Are you planning to get yourself a used Ford Ranger and you want to learn more about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because, in this article, there will be a lot to cover in terms of the towing capacity of this model.
- Ford Ranger
- Through The Years
- Pros & Cons
- Ranger Specs
- Payload
- GVWR
- Tow Capacity
- Price
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Finding the vehicle that suits you best is always a challenge. Especially in the mid-size pickup truck market where the offering is rather slim. There are models available but most of these models have limited capabilities. Unlike full-size pickups that have everything that a truck should deliver.
So, finding a good truck in this segment is rather difficult, especially when it comes to towing and towing abilities of these trucks. This is why you need to make thorough research on the market to determine whether or not the Ford Ranger is the right truck for you.
But don’t worry because, in this article, there will be a lot to cover when it comes to the Ford Ranger and its towing capabilities. First, we are going to learn what the Ranger is and what are the pros and cons of owning a Ford Ranger. Then we will delve into the specs of the model.
We will learn the dimensions and size. As well as the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity and the payload that this model can take. In addition to this, we will discuss the Ranger value on the used market. So, if you want to learn more, feel free to follow along.
Ford Ranger
Now before we cover more complex topics like the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity, let’s first introduce ourselves to the topic and learn more about the Ranger in general. There are a lot of people having similar conundrums and simply want to understand more about the Ranger and what the Ranger is all about.
So, let’s cover this quickly before we cover the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity. So, what is the Ford Ranger? Well, the Ranger is a pickup truck manufactured by Ford since 1982. The Ranger is basically a mid-size pickup truck, which means that it is rather smaller compared to its bigger brother the F-150.
Ford developed this truck because it saw the need to create something more compact that will be more fuel efficient and still resemble a proper American work truck, so for this purpose they built the Ranger. This model was intended to compete with the Chevy S-10 and the Dodge Dakota. And to be honest, it did its job really well.
The Ranger implemented small and very fuel-efficient engines like the Ford 2.3L engine, the Vulcan V6, and the Cologne V6. With a maximum displacement of 4.0L. And another thing worth noting is that Ford collaborated with Mazda for these trucks and they often have some Mazda components, like the 5-speed manual transmission.
What is worth noting is that there is a total of five generations of the Ranger. And the model years between 2012 and 2019, there wasn’t a Ranger in the lineup. And as of 2022, they released a brand new Ranger model that closely resembles the F-150 but it has a smaller size.
But what about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity? More on that, we will cover it in a bit.
Ford Rangers Through The Years
Now let’s discuss more about the Ford Rangers through the years before we learn more about the pros and cons and the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity.
When it comes to the Ranger, it is worth noting that everything started with the Ford Courier in 1972, when they took a Mazda B-Series (the predecessor to the new Mazda BT-50, which we here in the USA won’t be getting) and basically rebranded the model and sold it as a Ford Courier.
Ford had the Ranchero (this was basically Ford’s version of the El Camino), but the Ranchero was more like a car-truck than a proper truck. And, it’s one of the few cars with truck beds ever made. That’s why they needed the Courier. And this model offered great performance and also sold really well.
It was in 1982 when Ford decided to build its own compact pickup truck. And that’s how the Ranger was born in 1983. And this model was designed to be a competitor to the Chevy S-10. Still a compact model. But greatly exceeded the previous Courier.
Also, this first generation shared a lot of Mazda parts as well, including the diesel engines used on the model. If you’re ever wondering, check out our write-up on does Ford own Mazda, if you’d like to learn how these two brands work together.
The second generation was introduced in 1992 and this model was also a collaboration with Mazda. So, a Mazda B-Series closely resembles this truck. In fact, they came from the same production line.
Then in 1998, the third generation of the Ranger was introduced and this model also was a B-Series under the skin. The production of this model lasted until 2011.
And from 2012 to 2019, the Ranger model was on a hiatus before being reintroduced to the US market. For this purpose, Ford borrowed the global Ranger model. But for 2023, they will introduce a new generation that is completely Americanized and basically resembles the F-150.
Ford Ranger Pros And Cons
Now let’s cover some of the pros and cons of the 2011 Ford Ranger before we dive into the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity.
Knowing the pros and cons is always useful to do in order to determine whether or not this type of truck is the right one for you. So, let’s cover the pros and cons before we start discussing the specs of the 2011 Ranger and learn more about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity.
Pros
Firstly, let’s discuss the pros of the 2011 Ford Ranger and see what this model has to offer to the table for you as a buyer before we discuss about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity.
The biggest pro of this model is its smaller mass and smaller engines that it uses. This model uses a 2.3L inline-4. This engine makes about 143hp and 154lb-ft of torque. Which is enough for its main workload. It will not tow well as the 4.0L V6 though, this is why you need to make sure that you get the 4.0L if you intend to tow.
Besides that, the fuel economy of the 2.3L is excellent. This model delivers 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined if you opt for the manual transmission. The automatic is a bit worse for fuel economy. So, be aware of this.
And the second pro of getting a 2011 Ford Ranger is the practicality. This is a rather small truck that will fit any parking space. So, if you have a tight-fit garage, this model is the way to go in our opinion.
