2020 Ford Ranger questions

[Wyo37]

I'm considering purchasing a 2020 Ford ranger xlt. Looks like it has the factory rear locker.

For folks that have owned one, what are the pros/cons for this year/make/model? I'd be interested to hear some feedback.

Also I plan on pulling a 17ft jayco 174 Baja with it (dry weight is 3,400lbs), anyone with towing experience?

Thanks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You can have eco or boost.

You don't get both.

If you need 300hp you gotta feed 300hp.

 

[sam-aye-am]

We have a 2022 with Tremor package - better shocks and springs. We test drove regular FX4 packaged ones and the ride in the Tremor was way better. Matched a lot of what I read before buying, specifically that the mono leaf springs on the back and stiff shocks made for a fairly stiff ride unloaded. I think ours is the best driving pickup I’ve ever driven…but ours is also loaded with the lariat package.

Averaging 20.3 mpg hand calculated with probably the first 10-12k miles (now at 27k) carrying 2 sea kayaks and a rooftop cargo box on top an RSI SmartCap.

Haven’t towed with it (it gets towed behind the truck camper), but see folks in 5th generation rangers towing travel trailers all the time.


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[lenny6753]

I have a ‘19 Ranger xlt fx4 with OME medium springs/lift. It also has a truck cap similar to rsi. It currently has nearly 103,000 miles on it. We tow a 17 foot Casita travel trailer. It tows great and has been reliable. It is comfortable and we take long trips in it. Overall fuel economy isn’t great but not bad. 18.7 mpg cal by the truck computer but that is daily driving, highway driving, and some towing. We probably average about 15 mpg when towing.

 

[Wyo37]

The one I'm looking at has a king suspension (coilovers and reservoir rear struts) and an rsi topper.

 

[Ozarker]

I had an older Ranger, great little truck, almost bought a 2021, but came to my senses and got a 2020 F 150, pretty much the same mpg, with more room and more power.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I had an older Ranger, great little truck, almost bought a 2021, but came to my senses and got a 2020 F 150, pretty much the same mpg, with more room and more power.

Lots more bulk too.

I have an older Ranger and a newish F-150. The F-150 doesn't play Ranger games any better than the Ranger plays F-150 games.

Offroad, I very much prefer my Ranger. Hauling a tractor, F-150 all the way.

 

[(none)]

Dont forget the Rangers have a pretty small gas tank too...

 

[SDDiver5]

I'd go F150 for reasons stated above. Rangers are small.

My neighbor has one and he tows his 18ft (I think) travel trailer. Doesnt look like it squats or has any issues towing it. Rangers also look awesome then modded.

 

[Wyo37]

Dont forget the Rangers have a pretty small gas tank too...

True, but a 5gal Jerry can (or two) makes that a moot point to me.

Have there been any issues with the 2.3L ecoboost engine?

I currently have a Titan Xd. And while I love it for the room, I also curse it for the size sometimes on two tracks that are tight. The 5ft bed is a concern as a 6.5ft bed is really nice.

 

[Buddha.]

I had a 2019 for about a year. Towed my 3,000# scamp well. It’s a fun little truck.

I didn’t care for the ride, even after changing the shocks. I can’t describe it but I just like my 3/4 ton better.

The 200 miles of range while towing and smallish bed on the double cab are a bit frustrating while on a camping trip.
Also you’re supposed to run premium when towing, I had one occurrence where I couldn’t find it.

I had 32’s on it and got 19 not towing, 14 towing.

 

[Ozarker]

I was a bit younger when I had my Ranger and didn't care about the rougher ride, but today I doubt I'd entertain the thought of a 500+ mile trip in anything other than a full size truck/SUV/sedan. I need a break after 200 miles in our Cherokee Trail Hawk.

How many 500+ mile trips did I take last year? -0-!

Me, mom and the dog tip the scales over 500 pounds. There's almost 200 pounds of clothing, food, drinks, dog food and misc. for any significant road trip, that's not a camping trip. That kind of weight, mostly in the cab, was noticeable in my Ranger, just as it is in the Cherokee. I never noticed that in my old '99 F 150, 4x4/5.0, and it would be much less so in the 2020 being more advanced in many aspects.

Not much of a reason to talk about towing, the clear winner is an F 150 over a Ranger.

Driving in city traffic, an advantage goes toward the Ranger, taking off at lights (however my F 150 usually beats the rest of the traffic) the Ranger, maybe quicker, changing lanes and darting through parking lots is easier the smaller you are.

Off road, it certainly depends on the trail or lack thereof, but the ability to pack and carry more weight clearly goes to the F-150, for serious types look to the F 250/350, ++.

Prices? There's not much difference between the two in my area, the difference is about like selecting an XLT over an XL or other trim levels, dollar for dollar you get more truck with the F 150.

Pick your own poison.

 

[GetOutThere]

We enjoy ours, with some caveats.

Primary upsides:
- Great drivetrain
- Excellent payload (even in Tremor spec).
- Pretty great available tech (adaptive cruise, lane keep, auto wipers/high beams, sound system, headlights, etc) If you're not a fan of the tech, scratch this.
- Perfect size for town and off road.
- Can choose between good MPG or spirited driving, depending on your mood. You may not have both.
- Quite good off pavement.

The primary downsides:

- Ergonomics. Seats really are great, but I had a hell of a time finding a good seating position at 5'10". Foot well is a bit cramped and puts my knee right against the door grab handle.
- Small interior for longer trips or sustained vehicle based journeys
- Road noise isn't great, but I also ripped the back seats out of mine, so that's mostly my fault.
- Infotainment can be absolute garbage sometimes. (older sync 3 system)
- Interior is cheap as hell in a lot of places. General fit/finish and build quality is low. Creaky hard plastics with rough mold lines.

When I'm not off road, I wish it was an F150. When I am off road, I'm glad its not one.

As with most of my gear, I enjoy it more the longer I have it.

 

[Wyo37]

Thanks for the responses. My attention is now also on a Colorado zr2. Looks like the rear seat is larger and it comes with front/rear lockers

 

[sam-aye-am]

Thanks for the responses. My attention is now also on a Colorado zr2. Looks like the rear seat is larger and it comes with front/rear lockers

I looked at the Zr2 Colorado as well. But at the time GM wasn’t offering automatic emergency braking in the Colorado or Canyon. Wasn’t going to make the mistake of not getting that specific driver aid for something the wife would drive as much or more than me.

Might want to compare shock rebuilding intervals on the dynamic spool valve shocks the Zr2 has and compare that to a Fox, King, or Icon shock on the Ranger. Quite a few folks on the Ranger forum gripe about not realizing the short intervals Fox recommends for full rebuild on their shocks spec’d on the Tremor.


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