Towing a Ranger?
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From: Pedley
Towing a Ranger?
I am thinking of getting a new Ranger for everyday use and to tow behind my camper. As long as I get a manual transmission, is it ok to tow it with 4 wheels on the ground? I have used tow dollies and don't like then much. Any idea what a new Ranger standard cab, short bed weighs? thanks, -greg
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
Towing a Ranger?
Should be OK to tow if it has a manual. If it is 4x4 I would make sure the hubs are unlocked too, but every once in ahwile it is a good idea to lock the hubs(but don't put the transfer case in gear) for a few miles just to get some lube splashed around. I would probably just do this once you got where you are going and drive it around for awhile. At least with my F250 with manual hubs they recommend this everyonce in awhile for normal driving.
A Wild guess on weight would be around 4,000 pounds. My 96 Impala, Big Car weighs about 4,400 and my F250 Supercab 4x4 weighs almost 8,000 for comparison. So I would assume the Ranger being a bit smaller than an SS, but also being a truck, might wesigh near the same.
Jim Henderson
A Wild guess on weight would be around 4,000 pounds. My 96 Impala, Big Car weighs about 4,400 and my F250 Supercab 4x4 weighs almost 8,000 for comparison. So I would assume the Ranger being a bit smaller than an SS, but also being a truck, might wesigh near the same.
Jim Henderson
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Towing a Ranger?
Forgot a couple other things. I was speaking about manual hubs when I referred to unlocking them. I am not sure if you can or need to do this if you have auto hubs which I would expect on a Ranger.
The manual also mentions that you should have the transfer case in neutral. Keep in mind I am talking aobut my F250 with manual hubs etc, so I can't guarantee this works for a Ranger.
Back to the old comment about locking the hubs and driving around to lubricate things... On the manual system you need to let the gears in the case spin around a bit to splash lube around every once in awhile, this is regardless of whether you tow or not. I do this probably three or four times a year, but I drive less than 5K per year. There are 2 methods to cause the gears to spin and either one is fine if all you want to do is lube the gears. You can put the case in 4High and leave the hubs unlocked, or you can put the case in neutral and lock the hubs, either way will cause the gears to spin. Note that if you do this the truck will rumble a bit on the road.
While I am yaking about this I just realized I still have my manual with me. The manual has a section on towing a 4x4 with touch drive electric transfer case or the usual lever operated transfer case.
The manual says 1) tranny in neutral. 2) Lock steering wheel. 3) Manual hubs free or Electric shift 2H. The big gotchas with electric shift and auto hubs is that you should not exceed 35MPH or TRANSMISSION DAMAGE MAY OCCUR
If you drive the electric shift and auto hubs more than 50 miles they recommend disengaging the auto hubs and disconnecting the rear driveshaft. Then you can go 55mph and no limits on distance. The manual hubs with lever operated transfer case has no limits on miles. All of the above assumes 4 wheels on ground.
So if you have automatic hubs and electric shift transfer case, I did not give you enough info the first time around, sorry, but then I didn't have my manual handy. Also note that my manual is for a 94 F series. I think Ranger is similar but not sure if in same series.
Hope this helps a little bit more.
Jim Henderson
The manual also mentions that you should have the transfer case in neutral. Keep in mind I am talking aobut my F250 with manual hubs etc, so I can't guarantee this works for a Ranger.
Back to the old comment about locking the hubs and driving around to lubricate things... On the manual system you need to let the gears in the case spin around a bit to splash lube around every once in awhile, this is regardless of whether you tow or not. I do this probably three or four times a year, but I drive less than 5K per year. There are 2 methods to cause the gears to spin and either one is fine if all you want to do is lube the gears. You can put the case in 4High and leave the hubs unlocked, or you can put the case in neutral and lock the hubs, either way will cause the gears to spin. Note that if you do this the truck will rumble a bit on the road.
While I am yaking about this I just realized I still have my manual with me. The manual has a section on towing a 4x4 with touch drive electric transfer case or the usual lever operated transfer case.
The manual says 1) tranny in neutral. 2) Lock steering wheel. 3) Manual hubs free or Electric shift 2H. The big gotchas with electric shift and auto hubs is that you should not exceed 35MPH or TRANSMISSION DAMAGE MAY OCCUR
If you drive the electric shift and auto hubs more than 50 miles they recommend disengaging the auto hubs and disconnecting the rear driveshaft. Then you can go 55mph and no limits on distance. The manual hubs with lever operated transfer case has no limits on miles. All of the above assumes 4 wheels on ground.So if you have automatic hubs and electric shift transfer case, I did not give you enough info the first time around, sorry, but then I didn't have my manual handy. Also note that my manual is for a 94 F series. I think Ranger is similar but not sure if in same series.
Hope this helps a little bit more.
Jim Henderson
