Ford Ranger Towing Capacity By Year
The Ford Ranger was reborn in 2019 with updated looks and, eventually, multiple engine options. This was crucial for Ford, as competitors offer several powerplants, and some deliver excellent performance.
As vehicle performance improves year after year, many want to know whether the Ford Ranger can duke it out with the competition, especially in towing. That’s why the question, “how much can my Ford Ranger tow?” is so common.
This article explains the Ford Ranger towing capacity by year and the key details you need to keep in mind if you tow frequently with your Ranger.
How Much Can My Ford Ranger Tow?
The Ford Ranger has been around for decades, though it paused production in the US from 2011 to 2019. During that time, the Ranger earned a reputation as a hardworking truck.
However, as we’ll see later, the configurations are always crucial. The following sections explain how much each generation of Ford Ranger can tow, and why they differ, even in models within the same production year.
What’s The Ford Ranger Towing Capacity By Year?
The fifth-generation Ford Ranger has one distinction: it offers more than one engine option, starting with the 2024 model year. When the Ranger returned to the US market in 2019, it had only one engine, the 2.3L EcoBoost, so these added options were a welcome sight.
Additionally, the Ford Ranger Tow Package provides considerably better towing performance. That’s why, with so many options, it’s confusing to know how much a Ford Ranger can tow. The following tables explain the Ford Ranger towing capacity by year. In older models, note that only the maximum is shown.
Fifth Generation Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
| Fifth Generation | |||||
| Towing Capacity (lbs) | Without Towing Package | With Towing Package | |||
| Year | Engine | All models | 4×2 | 4×4 | 4×4 (Auto) |
| 2024 to present | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3,500 | 7,500 | ||
| 7,500 | |||||
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 3,500 | 7,500 | |||
| 3.0L EcoBoost V6 | 5,510 | ||||
The most obvious aspect of the fifth-generation Ford Ranger’s towing performance is that the Ranger Raptor offers the lowest towing performance of all options, even though it has the most powerful engine. The Ranger Raptor comes with a heavier engine and permanent 4WD, two traits which take away from its towing capacity.
Fourth Generation Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
| Fourth Generation | |||||
| Without Towing Package | Towing Package | ||||
| 2019 to 2023 | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3,500 | 7,500 | 7,500 | N/A |
While it’s not the most powerful in the midsize category, the fourth-generation Ford Ranger has respectable towing capacity, as long as you order the towing package.
Third Generation Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
| Third generation | |||||
| Automatic | Manual | ||||
| Engine | 4×2 | 4×4 | 4×2 | 4×4 | |
| 2001 to 2012 | 2.3L Duratec I4 | 2,240 | 1,500 | ||
| 4.0L Cologne V6 | 5,960 | 5,560 | 3,340 | 3,100 | |
| Without Tow Package | 3,500 | 3,500 | |||
| 1998 to 2008 | 3.0L Vulcan V6 | 2,640 | 2,580 | ||
| 1998 to 2001 | 2.5L Pinto I4 | 2,240 | 1,600 | ||
| 4.0L Cologne V6 | 5,860 | 5,600 | 5,900 | 5,650 | |
The third-generation Ford Ranger came with different engines throughout its long history. Most offered decent towing capacities, but automatics and manuals differ significantly, with the automatic winning by a large margin.
Second Generation Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
In the second-generation Ford Ranger, these are the highest towing capacities available. Ford didn’t offer a set “tow package,” but recommended adding a stronger trailer hitch and other features to make towing safer.
| Second Generation | |||||
| Automatic | Manual | ||||
| Engine | 4×2 | 4×4 | 4×2 | 4×4 | |
| 1993 to 1997 | 2.3L Pinto I4 | 2,300 | 1,600 | 1,300 | |
| 3.0L Vulcan V6 | 4,000 | 4,400 | 2,800 | 2,400 | |
| 4.0L Cologne V6 | 6,000 | 5,800 | 3,700 | 3,400 | |
First Generation Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
The first-gen Ford Ranger has the highest towing capacities available. While there was no set “tow package,” Ford recommended adding a stronger trailer hitch and other features to make towing safer.
