Tow a 2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 on tow dolly?

[Opelmel]

We're in the process of acquiring an FR3 30DS, so now it's time to set up a toad. We'd like a small pickup and the Ford Ranger fits the bill. The challenge is that I'd like to tow it using a tow dolly and I can't find out if that works - believe me, I've searched! Searching for the words "ranger" and "dolly" brought up posts showing either and I can't figure out how to search for both.

I know that I will need the NTK, but everything that I've read talks about how that will make it work for flat towing. The concern is that maybe using the tow dolly will cause lubrication problems. Does anyone know whether or not the Ranger can be towed using a tow dolly?

[Unplanned Tourist]

I flat tow a 2010 Ranger 2X4, no problems at all. Why don't you want to flat tow yours? If you put it in 2 High, it shouldn't be a worry when on a dolly. Someone else may have experience with the 4X4.
Happy Glamping

[aether_one]

What does your owner's manual say? That's the final word and I suspect it will say "no go" for dolly towing unless you have free-wheeling/locking hubs. The transfer case is not designed for one axle to be rotating at highway speeds with the other axle stopped for long periods of time.

[Opelmel]

We're looking at a tow dolly to give us the option to tow other vehicles (such as our Opel).

The owner's manual that I found online doesn't say anything about using a tow dolly. Not that it's OK, not that it's not OK - nothing at all.

[Unplanned Tourist]

I'm pretty sure if it's OK to flat tow, it should be OK to dolly.
Happy Glamping.

ps. is it an Opel GT you have? They are cool.

[Opelmel]

Originally Posted by Unplanned

I'm pretty sure if it's OK to flat tow, it should be OK to dolly.
Happy Glamping.

ps. is it an Opel GT you have? They are cool.

That's the quandry - the manual doesn't say, and the issue raised by tfryman may or may not apply to the Ranger. I don't know enough about its 4WD system to say, so I was hoping to get feedback from those that have actually done it.

We have a GT and a Manta. Both are fun vehicles to run around in.

[aether_one]

Is this what you found?

"RECREATIONAL TOWING

Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational (RV) towing.

An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind

a motor home.

Note:

Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to

prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to the

Climate

Controls

chapter for more information.

In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, see

Wrecker

towing

in the Roadside Emergencies chapter.

These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not

damaged after it is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly.

Vehicles equipped with a manual transmission:

Before you tow your vehicle:

•

Release the parking brake.

•

Move the gearshift to the neutral position.

•

Turn the key in the ignition to the off/unlocked position.

•

The maximum towing speed is 55 mph (88 km/h).

•

The maximum recommended distance is unlimited.

•

Put 4WD switch in 2WD mode (4WD only)

•

The vehicle must be towed in the forward direction to ensure no

damage is done to the internal transmission components.

In addition, it is recommended that you follow the instructions provided

by the aftermarket manufacturer of the towing equipment, if provided.

2WD vehicles equipped with an automatic transmissions:

Do not

tow your vehicle with any wheels on the ground, as vehicle or

transmission damage may occur. It is recommended to tow your vehicle

with all four (4) wheels off the ground such as when using a car-hauling

trailer. Otherwise, no recreational towing is permitted.

4WD vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and

electronic shift transfer case (Neutral tow kit accessory):

On vehicles equipped with 4WD, an accessory is available that allows you

to tow your vehicle, behind another vehicle, with all the wheels on the

ground. Contact your authorized dealer for more details. Do not tow your

vehicle with all wheels on the ground unless you install the neutral tow

kit as vehicle damage may occur."

[Opelmel]

Yes, that matches up with what I found.

[Unplanned Tourist]

My Ranger is a 5 speed manual, so OK to tow. Do you have an auto or manual trans?
Happy Glamping.

[Electra 225]

My Ranger is an old one, 1989. Manual 5 speed 4WD, front manual locking hubs, 2.9 V6. I checked with Ford and they said no. So I've been disconnecting the drive shaft and front hubs unlocked, then tow 4 down. Don't tell me they gave me misinformation and I been doing all that when I didn't have to.

Oh well, I've just replaced it with a newer vehicle and all is well. I would like to know though.

[tizzyfit]

I've been flat towing a 2000 Mazda B3000 5 speed manual 4x4 for the past 5 years without unhooking anything. I know you realize this Mazda is the same truck as the Ford Ranger, in fact, the sticker on the door jam says the truck is manufactured by Ford.

[Electra 225]

Yeah Ford bought Mazda in the 90's I think.....

Well if that don't beat all. I asked numerous sources at the time, all said nope. Huh. Well, no harm done I guess..... just feel a little fooloish doing all that crawling around for nothing. One thing though, it didn't add miles to the odometer.

[Opelmel]

Originally Posted by Unplanned

My Ranger is a 5 speed manual, so OK to tow. Do you have an auto or manual trans?
Happy Glamping.

I don't have either - I'm in the process of looking for one. I know that both are OK to tow flat (assuming that the auto tranny has the neutral tow kit). What I can't seem to find is whether the tilt resulting from towing it on a dolly is also OK.

[Unplanned Tourist]

I just put my transmission in neutral, release the park brake, and put a no chip key in the ignition turned to the first stop and go. Nice that Ford has the ignition set up like that so you don't have to disconnect the battery. They say max tow speed of 55, but I'm sure 60-65 is okay, it's just a CYA thing I'm sure.
Happy Glamping.