Does Ford Australia allow the use of WDH on Rangers?

[tbro4123]

Easy question but it seems too hard to get an answer from Ford.

I know that Mazda/Ford stated that to tow with the PJ/K models to get the max weight you must use a WDH to allow the 2500kg Auto/ 3000kg manual.

I've looked in the owners handbook for Rangers PX onwards and can not find anything either for or against.

I don't believe any dealer actually has any knowledge to help me out so I thought I would ask those who work for Ford if they know or can they find out.

Seems someone is spreading that Ford warranty will be voided if WDH is used, and this is from a dealers service dept to avoid a warranty issue.

TIA

Stay safe

Terry aka Tbro

[jpd80]

I have a recollection that the older laws required a heavier vehicle like a Transit or Landcruiser to tow weights above 2800 kg (?)

[simon varley]

At the end of the day it's the axle weight and the towball downforce that are important. How you achieve that shouldn't matter should it?

[Toiler]

Originally Posted by simon varley

At the end of the day it's the axle weight and the towball downforce that are important. How you achieve that shouldn't matter should it?

The WDH exerts a considerable rotational force on the tow bar mounts. If not designed for this then damage can result. The genuine Ford Territory heavy duty tow bar had some 44 separate fastening points to cover this.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by tbro4123

Easy question but it seems too hard to get an answer from Ford.

I know that Mazda/Ford stated that to tow with the PJ/K models to get the max weight you must use a WDH to allow the 2500kg Auto/ 3000kg manual.

I've looked in the owners handbook for Rangers PX onwards and can not find anything either for or against.

I don't believe any dealer actually has any knowledge to help me out so I thought I would ask those who work for Ford if they know or can they find out.

Seems someone is spreading that Ford warranty will be voided if WDH is used, and this is from a dealers service dept to avoid a warranty issue.

TIA

Stay safe

Terry aka Tbro

I cannot speak for late model PX rangers but can certainly say my 2012 XLT model ranger has a label stating not to use a WDH when towing.

[Top_Ghia]

I’m pretty sure the sticker on the towbar and the workshop manual both state to only use the hitch provided.
Ford and not be expected to be liable for an untested third party hitch that puts different loads into the towbar and chassis.
It wasn’t a Ranger or even a ford but I have seen these load leveling hitches literally twist the towbar off the car and manufactures reject warranty claims because of it. Go your own way.

[Trevor 57]

I flicked the original fit towbar and fitted a Hayman Reese due to the fact that the Ford towbars won't take a Hayman Reese hitch, for some obscure reason Fod have blocked off the back of the receiver hole

[slowsnake]

This may explain to the folk who don't know what WDH means, I had a Hayman Reese originally fitted to my Mazda B50.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-...on-systems.htm

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

I flicked the original fit towbar and fitted a Hayman Reese due to the fact that the Ford towbars won't take a Hayman Reese hitch, for some obscure reason Fod have blocked off the back of the receiver hole

Being such a short receiver with the ranger towbar is probably why ford prohibits the use of the WDH which makes sense to me, I know of a few ranger owners who's receivers have been flogged out by using longer hitches.

[Trevor 57]

I had my original Ford towbar replaced under warranty as it was flogged out, then went on to replace it with a HR anyway