Dispelling dealership lies.

[KA5CVH]

Need some advise. First I do have some experience with towing, just don't claim to be any kind of an expert. I bought a 2021 Ranger back at Christmas (2018 F150 got totaled). It does not have the "official" towing package but the dealership "assured" me it was capable of the 7500 # limit with a proper receiver and adding a trans cooler. I'm looking at a small travel trailer in the near 4000# range and my experience tells me that the truck should be more than capable as it will be mostly flat driving and occasional moderate hills. I'd like to find one with dual axles with brakes so I'll need to install a brake controller too. Your thoughts please.

Sponsored

 

[BassRanger]

The reciever and the 7 pin connector/harness is all you need. Unless you have an XL, the TBC wiring bundle should be tucked under the dash. There is no added trans cooler.

 

[D Fresh]

No need for a trans cooler.

Only difference between tow package and non tow package is hitch and the larger plug. Most all Rangers can install a trailer brake controller.

 

[DonB]

You should be fine.

 

[Grumpaw]

Your Ranger won't even break out in a sweat towing 4000 lbs. Properly set up with a brake controller and weight dist. hitch and your good to go.
There is no need for any add on cooler, coolant or trans...factory set up is just fine. I tow a 6500 lb trailer with no overheating at all. When hot out, going up a grade or mountain, temps will go up, but come down very quickly when you crest.
Depending on your model and installed safety equipment options, you can go several ways with a brake control. There is one made specifically for the Ranger that keeps the emergency braking intact, or you can simply get a standard control and wire it up to the under-dash wires.
My trailer is right at 6500 lbs with a tongue weight just under 700 lbs, and my Ranger has no problem towing it.
There is no difference between Rangers with or without the tow package other than the addition of the hitch and 7 pin wiring/plug. All mechanicals and ratings are the same.

 

[Big Blue]

As has been said you will be fine. The 10 speed transmission actually has a heat exchanger that uses the engine coolant to help get the transmission up to operating temp. It is intended to operate at new engine temp.

I have pulled my 4000 lb travel trailer through Arizona flat land and 6% grades with no issues. The Ranger is a towing beast. Add a hitch, the 7 pin plug, a brake controller, put it in tow mode and lock out 9th and 10th gears.

 

[KA5CVH]

Thanks for validating my suspicions. Just wanting to make sure that the dealership wasn't trying to blow smoke where it doesn't belong and there was something else I needed to be aware of. I've already put a 8000# 2" receiver on it. BTW its a XLT / FX2.

 

[Grumpaw]

Thanks for validating my suspicions. Just wanting to make sure that the dealership wasn't trying to blow smoke where it doesn't belong and there was something else I needed to be aware of. BTW its a XLT / FX2.

Mike, if you browse thru the "What Are You Guys Towing" threads, you'll see numerous pic's of what some of us are towing.
There's also numerous threads on hitch, brake, suspension, mirror set-ups that we've used.
Too numerous to list here, but scroll thru and ask any questions or simply PM the member for info.

 

[mtbikernate]

just make sure that your aftermarket hitch receiver is rated for well over what you intend to tow. as for me, I'd prefer to get one rated to at least the truck's max. so at least it's not the weak point of the equation.

and then, you're up in the territory where most if not all state laws require a tbc for the load you're talking about.

shame the guy was full of it when it came to the trans cooler. might be true for many trucks, but not this one.

 

[KA5CVH]

just make sure that your aftermarket hitch receiver is rated for well over what you intend to tow. as

I just looked it up to be sure ... I thought the receiver I bought was 7000# but its actually 8000# ... so yeah ... I'm good to go in that regard.

 

[Noface]

I’d suggest getting a gas can as the ranger gets a bit thirsty towing. ?

 

[Fritz]

No need for a trans cooler.

Only difference between tow package and non tow package is hitch and the larger plug. Most all Rangers can install a trailer brake controller.

*All rangers can install a trailer brake controller.
Some of them require a 45min install time and some of them 4 hours for a full wire job.
I did my own and didn’t bother incorporating the automatic emergency braking.

 

[D Fresh]

*All rangers can install a trailer brake controller.
Some of them require a 45min install time and some of them 4 hours for a full wire job.
I did my own and didn’t bother incorporating the automatic emergency braking.

True. But as you said, some XLs do not come pre-wired.

Pretty sure that most people, present company excluded, who bought the XL aren't spending the coin to do so. And most people don't have the capability to do so themselves.

That's like saying any Ranger can use a Curt Echo. Sure they CAN, but that doesn't mean you would want to. In my opinion, wiring up a controller WITHOUT emergency braking is borderline reckless.

How many XL Ranger owners have fully wired and installed a controller here? 3? 5? That's all of about 1% of Ranger XL owners.

 

[Grumpaw]

True. But as you said, some XLs do not come pre-wired.

Pretty sure that most people, present company excluded, who bought the XL aren't spending the coin to do so. And most people don't have the capability to do so themselves.

That's like saying any Ranger can use a Curt Echo. Sure they CAN, but that doesn't mean you would want to. In my opinion, wiring up a controller WITHOUT emergency braking is borderline reckless.

How many XL Ranger owners have fully wired and installed a controller here? 3? 5? That's all of about 1% of Ranger XL owners.

I have the emergency braking on my Ranger, but I installed a standard Tekonsha Prodigy controller, and I don't consider it reckless. The Ranger is the first vehicle I have owned with the emergency braking, but have been towing for many years using standard controllers....first one's I ever used were actually hooked into the brake master cylinder and used hydraulic pressure.
So, I'm used to not having EB when towing, and never use cruise control when towing...perfectly happy and confident with the standard Tekonsha.

 

[D Fresh]

I have the emergency braking on my Ranger, but I installed a standard Tekonsha Prodigy controller, and I don't consider it reckless. The Ranger is the first vehicle I have owned with the emergency braking, but have been towing for many years using standard controllers....first one's I ever used were actually hooked into the brake master cylinder and used hydraulic pressure.
So, I'm used to not having EB when towing, and never use cruise control when towing...perfectly happy and confident with the standard Tekonsha.

Hence the word borderline.

Do you think a person who had to ask here what the difference between tow package and non tow package trucks has the knowledge to turn emergency braking off? I don't. Driving and or towing with emergency braking off is one thing. Driving around with your truck being able to emergency brake, but your trailer incapable is yet another thing.

What happens when you sell/trade your vehicle? Does the next owner know that he must turn the emergency braking off in order to tow with a vehicle that's "all set up for towing?"

Like I said, borderline.

Sponsored