September 2017 Sales - Ford Ranger Number 1

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by dunga

What other junk vehicle do you suggest that will tow my 3.1 ton caravan .

Can you show me a picture of your 3.1 T caravan please so I can pass it on to the authorities or is it a 5th wheel.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Can you show me a picture of your 3.1 T caravan please so I can pass it on to the authorities or is it a 5th wheel.

There is nothing illegal about towing 3.1 tons unless you know somthing nobody else does

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by boss351290

I'm sorry, they do fix a purpose. A sedan based ute will not be good on the farm I agree. I'm directly comparing the falcon to the ranger and I agree that should not be a comparison. I have owned 5 fg falcons and currently own a xr8 5.4 fg and a fg x turbo ute. My father owns a ranger, a friend owns one and a relative drives a ranger for work.
I cannot change market trends or peoples opinions but after driving three rangers and a navara, and hilux all less than 3 years old I can honestly say that these people have rocks in their head when they tell me about how good the ranger is.
This is my opinion. Most people use there rangers 99 percent of the time the same as I use my falcons. these vehicles are a trend. Most are bought them to keep up with the joneses. Some people genuinely need a truck as they tow all day or need the payload on the back. They need it. But how is this type of vehicle the best selling vehicle in Australia I don't know why.
Sorry for being so negative. But those people driving rangers for the last 3 or 4 years should take a falcon for a drive for 5 minutes and they just might know where I coming from. In the last 5 years has everybody become a tradie or bought a 3.1 tonne caravan???

Much as I loved my FG XR falcon ute when I had it I for one do not miss it since owning my Ranger.
To be quite honest I was bitterly disappointed with the FG in quality & problems I had with it in which the Ranger restored my faith in the ford brand.
I nearly gave up fords after driving them for over 40 years.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by boss351290

Why do you need one???

I never knew they made 6 wheeled Falcon utes

Falcons can only legally tow a whole tonne less than a Ranger can. Caravans are getting bigger and heavier by the year and Falcons just don't cater for these bigger vans now.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Romulus

My company had 3 Rangers. The XLT auto had a driveline vibration that couldn’t be fixed, the XL 3.2 A6 blew up an inter cooler, inter cooler hose and the transmission was replaced 14k out of warranty (although Ford covered it under warranty), and the XL 3.2 M6 had a driveline vibration that couldn’t be repaired either. 2 of the three Rangers have been replaced with VO Transit Vans, the third was replaced with my 2012 LC 200 GX.

I wouldn’t buy a Ranger again.

Quality has improved immensely over the last few years. My PX1 2013 XLT had a vibration too when it was new (which they fixed when I told them they could have it back). Even compared to our 2014 Wildtrak at work my 2017 Wildtrak is chalk and cheese.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by boss351290

I'm sorry, they do fix a purpose. A sedan based ute will not be good on the farm I agree. I'm directly comparing the falcon to the ranger and I agree that should not be a comparison. I have owned 5 fg falcons and currently own a xr8 5.4 fg and a fg x turbo ute. My father owns a ranger, a friend owns one and a relative drives a ranger for work.
I cannot change market trends or peoples opinions but after driving three rangers and a navara, and hilux all less than 3 years old I can honestly say that these people have rocks in their head when they tell me about how good the ranger is.
This is my opinion. Most people use there rangers 99 percent of the time the same as I use my falcons. these vehicles are a trend. Most are bought them to keep up with the joneses. Some people genuinely need a truck as they tow all day or need the payload on the back. They need it. But how is this type of vehicle the best selling vehicle in Australia I don't know why.
Sorry for being so negative. But those people driving rangers for the last 3 or 4 years should take a falcon for a drive for 5 minutes and they just might know where I coming from. In the last 5 years has everybody become a tradie or bought a 3.1 tonne caravan???

Ive got both and the Ranger drives better then my 2016 Falcon. It sits on the road nicer, has better steering and the overall comfort ****s on the Falcon. Falcon is 3 times quicker but thats about where it ends.

[BENT_8]

An interesting read when considering max tow rating, based on the Ranger...

https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car...kg-tow-rating/

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

An interesting read when considering max tow rating, based on the Ranger...

https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car...kg-tow-rating/

Yup, so many don't understand this.

People pay large sums for Insurance and for all intents they are essentially uninsured.
Same as those who insist on dark tints hid's etc. Its mind boggling.

