I have a Ford Ranger and I want to buy a trailer to move my classic cars which are dotted around (and very unroadworthy!).
Please can someone give me a definitive answer as to what is my max legal GTW?
Any other hints or tips gratefully accepted 
The trailer and load can’t weigh more than the ford ranger, I suppose the rest depends on what entitlements you have on your licence
You need to find the manufacturers plate on the vehicle. Not known for their vast towing ability Ford Rangers and pick-ups rarely do.
Vosa may look at the weight of the whole combination being within GTW and individual axle weights as what matters to them but the legality/illegality of exceeding the manufacturer’s own tow capacity for the vehicle is a bit of a grey area.
NewLad:
The trailer and load can’t weigh more than the ford ranger, I suppose the rest depends on what entitlements you have on your licence
This isn’t correct
On the vin plate it will tell you axle weights then the next big one will be your gross vehicle weight and then the next one down will be the gross combination weight… For something like what you’ve got it will be around 5.5-6ts.
go on auto trader find as close as you can to your car then look at the specs on it and it will give you the towing weights braked and unbraked.
We’ve got a ranger that we tow our car trailers with and it is a horrendous journey, i took it to the I-o-m this week and it near on bounces you out of the seat, especially on the m42 from the m40 
tried putting weight in the bed but its still the same…patrol/pajero/land cruiser the thing to use…
According to ford, 1800 kg.
And I suggest using a stableiser too.
In NZ i had an 08 new Ranger 4x4 ute Flatbed 3 litre turbo, and could legally tow 3.5 tons and it was great. but beware …look at the towbar here in UK it may be a 2 or 2.5 ton rated version. An when did you pass your test as you may not be able to tow that at all.
Search the web for maximum allowable weights on that vehicle here too.
Have fun.
Landrover Defender 90, towing weight 3.5t, kerb weight of the Defender was around 1.2t. Just be sure what the unladen weight of the trailer is and you should be ok. Only need B+E on your licence, no tacho unless it’s for business use, then it’s a whole new ball game.
Hope this helps
Paul
Ex 90TDI+horse box driver…
sonflowerinwales:
Landrover Defender 90, towing weight 3.5t, kerb weight of the Defender was around 1.2t
A 90 weighs a LOT more than 1.2t. I’ve had my 110 on a weighbridge and it weighs over 2t without anyone in it, and according to landrover.com the current model of 90 has a kerb weight of around 1.8t with a full tank of fuel and a 75kg driver.
Paul
From Ford website , its about page 18 for tow weights
fordeumicrosites.com/engine/ … Ranger.pdf
I think our Ranger (05) has a tow weight of 2.5t although as it hasn’t got a tacho we can’t use it to tow with at work.
I’d imagine it also depends on if its 2WD or 4WD
8wheels:
I’d imagine it also depends on if its 2WD or 4WD
Not really.
What licence do you have? - you will need B+E or be under learner rules for B+E (any +E in the C or D categories gives full B+E)
There is no law or rule which states the vehicle must weigh more than the trailer and its load - some vehicles are designed to tow 3500 kgs when the vehicle weight is between 2200 and 2750 kgs
On almost every vehicle there is a weight plate with the top figure being GVW and the second figure GTW
In most cases GTW minus GVW = the max towing capacity (actual weight which can be towed)
Driveroneuk:
8wheels:
I’d imagine it also depends on if its 2WD or 4WDNot really.
So wrong …2200 kg at worst to 3500kg at best is the difference between them dependant on model.
NewLad:
The trailer and load can’t weigh more than the ford ranger
Where did you get that incorrect info from ?
From here
- Car towing weight and width limits
Most cars have a maximum weight of what they can tow. It’s usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet.
Alternatively the vehicle’s gross train weight may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver’s door. The gross train weight is the weight of the fully loaded car plus fully loaded trailer and must not be exceeded.
If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.
Width and lengthThe maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length is 7 metres for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kilograms).
ROG:
NewLad:
The trailer and load can’t weigh more than the ford rangerWhere did you get that incorrect info from ?
I have never towed anything in a car but was told years ago unless it’s a goods vehicle the towing vehicle must weigh more than whats being towed, guess it was bull shine sorry
NewLad:
ROG:
NewLad:
The trailer and load can’t weigh more than the ford rangerWhere did you get that incorrect info from ?
I have never towed anything in a car but was told years ago unless it’s a goods vehicle the towing vehicle must weigh more than whats being towed, guess it was bull shine sorry
I could be wrong but wasn’t that at one time something to do with whether or not the trailer had brakes, I seem to remember that some time ago an un-braked trailer and it’s contents could not way more than the towing vehicle.
Like I say I could be wrong though 