The Ford Ranger was introduced into Ford’s lineup as a compact pickup truck in 1984 and is still made today. The Ranger is one of the most popular compact trucks in the USA and has many features consumers expect from today’s trucks including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 1997 Ford Ranger?
A 1997 Ford Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds when properly equipped.
The 1997 Ford Ranger tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
There’s a bit more to know about the 1997 Ford Ranger tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 1997 Ford Ranger Tow?
The 1997 Ford Ranger has a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.
The 1997 Ford Ranger tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
You can always reach out to your local Ford dealership for details to confirm how much your Ranger can tow.
You can check out our guide to Ford Ranger towing capacity by year if you’re looking at a different model year’s max capacity or if you want to compare different years of this vehicle.
1997 Ranger Tow Capacity By Trim Level
There are three total trim levels for the 1997 Ranger, and some engines are not available on certain trims, so they’ll each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 1999 Ford Ranger:
| 1997 Ford Ranger Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| 1997 Ford Ranger XL | 4,400 pounds |
| 1997 Ford Ranger XLT | 6,000 pounds |
| 1997 Ford Ranger STX | 5,800 pounds |
| 1997 Ford Ranger Splash | 6,000 pounds |
Towing Capacity By Engine Size & Drivetrain
1997 Ford Ranger Engine Towing Specs
There are three engine options for the 1997 Ranger, which are a 2.5L I-4 engine, a 3.0L V6 engine, and a 4.0L V6 engine.
1997 Ford Ranger 2.5L I4 Engine Tow Capacity: 2,300 pounds
1997 Ford Ranger 3.0L V6 Engine Tow Capacity: 4,400 pounds
1997 Ford Ranger 4.0L V6 Engine Tow Capacity: 6,000 pounds
1997 Ford Ranger Drivetrain Towing Specs
The 1997 Ford Ranger drivetrain options are 4×2 and 4×4.
1997 Ford Ranger 4×2 Tow Capacity: 6,000 pounds
1997 Ford Ranger 4×4 Tow Capacity: 5,800 pounds
Note that these are the max towing limits for each 1997 Ford Ranger engine. Your Ford Ranger may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.
1997 Ford Ranger Payload Capacity
The maximum payload capacity of the 1997 Ford Ranger is 1,650 pounds.
Note that the max payload capacity of your 1997 Ranger will vary based on factors like the engine type, drivetrain and whether or not a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler is installed.
You can always contact your local dealership for extra details if you’re unsure of your vehicle’s payload capability.
1997 Ford Ranger Tow Package
The 1997 Ranger does not come with a tow package installed, but there is an optional tow package which includes a wiring harness and hitch receiver.
We definitely recommend adding towing equipment to your 1997 Ranger if you plan on towing anything with it.
1997 Ford Ranger Tow Capacity Vs Competitors
The 1997 Ford Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitor which is the 1997 Toyota Tacoma.
Here are some similar vehicles to the 1997 Ford Ranger and their towing capacities below:
1997 Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
1997 Ford Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
| Model | Towing Capacity |
| 1997 Ford Ranger | 6,000 pounds |
| 1997 Ford F150 | 8,200 pounds |
| 1997 Ford F250 | 8,700 pounds |
| 1997 Ford F350 | 10,000 pounds |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 1997 Ford Ranger Owner’s Manual on Ford’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 1997 Ford Ranger.