Long Haul towing with the Ranger

[Gizmokid2005]

One thing to note, is the temp gauge is horribly inaccurate. My typical water temps are 197-202F while driving and even while towing. Up any sort of grade, as soon as the boost builds, it doesn’t take much to see 230F. I typically let off and slow down as soon as I see 220F. This is while towing my camper as well, it’s 4000lbs, and very aerodynamic.

I never saw my temps above 215F with the ~5500lbs behind me coming from San Luis Obispo back into LA, and there's quite a few grades there, monitored via OBDII with Torque the whole way. I imagine if it's warmer outside it would be a bit worse, but it was 55-70 the whole way and no problems.

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[VAMike]

One thing to note, is the temp gauge is horribly inaccurate. My typical water temps are 197-202F while driving and even while towing. Up any sort of grade, as soon as the boost builds, it doesn’t take much to see 230F. I typically let off and slow down as soon as I see 220F. This is while towing my camper as well, it’s 4000lbs, and very aerodynamic.

That sounds abnormal, like the fan isn't kicking in or your airflow is restricted.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Here’s my suggestion
1. Rent dirt bikes when you get there. Best answer.
2. Rent someone to haul your bikes there. Good answer.
3. Rent a vehicle to tow the trailer. Also good answer.

I wouldn’t use my truck for such an outing and I could understand why your friends would like you to do it.

That all sounds like a lot of money being spent on renting things they already own and/or can do themselves.

 

[VAMike]

That all sounds like a lot of money being spent on renting things they already own and/or can do themselves.

It's a good answer if someone didn't already own a truck, I guess.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

It's a good answer if someone didn't already own a truck, I guess.

And it all depends how you want to use your truck too I guess. I personally bought mine to be used as a truck: to haul, to tow, to carry things and go places. So OPs scenario is the exact type of thing I bought my truck for. I guess if you bought your truck to sit in the garage, look pretty, and be statement piece, and not for doing truck things, then I can see why you wouldn't want to do this type of trip. I don't agree with using it that way, but I understand some people do.

 

[Yamahauler]

Here’s my suggestion
1. Rent dirt bikes when you get there. Best answer.
2. Rent someone to haul your bikes there. Good answer.
3. Rent a vehicle to tow the trailer. Also good answer.

I wouldn’t use my truck for such an outing and I could understand why your friends would like you to do it.

1. Pricey and the bikes are not very good. Looking at 250+/day for some WR250Rs. We'd also have to rent a truck to haul them to further destinations.
2. Shipping bikes out is extremely expensive.
3. We're looking into this.

My friend actually wants to use his Xterra... it's just a really bad idea. I'm not itching to use my truck for this trip but I wanted to make sure it was a viable possibility.

 

[Marshal.]

When hitting 220F, fan was on, this was full throttle,20lbs I’d boost, up a 5% grade, doing 110KPH, ambient temps were also 95F ish.
Like I said, as soon as you let off to less than full throttle, temps drop quickly. I guess my original post was a little bit misleading in regards to how much load I was putting on the engine

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