Sponsored

Coosguy

Outer Banks
Active Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Apr 26, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
44
Reaction score
50
Location
New Hampshire USA
Vehicle(s)
Bronco outerbanks
Your Bronco Model
Outer Banks
Clubs
 
I have never seen where Ford has said that? Pulling it out of a ditch is a lot harder pull than towing it down the highway in neutral
Sponsored

 

WIDirtFishing

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
Threads
24
Messages
169
Reaction score
145
Location
WI
Vehicle(s)
2018 F150 Lariat 2.7
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
So we hear all these horror stories about flat towing, why? Like what is the issue? Genuinely asking as I explore possibly getting a RV.

Is it people not following the instructions? Is it a 2.3 vs 2.7 issue? 4x4 Advanced vs Non-Advanced?
 

Coosguy

Outer Banks
Active Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Apr 26, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
44
Reaction score
50
Location
New Hampshire USA
Vehicle(s)
Bronco outerbanks
Your Bronco Model
Outer Banks
Clubs
 
So we hear all these horror stories about flat towing, why? Like what is the issue? Genuinely asking as I explore possibly getting a RV.

Is it people not following the instructions? Is it a 2.3 vs 2.7 issue? 4x4 Advanced vs Non-Advanced?
It’s people making mistakes, and not taking responsibility for them either because they do not know what they’re doing or just ? Can’t admit that they have made mistakes.
 

userdude

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jared
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Threads
45
Messages
6,583
Reaction score
12,645
Location
Denton, TX
Vehicle(s)
2023 2dr Badsquatch
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
So we hear all these horror stories about flat towing, why? Like what is the issue? Genuinely asking as I explore possibly getting a RV.

Is it people not following the instructions? Is it a 2.3 vs 2.7 issue? 4x4 Advanced vs Non-Advanced?
There's a thread somewhere about it, but the consensus at least after a while was 4A made it more likely to explode the transmission. I think all or nearly all of the reports on 6g were equipped with 4A.
 

zuke

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Oct 23, 2020
Threads
7
Messages
1,153
Reaction score
2,055
Location
Stafford VA
Vehicle(s)
Badlands 2.3/Manual and a Gaggle of Jeeps
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
So we hear all these horror stories about flat towing, why? Like what is the issue? Genuinely asking as I explore possibly getting a RV.

Is it people not following the instructions? Is it a 2.3 vs 2.7 issue? 4x4 Advanced vs Non-Advanced?
Seems like all confirmed cases are 4x4 Advanced, I Don't think manual or auto makes a difference, Primary cause almost always seems to be the Bronco's battery dyeing, and the TC dropping out of Neutral Tow mode when it does.

Most people have mitigated the possibility by running a Charge wire from the Coach to the Bronco by now, and likely why we don't hear so many new horror stories.
 

Sponsored

Coosguy

Outer Banks
Active Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Apr 26, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
44
Reaction score
50
Location
New Hampshire USA
Vehicle(s)
Bronco outerbanks
Your Bronco Model
Outer Banks
Clubs
 
It’s people making mistakes, and not taking responsibility for them either because they do not know what they’re doing or just ? Can’t admit that they have made mistakes.
If you flat tow your Bronco the transfer case must stay in neutral, there is a simple process to put it into neutral, ”tow mode”, it is shifted by a solenoid and kept in neutral mode by this solenoid therefore you should have a towed battery charger such as the one offered for sale by RVI, you can monitor it from a tablet inside the motorhome. This will prevent the battery from losing power and the solenoid powering down. It’s really more simple than it sounds.
 

Fordified1

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Bob
Joined
Nov 1, 2023
Threads
25
Messages
3,432
Reaction score
9,027
Location
Mid South Texas
Vehicle(s)
‘15 Mustang ecoboost, 4wd Excursion, ‘69 Mach 1
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
It’s people making mistakes, and not taking responsibility for them either because they do not know what they’re doing or just ? Can’t admit that they have made mistakes.
No it’s not. And I HATE when people say this without proof. It’s likely a software glitch that Ford has since fixed . Only failures I’ve seen in the forums were Broncos with the 4A transfer case, and most of those had towed many miles before without issue, and always followed the very clear easy to follow instructions. It clearly tells you when it’s in flat tow mode on the screen if you did it correctly.

Ford is never going to admit they were at fault because it will cost them millions in claims. There were even some Raptors that burned to the ground, and were denied warranty. One took the MH with it…Just that one claim would probably have been worth close to 1m.

Because of what I deduced from reading the forums about this since 2021, I bought my Bronco without the 4A system. Do I Still worry a little? Of course.

If my wife had been good with getting the manual shift transmission, that’s the route I would have taken, and rested easy knowing even if the transfer case shifted itself back into gear, it probably wouldn’t hurt the std transmission in neutral.
 