It has a maximum length of 202 inches, which is basically the size of the smallest full-size car. Or if you want to have something smaller, you can also get a Ranger with 188.5 inches of length. And this one will definitely fit any garage out there.
And what is good is that you can get one of these trucks for a really nice deal, on the low end, these go for about $7,500. But some people would charge an arm and a leg for these trucks since they are in high demand. No doubt, it’s one of the best good trucks for cheap that you can buy.
So, getting a great deal can be a challenge. But what about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity? More on the towing capacity we are going to cover later on.
Cons
Now let’s discuss some of the cons of this model. And honestly, there are more than a few, so let’s cover them before we discuss the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity.
The biggest con of this model is that it drives like a truck from the 80s. This is not a modern truck by any means. So, you cannot expect it to drive like a contemporary F-150 from that era. Car reviewers described the ride as choppy with subpar handling and poor braking ability.
Also, the design is pretty dated, both for the interior as well as exterior, even for a 2011 model. And the model closely resembles a 90s model rather than a proper 21st-century vehicle. Even though a lot of people would not dislike this since they want to drive with a more classic truck look that resembles the 80s and 90s era.
Also, the space inside is really tight, and if you have a Super Cab model. So, accommodation in the rear is a true challenge, the Ranger is not as spacious as the F-150 model, so be aware of this problem.
And the last con that we would mention is the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity, the towing capacity is rather poor, especially for the 2.3L engine which is far from capable. But more on the exact numbers, we are going to cover later on in this article.
2011 Ford Ranger Specs
Now let’s move on and cover the specs of the 2011 Ford Ranger. It is worth mentioning that we will cover many different aspects that are of prime concern if you intend to use this truck for work.
Namely, the dimensions and size, more specifically the bed size and the overall length of the truck. In addition to this, the payload capacity, the GVWR weight, as well as the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity. Now let’s dive into the specs of this model.
Dimensions & Size
Now let’s start with the dimensions and size. When it comes to size is worth noting is that this is basically a mid-size truck. It is considerably larger than compact trucks like the current and new Ford Maverick.
The Ranger implements the good old-fashioned body-on-frame design, also known as ladder frame. This means that no unibody designs. This is good since body on frame is always a better option than unibody for pickup trucks and heavy-duty usage.
In terms of overall dimensions, this model has a wheelbase ranging from 111.6 inches to 125.9 inches. The length also varies between 188.5 inches to 202.9 inches. The Ranger is 70.3 inches wide and 68.4 inches tall.
On the interior, it is worth noting that this truck is not spacious at all. The front passenger space is good. But in the rear with the Super Cab, you basically don’t have much space. Even the smallest person on earth would feel cramped if you decide to accommodate them in the rear.
So, if you plan to carry more than one passenger, this truck is definitely a no-no. For this purpose, you should look for something more spacious on the interior like the F-150 from this era or possibly older.
Except for that, the Ranger is a decent truck and very practical. But what about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity? Well, more about that, we are going to cover it in the following chapters.
2011 Ford Ranger Bed Size
Let’s cover the bed size before we learn more about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity. Does this model has a decent size bed? Let’s elaborate.
When it comes to the bed size, it is worth noting that this model has two options. You gen get the Regular Cab with a 6 ft bed, the Regular Cab with a 7 ft bed, or the Extended Cab with a 6 ft bed. If you’re not sure about either one or the either, our comparison between a crew cab vs an extended cab might be handy.
So, in total, there are two bed options, a 6 ft and a 7ft bed. So, is that big or small, when compared to other trucks? Well, to find out, you’ll have to refer to our Chevy truck bed dimensions chart and our truck bed size chart. Other than that, we’ve also looked at how long is a usual truck bed.
But what about the payload that these models can take? More about the payload we will cover next.
Ford Ranger Payload
Now let’s cover the payload capacity of the 2011 Ranger before we discuss the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity. How big of a payload can this model take?
Well, the payload varies. The Regular Cab Short Bed can carry a payload of 1190 lbs. The Regular Cab long bed can carry 1160 lbs.
But if you get the Extended Cab with the short bed, you can carry a lot more payload. More specifically about 1260 lbs for the 2.3L engine, and about 1,380 lbs for the 4.0L engine. This is why we recommend going for the 4.0L engine if you want to have something more capable.
But what about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity? More on that, we will cover it in a bit.
Ford Ranger GVWR
Now let’s discuss the GVWR for this specific model of the Ranger. But what is the GVWR? Well, the GVWR is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. For more context, do head over to our guide on the process of calculating your truck’s GVW.
This is the maximum load that your truck can handle. This number combines the curb weight of the truck, plus the payload.
And when it comes to the GVWR of this model, we can say that this number is about 4,300 lbs. Anything above this number could take the structural integrity of the Ranger under question. As well as damage the engine in the process.
For more information about the GVWR, you can inspect the B-Pillar on the driver’s side of the truck. On this pillar, you have a sticker with all the numbers important to you, including the GVWR. But what about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity? More on the towing capacity, we will cover next.
2011 Ford Ranger Tow Capacity
Now let’s discuss the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity. How much can this model tow? Is it capable or you should look for something else? Let’s elaborate.
