MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: scott oz on June 26, 2015, 10:23:49 PM
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Hi,
Thinking of getting a Ford Ranger as a Tug.
Anyone have one and express a view as to how they go?
I've Got a Swan outback on 16inch rims so interested in how it matches up height wise.
thoughts please
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I have a 2014 XLT and love it to bits.
It pulls like a train, drives like a submarine and whistles like a bird. I love everything about my Ranger even the things that would normally be annoying.
I have towed my camper without issue and have done a 3 week Tassie trip. Very comfortable (its like driving a car) and the efficiency for such a big truck is amazing.
You won't regret it.
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As JohnT said, they are fine, but if you really want something great, get a BT50 - LOL ;D ;D ;D
Only kidding, both vehicles are pretty much the same, we use our BT to pull 3t van, no probs.
As for the rims, if they are like the BT's some models have 17"...
Good luck with it all
Hem
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G'Day Scott,
As Hem has stated.....I also have a BT50 for a tug...and i am very happy with mine so a ranger will be great as they are almost the same vehicle .....I would suggest you at least check out the price difference as i also looked at the ranger but i found the pricing was a lot more for the ranger for almost the same vehicle........Just my 2 bob's worth
Good luck with you choice....
Cheers Tracker.
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my father inlaws bt50 has ford written on some of the components under the bonnet so there a ford with a landrover motor in them from the discovery td5 days albeit alot better and more powerfull now as far as im aware as for owns or owned landrover at one point. but bloody brilliant bit of kit either vehicle. get one with a factory diff lock and your more capable than most dual cabs, really love to know the real fuel economy day to day and with a trailer on if anyone has some figures.
the fil also loves it for towing their large van compared to the TD prado they had.
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Ford and Mazda co-developed their vehicles, hence why they are so similar. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe they share the same power train suspension and chassis
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my father inlaws bt50 has ford written on some of the components under the bonnet so there a ford with a landrover motor in them from the discovery td5 days albeit alot better and more powerfull now as far as im aware as for owns or owned landrover at one point. but bloody brilliant bit of kit either vehicle. get one with a factory diff lock and your more capable than most dual cabs, really love to know the real fuel economy day to day and with a trailer on if anyone has some figures.
the fil also loves it for towing their large van compared to the TD prado they had.
Computer fuel figures.......Not sure how accurate they are.....my bt50 around town is about 9 ltrs to 100....towing Ecomate forward fold down the hi-way about 12-13 ltrs to the 100 klms
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Computer fuel figures.......Not sure how accurate they are.....my bt50 around town is about 9 ltrs to 100....towing Ecomate forward fold down the hi-way about 12-13 ltrs to the 100 klms
i'm the same around town in mine, and about 10-11 towing the CT...
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Ford and Mazda co-developed their vehicles, hence why they are so similar. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe they share the same power train suspension and chassis
I believe so cobber
Cheers Tracker.
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Ford and Mazda co-developed their vehicles, hence why they are so similar. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe they share the same power train suspension and chassis
Yes it's a shared platform. Therefor shared undercarriage. Different window dressing.
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We have an 2011 Ford Ranger,
it has been up to the cape in 2012 and we did the gulf 2014.
Have had absolutely no trouble with our girl at all.
We tow a KK with it and just love it :D :D
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my father inlaws bt50 has ford written on some of the components under the bonnet so there a ford with a landrover motor in them from the discovery td5 days albeit alot better and more powerfull now as far as im aware as for owns or owned landrover at one point.
Jeez Muckinhell, you'll scare people off telling them the Ranger/BT50 engine is out of a Land Rover......... ;D
You're right though, the BT50 components are all emblazoned with FoMoCo (Ford Motor Company). About the only mechanical differences I have heard are that the Ranger has variable output alternator, BT50 doesn't and Ranger owners claim BT50 suspension is a bit firmer.
The Landrover TD5 engine was actually developed by Land Rover just prior to being taken over by BMW and was used in the Defender and Discovery range, most people thought they were actually a BMW engine, they only further developed them.
The engines fitted to the Ranger and BT50 are the Ford Duratorq engines, currently named 'Puma' both in 2.2 and 3.2l. The Duratorq range of engines were developed by Ford back in the Mondeo days and is used in other vehicles such as Ford Transit vans, Jags, London Taxis and the 2.2l is in the current Defender since 2006-7.