Last edited:

Fordified1

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Bob
Joined
Nov 1, 2023
Threads
25
Messages
3,432
Reaction score
9,027
Location
Mid South Texas
Vehicle(s)
‘15 Mustang ecoboost, 4wd Excursion, ‘69 Mach 1
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
If you flat tow your Bronco the transfer case must stay in neutral, there is a simple process to put it into neutral, ”tow mode”, it is shifted by a solenoid and kept in neutral mode by this solenoid therefore you should have a towed battery charger such as the one offered for sale by RVI, you can monitor it from a tablet inside the motorhome. This will prevent the battery from losing power and the solenoid powering down. It’s really more simple than it sounds.
And if that solenoid gets weak or fails and takes out the transmission, Ford will not accept responsibility for the failure. Why are you taking Ford’s side on this? Knowing they have a horrible record of denying claims.
 

Fordified1

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Bob
Joined
Nov 1, 2023
Threads
25
Messages
3,432
Reaction score
9,027
Location
Mid South Texas
Vehicle(s)
‘15 Mustang ecoboost, 4wd Excursion, ‘69 Mach 1
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
And nice to see @Ford Motor Company here, funny they're missing from the my tranny exploded threads.
You lost a transmission flat towing? Edit: sorry I re-read your post.

Taking it out of neutral tow is easy. Push the ACC button without starting it, hold the brake and put it in park. Then start it and see if you still have a transmission lol
 

dgorsett

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
25
Messages
5,009
Reaction score
10,002
Location
colorado
Vehicle(s)
F250, Mustang, Explorer
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
You lost a transmission flat towing? Edit: sorry I re-read your post.

Taking it out of neutral tow is easy. Push the ACC button without starting it, hold the brake and put it in park. Then start it and see if you still have a transmission lol
No no I didn't lose my tranny. I was trying to make a joke about Ford Bot being on this success thread and absent fom the failure threads.

And yeah, procedures are easy enough, but since I look at my cheat sheet every tme my mind kinda blanks if I just try to wing it.
 

Sponsored

Sojourner

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jul 5, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
156
Reaction score
167
Location
Southern Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2024 Bronco Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
Kansas to Riverside, CA., Kansas to the Canada border in North Dakota, Kansas to eastern Kentucky, Kansas to Hatch, New Mexico, Kansas to Colorado 2x.
2.7 Black Diamond automatic. We followed the printed out procedure to engage and disengage Tow Mode EVERY TIME we engaged or disengaged.
We have the procedure printed and enclosed in a plastic folder sleeve.

By the way, we live in Kansas.
IMG_1087.jpeg
Ford V10 powering your RV? I'm interested b/c I wasn't sure our Class B with the V10 could handle a full-size Bronco (we currently flat tow our very old Escape which is almost 1000lbs less in weight).
 

tfrazier

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Tony
Joined
Jun 29, 2023
Threads
0
Messages
63
Reaction score
65
Location
South Carolina
Vehicle(s)
23 Bronco BL 2.7, Lincoln MKZ, Newell Coach (RV)
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
We are 5 trips in over the past year. Multiple in and outs of Neutral Tow and I have a 2.7 4A. No issues. For me, the check list is critical. Just the way my old brain works. I created one from the OM and modified it by adding pictures, circles and arrows. It is laminated and stays over the sun visor.
I use a full Blue Ox set up, with Demco’s Airforce One break system.
 

John W

Raptor
New Member
First Name
John
Joined
Jul 25, 2024
Threads
0
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Ivins Utah
Vehicle(s)
24 Bronco Raptor
Your Bronco Model
Raptor
So we hear all these horror stories about flat towing, why? Like what is the issue? Genuinely asking as I explore possibly getting a RV.

Is it people not following the instructions? Is it a 2.3 vs 2.7 issue? 4x4 Advanced vs Non-Advanced?
I'm in the middle of our first trip towing the Braptor, about a thousand miles so far. Its a blueox base plate and towbar with a 10" Gen-Y drop hitch to raise receiver hitch to bronco height. During one segment of the trip the Battery connection failed and we a arrived with no power in the bronco at all. Took it the dealer and they fixed the connection. As far as towing goes there have been no issues. I just follow the procedure to go into tow mode and everything seems fine.
 

dgorsett

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Threads
25
Messages
5,009
Reaction score
10,002
Location
colorado
Vehicle(s)
F250, Mustang, Explorer
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
Ford V10 powering your RV? I'm interested b/c I wasn't sure our Class B with the V10 could handle a full-size Bronco (we currently flat tow our very old Escape which is almost 1000lbs less in weight).
I'm not who you posed the question to but: I have a 27' Class C w V10. All good, can do 50 up most any Colorado grade. Our current 2018 has the six speed which I would say is vital. Our old 5 spd, albeit a V8, would bog or over rev.
 
OP
OP

Tilzbow

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Nov 13, 2020
Threads
33
Messages
1,080
Reaction score
2,007
Location
NV
Vehicle(s)
GM Sierra Diesel Pick Up
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
I’m curious: apparently you were pulling the fuse as an extra precaution. What was it about the software update that made this extra step unnecessary for you?
Brake boost would remain on for a period of time then shut off making supplemental brake systems over brake at the beginning or under brake after it shut down. Pulling fuses disabled brake boost as does the new software when the rig is placed into flat tow mode.
Sponsored

 
 





Top