The 2019 Ford Ranger Will Get a Trailer Blind Spot Monitoring System (News)

Ford's new midsize Ranger borrows technology from its larger brother.

2019 Ford Ranger gets trailer blind spot monitoring system
[Photo: Ford]

Ford announced the 2019 Ford Ranger will get trailer blind spot monitoring on XLT and Lariat trims.

This is a first for the midsize pickup segment. Like its bigger F-150 brother, Ford announced Tuesday that the 2019 Ranger XLT and Lariat will come standard with a trailer blind spot monitoring system. Like the F-150, the 2019 Ford Ranger will house radar sensors in the taillights to watch for traffic beyond the reach of the truck itself.

2019 Ford Ranger gets trailer blind spot monitoring system
[Photo: Ford]
After hooking up, drivers need to set the length of their trailer prior to setting off. However, after doing so, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) will watch out for other vehicles to the end of the trailer.

2019 Ford Ranger gets trailer blind spot monitoring system
[Photo: Ford]
The 2019 Ford Ranger will go on sale in early 2019. The only confirmed powertrain for North America is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. Ford hasn’t yet disclosed power figures for the Ranger. However, a similarly sized engine in the Ford Mustang EcoBoost makes 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.

2019 Ford Ranger. [Photo: Ford]
It’s unclear whether the Ford Ranger Raptor is coming to the U.S. at this point. We do expect a gas powertrain, rather than the turbodiesel engine in the global model. While the trailer blind spot monitoring system is useful, we still have yet to see official towing figures for the 2019 Ford Ranger. Stay tuned to TFLtruck.com for more updates! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Truck and TFLnow for more Ranger news, views and real-world reviews.