What is the 2000-2021 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity? That’s the question most people ask when in the market for either a new or used Ford Ranger truck. The Ford Ranger assumes the body conformation of the Ram and Ford F-series trucks, and you’d expect it to have the same numbers.
Does the Ford Ranger match the towing capacity of the legendary Ram and Ford F-series trucks? Let’s find out.
Ford Ranger Overview
The Ford Ranger is a light truck manufactured and marketed by the Ford Company. It has been available since 1983, and it serves as the smallest within the Ford light trucks. The Ford Ranger is in its fourth generation, available and marketed since 2011. The most recent Ford Ranger is the T6, the first version of the Ranger marketed as a mid-size pickup.
The Ford Ranger has been a reliable truck over the years, especially when it comes to towing along trailers. From 2000 and above, the most recent models have been some of the best within the model when it comes to towing. That is because the more improved engines and several trim levels carry along with different reliable towing characteristics. Let’s look into the specific 2000-2021 Ford Ranger Towing Capacities.
2019-2021 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
The Ford Ranger models between 2019 and 2021 have a lot of common features. These include a similar engine, axle ratio, and cab configurations across all models. We only have a 2.3L EcoBoost l4 engine and an axle ratio of 3.73 in all Ford Ranger models between 2019 and 2021. Moreover, the cab configurations were either the 4×4 or 4×2 Super cab or Super crew.
The maximum towing capacities of the Ford Ranger models in 2019-2021 were 3,500-7,500lbs and nothing in between. The trucks with the lesser (3,500) maximum capacity were those with a GCWR of 9,000lbs or less.
2013-2018 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
The Ford Ranger models produced between 2013 and 2018 were identical in almost every aspect. That starts right from the engine models that Ford offered within that period. We only had the 3.2L V6 and 2.2L V6. Another unique feature was that all the engines were Diesel engines so you can expect high towing capacities from that.
The maximum towing capacity for all Ford Ranger models between 2013 and 2018 was 5500-7750 pounds.
2012 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
In 2013, Ford majored in producing diesel engines. However, there was a petrol engine for the same year, which rocked a Manual Transmission profile. It was a 2.5L ULP 5-speed Manual Transmission engine. The other engines were the 3.2L Diesel V6 and 2.2L Diesel V6, which came in M/T and A/T types.
The 2012 Ford Ranger Towing capacity is around 5500-7750 pounds, regardless of transmission type.
2009-2011 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
There were only two engine variants for the 2009-2011 Ford Ranger. These were the 2.3L DOHC l4 and 4.0L SOHC V6. The overall maximum towing capacity for the A/T Ford Rangers is 1960-6000lbs. On the other hand, the maximum towing capacity for the M/T Ford Ranger trucks is around 1340-3400 pounds. The larger 4.0L V6 had higher values when compared to the 2.3L V4 across all years.
2002-2008 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
Ford offered similar engine configurations across all Ranger models within these years, regardless of transmission mode. They were the 2.3L SEFI l4, 3.0L SEFI V6, and the 4.0L SOHC SEFI V6. Ford didn’t offer a V8 engine for the Ford Rangers between 2002 and 2008.
The Maximum towing capacities for the Automatic Transmission Ford Rangers were between 1960-6020lbs. The towing capacities for Manual Transmission variants were figures between 1420-3560 pounds. A/T Ford Rangers edged the M/T variants across all years. Again, the engine size played a key role in bringing out towing capacity differences.
2001 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
Both the Automatic and Manual Ford Rangers in 2001 had four engine types, unlike in the past year where we had more engines for A/T variants. The maximum towing capacity for the 2001 year was 2195-6070lbs for the A/T and 1590-3610lbs for the M/T variants. The higher towing capacities came from the 4.0L SOHC V6 engine, which was the largest in the group.
Again, the highest towing capacities came from the 4×2 Reg Cab.
2000 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity
The 2000 Ford Ranger came with five (5) engines for Automatic Transmission and three (3) Manual transmission variants.
The highest towing capacity of the Automatic variants was the 6820lbs rating on the 5.0L SEFI V8 while the smallest engine (2.5L SEFI l4) had a high of 2180. The other three engines, (3.0L SEFI V6, 4.0LOHV SEFI V6, and 4.0L SOHC SEFI V6) took random values in between.
The M/T Ford Rangers in 2000 had three engines. Their highest towing capacities averaged at 1580-3600lbs. The peak value came from the 4.0L OHV V6.
There was no V8 for the 2000 Manual Transmission Ford Rangers.
Which Specs Affect Towing Capacity?
The 2000-2021 Ford Ranger towing capacity is affected by several factors. They include;
Cab Style
The Ford Ranger comes in three cab styles; the Regular Cab, Supercab, and Supercrew. Furthermore, each of the two comes in either 4×2 or 4×4 configurations. The cab styles don’t have a huge effect on the towing capacity, but in some instances, the highest values were found on the 4×2 Regular cab.
Rear Axle Ratio
The rear axle ratio also plays an important part in determining the towing capacities of 2000-2021 Ford Ranger trucks. It refers to the ratio of the gears in the rear axle to the driveshaft. Besides determining the trucks’ towing capacities, the rear axle ratios play a part in fuel economy and the relationship between towing capacity and fuel economy.
You can find your axle ratio by using two methods;
- You can begin by counting the teeth on the pinion and ring gear. The axle ratio is found by dividing the pinion teeth number on the ring gear’s teeth.
- The other method involves reading the axle ratio on a sticker placed on the differential. On older car models, you might have to take apart the differential to get to the sticker.
Ford Ranger trucks have several axle ratios, which are 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73. The best axle ratio for towing comes between 3.55 and 3.73. These ratios provide good acceleration and towing capacities, especially for diesel engines
Conclusion
The Ford Ranger has been a reliable truck model over the years. Its towing capacity is way above average, and new models can stretch up to 9,000lbs! However, remember to install the various towing packages for you to stretch the limit to the maximum. Again, also consult your manual for special towing instructions so that you don’t tamper with your truck.
Read more: Ford Explorer Towing Capacity [2000-2021]
