Towing a jeep behind my Ranger

[broncoluvr74]

Hello all! I need to move a Jeep yj from Mid texas to Arkansas. My Ranger is an '06 F4X level ll ext cab. The manual says ~5700lb towing capacity. Anyone ever flat tow a jeep behind their Ranger?
Also, the jeep is pretty much stock.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I moved your post to the towing forum.

I don't have experience towing anything that large. I would think getting it all to stop could be a bit of a concern.

I'm sure others will chime in with thoughts.

 

[racsan]

If its rated to tow that much & the jeep is under that amount, “technically “ you would be fine. However- Id put it on a trailer or tow dolly with brakes, getting stopped is the critical part. I have towed (on a 2-wheel dolly) a ranger with another ranger, it didnt like it, went less than 10 miles, had no issues but wasnt wise. I had bought a non-running V6 longbed & towed it home with a 2wd 2.3 (lima) longbed. Later when I got the V6 truck running I found out the transmission had no 1st gear, so it wouldn’t have done me much good to tow with the bigger engine ranger. If you do flat tow or dolly, pull the driveshaft, just spinning the tailshaft in the transmission without the rest of the gears turning could cause bearing damage from no oil being slung around.

 

[don4331]

The issue with flat towing your Jeep is: The 5,700lb capacity assumes 15% (855lbs) will be on the weight distributing hitch, while flat towing adds next to nothing. So, there is not enough weight on the rear wheels to keep them inline when you need to do panic stop,

And Arkansas trailer laws require brakes if load is over 3k lbs (Texas is over 4,500lbs).

 

[don4331]

If you do flat tow or dolly, pull the driveshaft, just spinning the tailshaft in the transmission without the rest of the gears turning could cause bearing damage from no oil being slung around.

Jeep flat tow with OK with transmission in gear/transfer case in neutral (the pump is still turning in the transfer case so things get lubricated there, while transmission isn't turning so nothing spins without lube.)

You're over the "magic" 80% of towing vehicle weight to rent a tow dolly from U-haul which would be the safe way

u-haul's tow dolly's have surge brakes and put...significant weight on the hitch.​

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And don't be afraid to take your time.

 

[broncoluvr74]

Thank you all for the input! My gut says "sketchy" but my adventure side says "sounds like a challenge!" My backup plan is to tow it behind a uhaul truck on a dolly. But damn, it would be satisfying driving past a bunch of "jeepers" while towing one! Lol

 

[Ranger850]

@broncoluvr74
What part of Arkansas are you going to. I was born in Monticello ( south of Pine Bluff ), moved to Florida as a youth, still have Family roaming the area though.

 

[broncoluvr74]

I just moved to Russellville, from Michigan. I have been here for a couple of months now. Nice area, but it is HOT!

 

[broncoluvr74]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an auto transportation company? I am looking into it, and my quotes are all over the map in prices! I am using the BBB as a source for reliability, but the good " up and comers "that could use the business don't always end up there.

 

[Ranger850]

I just moved to Russellville, from Michigan. I have been here for a couple of months now. Nice area, but it is HOT!

Russellville, hmm? not familiar with the area but looking at a map, I see you're near Conway. Besides Hot Springs and N. Little Rock, I've never been that far North. If you ever get a chance, you should visit the Hot Springs area.

 

[broncoluvr74]

It is on our list to see!
I moved here when the Nuke Plant I worked at shut down. Now I am at ANO-1. I like the area, and the people!

 

[broncoluvr74]

I moved your post to the towing forum.

I don't have experience towing anything that large. I would think getting it all to stop could be a bit of a concern.

I'm sure others will chime in with thoughts.

Thanks for the proper thread move!