Ranger 2.3L for towing in the Rockies?

[Celer]

I just wanted to get feedback on my plan, I'm starting to negotiate on a 2.3L 2024 FX4/w the advanced tow package and I was hoping for some feedback.

I live in the mountains outside of Denver, and I have a small travel trailer that I'm currently towing with a stock 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L. I do a couple of trips each year towing around Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Wyoming. Otherwise I'm usually using my jeep as my adventure mobile driving out and tent camping etc. Fuel economy matters to me because I'm usually driving far out.

Here are my trailer specs:

• GVWR: 3500 lbs.
• Unloaded Vehicle Weight: 2140 lbs.
• Cargo carrying capacity: 1360 lbs.
• Ext dimensions (lxwxh): 16'2″x7'1″x7'10”

I've towed about 10-15k miles in my Grand Cherokee (it's at about 175k), I think it's time to replace it. The transmission is acting weird when I'm towing, I'm getting rough shifts and it frequently locks me out of shifting. Regardless the Jeep hasn't been the a very good tow vehicle, it really struggles towing my trailer; on many mountain passes here I'm usually towing at about 70% of the speed limit. I drive my Jeep super gently when I'm towing I almost never go over 60mph, and usually stick to 55mph.

Anyways what I'd like to do is buy a 2.3L Ranger and eventually I'd like to get a longer travel trailer, nothing longer than 20ft.

The reason I'm considering the Ranger 2.3L is because it did so well on the TFLT Ike challenge - this is the 2nd worse climb I frequently have to tow with my Jeep (Vail pass is worse IMHO). The Jeep Gladiator they had in the challenge behaves like mine does (it has a better axle ratio), it's really underpowered and it's peddle to the floor to maintain 60mph except mine seems to be on the verge of overheating, so I just accept my fate and go over the pass at 45mph, constantly shifting to keep the temps in line.

I do a fair amount of off-roading which is why I'm shooting for FX4 and also don't want something as big as an F150. I have been cross shopping the ranger against the 5.7L Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Thoughts?

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[Celer]

Now that I've typed this out, I think it helps me understand just how poorly my Jeep would have done in that same challenge, compared to the Gladiator, my Jeep has an older variant of the 3.6L with worse torque curve, worse axle ratios, less stout transmission, the motor is probably a bit tired at 175k.

It would have done very poorly. Which also tells me me quite a bit about how much more capable the Ranger is.

 

[Alaska Steve]

I have the 2.7L Lariat FX4.
I had the 3.6L Jeep Wrangler and dreaded mountain climbs at freeway speeds even after re-gearing to 4.88 with 37in tires. I’ve watched both of TFL videos (2.3 & 2.7 Ike pulls) and given that you plan to increase your trailer size, I’d stick with the 2.7.
I also came from a 5G 2.3L and I prefer the 2.7, even though I’ve gone from 22mpg to 18.3 around town.

 

[superj]

I think it would be fine. Someone just posted how well their 2.3 did towing a car on a trailer through the hills or mountains

 

[Davko]

What is stopping you from searching for a 2024 Ranger FX4 with the 2.7 L engine? Your plan, outlined above, would support getting as much power as possible while still maintaining decent gas mileage. You asked for opinion, so here’s mine; Get the F150. If you must get the Ranger, get the 2025 2.3L engine (it’s different than the 2024 2.3L) or the 2024 2.7L.

 

[Celer]

What is stopping you from searching for a 2024 Ranger FX4 with the 2.7 L engine? Your plan, outlined above, would support getting as much power as possible while still maintaining decent gas mileage. You asked for opinion, so here’s mine; Get the F150. If you must get the Ranger, get the 2025 2.3L engine (it’s different than the 2024 2.3L) or the 2024 2.7L.

I'm kinda cost sensitive, I didn't know the 2024 and 2025 2.3L were different. Thanks for the input, this week I think I'll cross shop F150s as well.

 

[Blowndodge]

I'm kinda cost sensitive, I didn't know the 2024 and 2025 2.3L were different. Thanks for the input, this week I think I'll cross shop F150s as well.

they are different but no difference in power or increased towing capacity. Even though you can tow up to 7500lbs if you stay at or below 5,000 the 2.3 will do just fine.

 

[Alaska Steve]

After 45yrs of owning cars, trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and other vehicles, what I’ve learned is it’s better to have the power and not need it than not have the power when you need it. I have almost always regretted going with the less expensive option when faced with the type of needs you described. The cost element will fade away long before the regret which will become more intense over time.

 

[Afsigma21]

Watch this... It is worth it for this convo!

 

[Cjfordvt]

I just switched from a Gen3 Tacoma to a 2.7l 2024. The Taco struggled in the high elevation. I'm still on our first outing of the year. Boise to Bend, Sisters, Detroit Lake
Then South to CA. Per the computer we have gone 833 miles and 13.4 MPG.

I am super happy with this truck.

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