How Much Can A Ford Ranger Tow (Explained!)

Do you know how much a Ford Ranger can tow? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

If America was built by blue-collar workers, then they did so while driving Ford pickup trucks.

The lightest one in the lineup of pickup trucks coming from the Dearborn, Michigan, based company is the Ranger range of the models.

It is classified as a class 1 pickup truck, as its weight ranges between 4,650 and 5,500 pounds.

But being the entry point of the lineup doesn’t mean that it is something to scorn at.

Ford Ranger is a very capable pickup and depending on the configuration it can haul people or weight, or both.

So, how much can a Ford Ranger tow? On average a Ford Ranger can tow either up to 3,500 or 7,500 pounds. However, without the Trailer Towing Package, the maximum towing capacity is 3,500 lbs and with the Trailer Towing Package, the maximum towing capacity is 7,500 lbs.

But let’s get into more details of how much, when, and what does such towing capacity means in practice.

What Affects A Ford Ranger Towing Capacity?

In general terms, the towing capacity of any vehicle depends first and foremost on the design of the rear axle, rear suspension, and hitch.

These weight-bearing elements determine how much weight the hitch can carry, in other words, the maximum hitch weight rating.

After this, the next factor is the engine and its power output, as the weight, the chassis of the truck can carry/pull means nothing unless it can accelerate per standards for rating.

The third, and final factor is the equipment of the trim, as the more dry weight the truck has the less load it can take, and towing capacity is one such load.

When it comes to the newest, fourth, generation of Ford Rangers it comes with only one engine option, the 2.3 liters EcoBoost inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine couplet to 10-speed automatic 10R80 transmission.

Though this engine produces “just” 270hp and 310lb-ft of torque, it is a very capable powerplant and its towing capacity depends only on the hitch design.

What Is A Ford Ranger Towing Capacity?

As I said above, the towing capacity of a Ford Ranger depends only on a hitch receiver design.

There is only one engine option for the latest generation of this Ford pickup, and though there are three trim levels, two cab/bed sizes combinations, and two drive options, it is sufficient.

So picking any of the available combinations does not make any impact on the maximum towing capacity, either positive or negative.

What does affect the towing capacity is the inclusion of the optional Trailer Towing Package.

This equipment package includes a class III hitch receiver, a 7-wire trailer harness, and 7-pin to 4-pin adapter.

Obviously, this package increases the maximum towing capacity, and without it, you are limited to bumper hitch towing:

• Without the Trailer Towing Package: maximum towing capacity is 3,500 lbs
• With the Trailer Towing Package: maximum towing capacity is 7,500 lbs

While this package includes the hitch receiver, the hitch mount or tow ball coupling is not, and you should obtain them separately.

Read also: Trailer Wiring Diagrams:19 Tips Towing Electrical Wiring Installation

What Towing Aides Are Available On A Ford Ranger?

Ford Ranger doesn’t come with the wide range of towing aids that the other Ford pickups have as optional packages or standard equipment.

But you probably will not need them after all.

It does come with the optional Trailer Towing Package, which increases the maximum towing capacity to 7,500 pounds.

The ESP or electronic stability program does a decent job of controlling the movement of a properly connected and packed trailer.

From the other driving aids that are helpful when towing, you can count on the reversing camera.

Its capabilities are not something to write home about, as it doesn’t have a special split-screen mode available on some other models, but it is very useful for backing and parking with a trailer.

And that’s all, while it is not some large number of towing-specific aids, the Ford Ranger has everything you need for the job it can do.

What You Can Tow With A Ford Ranger?

As I’ve said above, the maximum towing capacity of a Ford Ranger can be either 3,500 or 7,500 pounds.

This is what determines what you can do with it, and while these do not sound like impressive numbers, you might be surprised.

This is a light-duty truck, but that doesn’t mean it is useless.

On the bumper, with the towing capacity of 3,500 pounds you can tow things like:

• A teardrop trailer – the vast majority has GVWR under this limit.
• A pop-up trailer – just like the teardrop trailer, this type is also generally under this limit.
• Smaller camper trailers – there are many single axle trailers with lengths around 17 feet, such as Casita Spirit, with GVWR under 3,500, while many trailers up to 21 feet long you can only tow when completely empty.
• A utility trailer – many utility trailers, for a couple of motorcycles/jet skis/snowmobiles/ATVs/horses are under this limit, while also many fishing boats are also light enough.

When it comes to towing capacity with the optional Trailer Towing Package of 7,500 pounds, the options are well beyond the above stated.

When it comes to the camper trailer, some general rule is that trailers under 31 feet in length have GVWR under 7,000 pounds, so even the larger ones can be towed.

Final Thoughts

Ford’s pickup range is the cash cow of this company, and it is for a reason.

Their trucks are good, and for any job, you can find a proper tool.

The Ford Ranger is the entry point of their lineup of trucks, but it doesn’t mean that it is a bad vehicle.

Without an optional towing package, you are limited to just 3,500 pounds that are safe to tow on the bumper.

But with this package, it goes up more than twice, to 7,500 pounds, when the Ranger becomes more than a useful towing vehicle.

References

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/