im about to purchase a 99 mustang roller out of state (missouri i live in michigan) it is about a 600 mile drive. i have a 92 ranger extended cab with the 2.9L V6 in it and 174,000 miles. it seems to be running pretty good right now and i recently replaced the plugs and the previous owner had the clutch replaced not too long before i bought it.

i will be towing it on a car dolley and the engine and trans will be out of the mustang. do you think the ranger would be able to handle the 600 mile drive towing a car or should i try and find a friend with a bigger truck?
thanks in advance for any input,
Brian

 

I think you would be fine. You have a hitch right?

 

just the ball that is on the rear bumper. it has no other support other then the steel piece along the bottom of the bumper.

 

Oh, I wouldnt pull that car on just the bumper then.

 

get a hitch

bumper ***** suck

 

how much does it cost to get a hitch installed?

 

they're all bolt on...

you could do it yourself in less than 30 min

1992 Ford Ranger Trailer Hitch | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

Just borrow someones pickup, it will be a much more enjoyable drive...

 

alright not too bad. i thought they had to be welded on. sorry about all the newb questions. this is the only truck ive owned and never had to tow any thing before.

 

thought about doing that, i have a few friends with bigger trucks. just need to find one that would be willing to give it up for the weekend or drive 1,200 miles in a weekend for me lol.

when you say more enjoyable, with such a small truck would it be a rough tow?

 

your bumper is designed only for 600lbs trailer gross weight. get a hitch or a vehicle with one. the first time you slam on your brakes your bumper is not going to like it....

 

things like this happen when you tow more than the bumper yeilds

btw.... that is not my truck.

 

no offense, but if you are not sure about a how a hitch setup goes on a truck, I don't think you should be using a Dolley. I just smell disaster. I have owned a 2.9 V6 ranger 12 years ago and I wouldn't use it to tow something that heavy 12 years ago, let alone with an extra decade of use and abuse. I love 1st gen rangers but there brakes are substandard, their transmissions suck, and the engine is gutless. All situations that make this a dangerous proposition. Borrow a truck and a friend who knows what he is doing.

~HJ

 

yep. i deffinately dont want to try and trust the bumper for 600 miles. i will probably either buy a hitch or try and get one of my friends to let me borrow thier truck. what kind of differences would i feel towing with my ranger or a full size truck?

 

Do you know if you trailer wiring works or if you even have any?

 

it does have the wiring for it, havent checked if it works though. i will be checking that before i make the trip though.

 

I would make sure everything works before you go. Although you probably know, you might want to check all your tires making sure they are in good shape, oil looks good and have plenty of it, all your lights work on your truck, and make sure your spare tire is aired up.

 

i had to tow a toyota pickup from abilene tx to el paso sat roughly 460 miles. i picked up the trailer 12 foot flatbed in big spring tx with my Ranger and pulled it 45miles empty to my moms and the truck hated it empty and its a new trailer 2 people can easliy push it around. hooked the trailer up to a dodge 24v cummings . had the toyota 2500lbs on the trailer. my dirt bike and 2 ford 9in rearends and a tranny in the bed and the truck didnt even drive like it was loaded. it will be a much better ride with a fullsize and you wont have to worry about strain on your little truck

 

yep. planned on doing a good check up of everything on it. just changed the spark plugs and the air filter and ran seafoam through the intake and gas when i bought it a few months ago. im going to check the diff fluid and trans fluid too to make sure it is full and looks to be decent still and as far as i know all the lights are working on it.
i will probably bring at least 1 or 2 quarts of oil with me because it burns about a quart every 1,000 miles and im sure with more of a load and driving about 20 hours non stop it may burn more but i will be checking it every time id stop for gas.

 

I dont know man. If its burning a quart ever 1000 miles, I would be kind of sketchy to drive that truck that far.

 

thanks thats good to know. i think im leaning towards borrowing a full size from a friend. it would be cheaper then going and buying a hitch plus from the sounds it would be a smoother ride.

 

yea i think i might just let the ol' danger ranger sit this one out and use something else to do the tow. it doesnt leak at all so i know its burning it. havent gotten around to do a compression test on it or a leak down test.

 

any one know how much it is to rent a tow dolly? i cant find the price on uhauls site.

 

i believe about $100. driveability is the difference...

a full size has a better towing capacity compared to that of your ranger. I.E.: my ranger has a tow limit of 6,000lbs. as my fathers Ram 2500 diesel 4x4 has a tow limit of 16,500lbs.
both are pulling 3,000lbs trailer. as i would be using 50% of my trucks potential, my fathers truck would be using 18%.

 

borrowing a bigger truck is the way to go, 1,200 miles on a truck that old is a good ways to travel pulling a car,although your truck would pull it i would be more worried of it breaking down