How To Prepare Ford Mustang For Towing

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: November 13, 2023

Your Ford Mustang is a powerhouse of performance and style. It's designed not just for the sheer joy of driving but also for practical capabilities like towing. While your Ford Mustang isn't typically associated with towing, it's equipped to handle light towing duties with the right setup.

Towing might seem straightforward, but it places significant demands on your Mustang and requires careful consideration for safety.

Therefore, before you hook up that trailer, it's important to prepare your Mustang by installing the right equipment and ensuring everything is in top condition to maintain your comfort and safety, as well as that of others on the road.

Key Takeaways

• The Ford Mustang's towing capacity is influenced by factors such as engine size, transmission type, vehicle weight, and overall design.
• Preparing your Mustang for towing is crucial and involves checking and adjusting your equipment, ensuring good visibility, and verifying the condition of brakes, engine, and fuel levels, along with packing emergency supplies.
• Adhering to guidelines based on what you're towing is essential, such as staying within the Mustang's weight limits and choosing the correct towing method.
• Care must be taken when towing with vehicles of different transmissions; for instance, those with automatic transmissions may need a tow dolly to prevent damage.

What is towing?

Towing involves pulling another object, like a trailer or a small recreational vehicle, using your Ford Mustang.

To accomplish this, you'll need to equip your Mustang with a suitable towing hitch or coupling device to connect it securely to what you're towing.

Can any weight be towed by a Ford Mustang?

While a Ford Mustang is not a traditional towing vehicle, it can manage light towing tasks with proper equipment and considerations.

The towing capacity of a Ford Mustang is contingent upon several factors, such as:

Engine Capacity

The towing ability is partly determined by the engine's power and torque, with more robust engines capable of handling larger loads.

Transmission Type

Manual or automatic transmissions influence the towing capabilities, with automatics often offering features that are more conducive to towing.

Size and Weight

The Mustang's build can affect towing capacity, with heavier models generally capable of towing more due to greater stability.

Drive Type

The type of drive system, such as RWD (Rear Wheel Drive), plays a role in towing efficiency, with RWD being advantageous for towing.

Structure and Design

A Mustang’s design, including its suspension and brakes, affects towing, with certain designs better suited to handle the additional strain of towing.

How do you prepare a Ford Mustang for towing?

Just like an athlete gearing up for a race, your Mustang requires the right preparations before undertaking any towing.

Adherence to universal safe towing practices is a must, and the specifics may vary depending on whether you’re towing a trailer or another vehicle. Attention to detail will ensure a successful and safe towing experience.

Towing with a Ford Mustang

Towing with a Ford Mustang might not be the first image that pops into your head, but this American icon can handle more than just the open road—it can haul your gear too, within reason of course.

Understanding your Ford Mustang's Towing Capabilities

Each Mustang model has its own set of specs and limits, especially when it comes to towing. You'll want to respect these limits to prevent any Hollywood-style stunt gone wrong. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Maximum towing capacity - don't get too ambitious.
• Engine power and chassis strength - the Mustang is tough, but it's not a tank.
• Suspension setup - it's designed for speed, not necessarily for load-bearing.

Overdoing it can have some pretty serious consequences, such as:

• Damage to your Mustang's heart and skeleton;
• Loss of that pony car grace and stability;
• Insufficient stopping power;
• Unwanted adventures and mishaps.

Before hooking up, compare the trailer weight with your Mustang's limits. You can check out the towing specs here.

Ensuring your Towing Equipment is Mustang-Approved

Your Mustang needs the right gear to start towing:

• Towing Hitch - it's got to be as sturdy as the rest of the car.
• Trailer Brake Controller - this isn't just any old car, so keep it under control.
• Safety Chains - because you don't want your cargo going on an unplanned solo trip.

Check your gear for wear and tear; after all, it's not just any car you're dealing with here.

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Double-Checking your Mirrors

You've got to have eyes at the back of your head, or at least your Mustang. Adjust those mirrors to keep an eye on your haul. Special towing mirrors? They're like having a spotter for your blind spots.

Pre-Towing Pit Stop: Brakes

Brakes are non-negotiable, especially when towing. They've got to handle the extra weight, so give them a thorough check-up:

• Pads - they should be as fit as a fiddle;
• Rotors and/or drums - no compromise on these;
• Brake fluid - it's the lifeblood of stopping power.

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Let There be Light: Headlights Check

Your Mustang's eyes need to be bright and alert, day or night. Make sure your headlights are up to the task.

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Rear Lights: Be Seen

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It's not just about seeing, but being seen. Your taillights, brake lights, and indicators should be as clear as your intentions on the road.

Engine Check: The Heart of your Mustang

Towing is a workout for your engine. It needs to be in peak condition to deal with the extra demands. So give it a full health check:

• Oil and filter - keep it fresh;
• Coolant levels - it's going to get hot in there;
• Spark plugs - they need to be in top form.

Don't Forget the Suspension

When you're towing, the suspension's got a hefty job. It needs to be in fighting form to avoid any drama on the road.

Inspect the gearbox

When it comes to towing, your Mustang's gearbox feels the burn just like its tires on a track day. It works harder, gets hotter, and deserves attention. So, keep your load sensible and make sure that gearbox lubricant is fresh as a daisy.

Brace for increased fuel stops

Dragging extra weight means your Mustang will guzzle more petrol. Expect fuel consumption to jump by 10-20% based on the load. So fill 'er up, plan your pitstops wisely, and maybe stash an extra jerry can or two.

