2026 Ford Ranger Towing Capacity Guide
The Ford Ranger has raised the bar for what is possible with a midsize truck. From incredible off-road ability to a comfortable and well-equipped interior, there’s a lot to like about the Ranger. Specifically, towing and hauling ability is another area where the Ranger has some serious bragging rights. Since no serious truck has just one towing rating, our team at Joe Rizza Ford has put together this guide to break down the engine options, towing capacity, and maximum payload for the Ranger. You’ll discover all the proven performance capabilities that have made the Ranger a household name among midsize truck shoppers.
Ford Ranger Towing and Hauling
Engine |
Horsepower |
Torque |
Max Payload |
Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L EcoBoost® (4x2) | 270 | 310 lb-ft | 1,767 pounds | 7,500 pounds |
| 2.3L EcoBoost® (4x4) | 270 | 310 lb-ft | 1,763 pounds | 7,500 pounds |
| 2.7L EcoBoost® | 315 | 400 lb-ft | 1,513 pounds | 7,500 pounds |
| 3.0L EcoBoost® | 405 | 430 lb-ft | 1,373 pounds | 5,510 pounds |
The first thing to be said about the Ford Ranger towing capacity is that even the base engine is powerful enough to achieve the best possible towing capacity of 7,500 pounds from the chassis. The Ranger is able to hit such a high number because of its tough body-on-frame construction, something that quite a few competing midsize trucks don’t employ. It might seem puzzling that the 3.0-liter EcoBoost®, the most powerful engine in the Ranger lineup, also has the lowest towing and payload capacity. Fortunately, the answer is really quite simple. This most powerful engine is only used in the Ranger Raptor, which is built for off-road performance and not towing. While it can still out-tow a number of competing midsize trucks, it’s not the focus of this very specific variant of the Ranger.
Ranger Towing Features
There’s more to a good towing vehicle than just how much weight it can pull. Some trucks make towing easy, while with some it’s a grueling chore. The Ranger is most definitely one of the easy ones, and that’s thanks in large part to the following features:
- Tow/Haul Mode - The Ranger comes with a number of different driving modes, and one of them is devoted just to towing and hauling. This mode delays upshifts to reduce the total amount of shifting needed, and gives the ability to use engine braking to maintain speed while going downhill.
- Pro-Trailer Backup Assist - Helps you back up and connect a trailer. You can save up to 10 trailers into memory to make it easier the next time you need to connect.
- Trailer Light Check Function - Lets you remotely activate trailer lights through the FordPass app, so you don’t need a second person to check for you that the lights are working.
- Trailer Brake Controller - Trailers are equipped with brakes for a reason, and you need to be able to use them in conjunction with the truck's brakes. This feature allows you to do that.
Ford Ranger - Car and Driver 10Best List
Every year, the panel of experts at Car and Driver carefully scrutinizes the industry when naming their selections for the prestigious 10Best list. For 2026, the Ford Ranger was selected for the truck category*. Towing capacity plays an important role in this, with experts commenting that the Ranger offers the utility and even the looks of a full-size truck, but in a more manageable size and at a more appealing price point.
*Source - 2026 Car and Driver - https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a69546581/10best-2026/