Flat Towing, unexpected brake lockup.

[dgorsett]

You're right. I don't feel any better. $60000 plus and it has more impending issues than anything I have ever owned. Granted I have really had no issues so far but it simply cannot do what they claim it can. Then their software is causing transmission damage and they refuse to cover it. Anyone want a low milage Badlands SAS ????

A couple things to remember: 1. This is the first automotive forum I've watched. If I wasn't watching it I wouldn't even know about flat tow issues. 2. From this forum we know about 10-12 failures out of thousands of Broncos. (several folks joined the forum only after they had an issue) 3. We really haven't heard of failures lately? Software update? 4. There probably is a higher chance for error or failure with the electric shift over a manual shift, but the Bronco has many advantages over the Jeep and I have admit (personally anyway) I'm a Bronco fanboy.

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[Flyer5]

A couple things to remember: 1. This is the first automotive forum I've watched. If I wasn't watching it I wouldn't even know about flat tow issues. 2. From this forum we know about 10-12 failures out of thousands of Broncos. (several folks joined the forum only after they had an issue) 3. We really haven't heard of failures lately? Software update? 4. There probably is a higher chance for error or failure with the electric shift over a manual shift, but the Bronco has many advantages over the Jeep and I have admit (personally anyway) I'm a Bronco fanboy.

Thinking about it some more with the front driveshaft still connected and the rear disconnected as long as it is not in 4wd the transmission should not have any input or rotation? Am I correct?

 

[dgorsett]

Thinking about it some more with the front driveshaft still connected and the rear disconnected as long as it is not in 4wd the transmission should not have any input or rotation? Am I correct?

True, I think. But the 4a transfer cases use a cam on clutches to engage 4wd rather tha asliding dog so I'm not sure how "definte" that disengagement is.

 

[Larry Tague]

I have a 2024 Wildtrac and the first time I flat towed it was in May this year and while I’m not sure what locked up, the first time I applied the brakes and my BrakeBuddy did it thing, the Bronco jerked the motorhome and did all the slowing stop. I could hear the tires skidding and had to come to a complete stop before the Bronco would left me move again. I then pulled the two 60 amp fuses and had no additional problems. And yes my display showed it was in tow mode and I hear it shift during the setup procedure. I would say it’s still an issue that programming did not fix. My is a Oct 24 production date.

 

[73Corvetteman]

I have a 2024 Wildtrac and the first time I flat towed it was in May this year and while I’m not sure what locked up, the first time I applied the brakes and my BrakeBuddy did it thing, the Bronco jerked the motorhome and did all the slowing stop. I could hear the tires skidding and had to come to a complete stop before the Bronco would left me move again. I then pulled the two 60 amp fuses and had no additional problems. And yes my display showed it was in tow mode and I hear it shift during the setup procedure. I would say it’s still an issue that programming did not fix. My is a Oct 24 production date.

I pull the fuses every time now. I had it happen 3 times at random times. Not fun when it happens is it.

 

[Larry Tague]

Agree, can’t easily come to a complete stop before it releases. Luckily the first time was in our housing tract.

 

[dgorsett]

I pull the fuses every time now. I had it happen 3 times at random times. Not fun when it happens is it.

I have a 2.3 with vacuum brakes, but I wonder if this is an issue now with 2.3s with the new electric brake boost? I've been talking to a friend about him getting a Bronco (or a Ranger) and wonder if this is 'one more thing' he needs to consider.

 

[73Corvetteman]

I have a 2.3 with vacuum brakes, but I wonder if this is an issue now with 2.3s with the new electric brake boost? I've been talking to a friend about him getting a Bronco (or a Ranger) and wonder if this is 'one more thing' he needs to consider.

Its hard to say, probably not exact same system as the older ones but who knows. Mechanic at Ford dealership did an update that he "thinks" might take care of problem but I don't hardly dare try it without pulling fuses. So maybe I should try it but I just don't know.

 

[Fordified1]

Its hard to say, probably not exact same system as the older ones but who knows. Mechanic at Ford dealership did an update that he "thinks" might take care of problem but I don't hardly dare try it without pulling fuses. So maybe I should try it but I just don't know.

This was a new update that’s not automatically done by satellite?

 

[73Corvetteman]

This was a new update that’s not automatically done by satellite?

I thought I had the Sat update. He didn't specify if it was that update or not. Guess I should have asked.

 

[lamokadave]

I have a 2024 Wildtrac and the first time I flat towed it was in May this year and while I’m not sure what locked up, the first time I applied the brakes and my BrakeBuddy did it thing, the Bronco jerked the motorhome and did all the slowing stop. I could hear the tires skidding and had to come to a complete stop before the Bronco would left me move again. I then pulled the two 60 amp fuses and had no additional problems. And yes my display showed it was in tow mode and I hear it shift during the setup procedure. I would say it’s still an issue that programming did not fix. My is a Oct 24 production date.

I lived through that experience as well using an RVI brake setup so it's not your Brake Buddy. I now pull fuses as well. The 5" wait time is the real PITA especially arriving at a non- pull through location. Too bad there isn't a way to get Ford to remedy this

 

[dgorsett]

I have heard of this happening to a couple of user and I have had it happen to me a couple of times. Just a couple of weeks ago whilst I was in Colorado a fellow Bronco puller called me asking if I had it happen to me. Up until that time it had only happen one time. Well on the way out of Colorado coming into Monte Vista I was slowing down from 55 to 65 with some braking and it felt like had dropped an anchor. My aux brake system was originally designed to be used with active brake boost so I normal do not get a lot of braking from the Bronco so it was quite obvious the boost went active. A little way down the road I was stopping at a red light and got a little chirp from the bronco tires. By the time I was able to pull over, I checked everything and all looked normal and no miles had been added to the odometer. Didn't happen again the rest of the way home.

Just wondering how many others have had this happen and It anyone was able to make it happen.

So I'm trying to revive this thread. A friend just had his '25 Ranger Raptor set up to flat tow, Blue Ox bar, battery charge, lights, Rvi Brake. On the way home from the install the Rangers brakes locked up in traffic.

Has anyone found the definitive cause/solution for this?

 

[73Corvetteman]

So I'm trying to revive this thread. A friend just had his '25 Ranger Raptor set up to flat tow, Blue Ox bar, battery charge, lights, Rvi Brake. On the way home from the install the Rangers brakes locked up in traffic.

Has anyone found the definitive cause/solution for this?

Pull fuses 28 and 29 underhood after you set up neutral tow and before you take it out of neutral tow mode. You must do it in that order or you will have all kinds of problems. I do it all the time now, a bit of a hassle but way better than having brakes lock up randomly.

 

[dgorsett]

Pull fuses 28 and 29 underhood after you set up neutral tow and before you take it out of neutral tow mode. You must do it in that order or you will have all kinds of problems. I do it all the time now, a bit of a hassle but way better than having brakes lock up randomly.

So was the problem active brake boost making the auxiliary brake system too active or did the Bronco apply brakes independantly?

 

[Larry Tague]

Been to afraid to try flat towing per the Ford written instructions on our 24 WT since it locked up on us. I now always pull the two 60 amp fuses. Another thing I learned is to put the fuses back in before putting the vehicle back into drive mode. It flashes a few errors codes when you don’t. One person mention to use the Hybrid mode on my Brake Buddy and then I wouldn’t need to pull the fuses. I haven‘t try it yet as still reluctant due to previous experience

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