F150 and Ranger Towing Ability Compared

[hayesdt]

I'm currently towing a travel trailer (dry 4500#, probably 5800# loaded) with a 2014 F-150 Supercab with Range E tires -- the load range E tires make it tow and handle like a 3/4 ton truck.

In another year or two I may have to give up this F-150 because of rust issues (lots of winter salt in the northeast). I'm thinkilng outloud about seeing if a Ford Ranger with 7500# towing capacity and Range E tires can do the job towing and handling my current travel trailer. I'm not so much concerned about its towing capacity pulling the trailer -- I don't think that's a problem -- I'm more concerned about how the Ranger's handling will be and whether my travel trailer and larger semi-trucks will push the Ranger around.

I should explain that when I bought my 2014 Ford new it came with P-rated tires which were a nightmare when towing a trailer -- squishy and white-knuckle every time a truck passed me. That's why I swapped out the P-rated tires and went with Range E -- totally eliminated the handling issues.

And that's why I'm interested in knowing if a Ford Ranger with 7500# towing capacity and Range E tires can handle my travel trailer without handling issues.





















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[Truckguy24]

Either will tow it in terms of weight. Tow capacities are fairy tale numbers. What you really need to care about is payload and stability.

My F-150 does not have the tow package but it does have the revised hitch package which is over 9,000 lb. I would never tow 9,000 lb with a half ton truck. Go out and buy 3/4 or 1 ton. However, my truck has 1,977 lbs payload which is some of the highest of any crewcab half tons these days. More than capable of towing quite a few different trailers within reason l.

If you look at Ranger and it has 1,000 to 1,400 or so pounds of payload, you need to calculate your the weight of your hitch and your trailer, all your gear, and your people in the cab.

If you're coming too close to the payload of the truck, time to step up to the next size. There is also the location and type of terrain you are towing. Towing up mountain passes? It is smart to jump to the next size truck. Towing flat ground? Then you may be okay as long as your other numbers are in check.

Stability, braking are vastly overlooked until the white knuckle experience materializes and they have to upgrade their truck once they realize they don't have enough to be safe, confident, and comfortable.

Payload numbers trump towing capacity and you run out of payload before most other metrics despite the lack of poor information and knowledge out there.

A nearly 6,000 lb camper to me is half ton territory all day long and I wouldn't want a ranger for that. A Ranger is lighter, narrower (visibility issues with no real good towing mirror options), and too close to max capacities.

 

[exploringcarolina]

I tow a 4900lb travel trailer ready to camp with my STX 2024 F-150 5.0L.

Installed Timbren suspension enhancement system on the F-150 rear differential to get rid of rear end sag when towing this trailer with 490lb tongue weight. The trailer is 7' wide and I can see around the trailer easily with the stock F-150 mirrors, not sure how wide Ranger mirrors are. Overall I like towing this trailer with the F-150. I towed the same trailer with a Nissan Frontier with 310HP V-6 rated for a trailer up to 6600 or 6800 pounds, don't remember exactly. The Frontier did not tow this trailer nearly as well up or down mountain grades like the F-150.

New Rangers with the 2.7L would probably do OK towing the same trailer up mountain grades, but then you get into payload considerations with the camper attached and camping gear loaded. My F-150 has 1924 pound payload and don't believe the Ranger's payload is that high.

 

[Buyer2021]

@hayesdt What's the wheelbase of your 2014 F150 vs the Ranger?

Trailer length ball to bumper?

 

[2515050]

Too bad Ford doesn't offer these here, I bet they'd sell dozens! 9,920lb GVW so I'm guessing 4-5k lbs of payload?

https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/trucks-and-vans/ranger/super-duty/

 

[EricR]

Here is another way to look at it:

Do you want to tow 5800# with a 4500# truck?​

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Personally, I want to be sure my truck is always the dog, and not the tail.

 

[SWONT2.7]

Sounds like you need an aluminum body F150 for your towing needs and to stand up to the rust/corrosion.

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