How Pro Power Onboard Set My Coffee Van Free
I’ve been a Ford Ranger driver for years. As a country lass who’s driven everything from horse boxes to tractors, I thought I knew my truck inside and out. It’s my go-to for the school run, for errands, and for those times when our local stream floods and I need to help the neighbours get their shopping.
But after spending a day at Ford’s Ranger Ready event, I realised I’d only been scratching the surface – probably only using about 10 per cent of what this incredible vehicle can do. It was a real eye-opener.
“It’s not just a vehicle; it’s a partner that’s ready for anything.”Jodie Kidd
It seems that desire to help is something most of us pickup drivers share. Ford’s research shows that 95 per cent of us are willing to lend a hand to someone in need, helping out on average four times a year. 1 We have the willingness, but as I discovered, we don’t always have the know-how.
Putting a pro to the test
The Ranger Ready event is designed to fix that, bridging the gap between good intentions and the skills to get the job done safely. We were put through our paces in a series of real-world rescue scenarios, from navigating a tough off-road course to learning the safest way to recover a stranded vehicle.
For me, the most revealing moment came when I had to reverse a trailer. I’m old school – arm over the passenger seat, looking over my shoulder, wiggling back and forth. I get there in the end, but it takes time and often a second person to guide me.
Then I tried it using the Pro Trailer Backup Assist. 2 What a game-changer. Using the cameras to line up the tow bar and the dial to steer the trailer was just brilliant. It halved the time it took me and, more importantly, I could do it all on my own. It’s technology that empowers you, giving you the confidence to hitch up and go without a second thought.
Throughout the day, we learned how to use the Ranger’s different drive modes and off-road features – like the diff lock – to make tricky situations feel effortless. The truck becomes your teammate, protecting you while you’re helping someone else. It’s about having that knowledge in the back of your head, ready for when you find yourself in a pickle.
An electric surprise
I’ll admit, as a self-confessed petrol head, I was curious about the new Ranger Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV). 3 I currently drive the Raptor – it just sums me up! But I was blown away by the PHEV. It’s just as capable. To know that you can have all that performance and capability, plus the ability to drive with zero tailpipe emissions, is fantastic. It’s a huge step in the right direction, even for die-hard enthusiasts like me.
It even helped provide my morning cuppa with Amy from the Coffee Can Company using a Ranger PHEV battery as a portable power source courtesy of Pro Power Onboard. 2
My biggest takeaway from the day was the importance of truly getting to know your vehicle. It’s easy to just get in, put it in drive and go. But understanding the full breadth of your pickup’s capabilities gives you the confidence to know that whatever the situation – a muddy field, a steep hill, a stranded motorist – your Ranger can handle it. It’s not just a vehicle; it’s a partner that’s ready for anything.
Jodie Kidd is a model, TV presenter and Ranger driver
Professional driver supervision on closed course. Always consult the Owner’s Manual before off-road driving, know your terrain and trail difficulty, and use appropriate safety gear.
1 Censuswide survey of 100 18+ car drivers in the UK, 26.03.2025–07.04.2025.
2 See Owner’s Manual for important operating instructions.
3 Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid homologated CO2 emissions 143-145 g/km WLTP Euro 6e-bis (UK: 70-72 g/km Euro 6e), homologated fuel efficiency 6.2-6.4 l/100 km WLTP Euro 6e-bis (UK: 3.1-3.2 l/100 km Euro 6e) and pure electric driving range up to 43 km WLTP. The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO2 emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. A range of up to 43 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration. The actual range may vary due to various factors (e.g. weather conditions, driving style, route profile, vehicle condition, age and condition of the lithium-ion battery).
