Test Out This Versatile Rack System Ford Made For The New Ranger In Australia

Ford proudly claims that the brand new Ranger is probably the most versatile ever and to assist make it enchantment to as many individuals as attainable, Ford Australia has developed a brand new roof rack for it.

Dubbed the Versatile Rack System (FRS), it slides inside a C-shaped channel positioned on the high of the load field sidewalls and will be locked in 5 totally different positions, which means it could possibly safe gadgets of various lengths.

Ford Australia says it spoke with pickup house owners throughout the improvement of the latest-generation Ranger to find out how they used their vehicles. The Versatile Rack System was the answer it got here up with.

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“We discovered from our clients that they might load issues like canoes into the load field after which lean them up towards the sports activities hoop earlier than tying them down. This was awkward and meant the load field couldn’t actually be used for storing anything a buyer would possibly need to take with them,” Ford Ranger utility specialist Danny Trentin described. “We additionally discovered of their frustrations when it got here to carrying gadgets of longer lengths. With an 80-kilogram dynamic load restrict, the Versatile Rack System eliminates these frustrations.”

Forming a part of the FRS is the Sliding Load Rack. It was designed to be operated rapidly and simply by one individual. The ring slides into the rails and sports activities a system of 4 curler bearings angled at 37-degrees, retractable stabilizers and locks to make sure the rack gained’t transfer when locked in place.

Ford torture-tested the system at its native testing facility, making certain that the FRS might assist 80 kg (176 lbs) no matter whether or not it was being pushed on the tarmac or off-road.

“A part of our sturdiness take a look at entails our notorious Silver Creek Street take a look at observe which is so torturous we use autonomous driving robots to finish this section of the testing,” mentioned Particular Car Engineering senior engineer Kin Tribhuvan. “The FRS was examined at full load and accomplished 77 runs on the observe, passing with flying colours. It accomplished 400 runs with no load.”

Whereas pricing particulars for the Versatile Rack System are usually not but recognized, Ford has confirmed it will likely be obtainable on choose 2023 Ranger fashions.