Trailer Sway Control vs Tow Package

[WoodK]

I purchased a new 2019 Ranger last year and am loving it. However, I somewhat embarrassingly only recently noticed that the truck did not come with a trailer receiver hitch or wiring harness. The truck does have the Trailer Tow mode button next to the auto start/stop button and the sticker does list "Trailer Sway Control" under Exterior Equipment. Should it have come with the receiver hitch and wiring harness from the dealership? Is this something I can contact Ford to get added for free since it did not come with it?

This is my first new vehicle and first truck purchase so please excuse my ignorance. Thanks!

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[Tom_C]

I purchased a new 2019 Ranger last year and am loving it. However, I somewhat embarrassingly only recently noticed that the truck did not come with a trailer receiver hitch or wiring harness. The truck does have the Trailer Tow mode button next to the auto start/stop button and the sticker does list "Trailer Sway Control" under Exterior Equipment. Should it have come with the receiver hitch and wiring harness from the dealership? Is this something I can contact Ford to get added for free since it did not come with it?

This is my first new vehicle and first truck purchase so please excuse my ignorance. Thanks!

If it doesn't have the tow package then it won't have the receiver. You can add a receiver, but it won't have the different bumper... and I don't know if it would add the wiring with a simple harness add on, or if you need to manually wire the whole thing.

 

[Jason B]

IIRC, the trailer tow package is an optional feature. Not all trucks are equipped with it. What model is your truck - XL or XLT or above? What ever model you have, it will not have a Electric Brake control module. Those have to be added.

Have a read here for more insight:
Tow package issues | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[Trigganometry]

Do you have the window sticker or a picture of it still? That will tell us a lot about how it was ordered and what it came with!

 

[Big Blue]

I purchased a new 2019 Ranger last year and am loving it. However, I somewhat embarrassingly only recently noticed that the truck did not come with a trailer receiver hitch or wiring harness. The truck does have the Trailer Tow mode button next to the auto start/stop button and the sticker does list "Trailer Sway Control" under Exterior Equipment. Should it have come with the receiver hitch and wiring harness from the dealership? Is this something I can contact Ford to get added for free since it did not come with it?

This is my first new vehicle and first truck purchase so please excuse my ignorance. Thanks!

All Rangers come with the "Tow Mode" button and the built in "Sway Control". Only trucks with the optional "Tow Package" come with the receiver and wiring. I believe it was like a $500 options.

Tow mode adjusts the transmission shift point, so it holds gears longer and doesn't skip gears. It also adds engine braking when going down inclines. Some people use in town when not towing to help with lugging.

I'm not sure exactly how the sway control works. I believe when it senses sway it uses the ABS system to apply the correct wheel brakes to stop the sway and throws a warning on the dash. It only activates if it senses sway, so most of the time it will go un-noticed.

You did not mention, that I saw, what trim level your truck is. This can complicate the addition adding the trailer wiring. Some XLs without the factory tow package did not come with all the wiring needed to add the 7 pin connector. Otherwise it is cheaper and easier to install an aftermarket hitch and just buy and install the factory 7 pin plug and rear harness. Lots of threads on here about this.

 

[jsphlynch]

I purchased a new 2019 Ranger last year and am loving it. However, I somewhat embarrassingly only recently noticed that the truck did not come with a trailer receiver hitch or wiring harness. The truck does have the Trailer Tow mode button next to the auto start/stop button and the sticker does list "Trailer Sway Control" under Exterior Equipment. Should it have come with the receiver hitch and wiring harness from the dealership? Is this something I can contact Ford to get added for free since it did not come with it?

This is my first new vehicle and first truck purchase so please excuse my ignorance. Thanks!

Tow mode, trailer sway control, and a 4-pin flat connector (should be under the bumper, to the left of where you can insert a ball for bumper-towing) are all standard. The "Trailer Tow Package" would have added the hitch receiver and 7-pin connector. If the Trailer Town Package is listed on your sticker, then yes, Ford should be installing it for free. If not listed, you can have your dealer do the install for substantially more than free.

Mine did not come with trailer tow package. I added the draw-tite receiver myself (Much cheaper than the Ford receiver, and much easier to install). I've not done anything with wiring yet as I've only towed UHaul trailers, which use the 4-pin connector and surge brakes.

 

[rang19ca]

I installed the Ford tow hitch receiver and harness on mine after I bought it.

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