Search For My First Vehicle.. Will it Haul?

I'm looking to purchase my first vehicle, preferably a truck. I've got my eye on this one..
2003 ford ranger ext.cab,
But, will it haul a two horse trailer? Not constantly, once a week at most. I might be going to look at it tomorrow as long as there isn't too much snow.
Thanks in advance!

No, a Ford Ranger is not a good truck to pull a horse trailer with.. You would probably blow the engine, happened with our Dodge Dakota. Especially going up hill with it, it's just to much strain on such a little truck.

I would look into a bigger truck, Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, etc

Rangers are like expecting a Beetle to do the same job as a Camaro.
What's the rating on your trailer? Check it against your truck. Those trucks (Rangers, Dakotas, Canyons, etc) are just made for show. They aren't really "trucks".
Nor would I say that thing is worth $6000... At least, you wouldn't get close to that here for it.

For 6k, you can get a nice half ton pickup that'll pull just fine. You can find a nice 88-98 body style silverado for a lot less than that. I've always had good luck with them and will always have one around. Parts are cheap and theyre easy to work on. Theres lots of options for ya tho. The older f150s are good solid trucks for the money too

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The Fair market Value for that vehicle according to the charts is 4,500.00

The Towing Capacity is 3,940 lbs. (provided you have the towing package)

2 Reasons to run away and find another vehicle

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Another thing is that around 5,000 is my price range. I'm not paying for it myself, my parents are. The main reason is for it to get me to school and back everyday, which adds up to about 80 miles a day. So it has to be good on gas, otherwise we would just keep driving my dad's truck which is bigger, can haul, but is a gas hog.
I will definatley look into others, thank you!

Personally..if your dad will let you haul with his truck, I'd just get a car.
My Nissan Altima (4 cylinder) only averaged 20.9gal/mile highway..I'm forced to get either a truck or suv with 4/awd now because my car is totalled and it could barely make it up the driveway to the barn anyway.

I'd definitely get a car for 80 miles a day..I drive 45 or so a day and gas killed me in a car..a small truck can't haul safely (let alone efficiently) and will still waste you gas that a car will save you.
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Iseul, I don't want to get a car. I'm moving out as soon as I can, around a year, so I would need my own truck or something I can haul a trailer with. I don't think it would be worth the trouble getting a car now and then having to find a truck/suv that can pull for me in a years time.
I won't leave my horse here when I move, so being able to pull a trailer with my own vehicle is a must. I can use my dads truck as long as he isn't using it, but there will be some days he is when I have riding practice in town and have to use my own.

If I didn't need to haul a trailer I would get a car.

I understand where you're coming from. But, any small truck/suv won't ve able to haul anyway. You're going to be stuck with a gas hog if you need to be able to haul.

Personally, I'd try to work out a schedule with your dad and schedule your riding practices around his work schedule. Whatever kind of truck that will haul safely and efficiently, you won't get for $5k and still have it usable in a year or so time without dumping even more money into it. If you absolutely need to haul, you're going to want to double your spending budget.

I'm getting something cheap to get me through a year or two until I can get my*raise at work. In a year or so, I'll be trading in whatever I get as a down payment for either an f250 or dodge 2500 with a tow package.

If you sacrifice for a car now, you can put money away for a truck that'll last you more than a year or three that can actually haul safely.

If you have connections in the car dealerships (your parents) you may be able to find something semi-decent..but like I said..my Uncle buys new vehicles left and right and all he can find me is beat up, rusted SUVs that don't have the specs to haul even a two horse, without the horse.
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As others have said, something that size just isn't made to haul. The difference in gas mileage savings will get eaten up in repairs.

You can find a decent hauling vehicle in that price range but it will take some looking and waiting for the right one. I bought a new (old) truck last year - it's older but it's in great shape. '91 Ford 3/4 ton with a 460 in it - not a speck of body rust and the best part is it only has 40k miles on it. Runs like a champ and price was under 5k. Gets better mileage than the diesel - get about 17-18 when it's not pulling, about 14 when I'm hauling.