Why no tow package?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Why no tow package?
Just looking at the Ranger units available to me locally, and there are hundreds sitting on the lots, very few have the tow package.
That strikes me as kind of odd, seeing how Ford like to play the "capability" card every time it talks about its trucks. And all the Ranger ads that I have seen show the beds of the trucks loaded with all kinds of outdoor crap and/or hauling stuff.
Ford has a recommended trim and options list that it sends to its dealers. So if the dealer are not ordering particular trims or options in large quantities, it is probably because Ford is not recommending it.
No standard tow hitch on the Ranger, and limited to 3500 lbs. if no factory tow package.
And a trailer brake controller is not even a factory option.
Seems less capable and more whimpy to me. Or maybe Ford just realizes that people are just not going to tow very heavy with the Ranger.
That strikes me as kind of odd, seeing how Ford like to play the "capability" card every time it talks about its trucks. And all the Ranger ads that I have seen show the beds of the trucks loaded with all kinds of outdoor crap and/or hauling stuff.
Ford has a recommended trim and options list that it sends to its dealers. So if the dealer are not ordering particular trims or options in large quantities, it is probably because Ford is not recommending it.
No standard tow hitch on the Ranger, and limited to 3500 lbs. if no factory tow package.
And a trailer brake controller is not even a factory option.
Seems less capable and more whimpy to me. Or maybe Ford just realizes that people are just not going to tow very heavy with the Ranger.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
Just looking at the Ranger units available to me locally, and there are hundreds sitting on the lots, very few have the tow package.
That strikes me as kind of odd, seeing how Ford like to play the "capability" card every time it talks about its trucks. And all the Ranger ads that I have seen show the beds of the trucks loaded with all kinds of outdoor crap and/or hauling stuff.
Ford has a recommended trim and options list that it sends to its dealers. So if the dealer are not ordering particular trims or options in large quantities, it is probably because Ford is not recommending it.
No standard tow hitch on the Ranger, and limited to 3500 lbs. if no factory tow package.
And a trailer brake controller is not even a factory option.
Seems less capable and more whimpy to me. Or maybe Ford just realizes that people are just not going to tow very heavy with the Ranger.
That strikes me as kind of odd, seeing how Ford like to play the "capability" card every time it talks about its trucks. And all the Ranger ads that I have seen show the beds of the trucks loaded with all kinds of outdoor crap and/or hauling stuff.
Ford has a recommended trim and options list that it sends to its dealers. So if the dealer are not ordering particular trims or options in large quantities, it is probably because Ford is not recommending it.
No standard tow hitch on the Ranger, and limited to 3500 lbs. if no factory tow package.
And a trailer brake controller is not even a factory option.
Seems less capable and more whimpy to me. Or maybe Ford just realizes that people are just not going to tow very heavy with the Ranger.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
I never said that it did not exist, just that it was rare.
Ford recommends to its dealers what percentage of trims and options the the dealer should stock. It is even in the order guide. With so very few Rangers having the tow package, I can only assume that Fordx is not recommending to its dealers that they order their trucks with the tow package.
For a vehicle that Ford advertises as go anywhere, do anything vehicle, really strange that Ford does not recommend the tow package on almost everything.
I have found the same thing on the Explorer. Very few of the lower trims units (upper trims units come with the tow package standard) have the tow package.
Ford recommends to its dealers what percentage of trims and options the the dealer should stock. It is even in the order guide. With so very few Rangers having the tow package, I can only assume that Fordx is not recommending to its dealers that they order their trucks with the tow package.
For a vehicle that Ford advertises as go anywhere, do anything vehicle, really strange that Ford does not recommend the tow package on almost everything.
I have found the same thing on the Explorer. Very few of the lower trims units (upper trims units come with the tow package standard) have the tow package.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
The tow package only includes the hitch and the electrical connector. Both of these can be added easily by the dealer.
The $495 option has a dealer invoice of $465. So the dealer only makes $30 if factory ordered.
