Are Bronco Flat Tow Issues Resolved?

[FDMRV]

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[DC1]

This is a flat tow thread. Nothing to do with trailer towing !

 

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I have towed my 2023 Bronco about 5K miles and so far so good, every time I do, it makes me nervous. I have the 4A with the 2.7 and use the RVI system with the charger. I guess I should be doing the picture at every stop also because I always open the door and check it anyways

 

[lamokadave]

I too have a 24 4A transfer case. Have FT approx 8k miles this summer. Always engages FT on first try but doesn't always disengage. The message seems contradictory however as it says neutral tow engaged, drive forward. I simply put in drive or reverse and the vehicle moves and message clears. I do still have issues with the EBB locking up the brakes. Tried the pull the fuses method today for first time and that worked perfectly.

 

[OverDavidLand]

Add me to the list of people with a failed transmission after flat towing a mere 300 miles. I did everything by the book, including several shorter test runs.

2022 Badlands Sasquatch, 2.3L

Ford covered under-warranty, but now I don't know if I can trust it. I bought this thing because it wasn't a Jeep and had Flat-towing as an actual feature like all the Ford 4x4 with 4low / transfer case.

I don't know what went wrong. The battery did drop to 11.5 volts despite behind on a charge line. I've read, somewhere, that it's been speculated that could create a situation that confuses the computer.

I am still searching and searching for valid information that can help me decide if I should get out from under this vehicle. I don't want a Jeep. I want my Bronco to work.

 

[lamokadave]

Doesn't the 2.3 only come with the manual transmission? I'm thinking the reported problem was typically 2.7 10 spd with 4A

 

[Bsenecal]

Doesn't the 2.3 only come with the manual transmission? I'm thinking the reported problem was typically 2.7 10 spd with 4A

No you can get the 2.3 with either standard or automatic transmissions.
Brian

 

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Add me to the list of people with a failed transmission after flat towing a mere 300 miles. I did everything by the book, including several shorter test runs.

So you did have a charger line from your motor home and it didn't keep the battery charged? I'm wondering if the battery itself is bad or the charger?

 

[OverDavidLand]

So you did have a charger line from your motor home and it didn't keep the battery charged? I'm wondering if the battery itself is bad or the charger?

I do. I have the RVI towed battery charger and the (Android-based screen) to monitor battery, tire presesure, and braking system.

For at least 200 miles, the RVI was putting in 12+ volts into the battery and the draw was far less and the battery was maintained.

Somewhere in the last 100, the battery drain exceed what could be put in. Possibly some lights were on or came on. I really can't explain why. Because I was on the freeway and trying to make it to my destination before dark, I let it ride. The Bronco battery fell to about 11.4 or 11.5.

At the time, it never occurred to me this could cause problem. I'm also saying that I don't know if this is my problem. I am asking. It was the only thing out of the ordinary (if you think 11.5 is problematic in the first place.)

After unhitching, the Bronco started right away. My battery set-up is stock. No 2nd starter battery or inverter(s) involved.

As far as I know, the RVI never stopped working. Something in the Bronco was drawing more in the last 100 miles than it it did in the first 100.

If nobody really knows what causes the transmission problem, then I don't know if I can keep this as my TOAD. I had to abandon the thing far from home and it's not cheap to ship it home. I don't want the stress of not being able to trust it won't happen again. If we actually know why it happens, I can work around and with it.

 

[dgorsett]

I do. I have the RVI towed battery charger and the (Android-based screen) to monitor battery, tire presesure, and braking system.

For at least 200 miles, the RVI was putting in 12+ volts into the battery and the draw was far less and the battery was maintained.

Somewhere in the last 100, the battery drain exceed what could be put in. Possibly some lights were on or came on. I really can't explain why. Because I was on the freeway and trying to make it to my destination before dark, I let it ride. The Bronco battery fell to about 11.4 or 11.5.

At the time, it never occurred to me this could cause problem. I'm also saying that I don't know if this is my problem. I am asking. It was the only thing out of the ordinary (if you think 11.5 is problematic in the first place.)

After unhitching, the Bronco started right away. My battery set-up is stock. No 2nd starter battery or inverter(s) involved.