[roKWiz]

Yes, isn't the Rangers GCM 6 tons ?? GVM 3.2T + 3.1 T =______
There is an uprated GVM kit of 3.5 ton but surely the GCM won't change. Sounds like they're fudging figures to sell this stuff.
I couldn't imagine towing these weights at highway speeds on single rear wheels, reminds of those stupid single rear wheel European motorhomes imported here.

Imagine blowing a rear drive tyre at 110km.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Yes, isn't the Rangers GCM 6 tons ?? GVM 3.2T + 3.1 T =______

so don't load the Ranger up to its GVM then....

I agree Ranger (and Everest) have the worst payload in their class, but they can still legally tow the rated weight providing the owner is aware of the legal limitations.

You'd probably be surprised at how low the Falcon GVM is. Start towing more than 2T and you would have to leave half your family home to be legal.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by prydey

so don't load the Ranger up to its GVM then....

I agree Ranger (and Everest) have the worst payload in their class, but they can still legally tow the rated weight providing the owner is aware of the legal limitations.

You'd probably be surprised at how low the Falcon GVM is. Start towing more than 2T and you would have to leave half your family home to be legal.

You would really surprized what you can't load into a Ranger to achieve those figures.
I didn't mention Falcons ??
I reckon if you were serious about towing large I would be looking for dual rear wheels, long wheelbase stuff. Big F series, Dodge rams etc. instead of these little utes.
I've seen a few NSW north coast stings lately taking some of these overweights off the road.
(I know, I was checked on the scales south of Coffs in my 25 year old motorhome.)

[prydey]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

You would really surprized what you can't load into a Ranger to achieve those figures.

No, i wouldn't. i just don't think its fair to automatically assume someone is illegal without knowing all the facts. The Ranger can legally tow 3.1T, esp if all the payload is in the trailer and the Ranger is unmodified with only 1 or 2 occupants.

as an aside, i would hazzard a guess that in the owners manual it recommends reduced towing speeds that continue to reduce as the tow weight increases. Its not the cars fault if owners operate outside of manufacturer recommendations or illegally.

having said all that, i do agree that some of these towing combinations are getting ridiculous. allowing relatively inexperienced people on a car licence to operate a vehicle upwards of 6T is just asking for trouble.

google bruce hwy accidents and you'll find a car-van combo falls over nearly every week.

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I didn't mention Falcons ??

sorry, wasn't really directed at you. falcons were mention earlier in the thread as being just as versatile. the reality is somewhat different.

i tow a jayco swan camper van (see camping thread) and as light as they are, and as far under the max tow rated capacity of the car as they are, I would be borderline illegal on the GVM. ball weight and 4 occupants is near enough to 400kg. GVM is only just over 2200 for falcon, with a tare of over 1700 and kerb weight probably over 1800, it doesn't leave much wiggle room. thats towing a trailer at only 1.3T.

this is the reason why dual cab utes are popular. they are way more versatile than the falcons and commodores.

i really don't want to part with my falcon, but circumstances change and enjoying life in the outdoors now outweighs my love of the falcon, so for legal reasons (mentioned above) i have been looking at other options.

Ford need a territory size replacement here pronto. Everest is too big and kuga too small.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Yes, isn't the Rangers GCM 6 tons ?? GVM 3.2T + 3.1 T =______
There is an uprated GVM kit of 3.5 ton but surely the GCM won't change. Sounds like they're fudging figures to sell this stuff.
I couldn't imagine towing these weights at highway speeds on single rear wheels, reminds of those stupid single rear wheel European motorhomes imported here.

Imagine blowing a rear drive tyre at 110km.

Another wrong assumption Lovell's do an upgrade to 3.5 ton gvm for the ranger and the towing capacity remains unchanged which means a gcm of 7 t .

[prydey]

Originally Posted by dunga

Another wrong assumption Lovell's do an upgrade to 3.5 ton gvm for the ranger and the towing capacity remains unchanged which means a gcm of 7 t .

GCM doesn't change with an increase in GVM i'm pretty sure. GCM is set by the manufacturer. I believe you may be able to get it increased in some vehicles but its a rather expensive exercise.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

as an aside, i would hazzard a guess that in the owners manual it recommends reduced towing speeds that continue to reduce as the tow weight increases. Its not the cars fault if owners operate outside of manufacturer recommendations or illegally.

having said all that, i do agree that some of these towing combinations are getting ridiculous. allowing relatively inexperienced people on a car licence to operate a vehicle upwards of 6T is just asking for trouble.

google bruce hwy accidents and you'll find a car-van combo falls over nearly every week.

