Ford Performance Tune towing issue / lawsuit

[the5Gmartian]

What a friggin joke. For one, the Ranger is not a tow vehicle. It has a tiny 140 cid engine. So you failed to know what your buying on two counts. Now you want to blame someone else. Maybe you should have bought a f-150 or a super duty that will tow a house!

That's a pretty ridiculous statement to make. The Rangers tow as much as a full size did not even a decade ago. The Ford Performance tune also gives a significant bump in torque throughout the RPM range and one could easily think that it would be a great upgrade for towing. If Ford had stated that it was unable to tow while tuned in the beginning, this would not even be an issue.

Sponsored

 

[MagneticRang]

I’m not looking for anything crazy, i just want them to make it right. I just feel like we were lied to by then omitting that bit of information early on.

the truck has its own max towing set from the factory, if you start modifying your truck to increase that, that’s on you. If you modify your truck to tow more and screw up your truck, that’s your fault, that’s not something a factory warranty covers. If you need to tow more than what the truck is capable of then get a bigger truck. No one lied to you, it was your own misinterpretation of what a tune can do for you. Case closed

 

[Vitis805]

No one lied to you, it was your own misinterpretation of what a tune can do for you. Case closed

The truck is rated to tow a certain amount. The tune did not state anywhere on advertisements or on info sheets that towing is not recommended at time of purchase. I’m willing to bet that those that had the tune installed by Ford before this little addendum never had techs tell customers not to tow anymore. This is deceptive marketing. Case open.

I hope you get the refund you are after, OP.

 

[BassRanger]

I'd say at minimum a full refund ought to be offered to those who bought the tune before the ad was amended. "towing not recommended" is a hell of a disclaimer to learn after the fact.

 

[Vitis805]

I'd say at minimum a full refund ought to be offered to those who bought the tune before the ad was amended. "towing not recommended" is a hell of a disclaimer to learn after the fact.

Exactly. Nail on the head. This isn’t some minor inconvenience. You bought a truck that has a large tow rating, presumably to tow large things. You were then marketed a product that increases performance of said truck. There is no reason that one wouldn’t believe that towing would be “better”, not necessarily increase the rating.
The tune inhibits the standard operation now, not enhance it.

 

[Verhiz]

the truck has its own max towing set from the factory, if you start modifying your truck to increase that, that’s on you. If you modify your truck to tow more and screw up your truck, that’s your fault, that’s not something a factory warranty covers. If you need to tow more than what the truck is capable of then get a bigger truck. No one lied to you, it was your own misinterpretation of what a tune can do for you. Case closed

I didn’t say anything about towing more... Read other posts... I’m staying within the limit.

 

[Verhiz]

Hmmm. Ford certainly likes to market this truck as a tow vehicle. Why make the limit 7500 lbs? Why design the small engine to produce so much torque at such a usable part of the powerband? Why mate it to the same robust 10-speed as the F150 if they didn't expect you to tow with it...?

I honestly don't see the reason for backlash at OP here. Certainly they were being brash by threatening legal action, but they paid a decent amount for something and then Ford switched up their advertising and use verbiage. The OP should absolutely be entitled to a refund under deceptive trade practices laws.

I for one bought the tune thinking it would be fine to tow with. I would have thought more than twice if they had included that little note originally. I was also completely misinformed despite asking way too many questions and using a lot of hypothetical scenarios with Ford employees regarding how the warranty works. I am perturbed at the way Ford has rolled this out and marketed it to us, but I am not even in the realm of considering legal action. That being said my local Ford dealers (besides the sales staff) have always tried to work with me and consider my best interests, even though I am admittedly a bit of a tough customer.

It’s only a potential thought due to being told to basically go screw myself from Ford.

 

[Bt_ostate]

My 2 word response to this:
SEND IT!

My reasoning:
You have Ford warranty since you bought the Ford Performance Tune, so just do whatever you want, and if something breaks, they have to cover it under warranty. Just don't tell them you were towing and they'll never be able to argue it.

Theyd know you towed. Engine info recorded. Would see when and how much load and if you tried lying or defrauding them on a warranty claim it could get ugly fast.

That said they should be refunding $ of those who thought they could tow. I was damn glad I called them 1st before purchasing and installing it or I'd be one of the angry ones too.

 

[t4thfavor]

If this were me, I'd settle for an updated tune with a second "towing" map slot which sets the calibration back to factory without having to reflash back to stock. Ford could market that as "a towing tune" and more people would throw their money at them.

The Focus ST had something where you could use the cruise control buttons to change map slots which I always thought was an amazing use of the system.

 

[HenryMac]

To a certain extent, power and torque are trade-offs. If you want better towing performance, then you probably want more low-end torque which typically means less high-end power. I'm guessing the Ford tune provides more high-end power, so their "not recommended for towing" comment just means their tune doesn't offer more low-end torque. If I was getting a tune, I'd ask to see the different torque and power curves before I made a decision so I would know what I was paying for.

The torque and power curves are available online:
2019-2020 RANGER ECOBOOST POWER PACK PERFORMANCE CALIBRATION

Just speculation on my part, but I'm thinking the reprogrammed transmission shift points are the issue?

 

[Blue Streak]

OK I am computer stupid about tunes. I understand the just of it. So what does the tow mode change other than shift points compared to a tow tune? And if you get a tow tune does it effect tow mode? I have towed using tow mode & seemed to have no issues.

 

[Trigganometry]

OK I am computer stupid about tunes. I understand the just of it. So what does the tow mode change other than shift points compared to a tow tune? And if you get a tow tune does it effect tow mode? I have towed using tow mode & seemed to have no issues.

It probably has more than one thing going on. Like thermostat change for additional cooling, shift points different for highest torque bands. All playin happily together

 

[t4thfavor]

OK I am computer stupid about tunes. I understand the just of it. So what does the tow mode change other than shift points compared to a tow tune? And if you get a tow tune does it effect tow mode? I have towed using tow mode & seemed to have no issues.

Shift points and engine braking. Other than that, the fan clutch maybe. I've towed several thousand miles with a big travel trailer, I can tell when I forget to hit the button.

 

[THLONE]

The tow mode also lets you use back pressure to slow the vehicle on down hills much like downshifting the old trans.
Yes Ford did over brag the towing capacity. Dont all companies do that?
The OP by his own statements said, but, I want more. So, attention all people towing: IMEOP You dont want to tow to the limit or over up to "marketing" limits. Buy more truck than you need, much like using more gun than you need. Always have an extra safety amount Have you noticed safety chains? Why do you think that they invented safety chains.
The interstate system is NOT a closed track and you are not a professional driver.
I am totally done with the, but I needs more free stuff crowd.

 

[Verhiz]

i agree on the get more towing than you need....for me not necessarily for the power....but for the braking.

I can handle less than stellar performance going up a hill, or leaving a set of lights. I'm towing something for crying out loud, not trying to win a race. My cargo is just as important as me.

but braking...oh boy....i want to be number one when braking....i dont want to run over anyone, rear end anyone, or be hurtling down a mountainside wondering where the emergency pull out lane is.

I had a small tent trailer...I towed it with my F150.
If I had a 20ft travel trailer, i'd get an F250.
if I had a double axle trailer, I'd get an F350.

Right now I have a 16ft fibreglass boat with a 60HP on it, and thats all I'll tow with the ranger.
Yes it can do alot more, but thats my safety margin.

To each their own. Definitely not trying to race.

Sponsored