FORD 2004 Ranger v.2 - Manual (Page 41)

Loading and securing cargo
When using your vehicle to haul
cargo, make sure it is properly
loaded to help ensure safe handling
of the vehicle. You should tie down
or restrain items in the cargo area
so that they will not come loose and
create the risk of injury in a crash.
Cargo should be evenly distributed
over the floor of the cargo area,
with the heaviest cargo on the
bottom and ahead of the rear axle.
Do not allow people to ride in the cargo area of your vehicle.
People who are not riding in seats with their safety belts
fastened are much more likely to be injured or killed in a collision.
Loading cargo on the roof
Cargo placed on the roof will tend to make your vehicle more top heavy,
causing it to lean more in corners and creating a greater possibility of
vehicle rollover. If you must haul cargo on the roof of the vehicle, use
extra caution when loading the vehicle and when driving. Cargo on the
roof rack should be properly secured and evenly distributed over the
roof rack area, with the heaviest cargo on the bottom, near the front of
the roof rack area. Any load placed on the roof rack should not exceed
the maximum load shown on the roof rack’s label.
Truck camper loading
When the vehicle is used to carry a slide-in camper, the total cargo load
of the truck consists of the manufacturer’s camper weight figure, the
weight of installed additional camper equipment not included in the
manufacturer’s camper weight figure, the weight of the camper cargo,
and the weight of all the passengers and cargo in your vehicle.
Loading Your Vehicle
17