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

[DutchRanger]

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[NM Mike]

I’ll pass on the 2.3l vs 2.7l debate. It might go on for pages. Instead, I’ll comment on your 2nd question. I don’t know how good Ford’s towing bootcamp is, but if you are new to towing then it might be worthwhile. There are some basic safety guidelines that SHOULD be covered like how to balance your load, braking limitations under load, backing a trailer up and such. IMO a more important question than will xxxx motor pull this load is will my brakes stop this load? The advanced towing package gives you an integrated trailer brake controller. That is really awesome, but it is completely useless if your trailer doesn’t have brakes.

 

[ryanO]

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.

I've wondered if upgrading the

I’ll pass on the 2.3l vs 2.7l debate. It might go on for pages. Instead, I’ll comment on your 2nd question. I don’t know how good Ford’s towing bootcamp is, but if you are new to towing then it might be worthwhile. There are some basic safety guidelines that SHOULD be covered like how to balance your load, braking limitations under load, backing a trailer up and such. IMO a more important question than will xxxx motor pull this load is will my brakes stop this load? The advanced towing package gives you an integrated trailer brake controller. That is really awesome, but it is completely useless if your trailer doesn’t have brakes.

The downhill control from the 2.7L is much better than the 2.3L. Agree with your take on this.

 

[purdyd]

the 2.3 has a fair amount of spunk.

If you are going to tow a lot I’d get the 2.7.

if you are really going to tow I’d get a f150 or even a super duty.

there is a towing guide for the ranger

edit corrected link

https://www.vdm.ford.com/content/da.../towing/pdf/2026-Ford-Ranger-Towing-Guide.pdf

 

[AugPal]

I have a 2.3 and tow a 3500 lbs trailer. Normally about 400 miles per day. Haven't had any problems or issues. Trips I take are Chicago to southern Tennessee 520 miles. Chicago to Black Hills, South Dakota 952 miles.

 

[AugPal]

the 2.3 has a fair amount of spunk.

If you are going to tow a lot I’d get the 2.7.

if you are really going to tow I’d get a f150 or even a super duty.

there is a towing guide for the ranger

https://www.vdm.ford.com/content/da...towing/pdf/2026-Ford-Ranger-Towing-Guide.pdfa

Your link doesn't work

 

[ShadowDragon24]

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.

AND the 3.0 bring heavier. its also why a base 2.3 Ranger has more payload then a fully optioned 2 7 lariat every option
adds weight, decreases payload, then the extra weight of the engine

 

[purdyd]

Your link doesn't work

https://www.vdm.ford.com/content/da.../towing/pdf/2026-Ford-Ranger-Towing-Guide.pdf

 

[LLCCPA]

I tow a ~4,000 travel trailer with my 2.3. It does just fine but I wouldn't tow in the mountains with it.

 

[Jason B]

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.

You'll be fine with the 2.3L, plenty of guys on 5G towing 5K to 6K.
As for the 2.3 getting better fuel economy, there's not much difference. My '21 STX RWD with the 2.3L
was getting 24MPG. My '24 FX4 with the 2.7 gets 23MPG.

 

[fordvideoguy]

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.

Yes. Ford is cautious on their towing numbers. If they put 7500 lbs you are good. Ranger has had the 2.3L for years with 7500 lbs towing rating before the 2.7L came along.

 

[daytoncarter]

I tow a ~4,000 travel trailer with my 2.3. It does just fine but I wouldn't tow in the mountains with it.

What trailer?

 

[LLCCPA]

What trailer?

Salem FSX 178bhsk

 

[daytoncarter]

Salem FSX 178bhsk

Super nice trailer and a good match for the Ranger. Have you ever weighed it? Sources claim from 3,700-4,500 lbs which is a crazy range when trying to figure weights.

I had a 16' Scamp that was supposed to be "1,750lbs" but weighed ~2,300lbs on a scale!

 

[TripDad]

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.

The Real truth is Ford, and other MFG's, spend millions testings. The 2.3 is a great engine. Your real limitation is how much cargo weight in the truck, before you attach a trailer. 4 300lb humans will eat most of you payload, and tongue weight. Weigh your truck empty, then again with all the people, pets and assorted stuff you want in the truck and weight again. Subtract the added weight from the payload assigned to your truck. That is the remainder left over for hitch, sway control and tongue weight.

IMO, dry weight of a trailer is almost useless, unless the gross weight is also listed.

The 2.3 is agreat engine and can move the truck and trailer. You will accelerate slower, get worse fuel econmony, and likely run warmer. As others has stated, where you are towing matters, you lose capacity as you go up in altitude. You can always slow down.

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