No doubt though, now that Tata owns the Jaguar/Land Rover the next generation Defender may have a Tata engine ???
I find the BT50 tows about 2T of trailer and firewood very nicely and towing the Tvan prior to selling it was a breeze.
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I agree with above. If you tow a bit, you will need to upgrade the shocks. The straw sized standard rear shocks heat up quick and can't cope. But I would expect any new vehicle would suffer in with a similar problem.
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I've Got a Swan outback on 16inch rims so interested in how it matches up height wise.
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Height match shouldn't be a big issue.
You could adjust, if needed, by changing the hitch.
:cheers:
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I have a 2013 Ranger manual with a 2 inch lift and a swan outback. Sits pretty level and tows great.
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We've had our 2015 XLS for 2 weeks. Love it.
At 100km/h 6L/100k naked; now carries 500kg constant 9l/100; add 1.1t trailer 15l/100 but can still accelerate and pass cars without blinking.
Yes it's a work ute, but is slowly getting set up for touring also. There is a great post somewhere here about the electricals, which explains things great. I have wired in P3 controller without issue (told I would have some).
Great runout deals going too.
:cheers: Kris
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Thanks all,
I'm doing the unthinkable and going to sell my Defender TD5. Set up for either sleeping in and living out of or towing the swan.
Almost convinced I'm going for the new WildTrack
Differrent vehiclese and differant camping style.
just measured the hitch hight and its about 4inch lower than my defender but doable with the right hitch
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......
just measured the hitch hight and its about 4inch lower than my defender but doable with the right hitch
Be careful with hitch height. Wouldn't want to dent your new tail gate when you lower it.....
:cheers:
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Geoffa
ypur are so correct
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Thanks all,
I'm doing the unthinkable and going to sell my Defender TD5. Set up for either sleeping in and living out of or towing the swan.
Almost convinced I'm going for the new WildTrack
Differrent vehiclese and differant camping style.
just measured the hitch hight and its about 4inch lower than my defender but doable with the right hitch
Scott,
One option that was offered regarding suspension was to have the top leaf flipped over if you find the rear end is a bit low, should only take an hour of labour... might be an alternative to spending big $$'s on an upgrade?
Regards
Hem
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"100km/h 6L/100k naked; now carries 500kg constant 9l/100; add 1.1t trailer 15l/100 but can still accelerate and pass cars without blinking."
6ltr/100 must be the secret electric model ;D ;D ;D best mine does is 9.5 ltr/100
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My new BT50GT is a great tug, pulls the 2T Goldstream with ease and get 14.6 Litres per 100Klm. The BT50 GT is only 1 month old and was much cheaper than the equal Ford Ranger, so dont know what the difference was to make them $10,000 dearer
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so dont know what the difference was to make them $10,000 dearer
That blue acrylic fill in the badge is dear ya know >:D ;D
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At 100km/h 6L/100k naked; now carries 500kg constant 9l/100; add 1.1t trailer 15l/100....
A little load sure knocks the fuel use around.
:cheers:
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6ltr/100 must be the secret electric model ;D ;D ;D best mine does is 9.5 ltr/100
I reckon, I get about 8.6 (2014 - Purchased in December)
Its the 6ltr/100 chipped?
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John T
What's the chip (type cost benefit) ? Also any good Ranger specific forums?
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Sorry, I have a spelling mistake in my post.
I was trying to ask if the person who is getting 6ltr/100 has their Ranger chipped. Im not across any Ranger specific forums, but would be interested as well.
JT
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Sorry, I have a spelling mistake in my post.
I was trying to ask if the person who is getting 6ltr/100 has their Ranger chipped. Im not across any Ranger specific forums, but would be interested as well.
JT
Only time we saw 6l/100 at 100k was the drive home from the dealer, from the readout on the screen! So the car was literally naked! It's a work ute, so loaded constantly now! No chipping.
I have learnt heaps from New Ranger, and a little from Ford Forums, yes you need to sign up for the juicy bits. If it wasn't for New Ranger I wouldn't have been able to easily wire the bleeping thing!
Kris