Moving cross country: best setup for 92 Ranger?

[bottlerocket]

I'll soon be PCSing from NC to TX and plan on moving as much as possible with my ranger. I'm scouring craigslist to find a camper shell for it to load up smaller items. I also plan to get a hitch for it and tow a 6x10 or 8x12 open trailer with my lawnmower, motorcycle and some other lawn equipment. Any idea what sort of weight limit I should have for myself when loading this up?

Is this asking too much of my little truck?
It's a 1992 2.3L single cab 5speed.

 

[RonD]

Well no real mountain ranges in the way

It is rated as 1/2 ton truck so 1,000lbs limit in bed, that needs to include the weight of the canopy.
Look at your trailer hitch, it should have the tongue weight and towing weight listed.

2.3l Ranger is not recommended as a towing vehicle, and you probably won't be able to rent a trailer for one-way hauling.
And as odd as it sounds manual trans vehicles have a lower "allowed" towing weight than automatics.

Look at the drivers door for the AXLE code, then read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axle_codes.shtml

Many 2.3l Rangers were sold with axle ratios under 3.73, this makes towing very hard, but makes MPG very good, the reasoning is that someone buying a truck with 4cylinder engine wanted better MPG not better towing.
So look up your axle ratio, 3.73 or higher is good, 3.55 or lower not so good.

Can you do it, sure, but you could breakdown or wear out the truck so much that it requires new clutch or other parts when you get to Texas.

Just to have a price point I would contact moving companies that offer PODS or similar containers that you can load up and then these are transported from point to point.
If you are flexible with delivery dates it isn't all that expensive, and it is insured.

Then just take what you need in the truck.
23 year old truck will have breakdowns just in general use, but if it happens "on the road" it can get expensive even for simple repairs, and with a trailer it complicates things, i.e. you don't want to leave it at the side of the road, even for an hour or two, especially if it is an open trailer.

So just look at other options and see what makes the most sense(cents)

 

[bottlerocket]

Good points, thanks. I Will probably just limit myself to a smaller 4x8 with just my lawnmower on it and odds and ends in the bed. This truck has run like a champion thus far. I don't want to beat it up by any means. I don't HAVE to move anything with it. Anything I take with me is just for convenience.

 

[hank857]

If you are pcs'g then the gov't will ship your stuff so why do you want to take the chance that the truck will have issues along the road. Yes depending on the motorcycle a small trailer with it on it will be ok for the most part, but dont load everything just he bike and some basic tools to work on truck if needed along the road. Friend of mine bought a 94 ranger with a 3.0 automatic and uhaul would not rent him a tow dolly to pull his chebby cavalier on. so lots of luck with your move but let uncle move your stuff for ya, actually put the bike in the bed and call it good.

 

[RonD]

Yes, http://www.military.com/money/pcs-dity-move/financial-tips-for-permanent-change-of-station.html

 

[JohnnyO]

Is this asking too much of my little truck?

Yes.
Because:

It's a 1992 2.3L single cab 5speed.

You can get a cap and safely fill the bed but I either wouldn't do the trailer or take the "blue roads" on the map and stay off the Interstates and be resigned to taking a long time getting there. A four-banger Ranger with a full bed and a trailer would be lucky to hit 55 mph on level road and be down to 30 mph or less on a hill. Wouldn't be safe on a highway.

 

[Mazda]

I tow once or twice a year a Dual Sea Doo trailer. I know the See Doo's they are 2002 models weigh 650# a piece and I think the trailer is around 350# = 1650.. I have a 1994 Mazda B2300 with 3.73 rear gear. I really think I push the capacity and safety of the truck doing it especially going up to Big Bear, Ca. It does take a long time but I take the "back way" so I'm not on the really busy and windy road.

That said I don't thing it's a good idea to tow what you want with the truck..

Plus it's literally hell to break down in Texas and well New Mexico also....

 

[adsm08]

When it comes to towing just think of your truck as a funny-looking Escort.

 

[enjr44]

If you are pcs'g then the gov't will ship your stuff so why do you want to take the chance that the truck will have issues along the road. Yes depending on the motorcycle a small trailer with it on it will be ok for the most part, but dont load everything just he bike and some basic tools to work on truck if needed along the road. Friend of mine bought a 94 ranger with a 3.0 automatic and uhaul would not rent him a tow dolly to pull his chebby cavalier on. so lots of luck with your move but let uncle move your stuff for ya, actually put the bike in the bed and call it good.

I don't know the current rules. Been retired longer than I was active. But, in my opinion I would have the Govt. ship everything they will ship. Back in time they would ship a lawnmower but not a bike. So base what you need to move on that. Your household goods are going to beat you to your new station anyway. So you will have them within a couple of days of having a place to put them.