Don White writes:

Does your lease even permit towing?

Why wouldn't it?

Lot more wear and tear on the vehicle.

I would check the fine print. Make sure you won't get nailed for double
mileage or something for having installed a hitch.

Don,
Seriously double check the fine print. The salesman has no concerns if they
charge you extra for additional wear and tear on the truck.

It is the norm for people to get charged extra for anything they considered
excessive wear and tear.

--

Reggie


"Don White" wrote in message
...
Richard J Kinch wrote:
Don White writes:


I had bought the truck instead of a three year lease, I'd install a Class
2 hitch.


Does your lease even permit towing?


Why wouldn't it?
They brag about the Ford Ranger's towing capacity and I mentioned same to
both my salesman 'and' the dealership manager. I even asked them for
advice on how to properly use the safety chains on the step bumper...and
they sent me over to the body shop manager for an answer.

Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don,
Seriously double check the fine print. The salesman has no concerns if they
charge you extra for additional wear and tear on the truck.

It is the norm for people to get charged extra for anything they considered
excessive wear and tear.


Checked the lease. Couldn't find towing mentioned anywhere.
I'm allowed 20K kilometers a year...be lucky to do half that since the
wife and youngest son pretty much use the old mini-van.

Then you should be in the clear about using it to pull your light boat,but
make sure you keep it clean, without any dings or dents, from the parking
lot. Whatever you do don't stain the carpeting or cloth seats. I have
heard horror stories where the dealer wanted to charge so much for the
"extra wear and tear" which the owner thought was "normal wear and tear",
the owners found it cheaper to buy the car and the resell it on their own.
These were attorneys who used the car for work, and it picked up the normal
small dings in the parking lot.

It sounds like you got one hell of a deal, and hopefully you will come out
ahead in the lease. My personal cars I have always kept as long as they
would runs reliablly, so I have never considered a lease.

Oh, and you really are a *******. ; )


--

Reggie


"Don White" wrote in message
...
Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Don,
Seriously double check the fine print. The salesman has no concerns if
they charge you extra for additional wear and tear on the truck.

It is the norm for people to get charged extra for anything they
considered excessive wear and tear.


Checked the lease. Couldn't find towing mentioned anywhere.
I'm allowed 20K kilometers a year...be lucky to do half that since the
wife and youngest son pretty much use the old mini-van.

Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Then you should be in the clear about using it to pull your light boat,but
make sure you keep it clean, without any dings or dents, from the parking
lot. Whatever you do don't stain the carpeting or cloth seats. I have
heard horror stories where the dealer wanted to charge so much for the
"extra wear and tear" which the owner thought was "normal wear and tear",
the owners found it cheaper to buy the car and the resell it on their own.
These were attorneys who used the car for work, and it picked up the normal
small dings in the parking lot.

It sounds like you got one hell of a deal, and hopefully you will come out
ahead in the lease. My personal cars I have always kept as long as they
would runs reliablly, so I have never considered a lease.

Oh, and you really are a *******. ; )


This is the first time I have ever leased a vehicle and you're adding to
the anxiety. They tell me the local Ford dealership is very forgiving
when it comes to 'wear & tear and they have a credit card sized gage
that they use to judge any body metal dings etc. If the ding is
smaller...you're in the clear.
I'll baby that truck over the next three years....should be good as new.
One complaint... I'd rather have the regular cab. I find the 'Super Cab'
as too many blind spots when backing up.

Don White wrote:

This is the first time I have ever leased a vehicle and you're adding to
the anxiety. They tell me the local Ford dealership is very forgiving
when it comes to 'wear & tear and they have a credit card sized gage
that they use to judge any body metal dings etc. If the ding is
smaller...you're in the clear.
I'll baby that truck over the next three years....should be good as new.
One complaint... I'd rather have the regular cab. I find the 'Super Cab'
as too many blind spots when backing up.



BTW.. I have an 1100 hrs appointment with the local U-haul to install a
Class 2 hitch.
Everyone else either wanted too much money, too busy to install this
week, or had to order the hitch in. (wanted one where no additional
holes needed drilling)
I picked the Class 2 because I already have the 1 & 1/4" draw bar from
my mini-van and the truck is only rated from 2480 - 3500 lbs anyway.
My total towed weight should be a bit shy of 2000 lbs.

WTF....
Trying to be cheap, I decided I'd use my old drawbar and ball until my
new trailer arrives next month.
Trouble is... it's set up so the drawbar raises the ball 3.5" above the
receiver....good for my mini-van which seems a bit low in the rear.
The Ranger is another matter...
I struggled with removing the ball and reversing the drawbar so the ball
would be about 3 inches lower than the receiver. No way I could loosen
the nut. I even inserted the 1.25" shaft into the receiver..applied
torque with my adjustable wrench while banging it with my 2.5 lb cub
hammer. No go.
I was going to buy the nearly straight drawbar anyway (1.5" drop) from
receiver and a 2" ball to accomodate the new trailer. Guess I'll have
to waste the $14.00 to get another 1 & 7/8" ball to move the boat around
for the next little while.

On Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:34:18 GMT, Don White wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Then you should be in the clear about using it to pull your light boat,but
make sure you keep it clean, without any dings or dents, from the parking
lot. Whatever you do don't stain the carpeting or cloth seats. I have
heard horror stories where the dealer wanted to charge so much for the
"extra wear and tear" which the owner thought was "normal wear and tear",
the owners found it cheaper to buy the car and the resell it on their own.
These were attorneys who used the car for work, and it picked up the normal
small dings in the parking lot.