The first-gen Ford Ranger also received several engine updates, which increased its power over time. Therefore, the following table shows only the maximum towing performance from each engine.
| First generation | |||||
| Automatic | Manual | ||||
| Engine | 4×2 | 4×4 | 4×2 | 4×4 | |
| 1983 to 1992 | 2.3L Pinto I4 | 2,700 | 1,500 | 1,300 | |
| 2.9L Cologne V6 | 4,300 | 2,400 | 2,100 | ||
| 3.0L Vulcan V6 | 4,200 | 2,700 | 2,400 | ||
| 4.0L Cologne V6 | 6,100 | 5,800 | 3,600 | 3,300 | |
A common factor across all generations of the Ford Ranger is the considerable difference in towing capacity between the automatic and manual versions. When you drive a manual transmission under load, you’re at higher risk of clutch slipping and premature wear. That’s why Ford recommends a lower towing capacity for manual transmissions.
What Trailers Can A Ford Ranger Tow?
With such a high towing capacity, the Ranger can pull plenty of trailers. Because weights vary so much, we’ve created a table with a few examples. It’s not only about trailer size; it’s also about style.
The following table shows some of the trailers the Ford Ranger can carry. It only includes averages you might find. So, the best way to ensure safe towing is to check the trailer and manufacturer’s guidelines for specific numbers.
| Trailer Type | Average empty weight (lbs) | Average load capacity (lbs) | Estimated total load (lbs) |
| Kayak trailer | 250 | 200 | 450 |
| Small enclosed utility trailer | 1,000 | 2,200 | 3,200 |
| Fishing boat trailer | 600 | 2,700 | 3,500 |
| Small travel trailer | 2,800 | 800 | 3,600 |
| Tow dolly | 600 | 3,400 | 4,000 |
| Large Enclosed utility trailer | 2,700 | 4,400 | 7,100 |
As you can see, there’s plenty of variety. And this table doesn’t include all available options. Still, the Ranger’s towing performance is admirable.
But you can’t base yourself only on a trailer’s weight. Let’s find out why length is critical to what size trailer a Ford Ranger can pull.
How Does Trailer Length Affect Handling?
To understand how trailer length affects handling, let’s start with what a wheelbase is.
In any vehicle, the distance between the front and rear wheels is called the wheelbase. The longer this measurement, the more stable it is for towing.
Because the wheels are farther apart, the trailer is less likely to push down on the back of the vehicle and lift the front. Manufacturers don’t recommend specific ratios; the towing community has created a guide: a 110-inch wheelbase supports a 20-foot trailer.
For each additional four inches of wheelbase, you can assume one more foot of trailer length. Then, there’s the topic of axles.
The more axles a trailer has, the more stable it should be. But the ideal design for stability keeps the trailer axles some distance apart. That’s why the size is important, and many people want to know what size trailer can a Ford Ranger pull.
Still, you can’t base yourself only on length or weight. It’s best to consider both values.
So, let’s talk about the Ford Ranger. It has a 127-inch wheelbase, which adds 16 additional inches. In total, that could add four more feet, for a maximum trailer length of 24 feet.
Even with this length, you must always load your trailer correctly to avoid swaying. To counter this, the Ford Ranger comes with Trailer Sway Control. This feature warns the driver of instability or sway and advises slowing down to prevent accidents.
But plenty of mid-sized pickups are on the market. So let’s see how the Ranger stacks up against the competition.
What Do GCWR and Tongue Weight Mean and How Do They Affect Towing?
When you’re towing, you’ll often hear the term GCWR. These initials might be confusing at first, but the term is actually pretty simple to understand.
