This is a great addition to the Ranger to help fleets reduce the risk of accidents and damage when towing plant and equipment. Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist reduces the stress for part-time towers by using technology to make reversing a trailer, boat or caravan more intuitive.
It will be standard on selected models of Ranger and optional on Everest in 2024. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist debuted locally in F-150 in 2023, allowing you to ‘steer the trailer’, making reversing more intuitive than traditional methods.
“Because reversing a trailer requires you to turn the steering wheel left to make the trailer go to the right, it can be difficult to get your head around, even if you’ve done it loads of times,” said Zack McIntyre, advanced driver assist systems engineer, Ford.
“With Pro-Trailer Back Up Assist, you can ‘steer’ your trailer down a boat ramp quickly and easily or position your camper perfectly every time.”
Pro-Trailer Backup Assist™ will be standard on Ranger Wildtrak, Platinum and Raptor vehicle, and available as part of the optional Touring Pack on 4X4 XLT and Sport pick-up variants.
For Everest it will be available as a part of the Touring Pack on 4WD Trend and 4WD Sport vehicles, replacing the Zone Lighting and black Stand-Off Roof Rails features, which are standard from MY24.5. On Platinum series, an optional Pro Towing Pack, including both Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ and the contents of the Towing Pack, will be available replacing the standard Towing Pack option.
Next-level towing
Ranger and Everest are already well setup for towing, brimming with tow-friendly features, and while features like the reversing camera with hitch view1, trailer light check2 help owners connect and check their trailers, and systems like blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage3 and an integrated brake controller4 help improve safety on the road, Pro Trailer Backup Assist1 helps owners easily and intuitively reverse their trailer once they reach their destination.
“The driver ‘steers’ the trailer via the outer ring of the drive mode controller on the centre console,” said McIntyre.
“As the driver turns the dial, the steering wheel, which the driver doesn’t need to touch during the manouevre, turns to direct the trailer where it needs to go.”
To activate the system, the driver presses the trailer icon on the drive mode selector dial and then uses the outer ring to steer the trailer. A special sticker placed on the draw bar helps the system keep track of the trailer angle when it’s being reversed.