In terms of towing, it is worth noting that the capacity is rather small for the 2.3L engine. This engine is not very capable in this area. The 2.3L engine can tow up to 2,295 lbs depending on the model. But most of these engines are rated at 1,340 lbs.
While on the other hand, the 4.0L V6 engine is far more capable and can tow up to 5,800 lbs. So, this is why we recommend this engine if you intend to tow with your Ford Ranger. Now let’s discuss more about the specs of these specific engines since we covered the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity.
Still, there are some SUV models with the highest towing capacity out there, if you don’t necesssarily need a truck. For more insight and comparisons on the Ranger’s tow capacity, to take a look at our list of vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs or more, as well as the typical towing capacity of a 1/2-ton truck.
Ford Ranger Engines & Transmissions
Now let’s take a look at the engines and transmissions that were offered in the 2011 Ford Ranger. We learned about the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capability and mentioned them briefly, so let’s further elaborate on them.
The base engine that is not recommended for towing is the 2.3L inline-4 engine. This engine is basically a Mazda L3-NS engine that develops anywhere between 135 hp and 143 hp.
The second engine is the 3.0L V6 Vulcan made by Ford, this engine produced about 150hp and 180lb-ft of torque. And this engine performs somewhat better compared to the 2.3L. It is worth noting that this engine was used until 2008. So, the 2011 model year does not have this engine.
The most capable engine in this lineup is the Ford Cologne 4.0L V6. This engine develops 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of transmissions, there were two available. The Mazda 5-speed manual and the Ford 5-speed automatic. But what about the fuel economy? More about that, we will cover next.
Fuel Economy
Since we covered the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity, now let’s cover the fuel economy. Is this model fuel efficient? Well, definitely yes, even by modern standards this pickup is fuel efficient and delivers good fuel economy.
The 2.3L engine delivers 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, with a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg with the manual and an average of 21 mpg on the average with the automatic.
The 4.0L engine performs worse in this area and gets about 15 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined with the manual transmission. For the automatic, these numbers are slightly worse at 13/18/15.
So the choice is rather difficult, whether to opt for fuel economy or to opt for towing. And frankly, we still cannot make up our minds. That’s why let’s discuss the value of the 2011 model.
2011 Ford Ranger Value
Now that we covered the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity and learned more about the numbers that this model delivers in terms of fuel economy. Let’s take a look at the value. How much money can you expect to pay for this 2011 model on the used market? And, is it considered one of the most reliable used pickup trucks?
Well, for this purpose we checked out some listings on Autotrader and we noted the high-end, low end as well as the average market price when it comes to trucks of this type. These trucks are in high demand, so prices might shock you a little bit.
The lowest price for a 2011 Ranger is about $6,000. While the most expensive low-mileage trucks can cost even up to $16,000. These are more collector vehicles than work trucks, to be honest. And the average cost for a decent 2011 Ranger is somewhere between $7,500 and $11,000.
2011 Ford Ranger Tow Capacity: In Conclusion…
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the 2011 Ford Ranger. First, we discussed the model and the history of the Ranger. Once we cleared the basics, we covered the pros and cons of the 2011 model of the Ranger.
Then we focused on the specs of this model. We covered the dimensions, size, practicality, as well as the 2011 Ford Ranger tow capacity. Lastly, we discussed the price of the Ranger. But besides that, we have plenty of other Ranger-related articles that you can refer to.
As a short but detailed buyer’s guide, check out our write-ups on the Ford Ranger model years to avoid, the general reliability of the Ford Ranger, as well as the best model year for the Ford Ranger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
How Much Can A Ford Ranger Tow
A modern Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs. If you go for a 3rd gen Ranger, you can tow about 2,000 lbs with the 2.3L engine and up to 5,800 lbs with the 4.0L V6 engine. This is why we recommend the V6 if you intend to tow.
What Is The Towing Capacity Of A Ford Ranger
The towing capacity of a modern engine with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine is about 7,500 lbs. If you go for a 3rd gen Ranger, you can expect the model to tow anywhere between 1,350 to 2,300 for the 2.3L engine, while the 4.0L engine can tow up to 5,800 lbs.
How Much Can A 2011 Ford Ranger Tow
The Ranger from 2011 can tow anywhere between 1,200 to 5,800 lbs. The 2.3L engine is the least capable and this engine has a maximum towing capacity of 2,300 lbs. While the 4.0L V6 is a much more capable engine and this model can tow up to 5,800 lbs. So, we definitely recommend the 4.0L in terms of towing.
How Much Does A Ford Ranger Weigh
AA modern Ford Ranger weigh anywhere between 3,922 lbs and 4,441 lbs. A 3rd gen Ranger on the other hand has a curb weight between 3010 lbs and 3179 lbs.
How Much Can A Ford Bronco Tow
The Ford Bronco is not very capable in this aspect. This model can tow anywhere between 3,500 and 4,500 depending on the engine that is included with the model.
How Much Does A Ford Expedition Weigh
The Expedition is a full-size SUV, so we can say that it is a rather heavy vehicle. The base curb weight of the 2021 model is about 5,623 lbs.