GCWR stands for Gross Combined Weight Rating. It represents the maximum weight you can have when you combine your vehicle (in this case, the Ford Ranger) and the attached trailer. The GCWR includes passengers, cargo, and fuel in both the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Never exceed the listed GCWR; that’s where your trailer’s maximum weight comes into play. If the trailer’s maximum weight, added to your Ford Ranger’s gross vehicle weight, exceeds the GCWR, you cannot load your trailer to its full capacity.
Another critical factor is tongue weight (TW), the downward force at the hitch ball or coupling. You should not exceed 15%, but you must not go below 10% of the gross trailer weight, or the wheels could lose traction.
Tongue Weight is usually more important with heavier loads in vehicles like the F-150 or F-250. This is because the Ford Ranger’s towing capacity isn’t as high as that of vehicles that require you to focus on tongue weight. However, it’s still always important to know.
Is The Ford Ranger Better At Towing Than The Competition?
When we set out to answer what size trailer a Ford Ranger can pull, we came upon a discovery.
Ford claims the Ranger has class-leading towing capacity. Thanks to its Trailer Tow Package, this pickup can tow 7,500 pounds. So, it’s time to pit it against the competitors.
When looking at how much a Ford Ranger can pull, we wanted to compare it with the competition. We’ll use the competition’s top performer. Some manufacturers offer their own packages. If you want to know more about these upgrades, check out our article on the topic.
| Make | Model | Towing Capacity in pounds |
| GMC | Canyon | 7,700 |
| Jeep | Gladiator | 7,650 |
| Ford | Ranger | 7,500 |
| Chevrolet | Colorado | 7,000 |
| Nissan | Frontier | 6,720 |
| Toyota | Tacoma | 6,400 |
| Honda | Ridgeline | 5,000 |
We can see some interesting numbers in this table. The Toyota Tacoma, known for its reliability and offroading capabilities, falls 1,100 pounds behind the Ranger. The Colorado, one of its direct competitors, tows 500 pounds less.
But, we can see that, standing on top of the rankings, it’s not the Ranger. It’s not up to us to question Ford’s claim. The fact of the matter is that the Ford Ranger doesn’t have a class-leading towing capacity. And here’s where we can highlight the Ranger’s possible Achilles heel, and why it affects what size trailer can a Ford Ranger pull.
Towing With A Ford Ranger
Many want to know what size trailer can a Ford Ranger pull to know which is the largest possible. This article answers this. It also sheds light on specific details about the Ranger’s performance and other critical aspects for safe trailering.
With an impressive 7,500 pounds of towing capacity and a 127-inch wheelbase, the Ranger can safely tow trailers up to 24 feet in length. Anything from small kayak trailers to tow dollies and large enclosed trailers, the Ranger can tow plenty.
While you could pull larger ones, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for both your truck and your trailer.
Ford’s Trailer Tow Package shines through as an essential tool for improving the towing performance. Without it, a standard Ranger can only tow 3,500 pounds, well below the competition.
What’s interesting is that the Ford Ranger has the same towing capacity across all trim levels and configurations. Even the Tremor package, aimed towards offroading enthusiasts, has exemplary towing performance. Many of the competitors are unable to offer such performance.
What the Ranger has in towing capacity, it lacks in engine options. Compared to vehicles like the Canyon and Gladiator, Ford’s mid-size truck cannot keep up with diesel options.
So, the latest Ford Ranger is an excellent option for those looking for a well-rounded, capable mid-size truck that can tow large trailers. Potential buyers who want to squeeze every towing pound out of their vehicle might not consider it the best choice. Hopefully, to tend to this market, Ford invests in a broader array of engines.
Closing Thoughts To “What Size Trailer Can A Ford Ranger Pull?”
When answering what size trailer can a Ford Ranger pull, you have to remember that weight isn’t the only factor. Your trailer’s dimensions also play a major factor.
As we’ve seen in this article, the Ranger can pull 7,500 lbs, which is plenty. What size trailer can a Ford Ranger pull with that weight? There are plenty of options, most of them fulfill the needs of most users, so it makes the Ford Ranger one of the most versatile pickups out there.