A friend wants to sell his 2009 Sport, and if I buy it I want to use it to tow a small camper. The 6000 lb. towing capability for the 4.0 with an automatic transmission is well within my needs. He bought the truck new and thinks it came with a towing package, which, as I understand it would include a larger radiator, seven pin electrical hookup, and extra transmission cooling. I haven't been able to find any reference to a towing package, though. I did find a note that the class III hitch was standard on all models, and I'm afraid that's why he thinks it has a towing package. Since he is in a hospital and the truck is more than 100 miles away, I can't just go look, not that I'd know how to tell except for the electrical outlet. Does anyone know?

 

Pretty sure it won't have a 7 pin connector... it'll just have a 4 wire flat one.

 

this, no ranger that i am aware of was ever optioned with a 7 pin connector. the radiator will be the standard ranger one as well. it'll probably have the transmission cooler. as most rangers do. mine does and didn't come with a hitch. as for the towing package. not really sure there was ever such a thing because 08+ hitches were standard.

 

The towing package on my 2011 was a receiver, 3.55 rearend, and a 4 pin plug. Mine is a standard shift though.

 

Thanks, everyone. It is as I feared, apparently. I can't remember what it cost to add a 7-pin to my 2007, but it wasn't horrible. I may still go for it.

James, I'd much prefer a standard, but I'm told the clutches are much too week these days and they reduce the towing weight. I've hardly driven anything with an auto transmission, but what little I have, I've learned I don't like the extra long brake pedals that overlap into the clutch's space. Neither do my passengers!

 

if your smart about it. you can tow just as much with a manual as you can automatic. its just stated that way because idiots don't know how to drive. me and my buddy went and picked up a load of hay on his trailer. bout 175 square bales and we had to go up ovcer one of the mountains here in pa. for 30 miles about. it was a slow ride, but if we did it in my truck with an auto, i'd be replacing a transmission right now. only reason im saying this is because with a manual if you know how to drive it, youd be fine. i much prefer my auto though, as i dont pull stupid huge loads. if it needs a 7 pin connector ill take my 350

 

you could order a towing package in 08. Came with a class 3 hitch and the already mentioned 4pin connector. This option also gave you the 1 Tbars and the extra leafs/stronger leafs in the rear.

 

Thanks, Morris. I THINK I know how, but there's always something to be learned. I've been driving cars, trucks, busses, tractors, and motorcycles for over a half century now, and I've never had clutch problems on a vehicle we bought new, but I've bought three used Rangers, and two of them have needed new clutches. Other than that, I replaced a clutch in one of my tractors when I had it apart to fix a transmision oil leak, but I thinik the old clutch could have run as long as I will.

 

Thanks again, gentlemen. You've been a big help.

 

maybe in canada. im pretty positive that a class 3 hitch is standard on all rangers 08+ and the 4 pin connector is standard across the line before that. because mine came with one, and no hitch. but its an 07. so if there was a towing package. its for the bars and beefier leafs.

 

The towing package on my 2011 was the reciever, 4-pin plug and the standard 3.73 gears and its an auto

 

You can get a 4 pin flat adapter to 7 pin RV adapter (or larger trailer), but remember that the additional wires are generally used for brake controllers and whatnot, in other words, say goodbye to your vehicle brakes faster. Now, my neighbor has a Ranger with a modified trailer wiring system, which has the flat 4 pin plug, and a custom installed 7 pin plug, for pulling his twin-axle 16' trailer with integrated brakes, which he has wired up a brake controller to. Kind of random, but this is what I know...
Usually Ford Rangers (and other small unmentionable pickup trucks) do not come with 7 pin plugs, as they usually are not designed for pulling trailers that would have integrated brakes onboard, but whatever

 

I was shocked when My little 2011 4cyl 5 speed had a class 3 hitch w/ connector but i suppose if its standard equipment...My 97 4.0L 5 speed had nothing on the other hand. No hitch no connector. I had to install both.