Towing With 2.0 Ranger

[sfgill3@bigpond.com]

What is the best mode to tow a caravan in Drive or sports mode

[lincolnland]

What does the owners manual say?

[PLWildtrak]

Checked my owners manual when I first got the Ranger and I was surprised to see that it says nothing in relation to the transmission about towing.

I tow a 3T caravan and tow in Sports mode as that seemed most suitable.......sharpens up the throttle, holds lower gears for longer, doesn't immediately try to get up to the highest gear possible as soon as you let off the throttle, etc. I generally then leave it to do it's thing other than on long steep descents. I down shift with the little button for longer steeper downhill sections to try and get some engine breaking, though there is almost none regardless with a little 2.0l motor and the better part of 6T trying to push it down a hill.

I did also notice that the transmission got quite hot (as you'd expect) on a long (10km) windy uphill stretch on our way home after Xmas. The cooling system generally seems good, but the repeated changing between 2-3-4-3-2-3-4 etc as we went from corner to straight to corner with the van on the back got the trans temps up to about 108 degrees on the Scanguage. I wasn't hammering it, or trying to hit the speed limit even, but the temps still go up quickly. I wasn't too concerned about the temp as such but I also noticed once it got to 106 degrees the gear changes got much slower and harsher so I guess keeping under 106 degrees is probably advisable. Think next time I'm on a similar road I'll just leave it in 2nd and plod my way up and see how much of a difference that makes.

Interested to hear other peoples thoughts as well.

[sfgill3@bigpond.com]

Thanks for taking the time for your reply,,,, wasn't quite sure,,, as the same didn't get too much clarification from the manual at all,,, do love the 2.0lt Bi-turbo

[PLWildtrak]

I think the 2.0l and 10 speed are a good combo. Solo driving is great. Has plenty of get up and go when you want it, but drives really smoothly when you don't. Even towing the 3T van the drivability is good. The only area I find it lacking a little is initial take off, but once it's up a running the 10 speed does a good job of keeping the engine in it's main torque band.

[SimonWTX 21]

I have heard a few people say to use sports mode when towing but have not tried my new wildtrak x out yet with any load on the back (don't get my caravan until September but will let you all know what seems to work the best).
I will be giving the Ranger a workout with the van weighing in at 3.4 ton fully loaded (hope to keep the weight down a little, but we will see)
fingers crossed the R&D team have done their jobs and tested towing a big weight in hot conditions and built the truck to suit it

[Brente1982]

Apparently the manual changed a couple of years ago so it no longer recommends towing in sports mode. Personal preference I guess.

[BlkWildtrak]

I have gone from a 3.2 Wildtrak to a Bi Turbo Wildtrak X, and towed our 2T van for the first time on the weekend.
I must say I am impressed, it tows like a dream and is much quieter.
I always leave it in drive, and to me it seems that the gearbox on both models are capable of selecting the right gear for the condition.
I still use manual mode for longer downhill sections if needed.
It is definitely a bit slower at take off than the 3.2, but once it is going it's great.
On a straight flat section I was doing 110 km/h and it sat on 1800 rpm, and at no time did it feel like it was labouring.
I am definitely happy that I went for the Bi Turbo.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[blueshine]

I don't know if the 6sp had this but at least on the 10sp box you can leave it in drive and use the little manual buttons on the gear stick to remove/add top gears that the auto box is allowed to use. This way you can leave it on auto but prevent use of the high gears as you wish. With just one click of the button it doesn't affect the gear selection, but does show up a nice display on the infotainment (left) panel so you can see what gear it is selecting.

[Trublu]

I don't know if the 6sp had this but at least on the 10sp box you can leave it in drive and use the little manual buttons on the gear stick to remove/add top gears that the auto box is allowed to use. This way you can leave it on auto but prevent use of the high gears as you wish. With just one click of the button it doesn't affect the gear selection, but does show up a nice display on the infotainment (left) panel so you can see what gear it is selecting.

Six speed does not need the function like the 10 speed.
Cheers

[butch.]

Six speed does not need the function like the 10 speed.
Cheers

not needed or not available on the six speed?
cheers, Butch.

[Trublu]

Six speed does not need the function like the 10 speed.
Cheers

not needed or not available on the six speed?
cheers, Butch.

6 speed does not have that many overdrive gears compared to 10 speed so no need for it.
Cheers.

[Jussy01]

Hi all,
hubby and I are ooking at a 2021 bi turbo and will be towing a 2T (just under) van.
for those who have had their rangers for a while, are you happy with the 2l biturbo...
any tips you can give would be greatly appreciated!
Thansk for reading, and answering!

[PLWildtrak]

I would say it depends on how much towing you are doing.

If it's occasional towing, I think the 2.0l motor is best. It tows well (and in some cases better than the 3.2 as the 10sp keeps it on song) and I'm happy with it for the occasional towing I do (3 or 4 times a year with a 3T van). You then have (what I consider) the better engine option for none towing duties as it's a lot more refined than the 3.2.

If you're towing a lot, the 3.2 might be better though. The 2.0l's major failings when towing are lack of low down (low speed) power, and engine breaking. It goes brilliantly above say 40km/hr, but below that it's a slug, and there is zero engine breaking from it so you are reliant on your brakes a lot more. These would start to get annoying if towing a lot. I have a friend who is a builder and tows a 2T work trailer every day and he ditched his 2.0l and went back to a 3.2l for it's better low down grunt.

Either will do the job well, it just depends on your priorities.........but I'd love a new V6!

[BlkWildtrak]

I agree with what PLWildtrak is saying.
The 2L is a better everyday drive, and great for towing, but lacks a little low down.
I went from a 3.2L to a 2L and are towing a 2T van. I have not regretted choosing the 2L at any time.
And yes, the V6 would be nice.

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk