Tune for towing a camper trailer

[cbrenthus]

Engine-wise, 100%. In other vehicles both engines can pull at least double what the Bronco can.

Even suspension wise as well. I think the weak link, as discussed many times on this forum, is the receiver. I warn again, don't tow over the 3500 lb limit. I currently tow an 8800lb GVWR trailer with a RAM 2500, about 50% capacity, and I can feel it so much more than towing with the Bronco at 90% capacity. Heck, if a Grand Cherokee is rated at 6200, I see no reason the Bronco couldn't hit 5000 with a proper hitch, especially knowing the Raptor gets 4500 and its been said its only because of the hitch brace.

My whole point of all this is that I wouldn't worry about a tune or anything else until having some seat time towing

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[Fordified1]

The springs and hitch limit the Bronco’s towing ability not the power. True.
And loading a heavy trailer to keep the tongue weight light can cause uncontrollable sway.

 

[vrtical]

I have towed over weight with my braptor, but that comes with experience and setting the trailer up correctly along with tongue weight using a tongue scale. braptor also has dynamic shock settings which make a good difference. If you don't get the tongue weight right with where the weight is, its going to be an issue. 10% rule works, if the darn thing ends up being north of lets say the 3500 rating, its too much for the soft suspension specially the regular broncos that don't have adaptive shock settings. I see F150 raptors tow heavy all the time, squatted to all hell.

 

[Fordified1]

I have towed over weight with my braptor, but that comes with experience and setting the trailer up correctly along with tongue weight using a tongue scale. braptor also has dynamic shock settings which make a good difference. If you don't get the tongue weight right with where the weight is, its going to be an issue. 10% rule works, if the darn thing ends up being north of lets say the 3500 rating, its too much for the soft suspension specially the regular broncos that don't have adaptive shock settings. I see F150 raptors tow heavy all the time, squatted to all hell.

Yep, any suspension designed to articulate well off-road does not have enough spring rate to pull a trailer with very much tongue weight without a lot of squat. Stiffening up the shocks really does nothing except for the ride, the weight is supported by the springs and only dampened by the shocks to control bounce. .

 

[JT58Bronc]

Yeah, I still don't think you'll need or even want a tune. I would suggest trying the pull first, see how it feels, and decide from there if you even want to change anything. You may discover it's fine the way it is.

Biggest suggestion I can make to keep heat down is to keep your speeds down, ideally expressway speeds of 65mph. This SHOULD (I won't say will) keep you in lower boost, which is the #1 adder of heat to the engine. Higher speeds = higher boost = higher heat.

Agree you most likely don't need a tune. The Bronco especially with 2.7 has plenty of power. The issue is going to be wind drag more than weight on the interstate. There is nothing you can do about wind drag. I wanted to tow a small camper with my Bronco but more worried about wind drag and terrible 11 MPG. So at least in my case we are considering getting a pick up to tow as it is much more aerodynamic. And we want to keep the Bronco so it's a tough decision.

 

[Jdc]

I have 2.7 Squatched Badlands and tow a camper that's a bit over 2000lbs. I don't have any issues passing on the highway

 

[Mjasi3]

sport mode is very similar to the F150 tow/haul mode.

 

[dagarbronc]

Towing with my 2024 HE with the Ford towing module the truck asks me if I want to use towing mode as soon as I plug in the trailer wiring. I know the dealer had to set up the computer when I added the towing hitch / wiring.

Best that I can tell it changes the shifting to accommodate the extra weight.

 

[Fordified1]

Towing with my 2024 HE with the Ford towing module the truck asks me if I want to use towing mode as soon as I plug in the trailer wiring. I know the dealer had to set up the computer when I added the towing hitch / wiring.

Best that I can tell it changes the shifting to accommodate the extra weight.

Supposedly there is sway control also and it cancels out the rear backup sensors. The one time I towed a good bit over weight I expected and was ready for some sway going down hills and there was none.

 

[dagarbronc]

Supposedly there is sway control also and it cancels out the rear backup sensors. The one time I towed a good bit over weight I expected and was ready for some sway going down hills and there was none.

That’s correct. You can deselect the sway control when you are prompted for tow mode after plugging in the wiring.

 

[cbrenthus]

Best that I can tell it changes the shifting to accommodate the extra weight.

Yes, it definitely changes the shift points and milage goes to crap. Been awhile since I towed with the Bronco, not sure if it lets you de-select tow mode because with a lighter trailer you don't really need it, it's just a waste of gas

Also, if you use a wireless brake controller, I don't know if this would happen on the Bronco, but I left the wireless brake controller plugged in to my Grand Cherokee once and it stayed in tow mode. It;s really my wife's, and she commented a day or 2 later that it was revving more or something. Just an FYI to remove the controller when not using it or you might end up in tow mode

 

[dgorsett]

I'd just leave the stock tune in place and use Sport mode.

THIS

 

[Brian_B]

The springs and hitch limit the Bronco’s towing ability not the power. True.
And loading a heavy trailer to keep the tongue weight light can cause uncontrollable sway.

This 100%

 

[hemiblas]

All good advice. If you get a tune, get the Ford performance tune. The 2.7 has two turbos....I don't think you'll have any issues towing with that. They put it in the f150 and tow a lot more in that truck than what the Bronco is rated for. Sport mode will help too so it holds the rpms a little better between shifts.

 

[Alpine9999]

The two camper trailers I’m thinking about is the Nucamp tab 320 black Canyon package and the Casita camper trailer.
Of course heat is the killer for any vehicle longevity

The two camper trailers I’m thinking about is the Nucamp tab 320 black Canyon package and the Casita camper trailer.
Of course heat is the killer for any vehicle longevity

I've owned both a tab 320s and then bought my Casita in 2023. I went on a 2.5 month
trip from FL through Colorado and then to Montana and back . 7,480 miles total on that trip. No issues!

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