Can I tow this specific trailer?

[mikedkelly]

I'm looking at buying a small teardrop trailer. There are so many threads on what the Bronco can tow but people seem to disagree if it can actually tow up to it's rating.
I'm just hoping to find a yes or no from someone with the knowledge to let me know if I can tow this specific trailer, the Sunray 149.

https://sunsettrailers.com/sunray-149/

It is 2,260 lbs dry plus 225 lbs for a full fresh water tank with a 3500lb GVWR.

The hitch weight is 220lbs which I imagine you add 40lbs for the propane tank.

Even if my wife and I find a way to add 500lbs in clothes and food (which seems silly), the weight of the trailer should still be around 3000lbs (assuming my math is correct).

These numbers all seem to be perfectly acceptable based on manufacturer specs.
I have a 22 Badlands Sasquatch with the 2.7L.

Worth mentioning that I'm running heavier 37's (Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT 37x12.5r17 on factory Sasquatch wheels).
I am also running the Fox Performance Elite 2.5 coilovers which allow me to stiffen up low and high speed compression... I'm not sure if that helps or hurts towing.

I'm not trying to be ignorant, I have done research, but it seems like there are some people in this forum who say "yep, Ford says 3500lbs", and other people provide charts on why you actually can't."
I'm hoping that by providing a link to the actual trailer I want and what my Bronco is equipped with, I could just get a yes or no from someone knowledgeable and experienced.

P.S. I'm aware that based on my gear ratio from the Sasquatch package that my towing capacity in factory form is actually 3260lbs:
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...des/2022_Ford_Bronco_Towing_Info_r1_Mar30.pdf

Time to pack it up. You sold your bronco months ago and have been posting here to make friends you can’t have. Time for you to come clean and take off your mask. If we looked in your search history right now we would see “why it’s easy for a man with really small hands to drive a Jeep not a Bronco”. You would be searching for modifications to not make the Bronco as intimidating.

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[crenca]

Time to pack it up. You sold your bronco months ago and have been posting here to make friends you can’t have. Time for you to come clean and take off your mask. If we looked in your search history right now we would see “why it’s easy for a man with really small hands to drive a Jeep not a Bronco”. You would be searching for modifications to not make the Bronco as intimidating.

 

[Mikerkelly]

Dude's a troll
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Mikerkelly]

Still doing research, I did find this model from nuCamp that's about 300lbs less than the Sunray 149.
It's much more expensive but, gets the same features for a lighter load.

https://nucamprv.com/tab-320-lite/

 

[duel007]

Still doing research, I did find this model from nuCamp that's about 300lbs less than the Sunray 149.
It's much more expensive but, gets the same features for a lighter load.

https://nucamprv.com/tab-320-lite/

I looked at this one, but the minuscule 5 gallon black tank made it a no-go for me.

Edit: Actually it's a cassette toilet, which makes things a bit easier actually. Those can be dumped into pit toilets, outhouses, etc. I'm going to revisit this one.

 

[Mikerkelly]

I looked at this one, but the minuscule 5 gallon black tank made it a no-go for me.

Edit: Actually it's a cassette toilet, which makes things a bit easier actually. Those can be dumped into pit toilets, outhouses, etc. I'm going to revisit this one.

I'd be curious to know how offroad-able it is.
The Sunray 109 looks to have ample ground clearance in comparison.
I wouldn't be rock crawling with it but I do cross dry river beds and washouts that can have some steep drop offs.

 

[duel007]

I'd be curious to know how offroad-able it is.
The Sunray 109 looks to have ample ground clearance in comparison.
I wouldn't be rock crawling with it but I do cross dry river beds and washouts that can have some steep drop offs.

One of the things I've struggled with is there are almost no real world reviews of people using these smaller campers. I did find this guy who has three videos about the Sunray 149. I think in the first video he talks about coming down a rough road in 4-Low for a few hours and the camper did well, he just had to go slow.

 

[Mikerkelly]

One of the things I've struggled with is there are almost no real world reviews of people using these smaller campers. I did find this guy who has three videos about the Sunray 149. I think in the first video he talks about coming down a rough road in 4-Low for a few hours and the camper did well, he just had to go slow.

It's funny that you linked these videos. The place he is at in the first video (Big Bend Ranch State Park) is the most offroading I would ask of a camper.
I've actually camped at the specific site he is at.
The Sunray 149 he has looks like it has much higher ground clearance than the Tab 320 Lite.
I have heard in walk around/first impression videos that the Tab 320 Lite has underbody protection, but I haven't seen any proof.
Closest dealer to me that has both campers is almost 2 hours from me, so not really worth going to look in person until I'm ready to purchase in a few months.

 

[Mikerkelly]

This felt relevant

 

[duel007]

This felt relevant

Good find. I wonder if that damage was exacerbated by using the load balancing hitch on rough roads. It looks like the hitch was way over specced for that trailer, since it was bending the frame.

Possibly too much speed too - on roads like that I'm in 4H with the sway bar disconnected (for comfort not for traction) and pretty slow moving. The way it shook everything (propane tank and spare tire) kinda points towards this - the owner should have been paying better attention to that.

The area in the video is exactly the kind of roads I'd be wanting to boondock on too, looks gorgeous.

 

[Mikerkelly]

Good find. I wonder if that damage was exacerbated by using the load balancing hitch on rough roads. It looks like the hitch was way over specced for that trailer, since it was bending the frame.

Possibly too much speed too - on roads like that I'm in 4H with the sway bar disconnected (for comfort not for traction) and pretty slow moving. The way it shook everything (propane tank and spare tire) kinda points towards this - the owner should have been paying better attention to that.