It sounds like you got one hell of a deal, and hopefully you will come out
ahead in the lease. My personal cars I have always kept as long as they
would runs reliablly, so I have never considered a lease.

Oh, and you really are a *******. ; )


This is the first time I have ever leased a vehicle and you're adding to
the anxiety. They tell me the local Ford dealership is very forgiving
when it comes to 'wear & tear and they have a credit card sized gage
that they use to judge any body metal dings etc. If the ding is
smaller...you're in the clear.
I'll baby that truck over the next three years....should be good as new.
One complaint... I'd rather have the regular cab. I find the 'Super Cab'
as too many blind spots when backing up.

I once rented a car in Seattle and when I took it back they tried to get me
for a couple pre-existing dents. I told them I'd call my brother to come
and verify that the dents were already there. They let me use the phone,
figuring (I guess) that they'd just argue with him also. So I called him.

My brother showed up in his police cruiser. They decided to take the car
back without argument.

Have them jot down on your contract the bit about the credit card sized
measuring tool!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

JohnH wrote:
On Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:34:18 GMT, Don White wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Then you should be in the clear about using it to pull your light boat,but
make sure you keep it clean, without any dings or dents, from the parking
lot. Whatever you do don't stain the carpeting or cloth seats. I have
heard horror stories where the dealer wanted to charge so much for the
"extra wear and tear" which the owner thought was "normal wear and tear",
the owners found it cheaper to buy the car and the resell it on their own.
These were attorneys who used the car for work, and it picked up the normal
small dings in the parking lot.

It sounds like you got one hell of a deal, and hopefully you will come out
ahead in the lease. My personal cars I have always kept as long as they
would runs reliablly, so I have never considered a lease.

Oh, and you really are a *******. ; )


This is the first time I have ever leased a vehicle and you're adding to
the anxiety. They tell me the local Ford dealership is very forgiving
when it comes to 'wear & tear and they have a credit card sized gage
that they use to judge any body metal dings etc. If the ding is
smaller...you're in the clear.
I'll baby that truck over the next three years....should be good as new.
One complaint... I'd rather have the regular cab. I find the 'Super Cab'
as too many blind spots when backing up.

I once rented a car in Seattle and when I took it back they tried to get me
for a couple pre-existing dents. I told them I'd call my brother to come
and verify that the dents were already there. They let me use the phone,
figuring (I guess) that they'd just argue with him also. So I called him.

My brother showed up in his police cruiser. They decided to take the car
back without argument.

Have them jot down on your contract the bit about the credit card sized
measuring tool!
--
'Til next time,

John H

There's a consumer advocate around these parts that I listen to on the
radio sometimes. He's quite a smart guy. I've learned from people
calling in with horror stories that I will never, ever, ever lease a
vehicle.

I have listened to Clark Howard, it there are many people who do have
problems. If you keep the car well maintained, keep documents of following
mfg. suggested schedule, park your car away from others in the parking lot,
keep the interior spotless you should not have a problem.

Since I keep my cars as long as possible, I do all that already, but there
are some who think you can let things slide, ignore the dings on the side of
the car, and not worry about it because you are returning the car in 2 or 3
years. They normally are very very surprised at what they charge to repair
these items.

Don, since you have just closed on the deal with the Ford dealer, I would
ask them to put the "credit card gage" in writting. It is much easier to do
that before, but even now, would be better than at the end of the lease.



--

Reggie


"basskisser" wrote in message
oups.com...

JohnH wrote:
On Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:34:18 GMT, Don White
wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers wrote:
Then you should be in the clear about using it to pull your light
boat,but
make sure you keep it clean, without any dings or dents, from the
parking
lot. Whatever you do don't stain the carpeting or cloth seats. I
have
heard horror stories where the dealer wanted to charge so much for the
"extra wear and tear" which the owner thought was "normal wear and
tear",
the owners found it cheaper to buy the car and the resell it on their
own.
These were attorneys who used the car for work, and it picked up the
normal
small dings in the parking lot.

It sounds like you got one hell of a deal, and hopefully you will come
out
ahead in the lease. My personal cars I have always kept as long as
they
would runs reliablly, so I have never considered a lease.

Oh, and you really are a *******. ; )


This is the first time I have ever leased a vehicle and you're adding to
the anxiety. They tell me the local Ford dealership is very forgiving
when it comes to 'wear & tear and they have a credit card sized gage
that they use to judge any body metal dings etc. If the ding is
smaller...you're in the clear.
I'll baby that truck over the next three years....should be good as new.
One complaint... I'd rather have the regular cab. I find the 'Super Cab'
as too many blind spots when backing up.

I once rented a car in Seattle and when I took it back they tried to get
me
for a couple pre-existing dents. I told them I'd call my brother to come
and verify that the dents were already there. They let me use the phone,
figuring (I guess) that they'd just argue with him also. So I called him.

My brother showed up in his police cruiser. They decided to take the car
back without argument.

Have them jot down on your contract the bit about the credit card sized
measuring tool!
--
'Til next time,

John H

There's a consumer advocate around these parts that I listen to on the
radio sometimes. He's quite a smart guy. I've learned from people
calling in with horror stories that I will never, ever, ever lease a
vehicle.