How much can it really tow?

[Jr87mustang]

What the heck are you talking about? the 2.3 pulls 13,801 lbs in Ranger just fine.

How much you "can" tow with a vehicle is probably about 105-110% of the claimed max tow before things start to go pear shaped. But as always, the devil lies in the blood and insurance claim. Overload the rig, have a failure and hurt someone and you're likely getting that claim denied.


For Big Jim who needs the visual that 13,801 > 9,867

Towing comparison (using max weights)
Bronco (Badlands)
Curb weight	4,997
Towing capacity	3,500
Max cargo	1,370
Max payload	9,867
GVRW	6,160
Ranger
Curb weight	4,441
Towing capacity	7,500
Max cargo	1,860
Max payload	13,801
GVRW	6,050

I was totally with you until you started adding facts to the discussion.

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[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Not that I am suggesting you do, but if you do it, be smart.

The answer is you can’t do anything to increase the rating.

But you can do things to make towing safer, like:

• Stiffer rear springs or a load balancing hitch
• Bigger brakes
• Trailer braking - electric (with brake controller) or surge
• Adding the rear sway bar if yours doesn’t come with one
• D or E rated tires
• Auxiliary Automatic transmission cooler (if you have 10AT)
• Bigger alternator (for trailer battery charging)
• Swap out to the drawtite class III hitch receiver (designed for load balancing hitches)

None of that will up the rating though.

The one thing I did notice about the Raptor receiver over the regular receiver is the two braces going to the next cross frame forward. This gives me a little hesitation about 4500 on a regular Bronco mounted just to the rear cross frame. I had been thinking about measuring a Ranger Class III recevier that bolts up to the frame rail on either side where the Bronco recover hooks bolt up, to see if there is cross-platform commonality.

(Note: I had been contemplating the same weight range for my boat and trailer over to the lake and back before getting the Raptor Golden Ticket. I don't think the engine or power train are in anyway limited. Both the Ranger and the Explorer tow more with the same 2.3 and 10R60. It's in the springs and maybe the rear sway bar.)

 

[Eruption883]

Not that I am suggesting you do, but if you do it, be smart.



The one thing I did notice about the Raptor receiver over the regular receiver is the two braces going to the next cross frame forward. This gives me a little hesitation about 4500 on a regular Bronco mounted just to the rear cross frame. I had been thinking about measuring a Ranger Class III recevier that bolts up to the frame rail on either side where the Bronco recover hooks bolt up, to see if there is cross-platform commonality.

(Note: I had been contemplating the same weight range for my boat and trailer over to the lake and back before getting the Raptor Golden Ticket. I don't think the engine or power train are in anyway limited. Both the Ranger and the Explorer tow more with the same 2.3 and 10R60. It's in the springs and maybe the rear sway bar.)

thank you. I haven’t got my bronco yet, so haven’t seen how the hitch set up works. But that makes total sense. If it only mounts to a crossmember, absolutely would not risk towing 1000 pounds over its rating. That pretty well answers my question about whether Ford was sandbagging, and whether there was enough commonality with the Ranger. But that’s a pretty solid, or not solid, difference.

 

[2ata]

@Eruption883

Details on the Cayman?

 

[Eruption883]

@Eruption883

Details on the Cayman?

2006 Cayman S, completely stripped and converted into a race car and track weapon. Full cage, LS3 crate motor making a conservative 450 wheel horsepower, Moton suspension, Aim standalone dash.
The shocking thing is that small block weighs the same, if not a few pounds less, than the 3.4 L flat six I took out of there.

 

[AlpineDescent]

Get the Bronco Raptor, tow rating on that one is 4500 lbs. The big difference is that the hitch receiver picks up on a second frame member and the rear suspension is a bit beefier. I agree with another poster that said liability would be the biggest issue with the standard Bronco. You won't break anything, but if you get into an accident, the fact that you were overloaded will work against you.

 

[2ata]

With a lightweight trailer maybe? Stock Cayman S is about 3100lbs, Fully stripped I'd think your at least close to 2,800. I'd still be interested in firming up the suspension for towing.

Then again, I don't know much about trailers.

ETA: Maybe not... quick look at the Googles I'm seeing light aluminum at about 1,700lbs

2006 Cayman S, completely stripped and converted into a race car and track weapon. Full cage, LS3 crate motor making a conservative 450 wheel horsepower, Moton suspension, Aim standalone dash.
The shocking thing is that small block weighs the same, if not a few pounds less, than the 3.4 L flat six I took out of there.

 

[Eruption883]

The raptor is super cool, but at least 40 K Canadian more expensive than what I’ve got on order. Also wouldn’t be able to get my manual transmission that way. And who knows how long they’re still gonna be making those!

 

[Eruption883]

With a lightweight trailer maybe? Stock Cayman S is about 3100lbs, Fully stripped I'd think your at least close to 2,800. I'd still be interested in firming up the suspension for towing.

Then again, I don't know much about trailers.

The trailer weighs like 1503 pounds. Just enough that it needs a yearly inspection with the Quebec government. And I like to always weigh on the safe side so I added 3000 pounds for the car with fluids etc. The trailer is very light for a size, but it still has a 22 foot deck. Hooked up to the Sierra, the whole rig is seriously long! For fun, and especially for perspective, see photo below. That’s a 1954 Chevy 3100 for scale.

 

[Rick Astley]

I was totally with you until you started adding facts to the discussion.

 

[amazingjason]

Trade the cayman for an Elise and you’ll be at 3,500 lbs.

Jason

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

@uae247 @Budewr w just curious, how many KGs is your Badlands / Wildrtrak rated to tow for a braked trailer in UAE / Saudi?

 

[mcinfantry]

I believe if you are willing to remove the rear seats and put a hitch over the axle you can tow a lot more

 

[Southern Girl]

I kept my truck to tow my vintage camper. I wouldn't want to tow anything long or heavy with the Bronco. Trucks are much safer and capable for towing.

 

[Bender]

I would recommend adding enough helium balloons to offset about 1500 lbs.

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