Toolkit: Your On-the-Road Pit Crew

A Mustang towing is a Mustang working hard. Keep a set of tools handy for those just-in-case moments. Wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers—think of it as your portable pit crew, ready at a moment's notice.

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First Aid: The Safety Net of the Open Road

Whether you're on a leisurely cruise or towing, safety is king. Stock your Mustang with a first aid kit—bandages, antiseptics, the works. It's the roll cage for your well-being.

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Securing the Load: Keep It Tight, Keep It Right

Whatever you're hauling, strap it down as if you're securing a rare Shelby for a jaunt across the States. Cables, straps, and a bit of common sense will keep your cargo in check.

Use the right methods for a load that won't shift, won't slip, and won't do a dance around the rear axle.

Check the technical condition of the trailer

When towing, it's not just about your Mustang—it's about the dance partner it's leading. Here's your pre-towing waltz:

• Check the trailer brakes. You wouldn't drive a car without brakes, so don't tow a trailer without them. They're an essential backup dancer to your Mustang's lead.

Make sure the trailer's brakes are in sync with your car's—either through the brake line or electronically—and that they're ready to perform.

• Inspect the Trailer Suspension. Just as your Mustang's suspension is tuned for the Nürburgring, your trailer's should be prepped for the load it's carrying. Look for damage or wear, and make sure everything's tight and right.

A well-maintained suspension is the secret to a smooth ride and a stable tow.

• Light up your Trailer. Working trailer lights are a safety must and keep the law off your back. Check the lot—brake lights, indicators, the lot—and replace any duds.

Keep your trailer's lights shining bright to signal your moves to your fellow road users.

• Check Your Trailer Hitch. The hitch is the handshake between your Mustang and its cargo. It's got to be firm, no slip-ups. Inspect it for wear, make sure it's corrosion-free, and lube the moving parts to keep the relationship smooth.

With a good hitch, your tow is a duet, not a duel.

Towing with a Ford Mustang

If you're planning to tow with your Mustang, those same rules apply, but there's a twist - this is about towing cars, not caravans or trailers. It's like a tango: it takes two and you've got to follow the steps or you'll step on each other's toes.

Weight is the lead dancer here. Make sure your towed vehicle is light on its feet - or wheels, rather. Your Mustang's towing capacity is like its dance floor space; you can find it in the owner's manual. Overloading is like trying to do a quickstep in a crowded room, and nobody wants to see a Mustang do that.

Remember to consider the weight and size of what you're towing, as well as any passengers you might have along for the ride.

Pick your towing dance style

There are a few ways to tow another car:

• Using a tow strap;
• Using a tow bar;
• With a trailer;

Using a tow strap

A tow strap's like dancing freestyle. The car being towed must have someone at the wheel, ready to brake and steer. It's a bit like having a backseat driver, only they're not in the backseat, they're in another car entirely.

Using a tow bar

With a tow bar, it's a synchronized dance. The towed car follows the Mustang's lead, no driver needed. But remember, your Mustang's brakes are now stopping for two, so it's a bit like wearing weighted dance shoes.

Using a trailer

A trailer is like a private dance floor for your towed car. The Mustang pulls, and the car rides along. Just tally up the weight of your towed car and trailer when checking your Mustang's towing capacity.

Transmission type of the towed vehicle

Knowing the transmission type of the car you're towing is like knowing the dance style. Manual cars should be in neutral. Automatic cars? They need to ride on a carriage or tow dolly, keeping their wheels up like they're doing a handstand.

A tow dolly is like training wheels for your towed car. Just remember, heavy cars might be too much for the dolly, and four-wheel drives don't take kindly to them.

For automatics, it's essential the drive wheels aren't spinning. If you can't use a carriage, disconnect the drive shaft to avoid a gearbox two-step that could end in tears.

Must-Have Gadgets for Towing with a Mustang

Right, you've got the basics of towing down. You're nearly set to haul with your Mustang. But if you fancy giving your steed a bit more muscle and making sure it stays in the prime of life, consider strapping on some of these nifty bits and bobs.

Weight-Distributing Hitch

A weight-distributing hitch is like a personal trainer for your towing setup. It ensures your Mustang doesn't end up with all the weight on its haunches, which can make the steering as wobbly as a shopping trolley with a mind of its own.

It's the secret to a smooth ride and keeping your rig balanced, especially if you're pulling something that feels like it's eaten too many pies.

Extended Mirrors

Towing mirrors are like giving your Mustang a wider field of vision, so you don't get any nasty surprises sneaking up beside you. They're like having eyes in the back of your head, only much more legal.

Suspension Air Bags

Think of suspension airbags as the Mustang's equivalent of a weightlifter's belt. They give your suspension a bit of extra oomph, helping your pony car keep its poise, even with a hefty load on its back.

Transmission Cooler

A transmission cooler is like an ice pack for your gearbox. It keeps the transmission fluid from getting all hot and bothered when you're towing down the motorway or hitting the hills.

Rearview Cameras

Rearview cameras are a godsend when you're backing up with a trailer. They let you see everything behind you, making it a doddle to park or line up your hitch without needing someone to guide you.

Roof Rails

Roof rails turn your Mustang into a packhorse, letting you lug everything from bikes to boards without stuffing your back seat. They're like a second boot, but without the boot sale look.

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And there you have it!

Prepping your Mustang for a towing adventure is about more than just hitching up and hoping for the best. It's about making sure your car's as ready for the journey as you are. With the right gear, you'll keep your Mustang purring and your cargo secure, whether you're off on a grand tour or just taking the bins out.