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The Ford Ranger Raptor is more than just a vehicle; it’s a statement of power and adventure. This full-size, all-terrain Ute takes the winning formula from the highly successful Ranger and elevates it to new heights. With upgrades to the suspension, chassis, electronics, bodywork, and most importantly, the powertrain, the Raptor is a force to be reckoned with. Its 3L twin-turbo 4x4 engine can propel this 2.4T beast from 0-100km/hr in a mere 6.0 seconds.
Despite its impressive performance, the Ranger Raptor maintains a smooth and quiet demeanour during cruising. This makes it a versatile vehicle, equally suited for off-road adventures and everyday driving.
Towing Capacity: A Key Consideration
For the discerning caravanner, towing capacity is a crucial factor. So, let’s delve deep into the Raptor’s towing specifications and capabilities.
Beyond Muscular Aesthetics: The Raptor’s Towing Power
While the Raptor’s muscular aesthetics may turn heads on the streets, its towing capacity doesn't follow suit. The MY24 Ford Ranger Raptor has a reduced braked towing capacity of 2,500kg. This is a significant difference to the 3,500kg capacity of other Ranger variants.
Given the respect garnered by the Raptor’s siblings for their towing capabilities, one might assume that the Raptor would tow at its 2,500kg limits with ease. However, that's not the whole story. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.
Diving into the Towing Specifications
When discussing towing, two critical figures emerge: Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Gross Combination Mass (GCM). The Raptor offers a GVM of 3,130kg and a GCM of 5,370kg.
While the Raptor’s GVM is fairly comparable to its siblings, the Raptor’s GCM falls considerably short compared to the 6,350 – 6,400kg range of the other variants.
Moreover, our Raptor carries more weight than its stablemates, with a kerb weight of 2,475kg, compared to 2,296kg – 2,388kgs for the others.
To clarify:
- GVM: This encompasses the vehicle’s total weight, including passengers, cargo, and accessories.
- GCM: This total includes both the vehicle’s weight and the weight of any towed item.
Remember, the factory-specified axle limits of 1,520kg (front) and 1,700kg (rear) serve as towing boundaries.
Confused about these towing terms? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out our comprehensive guide to caravan weights here.
Crunching the Numbers: A Deep Dive into Payload Capacities
Imagine you’re hitching a 2,500kg trailer to your Raptor. This immediately impacts your Gross Combination Mass (GCM) limit, which stands at 5,370kg. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Subtract the trailer’s 2,500kg from the GCM.
- Account for the Raptor’s kerb weight, which is 2,475kg.
- This means your laden Raptor (or actual Gross Vehicle Mass) can weigh up to 2,870kg before reaching the GCM limit.
Doing the math, this scenario leaves you with a payload capacity of 395kg. However, not all of this is free for use.
The Raptor’s Achilles heel is unfortunately the Rear Axle limit. For those of you who may be unaware of safe towing recommendations, you typically need 8 – 12% of the laden trailer weight on the vehicle’s tow hitch. Using our example of a 2,500kg trailer, and a 10% value for our calculations, the Rear Axle limit would only allow for an additional 206kg payload within the vehicle before the limits are exceeded.
Why such a dramatic difference? This is because of the lever effect of the tow hitch weight that is applied to the rear axles of the vehicle. Typically, a kilogram applied to the tow hitch is amplified by up to 150% when it’s applied to the rear axles.
So while our Gross Vehicle Mass and Gross Combination Mass limits on the Raptor seem to stack up when towing up to 2,500kg, the rear axles do not.
It’s crucial to remember that our limit of 206kg payload needs to cover everything – from passengers and personal items to any vehicle modifications. Elements like the tow hitch, floor mats, and roof racks - anything not included in the Raptor’s standard factory version - all eat into this weight allowance. Depending on where the loads are located within the vehicle will affect the rear axle loads differently. For example, a bull bar will reduce the load on the rear axle, passengers in the front of the vehicle will apply approx. 50% of the weight to the rear, and anything in the tray will apply close to 100%.
As you can see, it’s a juggle that’s unique to the individual.
Making Sense of It All Without an Engineering Degree
LoadMate - Making it effortless to understand your towing situation
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While some of these limits are straightforward to define, others require intricate calculations tailored to your specific rig setup. We’ve touched on some of the complexities above, but we keep it very rudimentary for our readers.
It’s easy to think everything is in order, but even the most seasoned experts can encounter challenges, especially when trying to ensure overall compliance.
