I'm currently in a 2014 F150 but will be upgrading to a new truck in another year or so and the Ranger is a possibility. I currently pull a utility trailer with no more than 3000 lbs total and a small travel trailer weighing no more than 4500, usually closer to 4000. I'd think the Ranger would pull either of those with no issues, but what are others finding. Especially concerned about high altitudes in the Rockies.

We also have a 2020 Explorer with the same engine and transmission and my brother has a 4X4 Crew Cab Ranger equipped exactly as I'd buy so I'm pretty familiar with the drivetrain and how it performs. But my brother doesn't tow so I have no 1st hand info.

My bigger concern is the limited range while towing. I currently get about 10 mpg towing the TT and doubt the Ranger would beat that by much while towing. But I have a 36 gallon tank. With the Rangers 19 gal tank I'd be stopping for fuel every 150 miles. Unless I'm wrong and the Ranger is capable of closer to15 mpg while towing this would be a deal killer. Looking for 1st hand experience.

 

Hello Marshal. I had a 2019 Ranger crewcab and I pick up my new 2021 Ranger Tremor 2 weeks ago. You can see my Tremor review in a post right on this same page here in a separate post. In my personal opinion, 6,000 lbs is too much to tow on a regular basis or for a long trip. Despite being rated at 7500 lbs, 6,000 lbs to me just felt like a load.

You can also see this video which may help with a view things. Feel free to reply here or message me for further chats or information.

 

Thanks, I watched both video's. This confirmed my worries. I pull a similar utility trailer with 2 Honda ATV's on it, about the same weight as your one side by side, and get 12-13 mpg with my F150. My travel travel trailer reduces fuel mileage down to closer to 10mpg. I have a similar size 22' Forest River NoBo. 3500 lbs dry and 4800 GVWR. Without a trailer I'm 15-18 mpg depending on the terrain and driving conditions. Sounds like the Ranger might be perfect without a trailer, but I'm worried that it just won't work for me as a tow vehicle.

I have about a year to decide, but I'm leaning toward going back to a F150 next time. But I plan to look pretty hard at the new Ranger before deciding. There is a lot to like, but I wish they'd offer a 22-25 gallon fuel tank.

 

Yep. I agree about the tank. Ford documentation still puts the tanks at 18 gallons. Way undersized compared to other midsize trucks. And just undersized for anyone who wants to tow. When you have to plan on 10 mpg towing a load, any bigger size tank would be helpful. It's still the Ranger's biggest downfall. Now, is the possible 10 mpg out of Ranger towing any worse than your F150 getting 10mpg? Not really I suppose, but with the full size trucks you get a much larger tank and a wider stance with better vision.

The midsize towing drawbacks are just something I'm deciding to live with b/c I love the midsize truck so much for many reasons. And I'm not towing every weekend. I may tow a camper or tailer 4-6 times a year. Not enough to persuade me that a full size truck is necessary. And I have a family of 3 so, midsize is just perfect.

 

I drove full size trucks all my life until 2007 when my youngest graduated high school and I no longer needed the room. I bought a 2007 4X4 Tacoma crew cab and used it as my primary vehicle for 9 years. But by then I had several grandkids and just needed more room. The Tacoma was too good to trade and I kept it as a 3rd vehicle and bought the 2014 F150 used in 2016. In 2007 I have no doubts the Tacoma was the right call, but I don't care for the 3rd gen Tacoma. If buying a mid-size right now I'd go with the Ranger 10 times out of 10 over the new Tacoma.

There is only about 1 mpg difference in fuel mileage between the Tacoma and my V8 F150. But I can't complain about 14 years and 215,000 miles with virtually no repairs other than routine maintenance. I'm pulling my TT from GA to NM, AZ, UT, and CO then back to GA in a few weeks and plan for several similar trips over the next few years. Taking the 2 oldest grandkids with us. I'm using the F150 on this trip but will probably replace it with a new, or newer truck within the next year or 2.

 

I bought mine for the specific fact that I wanted to tow the race car without having to deal with a full size truck on a daily basis. I have 24k on it now and have used it mostly for towing. Race car is 2900lbs and trailer is 1300lbs. Its occasionally had heavier cars from friends on the trailer. It's been rock solid for towing. I mean rock solid. 14-15 mpg at 80mph and 17-19 mpg at 70 and under. Now that said the truck has always shifted like a 16 yr old learning to drive a manual. I mean since day one. I've had it in to ford multiple times complaining of the shifting. I've loaned it to friends who came back saying I don't know how you drive that. Because the thing bucks and kicks so much I didn't notice a bit more violent bucking it started doing recently till my wife drove it and came back saying she wouldn't drive it anymore take it in to ford. 25-40 mph trying to hold a constant speed it just starts bucking. Like bad enough to spill your drink. Ford has had it for coming up on a month and has replaced the Torque converter, front pump and the Valve Body in the transmission with no change in how it drives. And just last week I noted (and called to ask where my truck was) that the truck is no longer at the ford dealer and they have now taken it to a AAmco where it's sat since (which boggles my mind since it's under warranty). Sooooo maybe towing a lot with these isn't such a great Idea. We will see when I get my truck back.... eventually. I'd venture to guess that 75-80% of my mileage is with a trailer behind it.

 

Hello.. One month ago my 2019 Tacoma died at Walmart in Page, AZ. We had towed our 21' ski boat up the hill from Phoenix. Boat and trailer weigh about 4500 lbs. I fixed my Tacoma problem by purchasing a 2021 Ranger XLT FX4 from Lake Powell Ford.... The Ranger was Amazing. Launched and retrieved the boat down the VERY long ramp at the lake. Towed home the following week to Phoenix. We never felt the trailer. The 2.3l turbo with ten speed tranny will tow up to 7500 lbs. Don't recommend that much. But we are extremely pleased with the Ranger's capability.

 

That 18 gallon tank seems to be utter BS from Ford. I haveput more than 19 in the tank, when I was down to pretty near empty, at 50 miles remaining or so. The tank is probably a good 20 gallons or more.

I do not believe the "miles remaining" so much, lower than 50 makes me nervous for sure. But since I can get about 450 miles on a tank, I am pretty sure 18 gallons is a false number. I have no explanation for it, just that it's either the 18 that is nonsense, or all the gas pumps are wrong.... I'm going with the 18 gallons being wrong.

 

Ford Ranger in 2022 with have diesel options 6 cylinder and 4 cylinder turbo and bi-turbo, for those wanting a great towing vehicle the 2022 Ranger will be the beast of the mid sized truck!