The area in the video is exactly the kind of roads I'd be wanting to boondock on too, looks gorgeous.

Ya I'm not super sold on weight distribution hitches.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

Ya I'm not super sold on weight distribution hitches.

If your trailer is designed correctly and loaded correctly, and you are within the weight limit of the tow vehicle, you should not need a weight distribution hitch. You want full articulation at the connection point for pulling a camper off road. Examples of this are a Max 360 or a Cruisemaster DO35. I just pulled our Xpedition Voyager to Flagpole Knob VA from Switzer Lake. Mostly an easy pull for the Badlands but there were a few spots like tight, steep, loose switchbacks that required both lockers. Fully articulating hitches are the way to go off-road and if the camper you are looking at is not set up for one, keep looking. Xgrid Campers in Knoxville TN sells multiple brands that are off road ready.

 

[dgorsett]

If he wants a simple yes or no.... Then the answer is no.

The thing most everyone forgets, and not mentioned in this thread that I saw, Is frontal area

That trailer has frontal area of 76.5 Sqft. The towing spec for his Bronco says 30 Sqft Max.

It's like dragging a big parachute out the back.

Will it do it? Yes, probably with no problem at all, But if the goal is to avoid liability, then no, it can't be towed without liability.

Something folks always miss, but like you say probably no problem. My E350 owners manual states 64 sqft (or so)for towing (8x8), yet as a Class C motorhome it left the factory at 88 sqft (8x11). And I mean really? 20 sq ft??

 

[Steeroba]

I truly appreciate everyone's help here.

I still find it odd but humorous that people can't agree one way or the other across the board.

It seems the general consensus is:
Can I? Yes
Should I? Debatable

Originally I wanted this smaller Sunray 109 which is probably better suited to the Bronco and my hobbies anyways:
https://sunsettrailers.com/sunray-109/

I just saw that 149 and thought it would be cool to have a shower and bathroom inside the trailer.

I'm not going to RV parks, I'm going to remote campsites, so the 109 is really everything I need and nothing I don't. The 149 would have been a nice to have.

I will probably be purchasing that 109 model in November and I will remember to come back here to post pictures from the maiden voyage.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

I have the Sunray 149 and just did trip from Sacramento to Bridgeport Ca to Yellowstone and back to Sacramento. Only modifications done were Ford ProCal performance tune (free with FordPass Points), rear mud flaps, RedArc brake controller and blue Sumo springs. Decided against WDH due to the thinner steel used for trailer chassis (as seen in Matt's Offroad video). I did add anti sway bar. No problems.

I stayed under 72 mph, but had to ramp it up into the 80's a few times to pass other vehicles. Hill climbs were not a problem and neither were steep descents. I used manual function on the 10A to control decent coming down Teton pass from Jackson into Idaho. The minivan in front of me rode his breaks for nearly the full descent. I used mine maybe 15 -25% max.

When filling fresh water tank at rear of trailer, pay attention to loading more weight in the front of trailer to maintain the 15% hitch weight. Fully loaded, the squat at my rear tires was ~1". I upgraded to 30 Lb propane tank and added storage box behind propane tank. I moved battery to under seat where water heater is located. I also replaced lead acid battery with highest capacity LiFePo4 battery with same weight as lead acid. Besides a failed water hose on the water pump - no issues. I suggest upgrading to 200W of solar instead of 100W. Keep some hose clamps and some spare water hose.

Freezer works really well, refrigerator section was cool not cold. I occasionally put a couple of frozen water bottle in refrigerator next to milk. Heater works well, but is noisy. To be honest, boiling a pot of water in the morning was enough to take the chill out of the trailer. Other than that, I'm happy with Sunray 149. Good luck.

 

[RoLyMa27]

I'm looking at buying a small teardrop trailer. There are so many threads on what the Bronco can tow but people seem to disagree if it can actually tow up to it's rating.
I'm just hoping to find a yes or no from someone with the knowledge to let me know if I can tow this specific trailer, the Sunray 149.

https://sunsettrailers.com/sunray-149/

It is 2,260 lbs dry plus 225 lbs for a full fresh water tank with a 3500lb GVWR.

The hitch weight is 220lbs which I imagine you add 40lbs for the propane tank.

Even if my wife and I find a way to add 500lbs in clothes and food (which seems silly), the weight of the trailer should still be around 3000lbs (assuming my math is correct).

These numbers all seem to be perfectly acceptable based on manufacturer specs.
I have a 22 Badlands Sasquatch with the 2.7L.

Worth mentioning that I'm running heavier 37's (Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT 37x12.5r17 on factory Sasquatch wheels).
I am also running the Fox Performance Elite 2.5 coilovers which allow me to stiffen up low and high speed compression... I'm not sure if that helps or hurts towing.

I'm not trying to be ignorant, I have done research, but it seems like there are some people in this forum who say "yep, Ford says 3500lbs", and other people provide charts on why you actually can't."
I'm hoping that by providing a link to the actual trailer I want and what my Bronco is equipped with, I could just get a yes or no from someone knowledgeable and experienced.

P.S. I'm aware that based on my gear ratio from the Sasquatch package that my towing capacity in factory form is actually 3260lbs:
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...des/2022_Ford_Bronco_Towing_Info_r1_Mar30.pdf

You can easily remove 225lbs by filling the water when you reach your destination, also don't buy food until then. If you are going out to the middle of nowhere, get those items at the nearest town to your destination. I was beginning to wonder if you were arguing with yourself!?!? @Mikerkelly and @mikedkelly ...BOTH from Canyon Lake Texas??? Brotha from another motha??? Y'all should just meet and hash all this out!

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