RV'ers with new Ford Ranger as a TOAD

[Dgilbert]

I have a new 2021 Ford Ranger 4x4 automatic with now 2700 miles as a toad. It's been on 2 trips so far. The ranger was pulled per owner manual.

After each tow when driving, it has what I call a electrical type smell and can't figure it out. The smell does go away over a short period of time.

After this last trip and doing the same thing I drove it straight to the dealership and the service personnel witness the smell. They kept the truck for a couple of days and couldn't find any wrong and by that time the smell dissipated. They said it was new engine smell break‐in, I think bs.

I know it's a long shot but anyone else pulling a Ford Ranger?

[F4Gary]

When I first started towing my CRV, after a long tow and then a drive, we would get this burnt rubber type smell. The first time, I thought maybe a plastic grocery bag got stuck to the exhaust and was melting/burning.
Nope. Then the smell would go away.
Turns out it was just the rubber and other stuff that gets airborne under the vehicle and sticks to the exhaust.
Normally, when you are driving it is continuously burnt off in very small quantities.

Once I took the full width flap off the back of the motorhome, we pretty much never get that smell again.
I think the vacuum it helped create cause a lot to the rubber in the road to get airborne and collect under the Toad.
There most likely isn't anything wrong with your Ranger.

[K Charles]

Our Hyundai has that smell when you first unhook but our 2010 ranger there is no smell. The ranger has a skid plate that may divert that stuff and keep it away from the exhaust.

[DeWat]

I was told years ago that it's the brake dust from the coach that goes back into the engine compartment through the front grill. This eventually burns off as the towed is used, which is why it's strongest at first startup, but goes away after a while. While I can't prove it, I do believe it because it's always stronger smelling in the toad after trips where more coach brake application, or even a single hard coach brake application was needed.

[Dgilbert]

All makes some sense, my flap is low and actually drags the road. I might try try raising it up.

[Ront77]

I’ve towed my 2021 Ranger 3-4000 miles and no issues
I am VERY careful in setting it up to tow. I’ve heard of things going wrong and locking up and ruining the transmission. I check things 3 times to be safe. It’s my daily driver and I love it.

[Newmar2856]

I have 2019 and agree with the previous posts regarding burning off road grime kicked up while you’re towing the first 20 minutes or so after unhooking.

It has been a great toad and I really like that there aren’t any towing limits as far as distance and time compared to our CRV, which was also a great toad.

[Dgilbert]

Originally Posted by Ront77

I’ve towed my 2021 Ranger 3-4000 miles and no issues
I am VERY careful in setting it up to tow. I’ve heard of things going wrong and locking up and ruining the transmission. I check things 3 times to be safe. It’s my daily driver and I love it.

I've heard people towing them for days not starting them, running down the battery and locking trans. I've ran a battery wire from the coach to the toad to help with battery issue.

[Dgilbert]

Originally Posted by Newmar2856

I have 2019 and agree with the previous posts regarding burning off road grime kicked up while you’re towing the first 20 minutes or so after unhooking.

It has been a great toad and I really like that there aren’t any towing limits as far as distance and time compared to our CRV, which was also a great toad.

Good to know thxs.

[Mighty_J]

I tow a 2020 Ranger. Before I shut down the climate control system, I set it to recirculate so I don’t get any outdoor smells in the cabin. The first time we towed I didn’t do it and the cabin stunk - I’d agree that it resembled an electrical smell, but it hasn’t recurred after turning the system to recirculate. When I unhook the toad, I leave it in recirculate for about the first 5 minutes of driving or so.

[Highwaymon]

Originally Posted by Ront77

I’ve towed my 2021 Ranger 3-4000 miles and no issues
I am VERY careful in setting it up to tow. I’ve heard of things going wrong and locking up and ruining the transmission. I check things 3 times to be safe. It’s my daily driver and I love it.

Hello, do you flat tow your ranger? is it 4wd or 2wd? does it matter? I'm getting conflicting info

[Highwaymon]

Hello, do you flat tow your ranger? is it 4wd or 2wd? does it matter? I'm getting conflicting info

[Ront77]

Originally Posted by Dgilbert

I've heard people towing them for days not starting them, running down the battery and locking trans. I've ran a battery wire from the coach to the toad to help with battery issue.

Mine is a 2021 Ranger 4WD. Roadmaster tow brackets and tow bar. I did install a fused jumper wire from the Motorhome power to the Ranger Battery. Never had battery issues.

[nctox]

Originally Posted by Ront77

Mine is a 2021 Ranger 4WD. Roadmaster tow brackets and tow bar. I did install a fused jumper wire from the Motorhome power to the Ranger Battery. Never had battery issues.

What trim package does your Ranger have? My 2021 Ranger has adaptive cruise control and I had read earlier that precluded being flat towed.