View Poll Results: What do you think of my plan?
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Would you try it?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 282
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Would you try it?
I am playing with the idea of towing a 2,200 lb fwd car from Washington state to Ohio (2,600 Miles). It would be with my 94 Ranger Extended cab XLT 4.0 5sp. The car would be on a tow dolly and would involve driving through the mountains.
Dumb idea or OK idea?
Dumb idea or OK idea?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I personally would prefer a trailer over a dolly any day, and you will possibly be a shade underpowered for the mountains, but if you take your time, it can be done. Best way is if the dolly also has brakes, otherwise, pretty dicey.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Originally Posted by fellro86
I personally would prefer a trailer over a dolly any day, and you will possibly be a shade underpowered for the mountains, but if you take your time, it can be done. Best way is if the dolly also has brakes, otherwise, pretty dicey.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> the idea of towing a 2,200 lb fwd car
If that is all it truly weighs it is an okay idea as long as you drive slow and take your sweet time coming down the mountain.
You will be basically pulling a 3,000 pound trailer with poor directional control on an extremely long trip.
Some car dollies DO come with either electrical or surge brakes (Uhaul). Search them out.
I have tow dollied Taurus cars behind my F-100 390 granny four speed up and down GA "hills". Going up wasn't so bad, braking coming down was, especially on a downward curve.
So, go slow, especially coming down the mountains, and use 3rd gear.
Just wondering, what is your rear end ratio and is it a 4x4?
If you have a 3.07 rear end, you might want to skip the idea.
If that is all it truly weighs it is an okay idea as long as you drive slow and take your sweet time coming down the mountain.
You will be basically pulling a 3,000 pound trailer with poor directional control on an extremely long trip.
Some car dollies DO come with either electrical or surge brakes (Uhaul). Search them out.
I have tow dollied Taurus cars behind my F-100 390 granny four speed up and down GA "hills". Going up wasn't so bad, braking coming down was, especially on a downward curve.
So, go slow, especially coming down the mountains, and use 3rd gear.
Just wondering, what is your rear end ratio and is it a 4x4?
If you have a 3.07 rear end, you might want to skip the idea.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I like using a tow dolly, but I have a larger FE powered half ton truck.
Uhaul is pretty persnikerty about the rental process. You might think about purchasing one and selling it at the end of the trip.
John
Uhaul is pretty persnikerty about the rental process. You might think about purchasing one and selling it at the end of the trip.
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Originally Posted by mr_malina
I am playing with the idea of towing a 2,200 lb fwd car from Washington state to Ohio (2,600 Miles). It would be with my 94 Ranger Extended cab XLT 4.0 5sp. The car would be on a tow dolly and would involve driving through the mountains.
Dumb idea or OK idea?
Dumb idea or OK idea?
But I mainly replied cause I noticed you said you were towing a 4wd car. Check your owners manual carefully about towing it. I have a 4wd Camry. The owners manual says you can tow it with the front wheels up for short distances at 45MPH. But if you want to tow it long distance at any reasonable speed, you must put it on a trailer or you will ruin the 4x4 transfer case. My Dad's Toyota RAV4 simply cannot be towed with wheels on the ground period, without damaging the transfer case.
I don't know what type of 4wd system your car has, but you don't want to mess it up.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
I went through those mountains a few times, at times doing about 20 mph or maybe less uphill with a big trailer. As long as there's no significant amount of snow on the road and you're careful going downhill (use the same gear both downhill and uphill) it should be no big deal. Make sure your cooling system works good.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
My Ranger was a 2001. Same engine with 4:10 rear gears, and it was 4WD.
I pulled a 2900# total weight, tent camper. It done great for a small truck. Except when it had to pull a grade of 4% or more. I pulled 10% grades with this set up. But to do so I shifted into 4wd LO in 2nd gear. I mean you are talking 20MPH!
Yes the Ranger will pull, but a car on a dolly? Yes in the flats, but uphill, unless you have 4wd LO don't try it.
Ya, ever been pulled backward down a hill by a trailer, you could not get rid of!
Just my take!
Rick
I pulled a 2900# total weight, tent camper. It done great for a small truck. Except when it had to pull a grade of 4% or more. I pulled 10% grades with this set up. But to do so I shifted into 4wd LO in 2nd gear. I mean you are talking 20MPH!
Yes the Ranger will pull, but a car on a dolly? Yes in the flats, but uphill, unless you have 4wd LO don't try it.
Ya, ever been pulled backward down a hill by a trailer, you could not get rid of!
Just my take!
Rick
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
i have pulled many cars with my wifes explorer w/ a 4.0l using a trailer. never had any problems at all. i am impressed with how well it does. we don't have any moutains in ohio but there are some pretty serious hills. i don't know if there is a big dif. with sohc engine vs the old 4.0l, also the 5speed auto trany vs the 4 speed.