Ford’s towing powerhouses: F‑150, Ranger, Ranger Super Duty and Everest

If you’ve ever hauled a caravan across Australia, you already know that the right tow vehicle can change everything. It’s the difference between a relaxed cruise and a white‑knuckle fight with physics. It’s not just about power or torque either.

Rather, it’s about the numbers that actually govern what you can legally and safely haul. That starts with GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass - the maximum the vehicle itself can weigh when loaded) and GCM (Gross Combined Mass - the maximum legal weight of the vehicle plus trailer).

Add payload and braked towing capacity to the mix, and you get the real picture of what a tow rig can do. Ford’s current line‑up, including F‑150, Ranger, Ranger Super Duty and Everest, is built around those realities.

Dig into the details and the story becomes clear: these vehicles aren’t just tow‑rated, they’re tow‑ready.

F‑150: The full‑size tow rig with serious muscle

The F‑150’s return to Australia has been a big moment for caravanners, and its numbers justify the excitement. With 4,500 kg braked towing capacity, it’s built for travellers hauling large vans with confidence.

With two different wheelbases (145-inch and 157-inch) and a number of variants available, the F-150 stacks up as follows, GCM: 7,270kg (145), 7,315kg (157), GVM: 3,220kg (145), 3,265kg (157) while Payload ranges from 685kg (Lariat 145) to 794kg (XLT 157).

It can get a little confusing, but that combination gives the F‑150 the headroom needed for big‑van touring. Even with a heavy caravan on the hitch, there’s space within the mass limits for passengers, gear and accessories.

It’s a proper full‑size pickup, engineered for long‑distance towing without compromise.

Ranger: Australia’s towing benchmark

The Ranger has long been the backbone of Ford’s towing line‑up, and the 2026 specifications reinforce why it’s so popular with caravanners. Even in the 4x2 XL and XLT variants, the fundamentals are strong with GCM at 6,200kg, and GVM between 3,230 and 3,250kg.

Payloads range from 1,075 to 1,447kg. These figures give the Ranger a broad operating envelope. Even before stepping into 4x4 or V6 territory, it offers enough GCM headroom to tow a mid‑size caravan while still carrying passengers and gear.

It’s the kind of balance that’s made it Australia’s best‑selling ute.

What about the Raptor?

Ford’s performance hero is built for speed, suspension travel and off‑road fun. Its GCM around 6,200kg, GVM around 3,230 to 3250 kg and reduced braked towing capacity (3,500kg) make it less suitable for large caravans, but still capable of handling smaller, lighter vans or trailers.

It’s a brilliant off‑roader, but not the towing hero of the family.

Ranger Super Duty: The heavy‑duty specialist

For travellers who routinely operate at the upper end of the towing spectrum, the Ranger Super Duty takes things to another level. Built on a strengthened chassis with heavy‑duty axles, upgraded suspension and a 3.0‑litre V6 turbo‑diesel, it’s engineered for serious work.

Backing up its heavy‑duty credentials is a GCM of 8,000kg, GVM at 4,500kg, payload range of 1,825 to 1,982kg and a braked towing capacity of 4,500kg. These figures put the Super Duty in a different league to standard utes.

With up to 1.98-tonnes of payload and a full 4.5‑tonne towing rating, it’s built for large off‑road caravans, toy haulers and commercial loads where every kilogram counts. It’s the Ranger for travellers who need more than the typical ute can offer.

Everest: The family SUV with real towing capability

Sharing its ladder‑frame DNA with the Ranger, the Everest brings seven‑seat practicality to Ford’s towing line‑up. It’s a family SUV that doesn’t shy away from serious towing duties. It has a GCM of 6,250kg (6,350kg for the Tremor), and GVM between 3,100 and 3,240kg.

Payload capacity is between 651 and 731kg and maximum braked towing capacity is up to 3,500kg. The Everest is ideal for families who want one vehicle to handle school runs during the week and caravan adventures on the weekend.

We spoke with an Everest owner about their towing experience. “We’re hauling a Jayco Swan camper trailer with ours. You don’t even feel it on the back of the Ford, it’s just that good a tow vehicle.”

The key consideration here (and with the Ranger) is payload: with seven seats and luggage on board, tow‑ball download becomes a critical part of the equation. But for those who manage their weights carefully, the Everest is a highly capable tow platform.

The bottom line

Ford’s towing line‑up covers the full spectrum of Australian caravanning needs:

  • F‑150 for big vans and long‑haul confidence
  • Ranger for all‑round capability and everyday practicality
  • Ranger Super Duty for heavy‑duty towing and high payload demands
  • Everest for families who need seven seats and real towing muscle

Across the board, Ford’s mass ratings, payloads and towing capacities show a clear focus on real‑world usability. Whether you’re towing a compact hybrid or a full‑size off‑road caravan, there’s a Ford built to handle the job.


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