Factory Tow Package vs Added Hitch/Harness Capacity Rating

[mm10]

Hi all - new here and shopping for a Ranger. Have found forum posts and plenty of sites with anecdotal info, but nothing clear/final:

I'm looking at a CPO Ranger that doesn't have the tow package, but hitch and presumably harness added (by dealer). I'd like the 7,500 rating of the factory tow, but can't tell what else it would need aside from those to make that possible. Is there a trans oil cooler or anything I'm missing? Far as I can tell, the package is just those things. Far as I can tell, motor and gearing/tow assist are universal.

If the hitch is rated up to 7.5k, is that now a safe cap despite no factory package? Looking for some official confirmation fairly quickly. TIA!

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[mm10]

Hi all - new here and shopping for a Ranger. Have found forum posts and plenty of sites with anecdotal info, but nothing clear/final:

I'm looking at a CPO Ranger that doesn't have the tow package, but hitch and presumably harness added (by dealer). I'd like the 7,500 rating of the factory tow, but can't tell what else it would need aside from those to make that possible. Is there a trans oil cooler or anything I'm missing? Far as I can tell, the package is just those things. Far as I can tell, motor and gearing/tow assist are universal.

If the hitch is rated up to 7.5k, is that now a safe cap despite no factory package? Looking for some official confirmation fairly quickly. TIA!

 

[jsphlynch]

Hi all - new here and shopping for a Ranger. Have found forum posts and plenty of sites with anecdotal info, but nothing clear/final:

I'm looking at a CPO Ranger that doesn't have the tow package, but hitch and presumably harness added (by dealer). I'd like the 7,500 rating of the factory tow, but can't tell what else it would need aside from those to make that possible. Is there a trans oil cooler or anything I'm missing? Far as I can tell, the package is just those things. Far as I can tell, motor and gearing/tow assist are universal.

If the hitch is rated up to 7.5k, is that now a safe cap despite no factory package? Looking for some official confirmation fairly quickly. TIA!

You should be set, with the caveat you already mentioned about the rating of the hitch itself. Motor, coolers, gearing, etc are all identical regardless of whether equipped from factory with the tow package.

EDIT TO ADD:
Here's a link to ford literature on the matter. Note what it says is included in the tow package.
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../pdf/guides/19Towing_Ford_Ranger_r1_Jan29.pdf

 

[Grumpaw]

Welcome to the forum.
There is no trans cooler other than what the Ranger is equipped with. Tow package or not, they are all the same.
Factory tow package only consists of hitch and wiring with the 4/7 pin plug in the rear bumper next to license plate.
If the wiring was done by a dealer than it should be good to go.
As for the hitch, without a picture, can't tell what you have. If it is a Ford hitch there will be a sticker on the underside of it with a part # and ratings.
If it is an after market hitch, there still should be a sticker on the underside or side indicating the weight rating.
If it is after market hitch and no sticker is found, be aware that class 3 hitches (2 inch receiver opening) start at a 5000 lb rating and go up from there.
Since you post that it's a 7500 lb weight rating, you should be good to go with it.
Also, check the bolts that are attaching the hitch to the frame. Ford hitches use 3 large bolts on each side with captive nuts welded to the top of the frame rails. Some aftermarket hitches may only use 2 per side depending on the weight rating of the hitch.

 

[mm10]

You should be set, with the caveat you already mentioned about the rating of the hitch itself. Motor, coolers, gearing, etc are all identical regardless of whether equipped from factory with the tow package.

EDIT TO ADD:
Here's a link to ford literature on the matter. Note what it says is included in the tow package.
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../pdf/guides/19Towing_Ford_Ranger_r1_Jan29.pdf

Thanks, helpful! Poorly worded my post I see; I don't actually have the hitch rating - so effectively I was asking if that determines the capacity at this point which it sounds like it does.

 

[mm10]

Welcome to the forum.
There is no trans cooler other than what the Ranger is equipped with. Tow package or not, they are all the same.
Factory tow package only consists of hitch and wiring with the 4/7 pin plug in the rear bumper next to license plate.
If the wiring was done by a dealer than it should be good to go.
As for the hitch, without a picture, can't tell what you have. If it is a Ford hitch there will be a sticker on the underside of it with a part # and ratings.
If it is an after market hitch, there still should be a sticker on the underside or side indicating the weight rating.
If it is after market hitch and no sticker is found, be aware that class 3 hitches (2 inch receiver opening) start at a 5000 lb rating and go up from there.
Since you post that it's a 7500 lb weight rating, you should be good to go with it.
Also, check the bolts that are attaching the hitch to the frame. Ford hitches use 3 large bolts on each side with captive nuts welded to the top of the frame rails. Some aftermarket hitches may only use 2 per side depending on the weight rating of the hitch.

Also great to check for - thanks. As just replied, I don't actually know the rating, but happy to hear it's basically just the hitch as the limiting factor over base. Appreciate it!

 

[mm10]

@jsphlynch @Grumpaw Thanks again. Sig updated ?

 

[WingShot]

Appealing to an internet chat room for "official" confirmation. Interesting. I'd go elsewhere.

 

[mm10]

Appealing to an internet chat room for "official" confirmation. Interesting. I'd go elsewhere.

Wasn't the confirmation, but getting eyes on Ford documentation that put me in the right direction. With that, I was able to confirm with the dealer and move forward because the salesperson wasn't terribly familiar with ranger packages. But appreciate your help on it

 

[Trigganometry]

One other thing to be mindful of between factory and aftermarket. The factory ones have a modified rear bumper to get them up higher. Aftermarket will be below the bumper. Picture is of my factory delivered hitch

 

[mm10]

One other thing to be mindful of between factory and aftermarket. The factory ones have a modified rear bumper to get them up higher. Aftermarket will be below the bumper. Picture is of my factory delivered hitch

Yep, mine looks the same. Ford hitch, dealer installed after delivery so not truly 'aftermarket' but not on the sticker/build sheet. Manager ultimately confirmed that meets the 7.5k rating based on install. Bonus was the PO added a brake controller as well

 

[Blmpkn]

If the truck didn't come from the factory with the tow package.. regardless of hitch or other mods.. its only legally rated to tow 3500 or whatever it is.

You have an accident towing more than the legal weight and you could find yourself in a world of shit.

 

[Aonarch]

Hi all - new here and shopping for a Ranger. Have found forum posts and plenty of sites with anecdotal info, but nothing clear/final:

I'm looking at a CPO Ranger that doesn't have the tow package, but hitch and presumably harness added (by dealer). I'd like the 7,500 rating of the factory tow, but can't tell what else it would need aside from those to make that possible. Is there a trans oil cooler or anything I'm missing? Far as I can tell, the package is just those things. Far as I can tell, motor and gearing/tow assist are universal.

If the hitch is rated up to 7.5k, is that now a safe cap despite no factory package? Looking for some official confirmation fairly quickly. TIA!

Good question. I have not seen any information that the towing package adds anything other than the hitch and wiring.

But check you gauge cluster for the trailer sway and trailer safety options. You might not have them enabled.

Maybe that is a Forscan exercise, but I am not sure.

 

[rang19ca]

The factory tow package is just the upgraded bumper hitch assy and wiring for 7 pin connector. Nothing else on the truck is different.

 

[Silverfox]

I remember not too long ago someone mentioned the rear diff had a different part number on the tow package equipped truck’s.

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