03 Ranger + 65 F100 on dolly?

[mattging94]

Well I just acquired a 1965 F100 to use for a beater rig. It's got a straight 6 and 3 on the tree with a long bed. It's not at all pretty but for $850 it doesn't need to be! Anyways my issue is that right now it's about 85 miles from where I need it to be. I'm wondering if I could attempt to tow it on a dolly with my Ranger - it's an 03 4.0L 5spd manual 4.10 axles 4x4. If I was towing only on flat ground I would have no reservations trying to tow the F100, but here's the thing, I got a mountain between here and where I need to go. The uphill side won't be too bad - not much to climb coming from this side - but going down the other side it is a long, steep grade. I could go down the freeway and hope the traffic doesn't run me over while I crawl down, or I can take the old highway that has no traffic but is steeper, narrower, and has sharp hairpin switchbacks. Either way I'm looking at about an 8 mile stretch of continuous heavy downhill grade.
What do you guys think? If I take it slow and careful and keep it in a low gear can I handle having that 2 ton F100 pushing me down the mountain, or is it just too much weight on the Ranger to attempt it?

 

[Kowboy]

Man I'm sitting here reading this post, thinking of a similar route I have here in Virginia. It's steep and twisty both up and down the mountain. I do not think I'd attempt that w/ my ride. I have 2WD, but even if I had the 4WD I'd pass on the trip. I've had trucks that couldn't pull it in high gear empty much less pulling or being pushed by another 3500 lb monster behind me. NO Way!!

 

[RonD]

Yes, downhill would be the issue.

I would look at car trailers vs dolly, these have trailer brakes.

Also look at full size truck rental to go with the car trailer, miles are the killer on truck rentals.

Also just to get a comparison, call local towing/car hauling companies and ask the price for pick up and delivery, if there is no "gotta be done now" time frame you may find a reasonable price, with 0 wear and tear on your vehicle, or your mind, lol.

 

[martin]

Sounds like a recipe for brown trousers to me.

 

[adsm08]

I would not try it up and down hills like that. I blew up a 5.8 towing a Jetta on a trailer in similar conditions.

If you can find a route around the mountain though...

 

[JoshT]

Assuming that it is running, just get a buddy to help you out for a few hours and drive both of them back.

 

[Dune Runner]

Only way I would even think about it would be with a trailer with brakes and even then it would be iffy.

 

[mattging94]

Yeah well sounds like everyone agrees it's too risky. I'll have to try to find someone who can give me a ride back over I guess. Sadly there is no way to get around this mountain - not without going over another mountain anyways. Guess I better get some new tags and insurance on the 65 haha

 

[zrxsix3]

have jun with your 65 when you finally get it home... i love my 64 4wd


and my dad bought a 62 not to long ago, it had a 65 front end on it tho... guy we bought this one from delivered it to us using his 66, he had 4 of these style trucks