3.0 v6, uhaul tow dolly towing scout 80

[dan's ranger]

Ok, newbie at this forum, don't thrash me too much! Here's the deal. I need to transport a 1963 IH scout 80 about 50 miles. Would my 91 ranger with 3.0,auto tranny, and bumper hitch do this, or am I just asking for trouble?

Your thoughts, gentlemen?

OOPS... I forgot to mention, using a rented u-haul tow dolly.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

don't tell them you're towing that scout. they WON'T let you

 

[Captain Ledd]

It should be fine if you keep a little lower speed and use your head.

I'd also tell them you're towing a Honda.

I've towed that much on a bumper hitch before. Lot's of people flipped out but the bumper is still fine...

 

[srteach]

uhaul will not rent if the towed weight is above the capacity of the truck. You are towing a Honda, right?
The truck will handle it, weight wise, but you will lose control if you go too fast.

 

[dan's ranger]

Thanks for the quick answers, I feel better about the plan now. If I go with the ranger, I'll take the back roads (get some use out of the garmin) and not exceed, say, 45 mph.

Thanks again,
Dan

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

45 is too fast, especially on back roads. i'd recommend finding a bigger truck to use. but thats just me

 

[Captain Ledd]

45 is too fast, especially on back roads. i'd recommend finding a bigger truck to use. but thats just me

He's not saying he'd drive 45 , just not exceed it. A Scout is pretty small.. not much bigger than an Early Bronco. Not alot to those trucks either. I highly doubt they weighed much more than 3000 lbs off the lot, alot less with all the rust.

 

[strvger]

they weigh lots actually. i've owned a few. my last one (1967) had the 196 4 cyl and that motor weighed over 700# according the the guy that transplanted it into my jeep at the time. they used real steel back then and everything almost was double walled in the body. along with the heavy solid axles, truck tranny, and tc, you will definitely know it's there! but i think if you drive using your head, you'll do ok.

 

[Ozwynn]

U-Haul wont rent out a dolly unless you got a class 3 or better receiver.

 

[Will]

The gross vehicle weight on a '63 Scout 80 is only 3,900#. I doubt they are even 3,000# curb.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yea, you'll need to have a class III hitch and tell them you're towing like a honda civic or something tiny. I've rented a tow dolly and towed a BII behind my Ranger before, keep your head about you, your stopping distance will grow considerably, and try to keep from riding your brakes. I always told them I was towing like a '94 civic or a geo metro.

 

[Roger]

I'll tell you that a Scout 80 is not as light as you think. The frame takes 3 people to move (there were only two of us, 'nuff said). The frame is completely boxed front to back. I have a friend restoring a 61 80... But I don't see why a Ranger couldn't pull it. My friend pulled his with his Cherokee...

 

[Chance]

Huh... I'm gonna have to run my scout II and ranger over the scales next time I pass em... the scout seems like a pig and the ranger heavier than it looks...

All I know is I'd never tow my scout anywhere besides from barn to garage on my property. My ranger wouldn't be able to handle it without 4lo.

 

[Captain Ledd]

While older vehicles may have thick steel parts, there's not alot to them, LOT'S more open space. This is where the misconception often comes in.

My 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood (the definition of a "land yacht") behind the barn, clocks in at pretty much the same weight as the new Ford Taurus. 4,500 ish lbs. Granted the New Taurus is no small car, but I assure you that Caddy dwarfs it.

Now if you showed up to rent a dolly, and told them you were towing a Taurus, as opposed to an old school vintage Cadillac, they wouldn't blink much of an eye despite them weighing close to the same.

 

[Will]

Yeah, my 1974 Pontiac Bonneville in highschool tipped the scales at 4,400#. That's less than our Honda Pilot weighs. But it was crushingly heavy in its day.

That Scout IS 3,000ish pounds and a Ranger will tow it on a dolly.