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Real men never asks for directions and also don't like to be told that they can't tow.
Towing with a Ford Ranger has never been easier. Picture: Ford
We all know that no real man will ever stop to ask for directions. No real man will also be told he can’t tow.
However, the truth is that towing a trailer requires additional knowledge, safety precautions, and driving skills that not everyone has. There is so much more you must be aware of.
Your vehicle will take longer to stop. It will overtake slower, and it doesn’t handle the same way you are used to when it’s towing. It’s this change in your vehicle’s behaviour that catches even the most seasoned driver out.
“The Ford Ranger is equipped with innovative systems and technologies designed to make towing safer, more controlled and more convenient,” says Sunil Sewmohan, director of product marketing at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.
“These technologies assist in hitching and manoeuvring, help reduce sway and will even tailor the powertrain’s performance accordingly. Whether you’re an experienced tower or towing for the first time, these smart systems take the stress out of the journey. This will allow you to focus on the road ahead and enjoy the adventure.”
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To put this statement to the test and to see if we were real men, and ladies too, Ford SA invited us for a morning out at Gerotek to experience the systems that take the pain out of towing. Not only test our towing skills and demonstrate what can go wrong when you load your trailer incorrectly. It also shows why the Ford Ranger is the benchmark in the bakkie segment when it comes to technology and safety.
Hitching a trailer can be tricky, especially when you are doing it on your own. Ask anybody who has tried; aligning the tow ball perfectly under the hitch receiver often takes multiple attempts.
But the 360-degree camera (which is available on the Ford Ranger Tremor, Wildtrak, Wildtrak X, Platinum and Ranger Raptor models) provides a top-down view. The reverse camera’s dynamic guidelines help align the tow ball with precision. As soon as you get close enough you can activate the dedicated hitch view that offers a zoomed-in perspective for ultimate accuracy.
For me, this was the best bit. I nailed it the first time, proving that I may not need to ask for directions ever again.
The Ford Ranger Tremor, Wildtrak X, Ranger Raptor and Ranger Platinum are equipped with pro trailer backup assist with trailer reverse guidance. Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps you get the trailer positioned where you want it, quickly and easily. It utilises the rotary selectable drive modes controller on the centre console. This, along with the steering wheel and a suite of cameras, takes the guesswork and anxiety out of reversing the vehicle with a trailer attached.
After a few measurements have been entered into the SYNC screen and the trailer has been calibrated (including its hitch position and length), the camera tracks the trailer while reversing and guides it accordingly. You simply rotate the knob in the direction you want to go while the system controls the steering wheel. I can add here that if you are used to manoeuvring a trailer the old-fashioned way, it feels very weird at first, but I got the trailer lined up with no problem.
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There is also a dedicated tow/haul drive mode that ensures your Ford Ranger provides the best balance of power and control when towing. The mode holds gears longer to maintain power delivery when needed and will help provide engine braking in hilly areas. It also increases resistance on the steering wheel for better control and comfort.
Probably the most dangerous thing of all when towing is when a trailer has been packed incorrectly. Or you are driving too fast, and the trailer starts to sway. Once the momentum comes into play, you are almost certainly doomed.
But the Ford Ranger comes with trailer sway control. This is another piece of technology that works in the background, using the vehicle’s electronic stability control system to monitor performance while towing.
If the trailer begins to sway from side to side, the system will first warn you to slow down. Then, if necessary, the system reduces engine power and begins to apply brake pressure to individual wheels to bring the trailer under control again.
For added peace of mind, Ford’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) helps you change lanes with more confidence. Even when towing a trailer. BLIS uses radar sensors to monitor adjacent lanes for vehicles and informs you of any hazards. It can be configured to cover both the vehicle and the trailer or caravan.
The system allows you to simply input the length of your trailer, and once this information is entered, the blind spot monitoring system intelligently adjusts its detection range to account for the added length. This ensures that you receive timely alerts if a vehicle enters their blind spot, thereby increasing safety during lane changes.
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And for those who forget things, the Ford Ranger’s trailer connection checklist provides a handy step-by-step reference guide. Integrated into the SYNC system, it guides you through the steps required to safely connect the trailer before setting off. You can also check that the trailer lights are working without the need for a spotter. This is done by either pressing a button on the SYNC screen, or by using the FordPass app.
The system runs a test pattern of the taillamps, brake lights and indicator lights, cycling through the pattern five times, to give you plenty of time to confirm everything is working properly before driving off.
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