i tow my M17, SWEET PEA, with an '05 ranger extended cab 4x4 with a 4.0L v6 engine, manual transmission. now ... the rangers are a pain to figure out the towing capacity as it depends on cab style, transmission, rear-end, suspension (2x4, 4x4 or FX4 4x4) and engine. the manual transmission versions can haul about 1/2 as much as the automatics. example: my truck can haul about 2600 lbs. the automatic version can haul over 4000 lbs. the above from my experience also fits for other trucks. you must read and research. DON'T trust the sales people ... the stories and facts i've had given to me by sales people make my roses grow great. my opinion of the ranger. i've owned two - the first was an '94 and i put 100,000 miles in 11 years (i've never had long commutes for work and thus keep miles down). the truck did great for the first 10 years. the last year was a mess of rear end and transmission issues. i never towed a boat with the '94 ranger. my '05 is about to blow it's second transmission. the first blew at 5,000 miles ... the truck has 22,000 miles now. i also have had front end issues and the brakes are almost gone. now if someone says this is because of the boat ... i only towed my M15 about 1000 miles (i live close to launch locations) and have only 400 miles towing the M17. neither boat was/has been towed across a mountain pass. the issues are either i have a truck built on a friday or monday; or just a BAD design in the '05. overall the truck tows the M17 great. more than enough power and i usually blow by others on the local hills. i keep the rig at 60-65 on highways and in 4th gear unless i'm going downhill. the trailer stays behind the truck just fine. i have no trailer brakes. i agree with others that having trailer brakes make for a safer tow. i believe it is best to have more engine than one thinks they need. my '94 had a 3.0L V6 and i felt it was underpowered ... i had instances when i was unable to keep the truck at speed when driving into midwestern (USA) winds. my camper made things worse. the 4.0L has a large reserve of horsepower. a second is to have more truck (ie towing ability) than you need. i feel my ranger is just a bit under 'sized' for my boat/camper setup. if i had the automatic transmission i'd been more comfortable. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site: http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Sat, 7/25/09, Bill Wickett <billwick@gmail.com> wrote: We are looking at an M17 and thinking about tow vehicles. Any M-boat owners tow an M17 with a Ford Ranger or Dodge Dakota? Ranger with a 4 liter engine is rated at 4000 lbs tow capacity. Dakota is not as clearly defined in the manuals, but says it is up to 7,000 with correct equipment. I think that would be the 4.7L V-8 and tow package. I see that the Dakota has an overdrive override for towing hauling. I think the Ranger might be a bit narrow, but have not compared the width of the 2 vehicles. Need to do a bit of on-line research. I think the M17 on the Pacific trailer is probably 7' 6". The mission would be for towing 1 hour from home to launch and return, with two to four longer trips each summer of 3-6 hours distance. 6 hours would get us to the North Channel of Lake Huron. Any experiences you have to share would be appreciated. One last question, does anyone trailer with the O/B mounted on the boat (adjustable bracket) or do you stow the motor in your vehicle? Stowing in the rear of an SUV does not seem all that safe to me, unless it is strapped down. That is why we are looking at the pickup option. Thanks much to all. Bill Wickett, Ontario