Future Ranger owner

[Canoegrrl]

I am pretty sure a new 2021 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 is in my future. I have owned a Ford Bronco (1980s?). And I currently have a 2001 Explorer Sport Trac 200,000 miles, with lots of rust.
I want to tow a 5000lb RV trailer cross country and was looking for opinions to my plan.
Thanks in advance.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. Just review the specs and decide what is best for you.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Howdy. Welcome to the site.

 

[Curious Hound]

 

[Dirtman]

 

[Canoegrrl]

Welcome to the site. Just review the specs and decide what is best for you.

Thank you...Amazing, but that's what I did to arrive at the choice of the 2021 Ranger... over a Tacoma (rusting frames- personal experience), or a Colorado (rated lower), or a Ridgeline(Ford is rated better on their 4X4 and electronic connectivity). I was hoping someone had actual experience with towing a travel trailer with one. Thanks again in advance...

 

[dvdswan]

I understand what you are stating. Looking for others opinions on a topic like this is going to be biased honestly. Just like the salesman is going to praise his product and not the others.

I don't want to rain on your parade, I apologize if you think that. But the purchase of a new vehicle these days is big deal, sometimes the price of a home to others.

If you have come across the Ranger as being your best choice, decide then on your options you want, don't take what they have on the lot and settle. You won't be happy in the long run. You are the one buying it not them.

Next find out which dealer (if you are in or near a large city) that is high volume, (sells a lot of vehicles each month) you will get the best deal. i.e. high price dealer sells 100-200 vehicles a month, high volume will sell 750-1000 a month. Yes I worked for a dealer years ago.

 

[MikeG]

Towing capacity is 7,500 I think, 5k is a pretty fair chunk of that. So...... yes you can do it, but it is going to tax the truck a bit.

I've towed at the limit in my 97, not something you want to do all day, every day. Occasional, short trip.... driving cautiously.... wasn't a problem.

Hope the trailer has brakes and you have some towing experience with something that heavy.

 

[Blmpkn]

You'd need the towing package for 5k pounds, the non tow package trucks are only rated for 3500.

Another thing to consider, while the ranger gets decent fuel economy by itself for a vehicle its size... is when you have a big load on like that.. thanks to the turbo.. its likely going to suck down fuel.

I've read reviews from people who have towed 5k pounds, and they say the truck hardly notices its there thanks to the sway control and ten speed transmission... but none of them said what they got for avg. Mpg.

If you stuck to 50-55 towing it might not be such a fuel hog.. but any faster with that kinda weight on and i wouldn't be surprised if the economy was closer to single digits. The ranger is more of a weekend warrior type tow rig, not an all the time thing.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Make sure the 5k isn't the empty camper's weight, it will weigh more with gear and water etc in it, Passengers add up too.

Ecoboost is either eco or boost, if you need 270hp you are going to feed 270hp. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Pulling a 5k trailer in Colorado with some numbers/math:

 

[MikeG]

I picked this up off a dealer web site, note that it is for 2019, could be different for 2020 or 2021, check to be sure. So.... yeah towing package for sure!!!!! Hope I didn't cause any confusion.

Going up mountains, or even a strong headwind, you may well be in the boost 100% of the time. Will leave it to the mechanics that work on them, as to whether the engine transmission are really up for that sort of duty cycle.

 

[Blmpkn]

I picked this up off a dealer web site, note that it is for 2019, could be different for 2020 or 2021, check to be sure. So.... yeah towing package for sure!!!!! Hope I didn't cause any confusion.

Going up mountains, or even a strong headwind, you may well be in the boost 100% of the time. Will leave it to the mechanics that work on them, as to whether the engine transmission are really up for that sort of duty cycle.
View attachment 56483

I'm 99% sure theyre the same regarding year.

And yeah, turbo motors "love" load. More load, more boost.. more boost, more fuel, naturally.

I've known this.. as this isnt my first rodeo with a turbo vehicle, but on my first trip with the new truck on the turnpike the other day I got to see just how big of a difference load/speed had on efficiency specifically with the new rangers.

70mph flat road, 10th gear, rpms about 1800 net me about 20mpg.

If I stepped the rpm up to just a hair over 2k and the speed to 76 on the same flat stretch of road.. efficiency dropped to 12 mpg lol.

Having a boost guage would be nice, id be interested to see where this tiny turbo generally starts making boost and when its making peak during regular driving.

That 300 rpm difference the other day clearly made a BIG difference in boost pressure lol.

 

[Blmpkn]

a new member here tows, or has towed a 5k lb trailer. I asked what speed and mph figures he saw and he said 60mph and 10mpg.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Having a boost guage would be nice, id be interested to see where this tiny turbo generally starts making boost and when its making peak during regular driving.

My old Eclipse had one. It was fun to just set the cruise and guess how much boost an upcoming hill would need.

 

[Blmpkn]

My old Eclipse had one. It was fun to just set the cruise and guess how much boost an upcoming hill would need.

& then watch the gas needle move my old turbo outback was such a bitchin car... but damn.. pass everything but a gas station. Especially the way I drove it haha.