Tow Hitch vs Tow Package… how to know?

[myothercarizahearse]

Ask and you shall receive...
@Strobes Well now that we know about the hitch, did it come with a TGD?

aaahhhh feels normal now. just say no to dampers

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[Big Blue]

The bumper is the same, the trim is different.

While technically true, the bumper is the same. The entire bumper sub-frame that mounts to the truck frame is different. The only trim pieces that are differt are two small pieces by the receiver. Aftermarket hitches are separate units that bolt to the frame on top of (below) the existing sub-frame. They will also have their own manufactures rating sticker not a Ford sticker like the OEM hitch. Probably the quickest way to verify what hitch you have.

 

[Chris M]

TGD?

Funny… before I came here last month I was doing my own searches for Ranger accessories and saw the damper. I put it in my shopping cart and it sat there for a few days…

During this time I reflected on my future, my son’s futures and well, after literally one minute I decided that my dad raised a man, and it is my duty to do the same.

I’m in the no damper crew. Haha

Vive la Resistance!

 

[VAMike]

While technically true, the bumper is the same. The entire bumper sub-frame that mounts to the truck frame is different. The only trim pieces that are differt are two small pieces by the receiver. Aftermarket hitches are separate units that bolt to the frame on top of (below) the existing sub-frame. They will also have their own manufactures rating sticker not a Ford sticker like the OEM hitch. Probably the quickest way to verify what hitch you have.

I'm aware of the difference. If you add the oem hitch you remove the bumper and trim, install the hitch, then reinstall the bumper and new trim bits. But again, the original post sounded as though the poster thought that the tow package involved transmission coolers or some such that change the capacity of the truck--which isn't the case. If you're towing more than 5k pounds with a 3rd party hitch you should check the rating carefully as some were 6k rather than 7.5k pounds as I recall. Properly installed, there should be a door sticker. If you're towing a trailer with electric brakes you'll need to figure out a tbc solution regardless of whether there's an oem or aftermarket hitch, and also add a 7 pin if aftermarket. But the focus should be on identifying the requirements and making sure they're met, not on figuring out whether the hitch is oem (which really, really didn't matter on the ranger).

 

[Grumpaw]

First...owner with a damper...
Second...owner using natural muscle...

 

[jsphlynch]

TGD?

Funny… before I came here last month I was doing my own searches for Ranger accessories and saw the damper. I put it in my shopping cart and it sat there for a few days…

During this time I reflected on my future, my son’s futures and well, after literally one minute I decided that my dad raised a man, and it is my duty to do the same.

I’m in the no damper crew. Haha

You're my kind of people.

Careful though, the pro-damper fools have recently infiltrated the moderator team, so tread softly!

 

[VAMike]

You don't want to anger team damper!

 

[Iowa Guy]

And it doesn't matter, because the tow package is nothing but the hitch and 7 pin connector. Tow limits don't change with tow package.

They absolutely do change with the tow package

 

[Grumpaw]

They absolutely do change with the tow package

It only changes because of the added hitch platform.
Towing without the tow package limits you to using a "bumper ball".
Class 3 hitch platform raises it to 750/7500 lb tow rating.
But truck itself is the same, no matter if equipped with tow package or not ,
Put a proper hitch on and tow rating jumps to the same 750/7500 lb rating.

 

[VAMike]

They absolutely do change with the tow package

In what way?

 

[Jason B]

now that's sorted can we start roasting and/or pushing after market accessories? 14 nice posts isn't normal around here

You mean like CAI, catch cans. and TGD?

 

[Iowa Guy]

It only changes because of the added hitch platform.
Towing without the tow package limits you to using a "bumper ball".
Class 3 hitch platform raises it to 750/7500 lb tow rating.
But truck itself is the same, no matter if equipped with tow package or not ,
Put a proper hitch on and tow rating jumps to the same 750/7500 lb rating.

Nope..
Base ranger has a class 3 receiver, rated at 350lb / 3,500lbs
The "Tow Package" adds a Class 4 receiver with a 750lb / 7,500lb tow capacity
See chart (attached) from Ford

 

[Grumpaw]

Nope..
Base ranger has a class 3 receiver, rated at 750lb / 3,500lbs
The "Tow Package" adds a Class 4 receiver with a 1000lb / 7,500lb tow capacity

Base Ranger without tow package has no receiver hitch and is only rated to tow, I believe 3500 lbs using a bumper ball hitch ball.
Page 223, 2021 Ranger owners manual.....with light duty trailer hitch, meaning the bumper added ball, limit is 3500 lbs. Addition of hitch platform raises it to 7500 lbs.
The tow package adds the platform hitch, 7/4 pin outlets with wireing, and the wires under the dash for a brake control.
Arguments about whether hitch platform is a class 3 or 4 are numerous....I realize the "tow" package indicates it is a class 4 hitch, but if you look at the factory applied sticker, on the hitch itself, it is rated for 750 tongue weight and 7500 lbs tow weight, which is a class 3.
A class 4 hitch is usually rated for 1000 lbs tongue weight and 12,000 tow weight, which is way too much for the factory supplied hitch platform.

 

[Iowa Guy]

Base Ranger without tow package has no receiver hitch and is only rated to tow, I believe 3500 lbs using a bumper ball hitch ball.
The tow package adds the platform hitch, 7/4 pin outlets with wireing, and the wires under the dash for a brake control.
Arguments about whether hitch platform is a class 3 or 4 are numerous....I realize the "tow" package indicates it is a class 4 hitch, but if you look at the factory applied sticker, on the hitch itself, it is rated for 750 tongue weight and 7500 lbs tow weight, which is a class 3.
A class 4 hitch is usually rated for 1000 lbs tongue weight and 12,000 tow weight, which is way too much for the factory supplied hitch platform.

be that as it may, without the "Tow Haul" option, the truck is only rated for 350 lbs tongue weight & 3500 lbs towing. (see the Ford Tow rating document i attached in previous comment)

 

[Grumpaw]

be that as it may, without the "Tow Haul" option, the truck is only rated for 350 lbs tongue weight & 3500 lbs towing. (see the Ford Tow rating document i attached in previous comment)

Tow/haul is not an option...it is standard on all Rangers. It also has nothing to do with the tow ratings...it just reprograms the trans when towing. With tow package, it will tow the 750/7500 with or without the tow/haul engaged.
Tow/haul is also used when hauling a heavy load in the bed.

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