I am sure this has been discussed before...
I have a 2003 Ranger 4.0L, Manual, 4x4, 4:10 gears. I am going to drive across the country from NC to CA. I want to drive as much as possible without shipping. Will I be able to tow a vehicle behind it (2012 Ford Focus SE at roughly 3000lbs)?

 

Read, understand and strictly follow the owner's manual.

Given the information you have provided. I would tow the manual ranger with the automatic Focus.

The main issue is that towing a automatic vehicle with the wheels on the ground without removing the drive shaft causes the transmission to rotate internally without the protection of pressurized transmission fluid circulating. The creates wear on the internal parts that results in slipping after being towed. I've seen this happen twice, once on my vehicle and once on a friend's.

 

The M50D manual trans used in Rangers is a weak and worthless unit, especially when put behind a 4.0L. I would disconnect the driveshafts, and tow the ranger with the Focus.

 

Another thing to consider is that the Rangers' brakes aren't built to stop that much weight. I hauled a 3,000-lb camp trailer 850-something miles and it wasn't fun - even with a trailer brake controller wired into the Ranger. I don't recommended it.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using IB AutoGroup

 

The powertrain may not be ok, but check the weight limit in your owner's manual, as others have suggested.

I regularly towed a 17' Io boat with a 4l Aerostar a4ld combo with 3.73 gears for years. The trans was rebuilt once in close to 200k miles. The clutch and trans will limit you with a manual

The Focus will require a dolly if it is an automatic. Factor the additional weight into your decision.

 

I hate to disagree with everyone, but do not attempt to tow your Ranger with a Focus. Read the Focus owners manual where it says do not tow with this vehicle. I would suggest an alternative procedure here. Load the Focus front (drive) wheels on a tow dolly and pull the Focus behind the Ranger. See if you can rent a tow dolly with electrical brakes and install a brake controller in the Ranger. You won't have any trouble if you take it easy on starts. If a starting grade it too steep to get it rolling, switch to 4WD-LOW until you get a few mph and then switch back to 2WD. I towed a 56 F100 with a 4.0L Ranger from Denver to Detroit a fews years ago without any problems.

 

The max on that ranger with manual is around 3200 pounds. I'd pass. Should have bought an automatic. The max on that is over 5000.
I tow around 1500 with my 2.5 4-banger with no issues as long as the wind is blowing at my backside. If I'm going into the wind or a semi passes me, my truck stops because of the wind resistance

 

The Focus will eat itself trying to tow the Ranger. You'll spend more in repairing or replacing the Focus' transmission than you would in shipping fees.
The Focus on a towing dolly is the only way I can think of to pull the Focus unless you put it in the bed... You are at or near the 3200 lb limit mentioned with the vehicle and tow dolly.
It can be done if you realize it is the journey not the destination... In Other Words, go slow, accelerate slow, limit your speed going down hill (good luck with that), and be aware that you cannot stop nearly as well as you can without some fool tailgating soooo close...
The Focus might try to pass on downhill curves. Try towing a Vega GT with a Pinto wagon on Kirker Pass road in Northern CA. Woweeeeeee... not fun. It REALLY wanted to pass when I used the brakes, so I quit doing that...
Gotta ask, why move to CA when so many are moving out? Unless it is home, or family is there, I have no regrets for leaving 20 years ago. No way could I afford to move back. Both homes I owned in the Bay Area were close to the $800k mark last time I looked at Zillow. That would be 5X and 3X what I sold for. I could not even afford the property tax on that value, and they want more each year. Good luck in the Golden State.
tom

 

Can you do it.....Maybe, look on page 139 in your owner manual for the Max trailer weight that fits your cargo box, cab size & engine/tranny combo.
If your going to be using the 2003 4.0L Manual 4X4 in the above post, we don't know which length cargo box, or cab size your ranger has, but the max trailer weight for the 4.0L 4X4 Super Cab is 2720 lbs & for a regular cab 6' cargo box Ranger, its 3320 lbs. So any way you figure it, your gonna be at, or over max trailer weight when dragging the Focus behind your Ranger with yourself & any gear on board.

All that said, can you do it, probably, if you tend to a host of things prior to the tow, pick your route for the flattest terrain & keep your speed down to lessen the strain on the engine & drive train.

You'd be wise to consider changing/flush All the vehicles fluids. Opt for synthetic engine, tranny, power steering & differential fluids.
Flush the brake system with Motorcraft DOT-3 fluid.
Flush the cooling system, install new radiator, heater & engine hoses, thermostat, radiator cap & serp belt (keep the old belt, hoses, radiator cap & thermostat under seat as spares.

Air up your tires & this includes the spare & make sure you have a jack that works & lug wrench.
If you need new tires, now would be a good time to install them.

Remember that its Way easier to get a tow Moving, than it is to try & Stop it, so if the brake pads, or shoes need replacement, add those to your "Do" list!!!!

However you decide to configure your tow, check tow regulations for the states you'll be passing through, so your legal.

A bunch more tow thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.

 

Personally, I would sell one of the vehicles, and then consider buying its replacement when I arrived. I don't know if that would work with your situation.

 

Read the OP again. He's is going to tow the Focus with the Ranger

 

green, And your point would be exactly what?
Another post suggested towing with the Focus. My thoughts are that is not necessarily a good idea, and I still think so, and happens to follow the original posts plan of travel.
tom

 

I wouldn't think twice about doing this, I have a 3.0L 5-sp 4.10 geared Ranger here that tows 3000-4000lbs daily with no problem at all. Yes I know the owners manual says that is over weight but the truck doesn't even struggle and even pulls in 5th.. and that's with the lowly 3.0L. Yes get trailer brakes.. the larger U-Haul dolly has impulse brakes if I'm not mistaken. The only thing you won't like about this trip will be the gas milage, keep it to 60-65mph and don't even try keeping up with traffic doing 80mph.