Ford Ranger were uncovered. The figures are represented as is, and there may be some discrepancies due to faulty reporting.
| 2000-auto | Tow weight | 2000 -manual | Tow weight |
| 2.5 I-4 | 2,180 | 3.0 V6 | 2,660 |
| 3.0 V6 | 4,120 | 4WD 3.0 V6 | 2,400 |
| 4WD 3.0 V6 | 3,860 | Supercab 3.0 V6 | 2,460 |
| 4WD 3.0 V6 | 4,360 | Supercab 4WD | 2,200 |
| Supercab 4WD | 3,660 | 4WD 4.0 V6 | 3,340 |
| Supercab 4WD | 4,160 | Supercab 4WD | 3,160 |
| 4.0 V6 | 6,060 | 4.0 V6 | 3,600 |
| Supercab 4.0 V6 | 5,860 | supercab 4.0 V6 | 3,400 |
| 4WD 4.0 V6 | 5,800 | ||
| Supercab 4WD | 5,620 |
* All figures are taken from https://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Trailer-Life-Towing-Guide-2000.pdf
Some Final Words
People are not always forthcoming when it comes to important details. It takes some work but eventually, one can get the right information. 2000 is a long time ago, and people usually only want to talk about the newer models making it very difficult to get vital information all owners need.
Your best bet is to use a different vehicle than a Ford Ranger for towing.
