Ford Ranger Towing Capacity, Then and Now

In 2011, Ford halted production of its original Ranger pickup, the sad result of a diminishing economy. But as the nation's financial stability recovered and with other manufacturers introducing new midsize trucks, the Ford Ranger returned in 2019.

It's now 2022. Technology has made steady advances, and truck makers continue to develop incredible features year after year. Since its resurrection, the Ford Ranger has undergone many changes, including new powerplant options, trim packages, and enhanced capabilities.

The towing capacities of these trucks have also changed significantly. This report highlights those changes.

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Ford Ranger's Towing Capability Through the Years (1983-2011)

Although our spotlight is on the newest Ford Ranger's towing capacity, we're including comparisons to the widely popular old-bodystyle Rangers of 1983 to 2011 vintage. In 1983, Ford offered two different tow packages for Ranger. One was rated at a then-impressive 1,200 pounds. The second, with a different hitch and rear-suspension setup, was capable of pulling a heavier 1,600 pounds.

While that may not seem overly impressive now, keep in mind, this was nearly 40 years ago. The towing capacity ranged between 2,180 and 7,500 pounds (depending on engine) from 2000 to 2011. And as for payload, the truck handled between 1,340 and 2,295 pounds (With the 2.3-liter engine). Improvements in rear-suspension and load-handling components were the main reasons for the increased capability.

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New Ranger—Let's Tow! (Ford Ranger 2019-present)

When the Ranger returned in 2019, mini-truck enthusiasts went berserk, and rightfully so. Their beloved rigs were now more capable than ever, and more of them were on the road because of it. As the price of fuel climbed, so did the need for a truck that had the capability of a V-8-powered rig with a four-cylinder's efficiency. The new Ford Ranger met both criteria.

Consumers need something that can get them to and from work Monday through Friday, and then pull the family to the campground on Saturday. Depending on which towing package the truck is fitted with, a new Ranger has the ability to tow an impressive 7,500 pounds, and carry a best-in-class maximum payload of 1,905 pounds.

Years after the original Ford Ranger was introduced, the model's towing capacity has more than doubled, and its maximum payload has reached new heights, too.

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Bells and Whistles (New Ford Ranger Towing Amenities)

For towing, Ford Ranger's accessories now include a wiring harness that facilitates mating trailers' four-pin wiring to the truck's factory 7-pin connector. This eliminates the need to cut or solder wires to make a trailer's lights and/or brakes functional.

At the end of the day, these trucks aren't meant for pulling or carrying massive loads. Rangers are midsize pickups for smaller trailers, campers, and boats. However, that doesn't stop drivers from overloading them. To combat this, Ford developed a sway-control system that senses a trailer's movement and can automatically reduce speed and adjust braking to help keep the trailer where it belongs, safely attached to the receiver.

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Trailer Tow Package for Ford Ranger XL, XLT and Lariat

If you're buying a new Ranger for its towing capability, the XL, XLT and Lariat trims are equipped with the same trailer tow package, which gives the trucks outstanding 7,500-pound pulling ability.

Backed by Ford's popular 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, the Ranger has enough oomph for any adventure you're traveling. With the usable 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, a Ford Ranger has no issue handling a camper or boat behind it. Keep in mind that, per Ford, the maximum towing limits vary based on cargo, vehicle configuration and number of passengers.

The maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating of 12,500 pounds (for four-wheel drive SuperCrew models) is a hard limit that should never be exceeded. Ultimately, safety is priority number one. For those who are new to Ford Rangers, you need to know what is a realistic load. Because of its new trailer towing package, Ranger can accommodate small camper trailers, UTVs, ATVs, dirt bikes, and a wide range of boats.

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What About the Diesel-Powered 2022 Global Ford Ranger?

Many of you may love new Ford Rangers in their current form. However, there are some who prefer a diesel engine. For diesel-lovers, there's good news and there's bad news. The good news is that the new Ford Ranger is available with a few optional diesel powerplants. The bad news is they are not available in the U.S.

The global Ranger's diesels are a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engines. Of course, the diesel Rangers have a higher tow rating than models that are motivated by gas engines. Since Ford's 2.3-liter I-4 gas engine is already highly-rated, one can assume that diesel versions engines can probably surpass the gasser's performance numbers, right?

Actually, they are only rated for 3,500 kilograms, which calculates to 7,716.17 pounds. So, in comparison to its gasoline-powered counterparts, they really aren't that much more capable. This goes to show the late-model Ford Ranger is tough as nails even with a gas-propelled engine. Although prices may be a bit higher than competitors' costs, based on the numbers, the Ranger is a lot more truck for the buck.

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Towing Specs Throughout The Years (2000-2022)