Flat towing Ford Ranger

Manual for my 2001 said towing with manual transmission was limited to 200 miles, 55 mph. For many towing guides, that is effectively "no restrictions."

My usual tow was 15 to 35 miles at 35 to 60 mph, dictated by roads and traffic. My "over 55" run was about 8 miles each way, most of the longer trip is under 45.

I bought it in 2006, PO had also towed it, probably longer distances at higher speeds, since he was in western Oklahoma. At 30,000 miles I had the oil in the transmission (OEM was Mercon) checked. It showed some burning, so I had it replaced. Dealer flushed and filled with a synthetic gear oil, said they no longer service the M5OD with Mercon, and the synthetic will likely not have to be replaced.

So if you buy one for towing, and plan to tow it fast and/or far between running, flush and fill with the new spec lubricant might be worth while.

If you are looking for something for drag racing, the manual transmission Ranger is not it. Even if you could find the SOHC 4.0 V-6 with a manual (unlikely) the gearing is all wrong for acceleration. Ratios are a lot closer on the automatic, partcularly 5 and 6 speed Ford automatics.

PS it towed pretty well, even on hilly roads with 15mph curves, but when I replaced it with a 800 pound lighter Fit, that towed even better.

FORD Ranger 1996 SLX
Falcon II Hitch
Brake Buddy In Ranger
Pulled by a 1994 Pace Arrow 460 ci FORD

life is good. Total mileage For Arrow and Ranger 155,000 miles. And the journey continues......

I looked at a new Nissan Frontier but couldn't come to an agreement on price. Salesman tried to tell me invoice price was only $500 less than msrp. Sticker price was $21,085 and my final offer was $20k OTD cash so I guess they didn't want to deal.
It wasn't a bad truck, pretty basic with manual windows etc, but I was really disappointed in the power, or lack of, for the 4 cyl.
This thing was really a dog on acceleration.
Not sure how a 4 cyl Ranger would compare on power, but if it's similar I may go back to my original idea of a Ram 1500 with the Hemi.

Thanks for all the info.
I'm looking at a new king cab 2wd Frontier now. Waiting for salesman to pull it around.
He said it's ok to tow, but I'll check the owners manual.

This Link offers .PDF copies of about 10 years of Motorhome Magazine's Towable Vehicle listings.
The Magazine claims to list ONLY those which the Vehicle Manufacturer says are Towable without Modification.
I think it'll reveal that the current crop of Frontiers and XTerras are flat towable in 2wd or 4wd with MANUAL Transmission.
Still, once I zeroed in on a candidate I'd still want to check the Owner's Manual. The MoHoMag lists are very good, but I've heard of errors.

Sounds like it would make a good Toad.
J-D, do you know what years the Nissans are able to be towed. How about new ones with man trans?

The FMCA towing guide for 2003 states that the Ranger 4x2 rear wheel drive with
manual transmission can be towed, 4 down, with no restrictions. Weight is 3,002 lbs.

Check the owners manual.

I flat towed a '99 Ranger, 2wd for years. Good little truck. Put a cap on the back and a roof rack on the cap. Hauled lots of kayaking stuff, bikes, etc. Had over 200,000 miles on it when sold it For $400 to a neighbors son to use as a fishing truck.

Get it properly attached to your tow bar.

Put it n neutral.
Unlock the steering wheel by turning the key to the first position counterclockwise. Or as least that's as I recall it. At any rate,do what's needed to unlock the steering wheel.
Release the parking brake.
And away you go.

Easy.

I think it may vary by specific manual transmission used by Ford over the years. We looked a new 2009 2-WD 4-Cyl 5-Spd and it was towable. There was a Speed and/or Time/Distance limit but it wasn't prohibitive. We weren't interested in 4-WD and ended up with a Nissan Frontier, 2-WD 4-Cyl 5-Spd. Towable in Neutral but idle the engine in Neutral every 300 miles. The 4-WD version of the Frontier does not have Neutral in the Transfer Case. With manual transmission, it can be towed with the TC in 2-WD High and Trans in Neutral. Basically same as the 2-WD.
I like Rangers, but the seats are uncomfortable and the ride is harsh. The one I drove was the bottom of the line but it felt "eager to please." The Frontier is much gentler, but bigger, heavier, with a much larger turning circle.

Thanks
The one I may look at is an 03 4x4, 6 cyl, 5 sp manual.
Doing some research, it looks like any man trans Ranger can be flat towed.
If thats the case, I may be better off with a super cab 2wd as I just need something to tow behind a MH and carry my motorcycle as well as having a veh to drive.
A 2wd would be lower to load the bike, weigh less and get better mileage.