2000 FORD RANGER trailer

Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
For towing trailers up to 907 kg (2 000 lb), use a weight carrying hitch
and ball which uniformly distributes the trailer tongue loads through the
underbody structure. Use a frame-mounted weight distrubuting hitch for
trailers over 907 kg (2 000 lb).
Do not install a single or multi-clamp type bumper hitch, or a hitch
which attaches to the axle. Underbody mounted hitches are acceptable if
they are installed properly. Follow the towing instructions of a reputable
rental agency.
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure all
mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to prevent noxious
gases or water from entering.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
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Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The optional step bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires
only a ball with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a
907 kg (2 000 lb.) trailer weight and 91 kg (200 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
The rated capcities (as shown in this guide) for trailer towing with the
factory bumper are only valid when the trailer hitch ball is installed
directly into the ball hole in the bumper. Addition of bracketry to either
lower the ball hitch position or extend the ball hitch rearward will
significantly increase the loads on the bumper and its attachments. This
can result in the failure of the bumper or the bumper attachments. Use
of any type of hitch extensions should be considered abuse.
Trailer tow connector
The trailer tow connector is located under the rear bumper, on the
driver's side of the vehicle.
Refer to the following chart for
information regarding the
factory-equipped trailer tow
connector:
1
2
34
Driving
133

Trailer tow connector
Color Function Comment
1. Dark Green Trailer right
hand turn signalCircuit activated when brake
pedal is depressed or when
ignition is on and right hand turn
signal is applied.
2. Yellow Trailer left hand
turn signalCircuit activated when brake
pedal is depressed or when
ignition is on and left hand turn
signal is applied.
3. Tan/White Tail lamp Relay controlled circuit activated
when the park lamps/headlamps
are on.
4. White Ground Matching vehicle circuit returns to
battery's negative ground.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
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²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be no more than 10±15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Driving
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The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment
Fuse Panel Description
1 7.5A Power Mirror Switch
2 7.5A Blower Motor Relay, PAD Module, Air Bag
Diagnostic Monitor
3 7.5A Left Stop/Turn Trailer Tow Connector
4 10A Left Headlamp
5 Ð Not Used
6 15A Overdrive, Back-up Lamps, DRL, 4x4
7 7.5A Right Stop/Turn Trailer Tow Connector
8 10A Right Headlamp, Fog Lamp Relay
9 7.5A Brake Pedal Position Switch
10 7.5A Speed Control Servo/Amplifier Assembly,
Generic Electronic Module (GEM), Shift
Lock Actuator, Blend Door Actuator,
A/C-Heater Assembly, Turn Signals
11 7.5A Instrument Cluster, Daytime Running
Lights (DRL), RABS Resistor
12 Ð Not Used
13 20A Brake Pedal Position Switch
14 20A or 10A 20A: If equipped with Rear Anti-Lock Brake
System (RABS) Module.
10A: If equipped with 4 Wheel Anti-Lock
Brake System (4WABS) Module, 4WABS
Main Relay
15 7.5A Air Bag Indicator Lamp, Alternator
Indicator Lamp
16 30A Windshield Wiper Motor, Wiper Hi-Lo Relay,
Wiper Run/Park Relay
17 25A Cigar Lighter, Data Link Connector (DLC)
18 15A Driver's Unlock Relay, All-Unlock Relay,
All-Lock Relay
19 25A PCM Power Diode, Ignition, PATS
20 7.5A RAP Module, Generic Electronic Module
(GEM), Radio
Roadside emergencies
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The high-current fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
1 50A** I/P Fuse Panel
2 40A** Blower Motor Relay
3 50A** 4 Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (4WABS)
Module
4 20A** Power Windows
5 50A** Ignition Switch, Starter Relay
1 10A* A/C Relay
2 Ð Not Used
3 20A* Electronic Shift Relay and Electronic Shift
Control Module
4 20A* Fog Lamp and Daytime Running Lamps
5 15A Trailer Tow Park Lamps
6 10A* Powertrain Control Module
7 30A* 4 Wheel Anti-lock Brake System (4WABS)
Module
8 30A* PCM Relay
5432112 11 10 9
876 5
432 1
14 15 13
9 6
10 87 5 41
2 3
211
125
MEGAFUSE
11
13 12
14
Roadside emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
9 20A* Fuel Pump Relay and RAP Module
10 15A* Horn Relay
11 15A* Parklamps Relay and Main Light Switch
12 30A* Main Light Switch and Multifunction Switch
13 15A* Heated Oxygen Sensor, EGR Vacuum
Regulator, EVR Solenoid, Camshaft Position
Sensor (CMP), Canister Vent Solenoid
14 30A* Alternator Voltage Regulator
15 Ð Not Used
1 Ð Wiper Park Relay
2 Ð A/C Relay
3 Ð Wiper Hi/Lo Relay
4 Ð PCM Power Relay
5 Ð Fuel Pump Relay
6 Ð Starter Relay
7 Ð Horn Relay
8 Ð Fog Lamp Control Relay
9 Ð Blower Motor Relay
10 Ð Foglamp Isolation Relay
11 Ð Not Used
12 Ð Not Used
13 Ð Park Lamp/Trailer Tow Relay
14 Ð Washer Pump Relay
1 Ð RABS Resistor
1 Ð RABS Diode
2 Ð Electronic Engine Controls Diode
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
Roadside emergencies
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CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
Your vehicle may have a temporary or conventional spare tire. The
temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller than
a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace this tire
with a full-size tire as soon as possible.
It is not recommended that the vehicle be operated in 4WD modes with
a temporary spare. If 4WD operation is necessary, do not operate above
speeds of 16 km/h (10 mph) or for distances above 80 km (50 miles).
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under any circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle's reduced
ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Conventional spare tire information
If you have the conventional spare tire, you can use it as a spare or a
regular tire. The spare is identical to the other tires on your vehicle,
although the wheel may not match.
Roadside emergencies
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