Towing a track car (Mustang)

[roger]

Granted this is somewhat off-topic, but I need some information from those of you who have experience in towing a track car (Mustang; approx 3400-3500 lbs).

I'd like to tow it with my 02 Lightning, but realize that may be too optimistic since its only rated at 5k lbs...oh well, the wife wants an Exploder anyway :allhail:

What should I be looking for in the way of trailers, options, etc.? I am a complete novice in this arena, so any/all help you can give would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[JT COBRA]

have towed mine for several year with US cargo trailer

tows striaght as an arrow but I tow with 1997 F350 4x4

I dont know how a lighting tows ????


thanks ,

jeff

[mikesmith1]

I towed my 95 cobra which comes in at 3300lbs with my dads '02 explore 4x4 from FLA to KY and back with no problems at all. You should be okay with the lightning.;)

[Jstas]

Um, the Explorer doesn't have a much higher towing capacity than a Lightning.

What you can do is get yourself some helpers. There is teh active suspension from these guys:

Roadmaster Active Suspension (http://www.activesuspension.com/)

Which I have seen tested in a couple of magazines and automotive shows.

There are also helper springs and air bag kits to help out your load capacity.

A Lightning, nearest I can tell, has a standard F-150 frame and the big 8.8 inch rear axle. The limitation to its payload and towing capacities are springs and tires. The brakes are the same size as what is on the 1 ton trucks. You could get a set of road going 16 inch truck tires on steel wheels to gain capacity in the tire area and one of the solutions above should give you a few hundred pounds more to sling behind you on a trailer.

My experience in the past with Ford trucks has been that they are under rated. Granted, the recommended capacities for most vehicles is due to safety reasons but you should always drive with extra care when towing a trailer. I'm not saying to overload the truck either. So don't go towing a 15K pound motor home with your Lightning, it just won't happen.

Towing a 3500 pound Mustang on an open trailer that usually weighs 600-800 pounds puts you well under the 5,000 pound limit. You will see issues with capacities when you start with enclosed trailers. Also, make sure you do not exceed the tongue weigh limit. These are unfortunatly set in stone because they drastically effect vehicle dynamics. We have all seen the picture of the ox cart that is too heavy and has its donkey power source proped up in the air. The same thing can happen to your truck and then you can't stear and that's bad.

Anyway, check the weight and ratings of your trailer and the weight of you Mustang just to make sure. I doubt that you will have any problems. If you are leary, check out the options mentioned already.

[Chuck G.]

Don't forget that the L' has a modified F 350 trans and F 250 brake. I used to pull a big block Fairlane with a 140 horse Country Sguire and a 6 cyl Aerostar with a modified Pinto trans. One of the safety factors is to properly balance the weight on the trailer and tie it down so it does not bounce up and down.A trailer not loaded properly can cause you to loose control, re: too far back or too far forward.Stopping is another issue. By the way I have passed some cars cruisng on two lane roads running 100 mph with my 3000 lb boat in tow with my L'.Nothing to it except for the law.:rolleyes:

[roger]

Originally posted by Jstas
Um, the Explorer doesn't have a much higher towing capacity than a Lightning.

Hi Jstas. Exploders offer Class IV (all the way past 7000 lbs) on towing--I checked earlier today while contemplating my options...


There are also helper springs and air bag kits to help out your load capacity. Thanks. Airbags have been recommended by another owner who's using them with good results and I'm leaning that way now.


A Lightning, nearest I can tell, has a standard F-150 frame and the big 8.8 inch rear axle. The limitation to its payload and towing capacities are springs and tires. The brakes are the same size as what is on the 1 ton trucks. You could get a set of road going 16 inch truck tires on steel wheels to gain capacity in the tire area and one of the solutions above should give you a few hundred pounds more to sling behind you on a trailer. Lightnings use a 9 3/4" axle. Front brakes are sourced from the (now defunct) F250 7700lb option from the F150 platform (aka Light Duty F250). Rear brakes are sourced from Expedition.


Towing a 3500 pound Mustang on an open trailer that usually weighs 600-800 pounds puts you well under the 5,000 pound limit. You will see issues with capacities when you start with enclosed trailers. I'm going to be very lucky to find a 16'-18' trailer that light. Most are double the 600 lbs you quote. Unless I go with aluminum, and then the trailer cost will double. Even then I'd be lucky to get a tandem axle under 1000 lbs with ramps and brakes. That's what I've been able to dig up so far. If you can give makes, model #'s and phone #'s of trailers that light that would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[roger]

Originally posted by Chuck G.
Don't forget that the L' has a modified F 350 trans and F 250 brake. I used to pull a big block Fairlane with a 140 horse Country Sguire and a 6 cyl Aerostar with a modified Pinto trans. One of the safety factors is to properly balance the weight on the trailer and tie it down so it does not bounce up and down.A trailer not loaded properly can cause you to loose control, re: too far back or too far forward.Stopping is another issue. By the way I have passed some cars cruisng on two lane roads running 100 mph with my 3000 lb boat in tow with my L'.Nothing to it except for the law.:rolleyes:

Hi Chuck. Thanks for the comments on trailer balance. It was suggested to me by some folks who do quite a bit of towing to go with a 16-18' trailer so I would have some options in this area (car placement on trailer over axles). What are your feelings on this? In a perfect world, I'd like to install a tire rack on the front with room below for a generator, airtank, and room for some misc stuff like toolbox, fuel jugs, etc., so the extra room would be really nice. I'm concerned about the weight issue, not sure if I should be or not?

[Jstas]

About the Explorers, most I have seen here in the parking lot and on dealer lots only have a 5500-6000 pound towing capacity. The 7,000+ pound capacities have to be ordered around here. As far as I know that is.

Wasn't 9 3/4" axle a modified 8.8? Just asking. It looks alot like the 8.8 I have seen in other F-150's not to mention casting numbers are quite similar. The only reason I really mentioned it was because I know that the axle can handle some weight which is a major factor in towing capacity.


Do you really need a 16 foot trailer for a Mustang? I used to tow my 83 on a 12.5 foot trailer. It was steel framed, rated for 7500 pounds, tandem axle and a wooden deck. It weighed about 750 pounds. With a 3200 pound Mustang on it, my friend's Bronco handled it no problem. It didn't have a whole lot of room for tools and spare parts but there was plenty of room in the Bronco for that. Even so, a 16 foot trailer with a steel frame and tandem axles and wood deck will weigh less than 1500 pounds. With a 3500 pound Mustang on it, you still come in under the 5,000 pound limit.

I doubt anybody locally to me could help you out. What you might save in cost, you lose in shipping to KC since I am in NJ. I will look around though if you like?

[Kory Goodrich]

If you want a 7000+ on an explorer you have to get a v8 2 wheel drive. You can get it. I have a 2002 mountanier that is rated at 7300lbs.

[roger]

Originally posted by Kory Goodrich
If you want a 7000+ on an explorer you have to get a v8 2 wheel drive. You can get it. I have a 2002 mountanier that is rated at 7300lbs.

Hi Kory. That's what I discovered when I did some checking a day or so ago. Didn't seem hard, even found some local, but my wife's lease isn't up on her LS yet, so I'd like to tow the track car this season with the L.

Appreciate the feedback--thanks!