With all due respects Rob but...
I've just completed 6 days of driving from Adelaide to Sydney, return and I can tell you that having a disclaimer in the owners manual about travelling slower to compensate for a seriously borderline load wont win you any friends on the highway.
The number of 'B' double trucks nose to tail following a line of Nomads (I say Nomads and not grey Nomads because every man and their dog is touring Australia with a van in tow these days) with their Ranger/Patrol/Land cruisers at 25km/hr under the speed limit is a recipe for disaster and I witnessed it first hand.

I've got nothing against the Ranger, they appear to be great all round vehicles, but I think people should do their homework and consider real world scenario's before hooking up their 24ft van and crossing the country line astern with likeminded people without a care in the world of how their supposed safe conduct is impacting on the people around them.

Its ok if you can pull up anywhere and set up camp, there's no pressure on you to make a motel room before fatigue sets in, but for those poor buggers lined up behind you all trying to negotiate overtaking half a dozen vans and tow vehicles travelling at well under the limit, adding 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there to their trip is not helping their situation.

In days gone by I could cover the 660km from my front door to Hay in around 7hrs comfortably, this past week it took me nearly 8 as a result of continually being slowed down by lines of cars banked up behind slow moving Nomads, the longer I spent on the road at the end of a long day, the greater risk I have of being involved in a fatigue related accident.
All they've done by solving their problem is create one for people like me, and before anyone suggests I'm impatient, I intentionally pre booked 2 stop overs so as to avoid being in a hurry, it doesn't take 3 days to cover 1400km if you're pushing it.

If your vehicle is not capable of pulling your van at close to highway speeds, you shouldn't be using that vehicle or towing that sized van.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by prydey

GCM doesn't change with an increase in GVM i'm pretty sure. GCM is set by the manufacturer. I believe you may be able to get it increased in some vehicles but its a rather expensive exercise.

Do some research I was sceptical also but I can assure you Lovell's can do an upgrade to 7t gcm it has something to do with a second stage manufacturer and yes is quite expensive.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by dunga

Do some research I was sceptical also but I can assure you Lovell's can do an upgrade to 7t gcm it has something to do with a second stage manufacturer and yes is quite expensive.

As a truck driver I need to sit a practical driving exam to drive a vehicle with a CGM of over 4.5t in SA yet its ok for some 75yo bloke to get around in his 7t GCM Ranger and van on a basic car license.
Its bull**** and getting more dangerous as the vans get bigger and the towing capacities suggested by manufacturers increase to compensate.
It's ok whilst everything's going well, but when **** hits the fan, who pays the price.
Not Ford or Lovells.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

With all due respects Rob but...
I've just completed 6 days of driving from Adelaide to Sydney, return and I can tell you that having a disclaimer in the owners manual about travelling slower to compensate for a seriously borderline load wont win you any friends on the highway.
The number of 'B' double trucks nose to tail following a line of Nomads (I say Nomads and not grey Nomads because every man and their dog is touring Australia with a van in tow these days) with their Ranger/Patrol/Land cruisers at 25km/hr under the speed limit is a recipe for disaster and I witnessed it first hand.

I've got nothing against the Ranger, they appear to be great all round vehicles, but I think people should do their homework and consider real world scenario's before hooking up their 24ft van and crossing the country line astern with likeminded people without a care in the world of how their supposed safe conduct is impacting on the people around them.

Its ok if you can pull up anywhere and set up camp, there's no pressure on you to make a motel room before fatigue sets in, but for those poor buggers lined up behind you all trying to negotiate overtaking half a dozen vans and tow vehicles travelling at well under the limit, adding 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there to their trip is not helping their situation.

In days gone by I could cover the 660km from my front door to Hay in around 7hrs comfortably, this past week it took me nearly 8 as a result of continually being slowed down by lines of cars banked up behind slow moving Nomads, the longer I spent on the road at the end of a long day, the greater risk I have of being involved in a fatigue related accident.
All they've done by solving their problem is create one for people like me, and before anyone suggests I'm impatient, I intentionally pre booked 2 stop overs so as to avoid being in a hurry, it doesn't take 3 days to cover 1400km if you're pushing it.

If your vehicle is not capable of pulling your van at close to highway speeds, you shouldn't be using that vehicle or towing that sized van.

I agree. I was just highlighting that what manufacturers use to market their vehicles usually comes with a few hidden caveats that most sales people wouldn't want you to read.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by dunga

Do some research I was sceptical also but I can assure you Lovell's can do an upgrade to 7t gcm it has something to do with a second stage manufacturer and yes is quite expensive.