This is where LoadMate steps in. LoadMate employs thousands of complex calculations, tailored to your rig, vehicle, caravan, and specific situation. This ensures you receive precise advice and a detailed towing profile of your limits and available payloads across various compliances.
LoadMate doesn’t just provide you with a customised towing profile; it also integrates with weighbridges or mobile weigh checks to offer dynamic update-to-date, accurate reports. Remember, these weigh checks are just a snapshot in time. The moment you move, add, or remove anything from your vehicle or caravan, your weights and compliance can change. Without LoadMate’s assistance, keeping on top of these changes can be an arduous task.
We leverage this sophisticated engine for our analyses in these articles, but we encourage you to experience it for yourself. It’s an investment in peace of mind – arguably the most affordable insurance and confidence booster you can find.
Now, let’s dive back into our detailed exploration of the Ford Ranger Raptor Towing Capacity
What Options Are There?
The Raptor’s stable mates have a variety of GVM and GCM upgrades available to them, however the Raptor does not. Meaning for any would-be Raptor owners looking to tow heavy loads, the SSM market doesn’t really cater to them.
You will be able to find aftermarket springs that can be retrofitted to the rear axles of the Raptor to reduce some of the sag when towing. However, this can be best considered a mask at best.
Delving Deeper: Understanding Suspension Dynamics
While the standard suspension may falter under heavy rear loading, it’s crucial to grasp the dynamics of leverage and the fulcrum effect on the rear axles and chassis. The Rear Overhang on the Raptor measures at 1,255mm, translating to roughly 1,375mm for the Hitch Overhang—a standard measurement for many Utes.
The wheelbase and hitch overhang result in an approximate 142% load on the rear axles and chassis for every kilogram placed on the tow hitch. This understanding becomes crucial when evaluating the real impact of tow hitch load on the vehicle’s structural components.
This means:
- A 250kg ball mass results in a 363kg load on the structural components.
- Reducing this to 180kg brings the total load to 261kg.
Remember, the towbar, when under load, is subject to various forces: longitudinal forces during acceleration, braking, and general towing; lateral forces resulting from the trailer swaying or yawing during turns and other road movements; and vertical loads stemming from the weight on the tow ball. These forces become significantly amplified during off-road touring.
So what is this relevance to towing?
While Ford have made some impressive enhancements to the Raptor for the purpose of performance, and off-roading, one can understand they have targeted a different consumer market than the other stable mates in the Ranger family. The modifications to the chassis and suspension are not intended for the heavy burdens of towing.
While it might be tempting to consider suspension enhancements, they only address part of the challenge. Moreover, Ford’s warranty underscores potential risks associated with overburdening or unauthorised vehicle modifications.
The Risks of Unauthorized Modifications
While aftermarket modifications, like upgrading the rear springs, might seem like a good solution to handle heavier loads, they come with risks. These changes can alter the vehicle's dynamics and potentially lead to damage that Ford's warranty may not cover.
- Impact on Rear Axle and Chassis: Modifying the suspension can mask underlying issues rather than resolve them. The rear axle and chassis might still bear more load than they were designed to handle, leading to potential failures.
- Warranty Implications: If any damage occurs due to non-adherence to Ford's guidelines, such as exceeding axle limits or using unauthorised modifications, it might not be covered under the warranty. This means you'll be responsible for repairs or replacements.
Making Informed Decisions
Understanding these nuances helps you make informed decisions about towing and vehicle modifications. The Raptor's capabilities are impressive, but it's crucial to operate within the parameters set by Ford to ensure longevity and reliability.
Raptor Towing Recommendations Based on Standard Specifications
When it comes to practical towing advice for the Ford Ranger Raptor, understanding its strengths and limitations is crucial.
For Raptor owners, towing capabilities come with certain constraints. Despite its 2,500kg rated towing capacity, the real limiting factor often boils down to the rear axle limit. This constraint might not make the Raptor the first choice for families, but it’s a plausible option for a couple with minimal vehicle accessories or luggage.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Towing at Full Capacity (2,500kg): Suitable for couples who pack light. Make sure to stay within the 2,500kg limit and be mindful of the restricted rear axle payload.
- Reduced Towing Weight (2,000kg): This allows an increased 277kg payload specifically for the rear axle, giving a bit more wiggle room for belongings and accessories.
Ultimately, while the Raptor boasts many strengths, its Braked Towing Capacity, GCM, and Rear Axle limits pose challenges when it’s used primarily for towing. Potential buyers should weigh these constraints against their specific needs.
