Is the 2.3L engine enough for towing a small travel trailer?

[ExpoGuy]

The Ranger I have in mind is a 2026 XLT 2.3L 4x4 with advanced towing package & FX4 off road package. According to the 2026 Ford RV & trailer towing guide this configuration can tow
7500 lbs.

The trailer I have in mind would be between 16' and 20'. Probably around 3k lbs dry weight.

So would the 2.3L engine be powerful enough to pull such a trailer?

The 2.3L would save me about $2300 and get a little better fuel economy. When I'm not towing the Ranger
would be a daily driver around town. I live in Calif where gas prices are high.

What's your opinion, get the 2.3L to save a buck or go for the 2.7L. Thanks!

Another question...has anyone taken Ford's towing bootcamp? For $350 you get classroom training
combined with hands-on training on all aspects of towing. I think it might be good for me.

Sponsored

 

[Intercontinental_Ranger]

There are a lot of strong opinions about engines on this forum. But I think the most important consideration is how frequently you’re towing.

I have the 2.3L MPC and am very happy with it. It can handle towing a camper on a long journey a few times a year easily.

If you’re towing often, or in mountains, the 2.7 might make more sense. More power, theoretically less stress on the engine

Gas is $6 a gallon where I am so every mpg counts.

 

[ryanO]

The Ranger I have in mind is a 2026 XLT 2.3L 4x4 with advanced towing package & FX4 off road package. According to the 2026 Ford RV & trailer towing guide this configuration can tow
7500 lbs.

The trailer I have in mind would be between 16' and 20'. Probably around 3k lbs dry weight.

So would the 2.3L engine be powerful enough to pull such a trailer?

The 2.3L would save me about $2300 and get a little better fuel economy. When I'm not towing the Ranger
would be a daily driver around town. I live in Calif where gas prices are high.

What's your opinion, get the 2.3L to save a buck or go for the 2.7L. Thanks!

Another question...has anyone taken Ford's towing bootcamp? For $350 you get classroom training
combined with hands-on training on all aspects of towing. I think it might be good for me.

I have the 2.7L XLT FX4 with Advanced Tow. I have a neighbor with the 2.3L and he tows a small travel trailer. It does just fine but any towing in mountains I'd prefer the 2.7L. The 2.3L would do it, but not as effortlessly.

 

[daytoncarter]

I did a 10,000 mile road trip with my prior 2.3L 4x4 Ranger. Towed about a 2.300 lbs trailer with 3 passengers and cargo. Never wanted for any more power and averaged 17-18 mpg over the duration of the trip.

For reference the power to weight to power ratio of the Ranger is 4 times greater than a semi relative to the trailer load if you're talking the full 7,500 lbs. So it's more than safe I found it quite easy to tow with. And semis do a million miles with 1/4th the power to weight.

The reason the 2.7L and 2.3L are rated the same for towing is likely the fact that they use the same cooling system, so in sustained loads they likely have exactly the same capability.

 

[1996-to-2025]

Under 20 feet long and under 3,000 pounds dry, I bet you'd be fine with the 2.3.

 

[Aemonn]

2.3 can do everything the larger engines can, just need a bit more runway for any sort of passing, etc.

If you can swing it, I'd go for the 2.7 just for better thermals and performance at the extreme end (mountain passes, etc), but not necessary IMO if you don't want to or want better fuel economy when not towing.

 

[Aemonn]

The reason the 2.7L and 2.3L are rated the same for towing is likely the fact that they use the same cooling system, so in sustained loads they likely have exactly the same capability.

They're rated the same due to chassis limitations.

The engines all outperform the limitations of the chassis, which boils down to the tongue weight. It's why the raptor has a ~5000 lbs towing capacity. Not because cooling, braking, or engine limitations. Simply because the switch from leaf springs to coil overs in the back limits the tongue weight.

 

[daytoncarter]

2.3 can do everything the larger engines can, just need a bit more runway for any sort of passing, etc.

If you can swing it, I'd go for the 2.7 just for better thermals and performance at the extreme end (mountain passes, etc), but not necessary IMO if you don't want to or want better fuel economy when not towing.

Better thermals? They share cooling systems?

 

[daytoncarter]

They're rated the same due to chassis limitations.

The engines all outperform the limitations of the chassis, which boils down to the tongue weight. It's why the raptor has a ~5000 lbs towing capacity. Not because cooling, braking, or engine limitations. Simply because the switch from leaf springs to coil overs in the back limits the tongue weight.

Maybe so? Although if we're talking safe ride and handling I probably wouldn't certify 7,500 lbs behind a Ranger either way.

 

[Aemonn]

Better thermals? They share cooling systems?

Might be insignificant, but different engines means there will be differences. If only that it takes a little longer to raise the temp due to more oil / thermal mass / lower RPMs.

These videos by TFL truck do a good job of showing the differences.



Here is a video of similar tests with the 2.3 but with a different load.

 

[Aemonn]

Maybe so? Although if we're talking safe ride and handling I probably wouldn't certify 7,500 lbs behind a Ranger either way.

I don't disagree with that. You stated your opinion. I stated mine. I'm allowed to have one.

 

[daytoncarter]

I don't disagree with that. You stated your opinion. I stated mine. I'm allowed to have one.

Of course, I was just having a chat, aren't you?

 

[John E Davies]

Well, you are in California, so by default you will have a lot of high altitude mountains, nasty hot weather and long steep grades. At 10,000 feet your engine has 30% less power than at sea level due to the thinner air. All of those factors kill towing performance, you should get the 2.7 and don't stress yourself and your passengers under demanding conditions. I haven't driven a 2.7, but I have driven a 2.3 and I would never ever choose it for towing, I found it to be just adequate.... if I could have the choice I would ALWAYS choose the biggest engine for towing. It is just common sense.

Plus you might end up with more trailer than you are planning on, the weights they specify are usefully way lower than the actual "ready to camp" scale weight plus the non-negotiable options and items like water, batteries and propane.

NOBODY towing in these conditions ever said, "Geee, I wish I had less power."

You also need to consider the frontal area of the trailer, if it is not a compact teardrop or pop-up, then you definitely will not be happy with the 2.3 engine. Have you studied the Ford Ranger Towing Guide? If you tell us the make and model of trailer, we can comment on its match with Ranger.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...wQFnoECAwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0UcXyDFbZycppOZQ-WlZux

I can't comment on the Ford towing school, but if you are worried about your skills you can rent a U haul trailer for a weekend and drive it all over the place to get the feel of it, BEFORE you get the travel trailer.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[daytoncarter]

NOBODY towing in these conditions ever said, "Geee, I wish I had less power."

A naturally aspirated engine loses 3% of its power for every 1,000 feet, but these EcoBoosts are turbocharged. The ECU just asks for more boost to compensate for the thin air—that’s the whole reason they dominate the Ike Gauntlet tests Aemonn posted.

I hit every mountain range in the lower 48 and BC towing and never had a single issue with power. It's 3,000lbs - in Europe they tow that with a Ford Focus.

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

I have a 2.3L and tow a camper that is between 3500-4000lbs loaded, along with a full truck bed of camping gear. I have taken it on trips that were 16 hours, through the TN mountains. Had no issues and no concerns at all with how it handles.

Sponsored