I am guessing that the dealer makes more money if the hitch/wiring is a dealer add. So the dealers order in the trucks without the tow package, and if anyone wants it, their service department will install.
I saw this happened back in the 60s with AC. The under dash units back them were added easily by the dealer, and they made more money having their service departments install the AC rather than factory ordering.
The $495 option has a dealer invoice of $465. So the dealer only makes $30 if factory ordered.
I am guessing that the dealer makes more money if the hitch/wiring is a dealer add. So the dealers order in the trucks without the tow package, and if anyone wants it, their service department will install.
I saw this happened back in the 60s with AC. The under dash units back them were added easily by the dealer, and they made more money having their service departments install the AC rather than factory ordering.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 31
From: Nevada
Just seen a fella on a different forum have the dealer add the tow package to his new ranger and it was not a simple deal and it did not look like the factory install. These days theres more to it than just bolting up the receiver and wiring a 4-way.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threa...warranty.2307/
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threa...warranty.2307/
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Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Just seen a fella on a different forum have the dealer add the tow package to his new ranger and it was not a simple deal and it did not look like the factory install. These days theres more to it than just bolting up the receiver and wiring a 4-way.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threa...warranty.2307/
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threa...warranty.2307/
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
Yeah, definitely not a good idea. The dealer may think they'll make more profit, but they have to consider that the customer may buy somewhere else so they get the factory set up, or they may go to an trailer store to have it installed. Either way, the dealerships loses. LOL
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I never said that it did not exist, just that it was rare.
Ford recommends to its dealers what percentage of trims and options the the dealer should stock. It is even in the order guide. With so very few Rangers having the tow package, I can only assume that Fordx is not recommending to its dealers that they order their trucks with the tow package.
For a vehicle that Ford advertises as go anywhere, do anything vehicle, really strange that Ford does not recommend the tow package on almost everything.
I have found the same thing on the Explorer. Very few of the lower trims units (upper trims units come with the tow package standard) have the tow package.
Ford recommends to its dealers what percentage of trims and options the the dealer should stock. It is even in the order guide. With so very few Rangers having the tow package, I can only assume that Fordx is not recommending to its dealers that they order their trucks with the tow package.
For a vehicle that Ford advertises as go anywhere, do anything vehicle, really strange that Ford does not recommend the tow package on almost everything.
I have found the same thing on the Explorer. Very few of the lower trims units (upper trims units come with the tow package standard) have the tow package.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
The no optional brake controller is what bugged me the most. They just brag about the tow capacity yet any trailer rated over 3000lbs NEEDS a brake controller, and it is not even an option. Come on. the brake controller has ben a factory option since 05(you know 15 years ago) in the full size line
As for the optioned out trucks... We are a want it now kind of society, so we really don't want to wait on ordering a vehicle. AND the stripped down versions the dealers make very little money on while the highly equipped models they make the most. So they would just rather stock a higher end truck, sell you it today and make more money
As for the optioned out trucks... We are a want it now kind of society, so we really don't want to wait on ordering a vehicle. AND the stripped down versions the dealers make very little money on while the highly equipped models they make the most. So they would just rather stock a higher end truck, sell you it today and make more money
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Panama City Beach, FL
The no optional brake controller is what bugged me the most. They just brag about the tow capacity yet any trailer rated over 3000lbs NEEDS a brake controller, and it is not even an option. Come on. the brake controller has ben a factory option since 05(you know 15 years ago) in the full size line
As for the optioned out trucks... We are a want it now kind of society, so we really don't want to wait on ordering a vehicle. AND the stripped down versions the dealers make very little money on while the highly equipped models they make the most. So they would just rather stock a higher end truck, sell you it today and make more money
As for the optioned out trucks... We are a want it now kind of society, so we really don't want to wait on ordering a vehicle. AND the stripped down versions the dealers make very little money on while the highly equipped models they make the most. So they would just rather stock a higher end truck, sell you it today and make more money
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
An OEM trailer brake controller is now available. https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/oem...0aAkCEEALw_wcB
How sad is it the aftermarket had to come up with something because ford completely dropped the ball
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