Towing a 99 4x4 Explorer..... - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

drakeguy22 · 02-04-2010, 01:54 PM

i was wondering if there were any do's or dont's when towing a 99 explorer???? i will be towing it with a Ranger+dolly from Tupper Lake to Old Forge... about 55 miles one way. was planning on disconnecting the driveshaft. its got a bad rear diff. any tips would help

*hazmat456* · 02-04-2010, 07:01 PM

is it awd?
are you planning on towing it backwards?(do to the bad diff) not sure if that is advisable,or even legal
do dollies have brakes?explorers are heavy,especially for a car,I think I would try to find a truck and full trailer.

96eb96 · 02-04-2010, 07:28 PM

Yeah, rt 28 is pretty hilly terrain over there if I recall correctly, right in the heart of the Adirondacks! What are you towing the ex with? A 4 dr ex is over 4000 lbs.

drakeguy22 · 02-04-2010, 08:57 PM

towing will be done with a 2000 ford ranger.... and its a 4x4 not awd. like i said i planned on towing it forward with the rear driveshaft removed.... yes very hilly terrain...... yep right in the ADK's

99SportX · 02-04-2010, 10:03 PM

I pulled my 99 XLT home with my 99 sport this summer. I had to keep it around 55 for sure. If I went any faster it felt unsafe. For braking, don't expect to stop fast. Plan ahead, keep your distance from vehicles in front to minimize surprises. You pretty much cannot backup with a dolly so try not to get into a situation where you have to. I unbolted the rear d-shaft from the diff and tied it up to the frame. I only had one major hill to climb and that is when my trans temp got its warmest.

Keep in mind I was pulling with a V8 auto with upgrades, not a V6 auto. I was running factory trans cooler with towing package so it has the extra external cooler. Make sure you have adequate cooling, especially with hilly terrain. The V6 trans is not as strong as the V8 trans. It will probably hold up as long as it doesn't get too hot.

The longer wheelbase ranger may increase stability over the short sport explorer.

drakeguy22 · 02-04-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazmat456

especially for a car,I think I would try to find a truck and full trailer.

im using a ford ranger... should have mentioned that huh

02-04-2010, 01:54 PM	#1
drakeguy22 Wannabe Elite Explorer Inlet, New York 99 Explorer XLT Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 120 Vehicle Specs	Towing a 99 4x4 Explorer..... i was wondering if there were any do's or dont's when towing a 99 explorer???? i will be towing it with a Ranger+dolly from Tupper Lake to Old Forge... about 55 miles one way. was planning on disconnecting the driveshaft. its got a bad rear diff. any tips would help __________________ 99 Ford Explorer 4x4, Shackles, TT, 31x10.50 Goodyear Duratrac's on 15x10 Cragar Soft 8's, Two 12's 2000 Watt AMP, Lightning Cap 99 Explorer, 4.0 OHV 5-spd 82 Ford F-100, 460ci!!! 04 Mazda RX-8, 6-Spd, Custom Intake Last edited by drakeguy22; 02-04-2010 at 10:29 PM.

02-04-2010, 07:01 PM	#2
hazmat456 Elite Explorer tomah wi 1997 mercury mountaineer Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 179 Vehicle Specs	is it awd? are you planning on towing it backwards?(do to the bad diff) not sure if that is advisable,or even legal do dollies have brakes?explorers are heavy,especially for a car,I think I would try to find a truck and full trailer. __________________ matt 1997 mercury mountaineer 5.0 31"s 2004 cavalier LS sport 1996 dodge ram 1500 sport 5.9 magnum 23krs keystone outback "toy-hauler"

02-04-2010, 08:57 PM	#4
drakeguy22 Wannabe Elite Explorer Inlet, New York 99 Explorer XLT Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 120 Vehicle Specs	towing will be done with a 2000 ford ranger.... and its a 4x4 not awd. like i said i planned on towing it forward with the rear driveshaft removed.... yes very hilly terrain...... yep right in the ADK's __________________ 99 Ford Explorer 4x4, Shackles, TT, 31x10.50 Goodyear Duratrac's on 15x10 Cragar Soft 8's, Two 12's 2000 Watt AMP, Lightning Cap 99 Explorer, 4.0 OHV 5-spd 82 Ford F-100, 460ci!!! 04 Mazda RX-8, 6-Spd, Custom Intake

02-04-2010, 10:03 PM	#5
99SportX Wannabe Elite Explorer Duluth, MN '99 Sport Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,739 Vehicle Specs	I pulled my 99 XLT home with my 99 sport this summer. I had to keep it around 55 for sure. If I went any faster it felt unsafe. For braking, don't expect to stop fast. Plan ahead, keep your distance from vehicles in front to minimize surprises. You pretty much cannot backup with a dolly so try not to get into a situation where you have to. I unbolted the rear d-shaft from the diff and tied it up to the frame. I only had one major hill to climb and that is when my trans temp got its warmest. Keep in mind I was pulling with a V8 auto with upgrades, not a V6 auto. I was running factory trans cooler with towing package so it has the extra external cooler. Make sure you have adequate cooling, especially with hilly terrain. The V6 trans is not as strong as the V8 trans. It will probably hold up as long as it doesn't get too hot. The longer wheelbase ranger may increase stability over the short sport explorer. __________________ '99 Explorer Sport 5.0 AWD '99 Explorer XLT 4.0 OHC 4x4 for daily driver/off road use

02-04-2010, 07:28 PM	#3
96eb96 Wannabe Elite Explorer Albany, NY 96 EB V6 OHV 4WD Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,624 Vehicle Specs	Yeah, rt 28 is pretty hilly terrain over there if I recall correctly, right in the heart of the Adirondacks! What are you towing the ex with? A 4 dr ex is over 4000 lbs.