2004 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity (All Variations)

If you have a 2004 Ford Ranger and need to know your truck’s towing capacity, you have come to the right place.

Here you will find all the GCWRs and max trailer towing weights suggested by Ford. The information is combined with the 2004 Ford Ranger eBrochure and the 2004 Ford Trailer Towing Guide.

The 2004 Ford Ranger has a max trailer towing capacity of 5,980 lbs. This is for properly equipped vehicles with no cargo.

Ford says that the tongue weight for any towing should be 10%-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. So this should be taken into account when setting up your trailer.

Though I tried to make this information as accurate as possible, you should always check your manual or contact your local dealer to determine the appropriate towing capacity of your vehicle and the necessary equipment.

2004 ford ranger towing capacity featured image

TRIMS

There are five trims in the 2004 Ranger series.

  • XL
  • XL Sport
  • XLT
  • STX
  • Splash

The main differences between these trims are the availability of mechanical features, appearance options, and packages.

All the differences can be seen in the e-brochure.

CAB AND BED SIZES

The cab can either be a Regular Cab or a Super Cab.

The Regular Cab and the Super Cab can support two different rows of passengers.

Bed Sizes

There are two lengths available in the 2004 Ford Ranger. This is the 6-ft bed and the 7-ft bed. Do note that the 7-ft bed is available only for the Regular Cab.

PACKAGES

The Ford Ranger has one towing trailer package available. This is the Trailer Towing Package. It is recommended for all light trucks that will be used for towing to help ensure easy and proper connection of trailer lights.

Trailer Tow Package

The Ford Ranger Trailer Tow Package comes with:

  • 4-pin Trailer Wiring Harness
  • Hitch Receiver

TOWING CAPACITY BY ENGINE

There are three engines available on the 2004 Ford Ranger. This is the 2.3 L EFI I-4, the 3.0 EFI V6, and the 4.0L EFI V6 Engine.

2.3L EFI I-4

The 2.3 L DOHC I-4 engine is a 5-speed automatic transmission engine with 98 hp @ 4,600 rpm, as well as a torque of 130 @ 2,600 rpm. Its towing capacity ranges from 1,520 – 2,240 lbs.

Axle RatioTowing CapacityGCWR
Regular Cab
4×2
6-ft/7-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
4.102,240/2,1805,500
Regular Cab
4×2
6-ft/7-ft bed
Manual Transmission
3.73/4.101,580/1,5204,800
2004 Ford Ranger 2.3L EFI I-4 Engine Towing Capacity

3.0L EFI V6

The 3.0L EFI V6 engine is a 5-speed automatic transmission engine with 140 hp @ 4,800 rpm and a 160 @ 3,000 rpm torque. Its towing capacity ranges from 2,300 – 2,640 lbs.

Axle RatioTowing CapacityGCWR
Regular Cab
4×2
6-ft/7-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
3.732,620/2,5406,000
Regular Cab
4×2
6-ft
Automatic Transmission
Ranger Edge
3.73/4.102,4806,000
Regular Cab
4×4
6-ft
Automatic Transmission
4.102,3006,000
Supercab
4×2
6-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
3.732,4406,000
Supercab
4×2
6-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
Tremor
4.102,3606,000
Regular Cab
4×2
6-ft/7-ft
Manual Transmission
3.732,660/2,5806,000
Regular Cab
4×2
6-ft
Manual Transmission
Ranger Edge
3.73/4.102,5206,000
Regular Cab
4×4
6-ft
Manual Transmission
4.102,3406,000
Supercab
4×2
6-ft bed
Manual Transmission
4.102,4806,000
Supercab
4×2
6-ft bed
Manual Transmission
Tremor
4.102,3606,000
2004 Ford Ranger 3.0L EFI V6 Engine Towing Capacity

4.0L EFI V6 L4

The 4.0 L EFI V6 is a 5-speed automatic transmission engine with 160 hp @ 4,000 rpm and a torque of 225 @ 2,500 rpm. Its towing capacity ranges from 3,100 – 5,980 lbs.

Axle RatioTowing CapacityGCWR
Regular Cab
4×2
7-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
3.555,9809,500
Regular Cab
4×4
7-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
4.105,6609,500
Supercab
4×2
6-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
3.555,8609,500
Supercab
4×2
6-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
Ranger Edge
3.555,7409,500
Supercab
4×4
6-ft bed
Automatic Transmission
4.105,5609,500
Super Cab
4×2
6-ft box
Manual Transmission
Ranger Edge
3.553,400/3,3207,000
Super Cab
4×4
6-ft box
Manual Transmission
4.103,1007,000
2004 Ford Ranger 4.0L EFI V6 Towing Capacity

2004 FORD RANGER TOWING CAPACITY CHART

The following chart is from the trailer tow guide from the Ford brochure. The maximum towing capacity for the 2004 Ford Ranger is 5,980 lbs.

2004 FORD RANGER TOWING CAPACITY CHART
2004 FORD RANGER TOWING CAPACITY CHART

PAYLOAD CAPACITY

The best way to check the payload capacity is to find the GVWR listed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. It’s usually located on the driver’s side and contains the front and rear GAWR alongside the GVWR.

REAR STEP BUMPER TOWING VS HITCH RECEIVER TOWING

However, even if you have a hitch receiver, this does not mean you can tow the above capacities. You first need a proper hitch receiver, which is included with Class III Trailer Towing, and a weight-distributing trailer hitch if towing above 5,000 lbs.

You can tow with the 2004 Ford Ranger through a rear step bumper ball hitch. This can hold up to 2,000 lbs (with a weight-carrying trailer).

In either case with a weight-carrying trailer or weight-distributing trailer, the tongue weight should not exceed 10%-15% of the total trailer weight (according to the Trailer Tow Guide).

Weight Carrying Trailer Capacity
(Max Tongue Load)
Weight Distributing Trailer Capacity
(Max Tongue Load)
Rear bumper2,000 lbs
(200 lbs)
Hitch Receiver3,500 lbs
(350 lbs)
6,000 lbs
(600 lbs)
Max Tongue Load and Trailer Capacity for Rear Step Bumper and Hitch Receivers on 2004 Ford Ranger

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CONCLUSION

Ford states that the 2004 Ford Ranger has a max towing capacity of 1,520 to 5,980 lbs.

Though this guide provides good guidance on how much you can tow with your 2004 Ford Ranger, you should always calculate your own towing capacity.

Not sure how? Read: How is Towing Capacity Calculated? Here you will find a helpful calculator as well.

JOEY TECCHI

I, Joey, am the owner and primary writer for Tailored Trucks. When I'm not writing, I enjoy taking my RAM pickup to the White Mountains for skiing, camping, or ATVing. Thanks for reading!

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