Pulling it home.

I just bought a 93 Explorer to use as a daily driver. It has a bumber hitch and wiring for trailer lights. I'm thinking about renting a car dolley to pull the Mav from St. Louis to my new home in Jackson (125 miles), where I can garage it and start the serious re-build. Here's the question. Is that bumber hitch good enough to tow the Mav that far one time? I've always had a full towing package on any truck I've had before. I didn't think those bumber hitches were good for anything bigger than a jet ski.

 

I used to have a Uhaul dolly that I bought, biggest stress thing on a hitch that I ever have encountered. Grease the ball hitch. Dont do anything sudden. And dont turn real sharp and keep braking slow and easy, you should be okay.
Dan

 

The maximum weight capacity is usually engraved on the bumper.
With a dolley it may be alright, but I personally I prefer not to tow with the bumper hitch. Where in St. Louis is the car?

 

At the in-laws in Flourescent. It ended up there when I landed a new job down south. It is not legal, and although it drives I have already started taking it apart. I hate those little bumber hitches but the truck came with it, so I thought I might be able to get away with it once to get the car home. Does anyone think buying a tow-bar might be better? I can get one for a reasonable price. Never used one before. Is 125 miles too far for that?

 

I would use the dolly before the tow bar on a small bumper car.

 

I totally agree with Allen on this, no tow bar, use the dolly before that .
Dan

 

Ok then. I'll go with the dolley. Any ideas on weight limit? I realize that the rear wheels of the car will still ride the pavement so I wouldn't think the stress on the bumber would be too bad. I can slide under the truck in the morning to look for some kind of figure on load limit.

 

I would think the lightweight of the mav would be usable on the bumper hitch of the Explorer. The toungue weight should be in tolerence of your bumper. Just keep everything easy. Good luck!! And triple check everything that has a connection!!!!!!
Dan

 

Fairly sure the Explorer will tow up to 5000 pounds but I think that is with a receiver hitch. You will probably be alright it is all highway and only a couple of hills.

 

Got it. Thanks for the in-put guys. I figured I could pull it off with what I had. I'm planning on taking a second job for a while (more parts yeah!), so I want the car here at home so I can work on it. My in-laws house has been fine till now but I'm not planning on going up to St. Louis on the weekends anymore. I should be able to get more done this way.

 

With a d dolly, I think it would be fine. Like the others said, just take it easy. I've done alot of towing with a dolly, and a good bit with a double axel car trailer. I actually prefer the dolly to the trailer. Just don't go anywhere you would have to back up, it's pretty much impossible with a dolly.

 

Strap it down good. I had a truck come off a dolly once. I will never use one again.

 

Maybe this is an old tale but when I towed cars i always pulled the driveshaft, so we would not have any problem with the trans. Take it for what it is worth. That is my 2 cents worth.

A group of us are going to the Nationals in Springfield you ought to join us!!!

 

I always remove the driveshaft also.

 

I had a 93 Explorer untill just recently. We pulled several trailers and dollies with it with no problems. My son pulled a two axle trailer loaded with 3000 lbs of scrap iron, just had to be careful stopping. Those factory hitch bumpers are stronger than you think. The factory underrates them so you won't overload them.