As far as I know, the RVI never stopped working. Something in the Bronco was drawing more in the last 100 miles than it it did in the first 100.

If nobody really knows what causes the transmission problem, then I don't know if I can keep this as my TOAD. I had to abandon the thing far from home and it's not cheap to ship it home. I don't want the stress of not being able to trust it won't happen again. If we actually know why it happens, I can work around and with it.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Over on the transfer case technical discussion thread the guys have determined that the 4A case does not have a mechanical lock up when in 4H or 4L, but rather just relies the clutches. From what I have read it does not have a mechanical unlock either, but relies on the clutches to unlock in Neutral Tow . This might explain why some of the failures, including yours, seem to go hand in hand with a low battery. I'm surprised you had issues using the RVI system. Have you watched the indicator lights on the RVI charge module? Any chance the fuse was blown on the Bronco or Motorhome side? Or a bad ground on either side?

I use the RVI charger too, but don't have it interfaced with my phone. I also have the Part time tcase too which has proven fortuitus. I wanted to get the 4A, but it was unavailable on my non Sas Big Bend.

 

[lamokadave]

I have been watching this thread and others like it for well over a year and have never seen documentation of a confirmed root cause for the problem. Consider yourself very fortunate however that Ford took responsibility and fixed yours. That seems to be pretty rare as well. If I may ask, what did you need to do to make a case with them? I have flat towed my 2.7 10-speed for a well over 8,000 mi with easily 30 or more engaged disengage of neutral tow. Luckily have never had a problem. Oddly enough though I do have a problem with the electronic brake booster not going to sleep and causing the Bronco brakes to lock up unless I pull the two 60 amp fuses.

 

[OverDavidLand]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Over on the transfer case technical discussion thread the guys have Have you watched the indicator lights on the RVI charge module? Any chance the fuse was blown on the Bronco or Motorhome side? Or a bad ground on either side?

I have watched the indicator lights. All was green (and blue for RVI)

The RVI monitor/table5 (not a phone) clearly showed voltage going in.

RVI Command Center

I clearly remember looking at the voltage from the battery side and watching it slowly drop below 12 and specifically checking to see if it was getting voltage from mule —and it was.

I can't say 100% for sure that a fuse didn't blow, but I the Bronco back today or tomorrow and I will plug it into the RV and see what I see and report back. My little beast is finally on a truck from Page AZ, where it melted down over a month ago now.

My best guess is that the daytime/automatic lights came on 200 miles into the trip and/or the screens/computer activated.

I cannot positively say that battery voltage was my problem. I am not sure I wanna attempt to attempt a repro case by running it down to 11.5 in the middle of a tow.

Thanks for the heads up about the transfer case thread. I will check that out.

 

[OverDavidLand]

If I may ask, what did you need to do to make a case with them?

The service manager told me that he was not going to report it as happening as a result of flat towing. They were great people to deal with at Lake Powell Ford, in Page AZ. I am from Los Angeles, you never get that kind of service here.

I couldn't say what he actually said to them, or not. When I asked, directly, "Did Ford give you hard time" Answer: "No. Not at all." They have so much information from FordPass, I would be surprised if they didn't know before approving the transmission replacement.

I don't want to overly-speculated what was said or not actually said to Ford, but Ford apparently stepped up and did the right thing. Did not have to battle at all.

I am happy about that. I have 3 Fords. The Bronco, a 2023 F150 Tremor and "my wives'" 68 Fastback Restomod Mustang. I would have been really, really unhappy, instead of just really unhappy. But, it's not like they paid the $1000 to get shipped back to me so I am still out of pocket -lots of time and some American dollars.

 

[Iowa Hawkeye]

[/QUOTE



Do you have the transfer case with the 4A mode? I believe the non-4A transfer case is the problematic one. I have been following this thread since the start and I'm getting close to 10K miles on my Bronco, and probably 6K of flat towed miles, I cross my fingers every time we hook up! I do have the 4A mode, and the RVI charger.

 

[OverDavidLand]

Do you have the transfer case with the 4A mode?

Yes sir, I do. My Bronco has 4A.

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