Ford Ranger Stormtrak PHEV: The Future of Caravan Towing?

If you’ve spent any time towing a caravan around Australia, you’ll know one thing for certain: your tow vehicle can make or break the journey. Enter the Ford Ranger Stormtrak – a plug-in hybrid ute that indicates a coming shake up to the towing game, not with brute diesel force alone, but with a clever blend of technology and real-world usability.

After a week-long, 1,000km towing test to the South East Field Days, one thing became clear to our salesman, David: this isn’t just another Ranger variant, it’s also a glimpse into where caravan towing is heading.

A New Kind of Tow Vehicle

The Ford Ranger Stormtrak sits at the top of the Ranger lineup, bringing together premium comfort, advanced towing tech, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system designed to reduce fuel costs without sacrificing capability. From the driver’s seat, it still feels unmistakably like a modern Ranger – refined, solid, and confident – but there’s a noticeable shift in how it delivers that experience.

• Quiet EV driving at low speeds
• Smooth transition between electric and petrol power
• Regenerative braking that actively recharges the battery

That last point becomes particularly relevant when towing, especially on long descents.

Towing Technology That Actually Works

Modern towing isn’t just about torque figures – it’s about control, safety, and reducing driver fatigue. This is where the Stormtrak stands out. During the test, towing a 20ft Supreme caravan, David discovered the integrated towing system proved more than just a gimmick.

Key towing features include:

• Smart trailer setup – Input caravan weight, length, and height for tailored calibration
• Integrated brake controller – Pre-installed and seamlessly managed
• Tow/haul drive modes – Adjusts throttle, braking, and gear behaviour
• Trailer sway control – Automatically intervenes when instability is detected

One standout moment for David came when trailer sway kicked in at highway speed. Instead of him scrambling for the brake controller, the vehicle detected the issue, applied corrective braking, and prompted him to reduce speed before things escalated. That kind of intervention doesn’t just improve safety, it reduces mental load – and that matters when you’re towing for long stretches of time.

Comfort That Changes the Game

Towing long distances is as much about endurance as it is about capability, and this is where the Stormtrak really starts to shine. It leans heavily into comfort, and in real-world conditions, that makes a noticeable difference. During testing at the South East Field Days, three adults spent hours behind the wheel, yet stepped out at the end of the drive with minimal fatigue—something that’s not typically associated with dual cab utes.

Inside the cabin, the setup is clearly designed with long-haul driving in mind. The seating is supportive enough to stay comfortable over extended periods, while the large central display becomes a genuine asset when towing. With split-screen functionality, it allows you to keep an eye on both sides of the caravan using the onboard camera system, all without taking your focus too far off the road ahead.

Having real-time camera views of both sides of the van, positioned directly within your line of sight, adds a level of confidence that traditional mirrors alone simply can’t provide. It’s a small detail on paper, but on the road, it makes towing feel more controlled, more predictable, and ultimately far less tiring.

Hybrid Power vs Diesel Reality

Here’s where things get interesting. The Ford Ranger Stormtrak PHEV isn’t able to replace diesel outright – but it’s offering an alternative and like any alternative, it comes with trade-offs.

Where it shines:

• EV driving in town is whisper quiet and highly efficient
• Fuel consumption drops dramatically when not towing (as low as ~4L/100km observed)
• Regenerative braking adds usable range, especially on downhill runs

Where diesel still holds ground:

• Under heavy load (like long uphill climbs), the petrol engine lacks the low-end torque punch of a diesel
• Maintaining higher towing speeds requires more effort

Even so, the Stormtrak comfortably held around 90km/h uphill with a caravan in tow – perfectly usable in real-world conditions.

Real-World Fuel Economy When Towing

Let’s talk numbers, because this is where hybrid technology starts to make a real case. On the trip to Lucindale, David recorded towing fuel consumption sitting around 18–20L/100km, which is comparable to many petrol and diesel utes doing similar work. However, the real advantage became clear when the vehicle wasn’t under load. In everyday driving with EV assistance, fuel consumption dropped dramatically to around 4L/100km.

That’s where the Stormtrak starts to separate itself. Short daily drives – like trips from the campsite into town – can effectively be done “for free” if the battery has been charged overnight, with around 40km of electric-only range consistently achievable. For caravanners who tend to set up for a few days at a time, this becomes a genuine advantage, reducing fuel stops and overall running costs while still maintaining full towing capability when it’s needed.

Off-Grid Power: A Hidden Advantage

One of the Stormtrak’s most intriguing features is its Pro Power Onboard system – essentially turning your ute into a mobile power station. For caravanners without an inverter system, this opens up a range of practical possibilities, from running a caravan air conditioner for short periods to powering everyday appliances like a microwave, coffee machine, or even small cooking equipment. It also provides a useful way to supplement off-grid setups without the need to carry an additional generator, which can save both weight and space.

The system delivers a 15-amp output, making it perfectly suited to typical caravan power requirements. However, there is a trade-off to consider. Using the vehicle as a power source draws significantly on the battery, and once that energy is depleted, the petrol engine automatically kicks in to maintain the power supply. In effect, it operates like a built-in generator – highly convenient and versatile, but not without its limits.

Charging on the Road

Charging a PHEV while travelling is simpler than many expect, and David’s experience on the road highlights just how flexible the setup can be. Overnight charging can be done using a standard 10-amp outlet, making it easy to top up the battery at a campsite or accommodation without needing specialised infrastructure. Public charging stations are also becoming more common, even in regional areas like Kingston SE, providing additional options if you need a quicker recharge.

While it is technically possible to charge from a caravan system, it’s not a particularly practical long-term solution due to the strain it places on the van’s battery setup. Ultimately, this flexibility means you’re not tied to a specific charging network – if you have access to power, even a basic outlet, you’re able to keep moving.

Is the Ford Ranger Stormtrak Good for Caravanning?

So, where does the Ford Ranger Stormtrak land as a tow vehicle? It’s not a direct diesel replacement for every scenario – but it doesn’t need to be. Instead, it delivers a compelling blend of advanced towing safety systems, improved fuel efficiency in day-to-day driving, practical off-grid power capability, and a noticeably more relaxed experience behind the wheel.

More than anything, it changes how towing feels. There’s less stress, greater control, and a clear reduction in fatigue after long drives, which is something every caravanner can appreciate.

Final Verdict

The Ford Ranger Stormtrak represents a shift – not just in drivetrain technology, but in how we think about towing. For traditionalists, diesel still has a place. But for those open to new technology, especially families and travellers looking to reduce running costs without sacrificing comfort or capability, this is a serious contender.

And if this is where tow vehicles are heading, the future of caravanning looks quieter, smarter, and a whole lot more efficient.