Hello,

I have a 2018 Ranger XLT Super cab.  Two questions if I may:

1) I don't want to fit a towbar, because it will inhibit the tailgate when folded fully down, but would like to fit a towing/recovery point.  The owners manual makes reference to a towing point that looks like it attaches to the near side shock absorber bracket, but FMC don't know anything about it.  Even if there was such a fitment, attaching a tow strap would be less than convenient.  The only option I've come across is a product from "Logan" that fixes to one of the chassis rails, but unfortunately, it's compatible with the XLT's tubular rear bumper.  I've asked, and Logan are not prepared to fabricate a one-off.  Has anyone any thoughts or suggestions?

2) The front towing/recovery eye sits above the bottom edge of the front lower trim panel, meaning that fitting a tow strap would damage said trim.  Has anyone encountered this as a problem?  FMC advise that the trim is deformable and no damage will occur.  I'm not so sure, especially as the trim material ages.

Hello Steve @Bosun, congratulations on your first post. I see you joined the forum back in September 2011, I guess your not much of a talker 🤣

Your profile probably needs updated, says you have a 2011 Ranger, possibly an old vehicle you once had.

On 4/30/2025 at 12:16 PM, Bosun said:

I don't want to fit a towbar, because it will inhibit the tailgate when folded fully down

I've just checked that on my 2022 Ranger which does have the Ford factory fitted tow bar. It would only stop the tailgate fully folding down if the tow ball (hitch) was fitted.

Correction to the above statement.

The actual rear bumper of the Stormtrak and the Wildtrak models would also stop the tailgate folding fully down. Perhaps this is not the case on the XLT

 

Thank you Unofix,

Do you know which towbar you have?  I'm not sure they're all the same.  I asked the dealer some while ago about this, and guess what?  They hadn't got a clue.

A towbar with a "receiver hitch" would be a bonus, as the hitch is easy to remove, and can be replaced with a recognised/tested recovery eye.

The tow bar on my Ranger is the standard factory fit with the usual bolted on ball hitch.

The actual rear bumper of the Stormtrak and the Wildtrak models would also stop the tailgate folding fully down. Perhaps this is not the case on the XLT

The new 2023 Rangers have tow bars with the removable hitch but they won't fit your model. 

Thank you. The XLT has a tubular bumper making fold down possible.