Can the tow package be added by the dealer?

[OrangeStreak]

I signed a contract with my dealer for a XLT with the factory tow package. My dealer was supposed to get the truck from another dealer, but somebody dropped the ball and somehow my truck is no longer available. This is a total foobar situation. I was supposed to get the truck today.

My dealer does have a similar XLT without the tow package, and they're saying they can add it. My understanding is that the factory tow package includes a different bumper, wiring harness, and a bigger radiator. Is this something they can do?

My Ranger came with a factory tow package but I had a good 3rd party tow package installed on a previous Truck and it worked well. I would insist on an OEM package if one is available from Ford, otherwise I would research the quality of the 3rd party brand offered if that is all that is available. Dealers like to get a high mark up on installations that are not always best quality.

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[OrangeStreak]

Thanks for the feedback. My dealer is going to add the OEM tow package as part of the deal, and I'm now the owner of a new Ranger!

Great choice Steve. I should have read this before commenting.

 

[FX4Offroad]

What about a brake controller. That's an entirely different headache.

 

[Ericrcif]

Hitch was about the only thing my Lariant didn't come with but around $100 bucks and half hour of my time and I now have one.

 

[HenryMac]

You folks keep forgetting about the rear bumper modifications. By the time they disassemble the factory bumper mount ball support and the bumper center section, and then re-assemble the new center section of the bumper and the hitch, the dealership will loose money on this.

There's a whole lot more to this than just bolting on the new hitch.

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Factory Hitch

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As viewed from below, factory hitch and bumper center section.

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As viewed from below, factory bumper ball mount cross member assembly.

 

[OrangeStreak]

Hitch was about the only thing my Lariant didn't come with but around $100 bucks and half hour of my time and I now have one.

Great price! I was thinking that a dealer told me that all Rangers come pre-wired and that all that is needed is to add the hitch? Or is the pre-wiring only on certain models? My towing package was installed OEM at the factory.

 

[HenryMac]

Great price! I was thinking that a dealer told me that all Rangers come pre-wired and that all that is needed is to add the hitch? Or is the pre-wiring only on certain models? My towing package was installed OEM at the factory.

It's a hitch wiring pigtail that plugs into the stock harness, the pigtail includes the trailer plug...

 

[rang19ca]

Congratulations, Steve. That's quite a bright color, first I've seen.

 

[VAMike]

Great price! I was thinking that a dealer told me that all Rangers come pre-wired and that all that is needed is to add the hitch? Or is the pre-wiring only on certain models? My towing package was installed OEM at the factory.

All rangers are rated to tow with a bumper hitch and have a 4 pin connector. Most rangers are prewired for a 7 pin connector & brake controller, but some (xl?) lack the extra wire without the tow package.

 

[jalbof16]

I asked about the dealer adding the receiver. They pretty much said I was better off going aftermarket and doing it myself. I ended up doing it myself. It was easy and much cheaper.

Which one did you install? Was it the hitch and the 7 pin? Any photos. Just got my 2019 XLT. Traded in my F-150 SuperCrew Platinum. Was just too big for what I need and not quite the sporty feel I like. Didn't realize I wasn't getting the towing package but got a good deal on the truck with only 6900 miles.

 

[cfhgarza]

[QU

Which one did you install? Was it the hitch and the 7 pin? Any photos. Just got my 2019 XLT. Traded in my F-150 SuperCrew Platinum. Was just too big for what I need and not quite the sporty feel I like. Didn't realize I wasn't getting the towing package but got a good deal on the truck with only 6900 miles.

I ordered the OEM ford harness and used the Draw-Tite receiver.

Part numbers
Harness: KB3Z-15K868-D
7 pin connector: FU5Z 14489 A
Receiver: Draw-Tite 76275

Curt also make a 7 pin harness but I like the location of the OEM better. If you only need a 4 pin you won't need to do anything as you already have one.

 

[Byngsboys]

The following is to the best of my knowledge.

The tow package from Ford basically is the Cat IV hitch with a 2" receiver. The package includes the installation of a 7pin and the relocation of a standard 4 pin. If you use the bumper to pull you are limited to 3500 lbs, but with the proper hitch that goes to 7500 lbs. It won't matter if it is 'factory' or after market, unless you really care that the aftermarket one hangs down a bit more.

Brake controllers, this is only needed to tow trailers with electric brakes. In most areas that will mean a trailer over 3500 lb.

The 'factory' (read dealer installed) is a Redarc unit with an extra module to communicate with the adaptive cruise and activate the trailer brakes if the computer puts the brakes on. If you don't have that system or don't care then you can buy the Redarc system more cheaply off Amazon or eTrailer. Or if you want there are a large number of far cheaper CURT controllers that will do the same job. There is a posted video online of how to do the installation of the Redarc that is straightforward and easy to follow, assuming your truck has the right wiring harness. The next question is how to tell if you've got the harness... on the right side of your truck under the dash the wiring harness comes through the firewall. If your truck has the wires they will be four wires wrapped with blue tape that come off that main harness. If they aren't there then the installation become more interesting.

I hope some of this was of help. If you knew all of it...oh well.

Enjoy and brace yourself for the urge to modify!

 

[Dayton86]

Yes adding a trailer brake without the factory wires is not fun at all, but is doable. Took me a couple afternoons.

Hope you have the factory wires.

 

[nevada.tracy]

Wow, a dealer that didn't want your money.

The dealers are so lost about the ranger. They say it's too new. I had my dealer do the oem tow package. Took them over 10 hrs to put it in. Not to mention they forgot 2 of the 6 bolts and they hooked up an aftermarket 4pin to 7 pin adapter.

 

[Cabose-1]

I out an aftermarket receiver on. Drawtitght. 7500 pull and 900 tongue weight. Installed factory wiring and a factory 7 pin pkug on the bumper. There is a thread here with part numbers and lots of advise on how to do it. The drawtight receiver sits about an inch forward of the bumper. It does not protrude out like the factory one. No big deal. Weight carry depends on state. I plan on a small 21 foot 6000gvwr travel trailer so i will be getting after market trailer brakes too. A thread here on that as well. So long story short, you can instalk what you need for way less than dealer price. Inhave tow mode blind spot, trailer sway, just no locking diff or 4x4. Xlt model. Plan on upgraded shocks and exhaust and maybe a tuning mod.

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