Ranger vs. F150

[Hawkeye]

My 2021 Ranger Tremor gets about 25-26 mpg on the highway when not towing. When towing my 3500 lb. camper, it drops down to 11.5-13.5 mpg; it does have plenty of power for it and tows it very nicely.

Can anyone compare the Ranger vs. the F150 regarding mpg when towing something similar? Has anyone towed with both for a direct comparison? How about with the 2.7L engine (that will be offered in the new Ranger) in some F150's?

Any thoughts on whether the offered 2.7L engine in the upcoming Ranger will get better gas mileage than the current 2.3L. when towing?

If they ever offer a Tremor, I'd be interested in the new model maybe with the 2.7L if an option but if they don't offer a new Tremor, I'm fine keeping the one I have currently.

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[ctechbob]

I'm going to copy and paste something I posted elsewhere:

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That's why, within reason, you take 3 brand new trucks. Lets say a Ranger, F150 with the 2.7 or 3.5, and F250 with the 7.3 gas, hook them up to equal loads, and tow with them. I'd be willing to bet a nice steak dinner that if they all traveled at the same speed, with their 10 speed transmissions, all of the MPG outcomes would be close to the same.

We've gotten to the point with the transmissions and tuning that we're able to operate the vehicles right at where they're most efficient and at that point, it is a physics/math problem where it takes X amount of energy to move Y load at Z speed and the outcomes are all close to the same.

I've been seeing that lately towing our travel trailer. People with bigger trucks are getting almost identical mileage towing similar trailers regardless of the engines (Gas only, diesel is a different math problem given higher compression and higher fuel density)
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In a nutshell, we're getting to the point where towing equal loads, fuel usage is going to be the same. (within the margin of error)

 

[uthunter]

The Ecoboost motors all seem to suffer similar mpg decline when towing. It doesn't seem to matter that much what you're towing. An F-150 that gets 20 mpg unladen will drop to 13 mpg with a SxS behind it and to 11 mpg with a full camper behind it, even though the camper weighs five times as much.

Once it has a trailer hooked up to it, the mpg seems to plummet.

 

[DaveT]

I have owned F150s with 2.7 and 3.5. Can't remember what mpg they towed with. But I can tell you that the 2.7 in a F150 gets better mpg than the 2.3 in a Ranger when neither are towing. Makes no sense, but it's true.

 

[Frenchy]

I will also agree that the Ranger tows well. Because of the camper I'm going to safely assume it is bigger in size compared to the Ranger? If so it is what it is. Best I can suggest if you like the Ranger is slow down and/or look at getting the bigger tank that Long Range Automotive is going to offer in the near future. With double the size it will help especially on trips without the camper

 

[ctechbob]

You know, I say that I'd like a bigger tank, but I don't know if it would actually help all that much. By the time we run through 15 gallons, one of us is ready for a break anyways, be that me, the wife or the dog.

Granted, sometimes gas stations aren't the best for getting trailers into but I don't think we'd stop any less with a bigger tank.

Also, didn't I see that tank being something like $2500? I'd rather spend that kind of money on an F150.

 

[Frenchy]

You know, I say that I'd like a bigger tank, but I don't know if it would actually help all that much. By the time we run through 15 gallons, one of us is ready for a break anyways, be that me, the wife or the dog.

Granted, sometimes gas stations aren't the best for getting trailers into but I don't think we'd stop any less with a bigger tank.

Also, didn't I see that tank being something like $2500? I'd rather spend that kind of money on an F150.

Yes the tank is at a high price, but also understand that most of that cost is due to the R&D going into development and the fact it is made by hand(by individuals that get paid good wages with good benefits vs the kids in China)and not a machine. Also very durable since it is designed with the intent of Off-road use.

As for the amount of fuel you use vs stoping, as you already mentioned not every place is trailer friendly. Also if you plan things out, it makes things a bit easier to get lower price fuel on your trip vs having to get fuel at a place where it cost an arm and a leg(and you would rather not make super short stops for lower price fuel).

And don't forget, you can still make stops with the bigger fuel capacity, it just doesn't have to include fuel.

 

[ctechbob]

Yes the tank is at a high price, but also understand that most of that cost is due to the R&D going into development and the fact it is made by hand(by individuals that get paid good wages with good benefits vs the kids in China)and not a machine. Also very durable since it is designed with the intent of Off-road use.

