towing a race car

thissideup · #1 10-03-2011, 11:05 PM

ok guys i know this question has been brought up many times but not really specifically to this situation and i could really use the advice. i have an 03 ranger 4.0 xlt 4x4 it has a 3 inch torsion lift 3 inch body lift 33 inch tires i will also be adding a leaf spring to each side as well and 4.56 gears. i am a competition drifter and my car goes all over the us and to canada. in the past i have borrowed my friends diesel truck and trailer but now that i own my own truck i am considering buying a standard car trailer as well. will my little ranger be able to tow the car with no issues. keep in mind i will have a set of 4 tires and rims in the back as well as about 100 pounds worth of tools. the car itself weights 2700 and some change depending on fuel and what rims i have on it. its either this ranger tows it or im spending 25k on a f550 and a 25 foot enclosed race trailer. help me decide please?

pooleo · #2 10-03-2011, 11:08 PM

with the gears you should have plenty of power to pull it. I would be concerned about how the truck is going to handle it and stopping power. Perhaps a car dolly would be the thing to get, then your more or less just towing it, not hauling it.

sheltonfilms · #3 10-03-2011, 11:18 PM

I would switch your lube in your tranny and rear end to a good synthetic if your gonna tow all the time. Braking is definitely gonna be an issue too.

Rango88 · #4 10-03-2011, 11:19 PM

as long as you have electric brake controller and all your maintenance is up to bar, Id would worry (is your truck Auto with the towing package or manual)

thissideup · #5 10-03-2011, 11:23 PM

auto matic and no tow package yet have to buy a hitch and brakes but i definately intend to install trailer brakes with out a doubt. truck has an oem trans cooler as well. this thing aint gonna be screaming on the highway with my gear choice is it? i havent even installed them yet. im also active duty airforce and im deployed so the truck is getting toyed with as we speak

sheltonfilms · #6 10-03-2011, 11:46 PM

If my math is correct:

Your 33 inch tires have a 103.6726 inch circumference (33*pi).

At 70 miles an hour you are going:
1.166667 miles per minute
6160 feet per minute
73920 inches per minute

So with your tires at 70 mph they are rotating 73920/103.6726=713.0141 rpms.

With your rear end the drive shaft is spinning 713*4.56=3251.345 rpms.

With your automatic (assuming 5R55E with top gear ration of 0.75) your engine is spinning: 3251.345*0.75=2438.508 RPMS.

4th gear ratio is 1.00 so when downshifting to pass or climb a small grade it will be 3251.345 RPMS.

thissideup · #7 10-03-2011, 11:54 PM

impressive math man thanks

pooleo · #8 10-03-2011, 11:56 PM

your actual driving rpms with the load on will be less tho, not much. So you should be ok to run that setup. Plus, the tires and gears are going to change your torque curve, not sure which way tho.

Rango88 · #9 10-04-2011, 12:04 AM

i thin we can conclude that you will be fine

thissideup · #10 10-04-2011, 01:09 AM

thank you all for the advise just saved a butt load of cash....that i will now procede to spend on my race car or the ranger....most likely both. any one know how i can can my hands on that coil over conversion pmed them on here and sent them an email

sheltonfilms · #11 10-04-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooleo

your actual driving rpms with the load on will be less tho, not much. So you should be ok to run that setup. Plus, the tires and gears are going to change your torque curve, not sure which way tho.

Explain why the RPMS will be less, if anything they will be slightly higher because of the torque converter. That is until the converter locks then it willl be the same.

Fordzilla80 · #12 10-04-2011, 01:49 PM

The biggest thing I hear about when towing heavy loads is the rear axle bearings going out. If they make upgraded axle bearings, I'd suggest thinking about those as well.