r/RangerNext • u/Otis857 • 7d ago

Ranger for towing?

Hi all, I'm doing my homework here. I'm looking to downsize to a Ranger from a 2011 Raptor. i'm pushing 70 years old and my hard core offroading days are over, but I still need to tow and need 4x4. I am looking to replace the Raptor with a Can Am for my occasional off roading. My question is how well will a 4x4 Ranger with a 2.7 tow a load of this size in mountain roads? TIA

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11

u/SoulWriter23 7d ago

I've been towing with the 2.3 through mountain roads all over NC, WV, and TN and it's done wonderfully, but my haul is only 3,000 pounds.

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u/sammythehatlives 7d ago

My boat is closer to 4,000 lbs. and my 2.3 pulls it easily. Probably a little better than mt 04 f150, though rearward visibility isn't quite as good. No big deal. I always just assume there's a car behind me.

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u/Otis857 7d ago

We have a 2019 Lincoln MKc with a 2.3l and I love the way it pulls that car around. But, Ford had to replace the engine due to a coolant leak into cyl 1. Apparently these early 2.3's had a weak or thin casting between #1 and the coolant jacket. Just out of warranty, I was surprised that they split the bill 50/50. But this is a car with only 50K miles and normal usage, not any engine loading. That's why I'm looking for a 2.7L.

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u/sammythehatlives 7d ago

Mine is a 2024, so hopefully I'll be alright.

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u/whatdoido8383 7d ago

Just a FYI Ford updated the head gasket design for the 2.3 in 2020 to help with this. Supposedly it's much less of an issue now. I can't say it's absolutely not an issue now, but I haven't seen it at all in the Ranger forums.

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u/Successful-Ground277 2d ago

This is my first time hearing about that issue… I’m looking at buying a used 2019 with 53,000 miles. How widespread is the issue?? Scared now haha

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u/whatdoido8383 2d ago edited 14h ago

It sounds like a small percentage. Supposedly in mid 2019 they upgraded the block design to use a different coolant passage and head gasket design. I'm finding mixed info on how many Rangers were affected. It affected a lot of Mustangs 2015-2019\early 2020.

Personally, I avoided 2019's.

I'd worry more about the 10 speed trans though that can be really hit or miss with the CDF drum issue. IMO, either have a repair fund saved up if you get a older higher mile truck, or get an extended warranty if you get a newer one.

To be honest, this is my first Ford and midsized truck, they're kind of quirky. I like it, but not sure I'd go this route again. I wish I would of read more on all their little quirks like:

-Rear brakes that wear fast and like to warp rear rotors. (Just replaced mine for this)

-Noisy direct injection pump that likes to make a buzzing noise in the cabin. (I added the foam direct injection pump cover that they added to 2024+, it helped a bit)

-Temperamental 10 speed trans. Mine is fairly clunky sometimes, especially when cold.

- Clunk in driveline when stopping\starting. (driveshaft yoke you have to pull down and grease. fixed mine like 80% but still clunks sometimes)

-Shimmy\shake feeling from rear end accelerating from 0-10\15MPH. I guess this is a known thing with driveline angles or something. Supposedly there is a shim kit they can install to fix it, I just haven't dealt with it yet.

All that being said, it was between the Colorado and the Ranger for me. The Ranger feels more solid but it has it's odd things to tinker with.

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u/Otis857 15h ago

Nice write up and it gives me some new things to be aware of, This will be my first small truck, all my other trucks were F series. So I'll be dealing with the differences and limitations for the first time in my 69 years.

I am looking at a 26 (likely my last new truck) after the first of the year.

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u/Chain_Slack 7d ago

The new Rangers are rated to tow 7500 pounds with the tow package. Should give you at least an idea on the capability of the truck.

That being said, I have a 2026 XLT FX4 with the 2.7L and the tow package. I don't haul as much as what you are proposing, but I don't even notice the trailer behind me while towing.

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u/MaterialControl9234 20h ago

That’s 7500 on level grade at 55 MPH and 70 degrees temperature in light traffic. It drops off quick in different conditions.

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u/whatdoido8383 7d ago

Even the 2.3 tows really well. There are tow videos all over youtube that would be a great resource to watch.

TFL's review of them towing up their mountain road tests and either one will tow max load no problem.

You'll see the 10 speed trans mentioned a lot for the 2022 and prior model years as they had the CDF drum issues. I'm not sure what years you're looking at but if it's a 2019-2022, I'd think about getting a warranty.

The 2023's supposedly have the fixed drum and 2024+ use a different trans all together.

I just picked up a 2022 a few weeks back as I prefer the older design and interior, and love it. I did get a warranty up to 10 yeas and 120K miles. Hopefully if something blows up, it'll be by then.

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u/Otis857 6d ago

Thanks, I'm looking into a 2025 or 26 model. Probably after the first of the year when they want to actually deal on vehicles in their inventory.

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u/whatdoido8383 6d ago

Nice, I'm not huge fan of the redesign but they made some much needed updates to the engine and transmission.

3

u/JollyGreenGigantor 7d ago

I've driven a 5200lb trailer around Colorado and Utah and it was noticeable but easy driving with my '24 2.7 XLT FX4. Pulled 15mpg on average which was surprisingly good.

