Hi all I'm brand new to RF and half new to Rangers.

I just bought a 2002 Ranger XLT FX4, 5 speed, twin stick, back in June of last year. It has about 60K on it.

First, I'd just like to say that I absolutely LOVE that truck!!

Ever since my g/f let me borrow her 94 Ranger XLT (before I had mine), I just knew I had to have one. I've been a Ranger fan ever since.

Ok now to my question. I will be getting a 2nd gen Trans Am in the near future and I want to know how hard of a time I'm going to have towing this thing? I've heard of people pulling off some really ridiculous towing jobs with 3.0 2WD and less, however, I have the 4.0 SOHC 4WD.

I've only ever towed very small jobs (I pulled my 97 Windstar out of the snow about 100 times, as well as my Saturn SC2). That was nothing more than putting a tow strap on the bumper hitch and pulling the snowed in vehicle a couple of feet down the road.

I'm talking a Trans Am (maybe motor + tranny, maybe not) getting a tow over perhaps 100 miles here, plus whatever crap I have in the bed at the time.

I know what equipment I need but I've got this weird fear in the back of my mind that says my FX4 isn't up for the job?

Am I a worry wort or am I good to go?

Thanks in advance.

RJ

 

Are you going to be towing it on a flatbed or a dolly? You'd be better off with a dolly if you can arrange it. I flatbed from u-haul is about 2000lbs. A dolly is a few hundred. As long as you don't try and drive it like a race car and hot rod around with it you should be fine for that distance. Is it a hilly road or flat?

You also need to use a hitch, not the bumper. I am jealous of your truck. I have pulled a 2000lb trailer with my old '78 Pinto on it before over mountian-esk terrain. I did it, but the truck wasn't crazy about it, mainly because 32's and 3:55's aren't a great combo.

 

26 foot travel trailer 40 miles only problem was coming to a stop and taking off kinda slow

Mine is a 2wd with the 4.0

 

i moved a wrecked mini van on a flatbed with my truck and it was too much weight. very slow to stop, and the load wasn't far enough back on the trailer so at high speeds it would feel like the front tires wanted to lift. I agree a dolly is best, but it can be done on a flatbed.

 

Fx4's pull really good, they have factory tranny collers, big Rad, and are geared low so they have a ton of touque.

I pull around a 16'75 Tournament Lund fishing boat, with a 4 stroke on the back, floor and livewell all summer with no problems. just slow down for corners and brake early.

 

You guys are awesome!

Trigger01: I'll be using a dolly. Also, I know to use a Class 3 tow hitch, not the ball crap on the bumper.

For as much as I love my truck, I was really worried about the towing capacity.

Yeah as for the whole brake early and slow around corners: I drove around a humvee with a small trailer on it several times while I was in the military. Now THAT was a slow takeoff. I learned the hard way to brake early and take turns with kid gloves.

Humvees (the REAL ones, not the H2 Hummer crap) are meant for power not speed.

Alright I'll be posting here often as rangerpowersports.com is usually down. I also have another question, however, I'll do a search before I ask it.

L8r gents....

 

You shouldn't have much trouble pulling a trailer, but like the others said, a dolly is much better. WIth a trailer you're pulling the dead trailer weight, plus the weight of the vehicle on it.

However, with the manual and if you've got the low 4.10 gears (look on your door sticker for where it says Axle and will say R7 if you have 4.10s, which I assume you do as it's an FX4), you won't have any trouble towing.

Just don't slip the clutch or lug the engine and you'll be fine. Also as stated, brake early and engine brake by downshifting to save extra wear and tear on your brakes. Improper shifting while towing will quickly burn up your clutch.

Don't expect to see 5th gear very often either. I had to cruise in 4th gear at 60mph with a loaded 12' enclosed Uhaul cargo trailer.

 

you should be fine. may want to look into some trailer brakes though.

 

It is a manual.

Be careful towing. The manual is only rated at 3500lbs which is less than a Dodge Magnum. Thanks Ford.

 

I did it with no problems....twice. Just give yourself alot of braking room and youll be fine. U-haul will try to give you the run around and say that you cannot pull a full sized car with your truck, even though your owners manual says you can. Just tell them you are pulling a 1997 Geo Metro and they will rent it to you.

 

I hate those dolly's but I guess I own a trailer so. Heres my old ranger:

 

^ Old Datsun? Yota?

 

Datsun

 

Yeah the rating on the 09 Ranger is 6000 lbs. Then again, the 09 Ranger comes standard with a towing package.

I don't see how mine (the F4 model) is any lower end since I have some towing options factory installed.

I will be getting a towing hitch as soon as I get home (I'm deployed right now). They aren't that expensive. My only thing is... what's the best way to line the hitch up with the dolly? I know there is a drop there. I guess knowledge comes with experience, eh?

 

That rating is for auto trucks. Check the rating for manual trucks it will be way lower. You could do it if you avoid hills and if you don't slip the clutch a lot.

 

I hate them too, but if weight is an issue a dolly will eliminate a lot of wieght over a flatbed trailer.


This is what I used:
DSC_0004-7.jpg?t=1205538465

 

Ratings:

 

put the dolly on the hitch BEFORE you load the car on. some of the weight of the trailer will be on the tongue and you wont be able to lift it. I lined every thing up. truck with dolly attached,dolly was lined up perfectly with the tires of the car. Put the car in neutral, set the the parking brake and chocked the rear wheels of the car. put the truck in 4WD Low and in reverse and backed the dolly under the car. Worded like a charm.

 

so. would my 01 2wd 3.0 be able to dolly a foxbody stang from CT to NJ? with like 140k on the ranger?

 

 

Well, then, I'll be using a tow dolly. This is just as I had intended in the first place.

When I do actaully go to get this car (won't be for awhile yet), I'll post some pics.

Thanks for all the help.

RJ

 

Ok I just thought of something. Isn't there something I can do to improve the towing capacity? I will probably never need it again after this but I was just curious.

 

Not really. The problem is the tranny. Its crap.

 

Wow dude always the pessimist? I've replaced the clutch slave cylinder already and that was cake (time consuming but not hard).

One way or another I'll get this done.

 

Just mad that my truck is basically useless besides sucking money for repairs.

Oh and ask anyone. The 5 speed is crap.