As for the amount of fuel you use vs stoping, as you already mentioned not every place is trailer friendly. Also if you plan things out, it makes things a bit easier to get lower price fuel on your trip vs having to get fuel at a place where it cost an arm and a leg(and you would rather not make super short stops for lower price fuel).

And don't forget, you can still make stops with the bigger fuel capacity, it just doesn't have to include fuel.

High price, and in my opinion should be for offroad use only.

I'm not putting my family on top of one of those on the highway. A good impact and those welded brackets are ripping right off there and dumping fuel everywhere.

Offroad rock crawler, sure, all day.

 

[Frenchy]

High price, and in my opinion should be for offroad use only.

I'm not putting my family on top of one of those on the highway. A good impact and those welded bracked are ripping right off there and dumping fuel everywhere.

Offroad rock crawler, sure, all day.

You lost me a bit there. More of the second part and last part

 

[ctechbob]

You lost me a bit there. More of the second part and last part

That tank might be fine for rock crawling, but a welded steel (or aluminum, not sure what they're using) replacing the factory tank and not using a bladder in my opinion isn't safe for highway use.

I'm not putting one of those under my truck and then putting my family in the truck and traveling on the highway. I do not feel it would be safe in an impact.

Nor does LRA make any claim that it is. Hence....should be 'for offroad use only'

 

[Frenchy]

That tank might be fine for rock crawling, but a welded steel (or aluminum, not sure what they're using) replacing the factory tank and not using a bladder in my opinion isn't safe for highway use.

I'm not putting one of those under my truck and then putting my family in the truck and traveling on the highway.

Understanding your concerns there, you may not be aware that Australia has much higher standards compared to the US. The tanks they are building over there have to meet the Australian DOT(not sure what its actually called but you get the idea) standards for it to be considered legal to run on the HWY. Because of that it is certainly ok to run on the HWY here in the States.

Some food for thought to consider.

 

[ctechbob]

Understanding your concerns there, you may not be aware that Australia has much higher standards compared to the US. The tanks they are building over there have to meet the Australian DOT(not sure what its actually called but you get the idea) standards for it to be considered legal to run on the HWY. Because of that it is certainly ok to run on the HWY here in the States.

Some food for thought to consider.

If they did, they would be proud of that and say it. They don't.

Nowhere on their site do they say 'built to XXX standard'

You know why? Cause they're not. No way those tanks are certified for highway use, not here, and not in Australia.

From https://longrangeautomotive.com.au/FAQ-s~2112

Not here:

Nor here:

 

[Frenchy]

If they did, they would be proud of that and say it. They don't.

Since you are still in doubts here is this. Just did the quick search for Long Ranger Automotive.

https://longrangeautomotive.com.au/Our-Commitment-to-Quality~2006

If you still aren't convinced them perhaps it's just not for you

 

[ctechbob]

Since you are still in doubts here is this. Just did the quick search for Long Ranger Automotive.

https://longrangeautomotive.com.au/Our-Commitment-to-Quality~2006

If you still aren't convinced them perhaps it's just not for you

Yea, that says f-all about being certified for highway use.

I don't care if people use them, have at it, but you're being dishonest if you think it is as safe in a crash as a factory fuel tank.

 

[notsolinear]

I'm going to copy and paste something I posted elsewhere:

-----------

That's why, within reason, you take 3 brand new trucks. Lets say a Ranger, F150 with the 2.7 or 3.5, and F250 with the 7.3 gas, hook them up to equal loads, and tow with them. I'd be willing to bet a nice steak dinner that if they all traveled at the same speed, with their 10 speed transmissions, all of the MPG outcomes would be close to the same.

We've gotten to the point with the transmissions and tuning that we're able to operate the vehicles right at where they're most efficient and at that point, it is a physics/math problem where it takes X amount of energy to move Y load at Z speed and the outcomes are all close to the same.

I've been seeing that lately towing our travel trailer. People with bigger trucks are getting almost identical mileage towing similar trailers regardless of the engines (Gas only, diesel is a different math problem given higher compression and higher fuel density)
-------------

In a nutshell, we're getting to the point where towing equal loads, fuel usage is going to be the same. (within the margin of error)

It wouldn’t shock me if this were true, at least for steady state highway speeds. The differences in drag coefficient of the different size trucks would probably be dwarfed by the aerodynamic drag added by the trailer. Where I’d still expect some differences are in stop and go city traffic where weight differences of the vehicles could still have a noticeable effect on economy.

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