All Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2021 Ford Ranger With Blue Ox Tow Bar

Question:

I’m considering purchasing a 2021 ford ranger lariat to use as a toad. Could you assist with components recommended and needed? I think blue ox 10k tow bar and demco brake system for Rv with seems right but please confirm which one. My RV is a 2016 Georgetown on a ford f550 chassis. With brake boost. Is this hydraulic? Unsure if”power assist”. The truck weighs 4450 pounds. Would a less robust tow bar work than the 10k blue ox?

asked by: Tyler R

Expert Reply:

Hey there Tyler; thanks for the question and we can get the 2021 Ford Ranger set up to be flat towed behind your motorhome. In regards to the tow bar, since the Ranger weighs not even 4,500 lbs you definitely don't need to spend more money to get the 10k tow bar, a less-expensive (but just as effective) option is what I would go with. As for the brakes are you talking about your motorhome? If it's a Ford F-550 it will have hydraulic brakes and not air brakes. So all that said, here are the parts for the '21 Ranger:

- Base Plate Kit: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BLU77XR

- Tow Bar: Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar # BX7380

- Wiring Kit: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267

- Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles # RM-88400

- Supplemental Braking System: Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System # SM99251

- Towed Vehicle Battery Charge Wire Kit for Demco Supplemental Braking Systems # DM66VR

The Blue Ox base plates were a smart choice as they have a deserved reputation for quality, and they will also give the Ranger a clean look when you aren't towing it due to their removable arms.

For the tow bar, the Alpha 2 has a 6,500 lb capacity, which is well over what the Ranger weighs, and even comes with safety cables so you don't have to purchase those separately. As for the wiring, I really like the Flexo-Coil wiring kit because it is designed to prevent any type of electrical feedback, keeping the truck's electrical system safe, and the charge line kit will keep the battery charged as it is being towed. Then for the brake light relay, that's needed to ensure your signals flash in tandem with your motorhomes.

As for the braking system, the Stay-IN-Play DUO is easily the best because it gives you braking proportional to that of your motorhome. So when you hit the brakes on your motorhome, your truck is going to get the same amount of braking power, resulting in much smoother braking than other systems.