Can a Ranger Tow a Ranger?
The Polaris Ranger and the Ford Ranger are both popular vehicles for their own reasons. In fact, it’s entirely plausible that someone might want both. But before you go down that road, you should make sure your pickup truck can tow your side-by-side. Or else, it’s all in vain. There is absolutely no point in having a truck and a UTV or ATV, only to find out that your truck isn’t powerful enough to pull your side-by-side. Can the Ford Ranger towing capacity handle the weight of a UTV?
Ford Ranger towing capacity: how much can a Ford Ranger Tow?
According to Ford, a 2020 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds when equipped with the tow package. However, this will cost you. The base model Ford Ranger can tow just 3,500 pounds. Additionally, 4×4 capability will reduce the towing capacity. Still, 7,500 pounds when configured properly is pretty hefty. The Ford Ranger towing capacity could surely handle a trailer loaded with a UTV like the Polaris Ranger, right?
Boost ATV writes that the average weight of a trailer used to haul an ATV or UTV side-by-side is between 600-1500. And that’s when it’s empty. When it’s loaded with a UTV like the Polaris Ranger or ATV, Boost ATV says that the trailer will then weigh somewhere around 3,000 pounds. So, even a Ford Ranger towing capacity that’s optioned lower than the max should be able to handle the weight of a UTV.
Ford Ranger payload
The Ford Ranger payload is a class-leading 1,860 pounds, according to Ford. So, if your side-by-side, ATV, or UTV weighs in around 1,500 pounds or so, you could––in theory––load it up in the bed and haul it that way. However, you’d have to be sure that the measurements are correct before attempting to load a vehicle up into the bed. This will also require the right ramps and tie-down equipment to load and haul your UTV.
How much does a Polaris Ranger weigh?
Before we can say for sure whether or not the Ford Ranger pickup truck can tow a Polaris Ranger side-by-side, it’s important to know the Ranger UTV weight. Can the Ford Ranger towing capacity handle the actual weight of this specific UTV? According to UTV Action Magazine, the Ranger 1000 EPS weighs about 1,537 pounds.
That’s dry weight, though, so it’s important to factor in any fuel weight if you aren’t transporting it dry. Additionally, that weight is for the Ranger 1000 EPS with the capacity for two passengers. The Polaris Ranger 1000 EPS Crew accommodates four, and it weighs more. According to ATV.com, the 2019 Polaris Ranger 1000 EPS weighs 1,936 pounds.
Can a Ranger pickup truck tow a Ranger UTV?
If your trailer weighs around 1500 pounds or less, even a standard equipment Ford Ranger towing capacity can handle a two-passenger Polaris Ranger. Ford Ranger Fx2 configured with the highest towing capacity could pull the larger four-passenger Polaris Ranger. In fact, it might even be able to pull them both at the same time.
