by Marcus Dubois
Let’s face it; Britain hasn’t taken the pickup truck to its bosom in the same way as our English-speaking counterparts.
While the pickup is synonymous with American life (and affectionately termed “ute” in Australia) outside of commercial life Brits have largely ignored the pickup.
It may well have something to do with fuel costs – notably high on our island shores in comparison to the US and other markets where the pickup is successful. Yet with the newest generation of Ranger, Ford is hoping to change the popular perception of a gas-guzzling giant more suited for wide open roads.
Diesel power
The major gain for UK customers is at the fuel pumps, with the option of a two wheel drive system married to a frugal diesel engine. This has become a recent trend in the 4×4 market, with the aim of increasing economy and reducing emissions.
A 2.2-litre diesel engine in the Ranger produces 375nm of torque and nearly 150bhp, allowing for smooth progress on motorways. In addition the Ranger now offers best-in-class towing ability of 3,350kgs, all while returning an impressive 32 mpg on the combined cycle.
As a result the 2.2 diesel is likely to be the strongest seller in the UK, but those seeking even more power may be interested in the 3.2-litre diesel that accesses an even wider range of torque for towing. There are marginal losses here on fuel economy which drops to around 28 mpg with a full 4×4 system.
Rugged, yet stylish
There’s no doubting that as pick-ups go, the Ford Ranger is a handsome beast. None of the rugged styling has been lost for European markets, with Ford adopting a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
All double-cab Ranger models come with a reasonable amount of standard equipment; the entry level model includes a CD player and remote central locking, while XLT trim offers air conditioning as standard alongside chrome and leather touches.
Is the Ranger a good choice for caravanners?
With a competitive entry price of £15,515 the Ford Ranger offers a huge amount of power for the price. Yet there are some caravanners who will be familiar with the issues that can arise for pickup owners looking to tow a caravan to sites.
A number of caravan sites in the UK prohibit commercial vehicles from pitching up on site, regardless of whether the vehicle is held by a private owner and not used for business purposes.
Other parks state clearly which types of vehicle are allowed, and pickups are often permitted as long as they do not bear signage or advertising.
Often the decision is left to the discretion of the warden, which means those caravanners thinking of owning a Ranger should expect to have to call ahead or check any websites before booking.
But what is clear is that when it comes to performance for the pound, the new Ford Ranger takes some beating.
Do you tow using a pickup truck? Have you ever been turned away from a caravan site for privately owning a “commercial” vehicle? Have your say in our forum topic
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