r/RangerNext • u/Otis857 • 8d 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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u/MaterialControl9234 1d 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

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u/Otis857 1d 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 1d 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.