They can do GVM upgrades, and the sales staff will tell you it increased the GCM, but I would double check that with the appropriate authorities before assuming it correct.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

As a truck driver I need to sit a practical driving exam to drive a vehicle with a CGM of over 4.5t in SA yet its ok for some 75yo bloke to get around in his 7t GCM Ranger and van on a basic car license.
Its bull**** and getting more dangerous as the vans get bigger and the towing capacities suggested by manufacturers increase to compensate.
It's ok whilst everything's going well, but when **** hits the fan, who pays the price.
Not Ford.

I agree with what your saying I'm just letting you know what's out there now regarding upgrades.For the record I tow a heavy caravan with a ranger and I do have a truck licence and I'm not 75 years old yet far from it but it is alarming knowing that you don't need any heavy vehicle licencing/training to tow these heavy loads.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

I agree. I was just highlighting that what manufacturers use to market their vehicles usually comes with a few hidden caveats that most sales people wouldn't want you to read.

Yeah, sorry fella, I didn't mean to come across aggressive, I just read what you wrote and with recent experiences thought i'd air my concerns.
It is truly frightening the things you see on the roads today and I'm sure our interstate truck driver members could give even better accounts of what they have to contend with just to earn a buck to a deadline.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by prydey

They can do GVM upgrades, and the sales staff will tell you it increased the GCM, but I would double check that with the appropriate authorities before assuming it correct.

Jump on the New Ranger Forums. There is a guy on there that has done the Lovells GVM/GCM upgrade. He has posted up his VicRoads rego papers showing the 7000kg GCM on them.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Jump on the New Ranger Forums. There is a guy on there that has done the Lovells GVM/GCM upgrade. He has posted up his VicRoads rego papers showing the 7000kg GCM on them.

All good and well until the tail wags the dog

[superyob]

Originally Posted by boss351290

Massive profit margins for ford for crap box seperate chassis vehicles built in Asian country's.. several friends have them and the more I drive them the more I think they are crazy spending there money on cars that do nothing good but everything mediocre. Absurdly junk motor vehicles.

Ford Ranger? Fx4? Black? Flares?

Shut up and take my money!!!

[Brazen]

Where these cars really come into their own is on the open road, or offroading, or touring with a lot of gear and towing. Sure they are not the best in traffic, but honestly its all low speed stuff anyway so does it really matter it doesnt handly like a Porsche when doing 50kmh.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by dunga

I agree with what your saying I'm just letting you know what's out there now regarding upgrades.For the record I tow a heavy caravan with a ranger and I do have a truck licence and I'm not 75 years old yet far from it but it is alarming knowing that you don't need any heavy vehicle licencing/training to tow these heavy loads.

Thanks for clearing that up, I never new you could uprate GCM for an under 4.5 ton GVM vehicle. Totally agree on the licencing as well.

[jpd80]

Ford must be doing something right to be selling so many Rangers, amazing that
87% of them as 4x4s and more than 50% of them as Wildtraks and Titaniums.
That means transaction prices are way up there, frustrating that they won't
ease back on prices a bit...

Does anyone know how Everest is going, have sales stayed over 400/mth?

Originally Posted by dunga
I agree with what your saying I'm just letting you know what's out there now regarding upgrades.For the record I tow a heavy caravan with a ranger and I do have a truck licence and I'm not 75 years old yet far from it but it is alarming knowing that you don't need any heavy vehicle licencing/training to tow these heavy loads.

Yep, so scary that the grey nomads seem so determined to trade in their houses to go caravaning,
it's hard enough to maintain concentration when you're fit and middle aged. Tow anything more than
a box trailer and you should have to do training and accreditation.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Where these cars really come into their own is on the open road, or offroading, or touring with a lot of gear and towing. Sure they are not the best in traffic, but honestly its all low speed stuff anyway so does it really matter it doesnt handly like a Porsche when doing 50kmh.

Today a lot of drivers are more interested in texting while driving than going fast,
I think performance optioned vehicles areoff most people's radars, they just expect
good basic performance as part of the deal, (not unlike we used to get in older HP models)

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

All good and well until the tail wags the dog

Does the Ranger have trailer sway control? Cause I thought it does. It works like stability control and will selectively brake individual wheels to bring it under control.

The F series certainly does have this.

[Vesper Martini]

Yep, so does Everest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZkHm4RYtDA
I believe the Hilux & Amarok have followed with this too.

Discos have had it for years,