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Decatur, IL

I'm considering buying a 2000 Ford Ranger. Will I be able to use it to haul my pumpkins. My biggest is about 330" total. I don't think there's enough room between the wheel housings for a pallet. There's depression on either side of the bed liner that will accomodate a couple of 2x4s. This would allow a pallet to rest on top of the wheel housing. Is this a workable option?
Thanks, Charlie

9/19/2005 8:51:56 PM

Long Island,New York

It all depends on the fruit....I have a 818lber in my Frontier crew cab...4.5 ft long bed....of course it only taped 720lbs and was tall and round, not very long. I cant carry widebodies at all....measure the fruit width and length..compare to the bedsize...

9/19/2005 8:57:26 PM

Long Island,New York

HAD, not HAVE...last year.

9/19/2005 8:58:07 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

My only thoughts are "How far are you going to travel? It all goes back to 7th grade science and inertia and gravity. Something I would not want to test in a Ford Ranger with a Large Pumpkin.

9/19/2005 9:47:51 PM

Saugerties N. Y.

If you have a hitch maybe you can find a small snowmobile trailer they are usually alittle wider than a truck bed but I would'nt recommend it for a long haul their alittle bouncy you would really have to strap it down good

9/19/2005 10:13:33 PM

So. Maine

Stack wooden pallets & plywood until you get just above the bed rails, put your padding on then load her on top of the padding. Now it can hang over the sides. I've had to do that severial times.

9/20/2005 3:05:11 AM

Ontario, Canada.

I travelled 300 miles last fall with my 781.5 in the back of my 2002 Ranger. It measured about 330. The truck was fine. It is possible to fit a larger pumpkin. Heads sure turned at every town we went through. It took up much of the bed and rode very high above the box.

9/20/2005 5:58:38 AM

Streator ,Illinois

charlie,
measure the width in between the wheel wells , measure the pumpkin width and or length , to see if it will fit, if it does not you can build it up to get past the wheel wells
Good luck see you at Didiers
Are you leaving Friday or real early Saturday
P.S. don't take the corners to fast
Gene

9/20/2005 12:41:23 PM

Montoursville, PA

As you build up.....up goes the center of gravity. Carefull there. About four concrete blocks overload the truck you are loading. :)

9/20/2005 1:10:41 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

With a small truck I'd consider the investment in a trailer.
Something with sides... you would be able to use it for
other things as well, such as bringing in amendments for your
patch.

9/20/2005 1:17:49 PM

Halifax, Nova Scotia

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/DisplayPhoto.asp?pid=2274

Kevin Companion's 1036 in the back of a Ranger. Fits like a glove.

9/20/2005 2:03:36 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

It has nothing to do with fit...it has to do with what the truck is designed to hold...You have to remember their are weight limits as to what a truck can have as payload. That state trooper that pulls you over will probably have a nice smile on his face when he takes the picture. Safety is number one.

9/20/2005 2:10:13 PM

Eugene, OR

The max payload capacity for a '00 Ranger is over 1200 pounds. That's not much but if it'll fit, you should be fine.

9/20/2005 3:28:28 PM

wilmington,ma.

Fill the corners of the truck with Hay Bales.

9/20/2005 3:49:39 PM

Spanish Ontario

if the frame break,s you have a 2500 lber lol .

9/20/2005 5:05:27 PM

[email protected]

I would mind crushing a Ranger or S-10 with a pumpkin LOL.

9/20/2005 11:05:24 PM

[email protected]

F Series all the way Charlie.

9/20/2005 11:06:01 PM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

I have a Ranger and plan to haul my Pumpkin to Topsfield in it. It's close to 700 pounds. A pallet fits between the wheels sideways, and I cover that with a rubber stall mat for cushioning. The pumpkin will be covered and strapped down. It should be fine. The truck is rated for 1100 pounds. Of course, when I grow the world record pumpkin......

9/21/2005 10:39:55 AM

Long Island,New York

That 1200lbs includes the driver, passengers, and fuel right?

9/21/2005 2:41:33 PM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

1100 pounds includes driver,passenger and cargo. Fuel is not included as the ratings are based on a full tank. I figure I'm still good for a 900 pounder.

9/21/2005 5:39:11 PM

Eugene, OR

Yup, cndadoc is correct about payload. Payload does include optional equipment not accounted for however. The 1200 pound number I threw out there was for a '00 Ranger 4x2, regular cab, and the std. 2.5L 4 banger. The payload goes up over the base model's 1200, depending on options. Not too shabby considering the base model '00 F-150 is only rated for 400 pounds more than the base model Ranger.

9/21/2005 6:32:03 PM

Eugene, OR

LOL, that should say *does not include*

9/21/2005 6:33:58 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Charlie, anything close to 340ott I would just chain and drag behind the truck. It should make it from Decatur in one piece.

9/21/2005 8:04:11 PM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

With the way gas prices are going, we will all be selling our our big trucks, small trucks, and motorcycles, and be pulling our pumpkins with mopeds and bicycles on a scateboard or two tied together and looking for the biggest hill to go down.........lol...JK

9/22/2005 3:41:52 AM

Indiana

I have seen the straw bales work great they cushion the fruit also

9/22/2005 2:35:30 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Be sure to put blankets or some kind of padding between 'kin and straw. I did major scratch up job on my first AG last year...live and learn. Peace Wayne

9/22/2005 11:35:50 PM