55 mph max for toad

georgetown350 · 09-23-2009, 10:31 PM

Does anyone know why some toads are limited to 55 mph while being pulled? The Ford ranger 5 speed manual transimission can be pulled unlimited distances but only at 55 mph as stated in dinghy guide.

FlyingDiver · 09-23-2009, 11:12 PM

I think it's supposed to be an issue with transmission lubrication. But that's the first time I've seen 55 as the max. GM says the limit on our Enclave is 65. Which is as fast as I want to cruise anyway. I do occasionally exceed that when passing some gasser...

joe

Richard S. · 09-24-2009, 05:43 AM

Liability for the toad manufacture.

TXiceman · 09-24-2009, 06:13 AM

More than likely it is some LAWYER-ESE to give the company an out for warranty.

Ken

Wayne M · 09-24-2009, 06:53 AM

I believe it has to do with the friction build up of the transmission fluid and the inability of the free wheeling to pump the required volume of lubricant at the higher speeds. Remco sells kits for those vehicles that can be modified to be towed four down. Kits can include transmission pumps, and/or differential disconnects.

Here is a good location for Dinghy Towing

georgetown350 · 09-24-2009, 07:56 AM

I was under the impression that a manual transmission did not need a lube pump. If it were a liability wouldnt all Fords be limited to 55 and not just a select few? If you go on the dinghy guide you will see all kinds of toads that are limited to 55 although most have no speed limits. The Ford ranger states Automatic No, Manual trans Yes,
55 mph max and no distance limits.

RustyJC · 09-24-2009, 08:28 AM

Here's an interesting post from the tech guru on a Ford Ranger forum:

Quote:

I was recently asked a question by a new member and it struck me that there should be a sticky on this topic in this forum.

The question is about towing a Ranger, as-in towing one on all four wheels behind an RV/Motorhome.

First I'll get directly to the point, if you are shopping for a Ranger to be towed behind a motor home it is important to get a 4x4 with a manual transfer case.

Automatic trans Vs manual trans is purely personal preference, because in either case the transmission isn't going to be spinning.

Ford's recommended towing method for a 4x4 with a manual T-case is to tow with the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in Park (auto) or in gear (manual)

a 4x4 with an electronically shifted T-case has no user accessable Neutral.

The thing is the T-cases used in Ranger Based Vehicles have positive pressure lubrication from an internal oil pump that is driven by the output shaft.

The manual transmission does not, the output shaft, the splined gears for 5th and reverse on the mainshaft and the "floating" gears for 5th and reverse on the countershaft all spin, however the input shaft and cluster gear whch are responsible for most of the transmissions splash & Funnel lubrication do not. this will cause the manual transmission to spin the "pocket bearing" at high speed with NO lubrication at all when it is towed in neutral.

Essentially the same thing applies to the automatic transmissions and in either case (2wd vehicles) Ford recommends only towing them with the driving wheels on the ground for a maximum of something like 50mph for 50miles. Frankly I think even that much is asking for trouble unless you intentionally overfill the transmission.

Or tow it while it's idling in neutral... but then there's the chance that a pothole, expansion joint or frost heave could jounce it into gear... "that would be bad Egon"

There are "gimmick" driveshafts that have a disconnect device that you can get from RV suppliers, but they are expensive, potentially weak...

I think that swapping a 4x4 trans into a 2wd truck and fitting a manual t-case behind it would vbe preferable, because then it's just pushing the steel lever forward to resume normal vehicle operation.

But it's likely that a transporter trailer (and all the headaches that involves) that would tow our ranger with all four wheels off the ground might be cheaper. and would have the additional benefit of having BRAKES under your towed vehicle, unfortunatly you'd also have an additional 1500-2000# of trailer to tow around and eventually stop.

What would be more preferable would be simply getting a 4x4 with a manual t-case in the first place.

Perhaps this sheds some light on the 2wd manual transmission in the Ranger.

Rusty

DriVer · 09-24-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgetown350

55 mph max and no distance limits.

georgetown350, It could be a typo. Have you called Ford Customer Service to find out? They will know all about dingy towing requirements.

Luv2go · 09-24-2009, 11:28 AM

georgetown350, from reading Rusty's quote, it is a combination of a manual transmission with electronic transfer case that is problematic. If you have a manual transfer case you are OK

:

Quote:

Ford's recommended towing method for a 4x4 with a manual T-case is to tow with the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in Park (auto) or in gear (manual)

If you have the electronic transfer case it cannot be put in neutral, so a bunch of gears that are not lubricated spin in the transmission

(I'm paraphrasing this quote):

Quote:

The manual transmission does not, the output shaft, the splined gears for 5th and reverse on the mainshaft and the "floating" gears for 5th and reverse on the countershaft all spin, however the input shaft and cluster gear whch are responsible for most of the transmissions splash & Funnel lubrication do not. this will cause the manual transmission to spin the "pocket bearing" at high speed with NO lubrication at all when it is towed in neutral.

georgetown350 · 09-24-2009, 02:46 PM

Typo? Maybe but I dont think so because the ranger isnt the only vehicle restricted to 55. Very informative article Rusty thanks. Me is thinking the two wheel manual transmission is not a good choice.

DriVer · 09-24-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgetown350

Me is thinking the two wheel manual transmission is not a good choice.

Be sure, call Ford with the VIN#, how much can that cost?

Freebird23 · 09-24-2009, 04:26 PM

We tow a 98 Tracker and the book states to tow 55 and below.I stay 65 to 70 on interstate and have towed about 65000 miles with no problem.It is 4 wheel drive and I use SYN.fluids.I also tow with transfer case in N. AND TRANS IN#2. . They still get hot and need to start the engine to splash around fluid after 250 to 300 miles.I am sure somebody out there has pulled one of these,just hang on for more .