Tow/haul mode experience

[RHIPDX]

Rightly or wrongly I’ve been towing my teardrop (T@b 400 boondock, about 4400lbs laden), mostly with the normal drive mode. This with the 2026 2.7 liter engine. Has performed well and gives me better mileage and performance than my 2019 2.3L did (~15 vs 14)
Tried using the tow/haul mode on a trip up around Mt Hood OR. It seems to me that the engine is staying in way too low a gear both going up and down. Excessive engine braking on even a modest slope. Similarly the mpg dropped by 2-3 to just above 12.
curious as to what others’ experience has been with similar loads.

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[OxygenMask]

I use tow mode a lot. I generally get better mileage in tow mode.
I used tow mode a lot during a cross country road trip, I like because it isn't in a rush to get into higher gears, especially in the mountains, lugging the engine. But it's often too aggressive with downhill down shifting while braking for my liking so I would often go back to Normal mode going downhill.

In my F350 i use tow/haul up the mountains when towing, but turn it off and manually select gears when going down the mountain, again because its too aggressive downshifting.

But now I use Sport the most... (It kills my mileage in daily driving but it's so much more fun...)

 

[fordtrks4ever]

used when towing and works great.
liked it on my F150 and like it on the Raptor

 

[Txquailguy]

That's why I like aftermarket tuning. It's so much better than the Ford factory programming....as long as you "chose wisely".....
Not much of a Ford Tow mode fan......just my humble opinion.

 

[Texasota]

I always use Tow Mode when pulling my 4000lb boat. Happy with the performance.

 

[chasc]

We’ve got the 2.7L engine and a 20’ travel trailer. Nearly always leave it in Tow mode with the trailer and haven’t had any complaints. Occasionally it gets left accidentally in Normal after a gas stop and once I realize I think “oh, that’s why it felt a bit sluggish.” I’ve experimented with Normal vs Tow for flat interstate cruising at 65 mph and found it to linger in 9th gear either way so I stopped worrying about changing it out of tow mode.

 

[dcbz]

I don't tow far, but I tow often, approximately 2-4 days a week. I suspect that my boat, fully laden, is less than 3500 pounds. I use tow mode every time that I tow. I have been pleased with the RPM range and engine braking with my modest load. I, too, have a 2026 Ranger with the 2.7 EcoBoost.

 

[PA RangerRick]

Curious to hear how the 2.3 L crowd feels. Seems most/all?? comments came from 2.7 owners. I'm a new 2.3 L 2026 Ranger owner and I'm hoping to tow a trailer up to the 5000 lb range. Did I make a mistake by opting for the 2.3?

 

[Black Knight]

I towed this with my 2019 2.3 and had no problems.
Towed a larger 31hp JD on a 20ft trailer with my 2024, and still no issues.
No pictures of the bigger trailer with the JD, but it was probably just a bit over 5k.
You'll be fine.

 

[RHIPDX]

Curious to hear how the 2.3 L crowd feels. Seems most/all?? comments came from 2.7 owners. I'm a new 2.3 L 2026 Ranger owner and I'm hoping to tow a trailer up to the 5000 lb range. Did I make a mistake by opting for the 2.3?

I had the 2.3L before to haul my teardrop at about 4400lbs. I went all over the place with it - up into the Canadian Rockies, down into Colorado and around the Cascades. Basically, it managed, but was pretty sluggish climbing up into the mountains. Thats why I eventually upgraded to the 2.7L, for both HP and Torque. Bottom line, the 2.3L can do it, the 2.7L just manages it more easily. And if you aren't doing mountains, it matters less.

 

[superj]

My son towed his other car from the bottom of texas to Omaha Nebraska. Said he did 80 and had zero issues with his stx 2.3 4x4.

I am going to do the reverse route and bring his car home at the end of october. Mine is a 2wd stx 2.3.

 

[Oreamnos]

Rightly or wrongly I’ve been towing my teardrop (T@b 400 boondock, about 4400lbs laden), mostly with the normal drive mode. This with the 2026 2.7 liter engine. Has performed well and gives me better mileage and performance than my 2019 2.3L did (~15 vs 14)
Tried using the tow/haul mode on a trip up around Mt Hood OR. It seems to me that the engine is staying in way too low a gear both going up and down. Excessive engine braking on even a modest slope. Similarly the mpg dropped by 2-3 to just above 12.
curious as to what others’ experience has been with similar loads.

Your post is what triggered my registering for these forums just now. I can chime in with <slightly> similar experience.

I have a 2026 with the 2.7 that I just picked up a month and a half ago. Last week, I drove it to Portland to pick up our new T@b 400 Black Canyon, and promptly drove it home to Central OR via 26. So I think that's a pretty apples-to-apples comparison...

Just by default, I did the entire drive home in tow/haul, and my mileage numbers were exactly the same as yours. Mostly hurt by the climb up to Govt Camp and the climb out of the canyon at Warm Springs. Mileage on the trip to PDX without the trailer was pretty good, at about 25.

I had some similar impressions as you regarding gear selection, and at multiple points I was wondering if I should take it out of tow/haul. I think on my next trip (possibly tomorrow) I will plan to go with normal model for routine driving on the "flat" stretches (still with rolling elevation changes), and just use tow/haul for any notably steeper parts.

Am glad to have tow/haul for significant grades, but I think normal will just be a bit more relaxed, and the 2.7 certainly has enough torque to manage the usual minor climbs.

Obligatory Govt Camp rest area pic:

 

[SLJ]

Have a '25 2.3 and no problems towing my 3,200 pound camper in Tow mode up or down grades. Ranger doesn't know it's back there.

 

[RHIPDX]

Your post is what triggered my registering for these forums just now. I can chime in with <slightly> similar experience.

I have a 2026 with the 2.7 that I just picked up a month and a half ago. Last week, I drove it to Portland to pick up our new T@b 400 Black Canyon, and promptly drove it home to Central OR via 26. So I think that's a pretty apples-to-apples comparison...

Just by default, I did the entire drive home in tow/haul, and my mileage numbers were exactly the same as yours. Mostly hurt by the climb up to Govt Camp and the climb out of the canyon at Warm Springs. Mileage on the trip to PDX without the trailer was pretty good, at about 25.

I had some similar impressions as you regarding gear selection, and at multiple points I was wondering if I should take it out of tow/haul. I think on my next trip (possibly tomorrow) I will plan to go with normal model for routine driving on the "flat" stretches (still with rolling elevation changes), and just use tow/haul for any notably steeper parts.

Am glad to have tow/haul for significant grades, but I think normal will just be a bit more relaxed, and the 2.7 certainly has enough torque to manage the usual minor climbs.

Obligatory Govt Camp rest area pic:

Our experiences are even more alike than you think. My runs were Portland road trip via Bend to LaPine via Detroit Lake, and Portland round trip to Timothy Lake via Gov't Camp. Same mountain roads (plus a couple of trips to the ocean via the Coast Range). My setup is very similar except for adding a bed cover and roof rack with kayaks. The Timothy Lake sun was the one with tow/haul mode. Bed cover definitely helps the consumption too.

 

[got3fords]

Does tow mode put the trans in 4A, or is that just the Raptors?

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