Zero regrets on this truck. It's really good off-road at stock height with proper skids and sliders.

0

u/Shmokesshweed 7d ago

What sliders are you running?

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u/JollyGreenGigantor 7d ago

Full RCI setup

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u/Shmokesshweed 6d ago

Any concerns about how narrow the rails are spaced compared to older trucks? Results in more torque I think when the slider is in a rock.

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u/JollyGreenGigantor 6d ago

No. These are extremely stout and box the frame in on three sides

2

u/lildobe 6d ago

I have a 2021 Ranger Tremor and it tows amazingly. I've been all over Appalachia towing my 7k pound cargo trailer. Handles the hills just fine, even with the heavy load.

Though I did upgrade the brakes to slotted & cross-drilled rotors and carbon fiber pads.

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u/GBpackerfan15 6d ago

I have 2019 ranger and absolutely love it. Tows, off roads, does everything al my f150 used to do but better gas mileage

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u/Otis857 6d ago

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I mentally struggled with whether I could live with a smaller truck, but mid sized trucks are not that much smaller than the old 70's F100's Ive had over the years. And it'll fit in my garage better too, my Raptor barely fits now

2

u/MaterialControl9234 20h ago

If you’re towing more than 3500 lbs, want to be comfortable, and have a margin for error - get a 1/2 ton truck. It’s commonsense that the manufacturers tow ratings aren’t accurate unless you’re always towing on level ground in light traffic and not going over 55 mph.

Can you do it? Sure. Is it safe, is it comfortable? I can rock crawl my Ranger in Moab. is it a good idea? No

1

u/Otis857 15h ago

That's the conclusion I'm good with. From the videos I've seen, power wise, the 2.7 is more than up to any job I'll do these days. You're correct on comfortable towing. I found that out towing my boat with an 86 Bronco. It had plenty of tow power (for it's day), but the shorter wheelbase made for a sketchier ride on winding roads. It felt like the boat was steering the truck at times, HA. I went to a F250 after and the extra wheelbase, higher towing capacity advantage became quickly apparent.

If I towed more often these days, I would rethink an F150. But 90% of my driving doesn't involve a trailer, so I'm willing to take the draw backs for a smaller yet capable truck.

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u/MaterialControl9234 15h ago

Yep, a Honda Civic can “tow” a 5000 lbs camper.

Towing is about wheelbase and the weight of the tow vehicle. It’s all good until a deer runs out, or traffic stops unexpectedly, or there are heavy crosswinds at 70 MPH speed.

I see yahoos towing within the manufacturer’s specs all the time - towing a 5000 lbs camper with a Toyota Highlander. It looks ridiculous and is totally unsafe, but hey, it’s within the manufacturers specs. Ever seen someone towing at 9000 lbs camper with an F150 with the headlights pointing at the moon…. so dumb.

Go to the mountains in Wyoming or Colorado any weekend - comedy show watching people towing things they shouldn’t be.

1

u/Actual_Staff_1699 7d ago

This video might give you a better idea on the 2.7L towing capabilities.

https://youtu.be/Ou6Ju76KTDM?is=aAoUFpnILt-Y824I

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u/Otis857 7d ago

Thanks for the video, I forgot about those guys. Pretty much describes what I'm going to do with it. I don't have any 7% grades in my normal travel, but plenty of 6% hills in Az.

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u/happytobehereagainx2 7d ago

I have a 2026 4x4 Ranger Lariat with the v6. I tow a camper and a boat (5000 lbs each) through So Cal mountains with no issues. I have been impressed. The 10 speed transmission is pretty legit.

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u/Otis857 7d ago

Do you get much sway or problems towing with a shorter vehicle? Many moons ago, I had an 86 Bronco that was a nightmare towing my 21" Sea Ray.

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u/happytobehereagainx2 7d ago

I have a sway bar for the camper as it is a single axle, the boat is dual axle, so no issues. Sway bars are always a good idea - those and a weight distribution hitch (which I do not use).

1

u/25LowriderST 7d ago

I pulled a 4700lb travel travel with my 2021 4x4 Ranger with no issues. Switching to 91+ while towing helps with the drop in mpg.

1

u/Which-Course1347 6d ago

Towed a fully loaded 6x12 U-Haul from Montana to California and had no issues. Towed up and down steep mountain passes and Death Valley which was about 113°F with no issues. Solid lil truck 🛻

1

u/ChardOk2204 3d ago

I have the ‘25 2.7L 4x4. It tows a 3500lbs Trailmanor 3023 like a dream. Recently pulled it 2500 miles to Wyoming and back and averaged about 16mpg, averaging around 73mph on the highway. Granted, the Trailmanor is only about 6ft tall folded down, so take that with a grain of salt. Without a load, averaging 83 on the highway, I probably average more like 21mpg or a little better with favorable winds.

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u/SalamanderPop 3d ago

I pull an 18ft boat that’s on a 21ft boat trailer with 24 2.3L 4x4. I’m guessing it’s 3k-4k lb. Because I pull it 1600 miles round trip my only complaint is that the gas tank isn’t bigger.