Community Forums

fighterpilot · 05-20-2013, 09:03 PM

Anyone towing a nintys model ford ranger. Want to tow one, 4 down, assume should look for a manual tx. Thanks

justimagination · 05-20-2013, 09:54 PM

Remco.com will have info.
david g.

e8seabee · 05-20-2013, 10:25 PM

We travel towing a full sized F-150 two wheel drive, manual trans, four down. Remco said no problem as is. Ford said no problem as is for 50 miles at 45 MPH. Hmmmm It'd take all year to travel where I like to spend the winter an back again. I made a small chain sling to suspend my driveshaft from and just disconnect the driveshaft for long hauls. (The chain sling has a carabener on it that hooks into a hole in the frame above the driveshaft.) Short hauls I take my chances and leave the driveshaft in or have da wife follow me to the destination. I might add, we also haul a full sized side by side ATV in the box of the F-150 most places we go.

fighterpilot · 05-21-2013, 06:42 AM

Well, I can see there is a problem. Remco doesn't go back tot he nintys. Rather than tow the big, 4 door, 4wd GMC will make do with a 2WD, cheap, 2nd truck for deer hunting. Ranger/Mazde preferred. Great reliability record for the 1993-1999.
Will have to find one with the owners manual and find out what it says or hope someone on this forum knows the answer. Thanks

Old Scout · 05-21-2013, 07:01 AM

Generally speaking, two-wheel drive/rear-wheel drive vehicles with either automatic or mannual transmissions cant be towed for long distances--the problem is lubrication of the tranny. Most 4 wheel-drive with a mechanical transfer case can be towed though even then, newer Ford 4-wheel drives require some mods. Some/many front wheel drive, trans-axle vehicles can be towed without mod. To overcome the lub issue you have two options 1--disconnect the drive shaft or 2-- install an aftermarket fluid recir pump. FMCA has a great publication they send out each Jan? that lists towable vehicles and their limitation, if any.

fighterpilot · 05-21-2013, 11:55 AM

I searched the web for older ranger manuals. Found the Ford site and researched as far back as they go which was 1996. For 1996 and 1997 under recreational towing, all wheels on the ground the note for 4x2, manual transmission listed the following,

release the parking brake
place the transmission in the neutral position
maximum speed is limited by the towing equipment manufacturer's recommendation, unlimited distance.

This suggests to me one can tow those models with out limitations.

But for the 1998 and 1999 they put on a maximum speed, 35 mph, so maybe if I find an older model could tow it. Another forum indicates some of those that posted are doing that, or have done that without problems. Don't know about prior to 1996 such as 93,94, or 95. Will keep searching. Thanks