How much can it really tow?

[Eruption883]

Hey all,
I’ve seen some threads about towing capacity, usually asking about boats and weights of around 3000-3500lbs. I’m looking for opinions or experiences with towing more than that with a Bronco.
Eventually my Badlands with the 2.3 7sp (non Sasquatch) will arrive, and I’d love to be able to sell my (way too big) ‘07 Sierra 2500hd. I used to tow all sorts of cars all sorts of places, so needed that behemoth, but now I tow is a 1500lb aluminum flat deck 22’ trailer, with a 3000lb race car. No big mountains, or crazy distances. Some hills for sure, but we are talking laurentians mountains, not the Rockies!
Of course I know it’ll be slow, and I won’t be passing anyone going up the hills. I do have a lot of trailer experience, and the trailer has brakes. Will be adding an aftermarket electronic brake controller to the bronco when it arrives.
Thoughts?
Pics of the trailer, current tow rig. And what I’m hoping to tow.

(And yes, I know it won’t even be in the same league as towing with that HD monster.)

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[Big Jim]

Keep the truck. U will ruin the bronco. Its only 4 cylinders, bless its little heart.

 

[MnLakeBum]

Unless it's a very short distance, I wouldn't tow 4,500 with a Bronco even if it had the 2.7Liter.

If you don't want the huge truck anymore, maybe look at something like a used Grand Cherokee diesel. I think the towing capacity on that was 7,200 lbs.

 

[Snacktime]

I wouldn't, just to much for the suspension. I think the brakes, engine and frame are 100% up to the task the limiting factor would be hitting bumps and having the trailer push the rear around. It's more of the leverage that a longer trailer can put on the hitch.

Side note, I use to tow a lot with my Fzj80, I went heavy springs to better tow. I would wait and see if aftermarket makes some overland springs if you decide to. 1-2 times I went way overweight I finally found the limits. Yes I have moved farm equipment that my Grandpa shouldn't have bought at auction way to many times...

 

[Laminar]

I feel like there have already been 1000 threads like this. Will the Bronco pull it? Of course. Will you be absolutely fucked sideways if there's any sort of accident and it's found that you were exceeding the manufacturer's GVWR? Also yes.

 

[tobands]

My 2019 ford ranger has a 7500 # towing . May be a better choice for your needs.. IMO the bronco is just not the right tool for any serious towing..

 

[Eruption883]

Thanks for all the feedback. I’m trying to downsize the fleet of cars that I only use on occasion, and since I only use the racecar three or maybe four times a summer, the giant truck would be the best one to go. So while yes a jeep grand Cherokee diesel, or a new Ranger would be better suited for the towing job, neither would do the job as well as the vehicle I already have for that. Essentially just hoping the bronco is tough enough for some occasional heavier duty towing for its weight class.
I know, problems, right? Too many toys and not enough time. Or space.

Concerning GVWR and accidents, of course that’s a given. Was simply wondering if people had done it, and how it went. Considering how low the tow rating is, and how as someone else pointed out a ranger can be set up to tow 7500lbs, I guess I was curious if it was just Ford sandbagging so that I would ALSO buy a ranger or F150. I mean, you’d think a Bronco could at least tow itself (like say your buddy) out of a bad spot, or home a bad day. Not hating, just genuinely surprised that max tow rating across the board is 3500lbs, which is super low.

 

[Rick Astley]

Keep the truck. U will ruin the bronco. Its only 4 cylinders, bless its little heart.

What the heck are you talking about? the 2.3 pulls 13,801 lbs in Ranger just fine.

How much you "can" tow with a vehicle is probably about 105-110% of the claimed max tow before things start to go pear shaped. But as always, the devil lies in the blood and insurance claim. Overload the rig, have a failure and hurt someone and you're likely getting that claim denied.


For Big Jim who needs the visual that 13,801 > 9,867

Towing comparison (using max weights)
Bronco (Badlands)
Curb weight	4,997
Towing capacity	3,500
Max cargo	1,370
Max payload	9,867
GVRW	6,160
Ranger
Curb weight	4,441
Towing capacity	7,500
Max cargo	1,860
Max payload	13,801
GVRW	6,050

 

[tobands]

for the bronco low tow limit I think it's mostly because of the coilover suspension is just too soft for a heavy tow . a heavy load would squat the heck out of it and make a unsafe tow

 

[tobands]

Also from what ive seen the reciever hitch does not mount to the frame directly but to a cross member

 

[Eruption883]

for the bronco low tow limit I think it's mostly because of the coilover suspension is just too soft for a heavy tow . a heavy load would squat the heck out of it and make a unsafe tow

The trailer is quite long, but dual axle, and the car sits with most of its weight essentially on top of the axles, keeping the tongue weight very low. As long as I can get it level with the right drop down, I don’t see why the tongue weight would be excessive. I also would probably skip putting the extra set of wheels on the wheel carrier way up at the front of the trailer for the same reason. But would remain that if I did this, trailer and car would still be about 4500lbs, which is well past the rate stow limit.

 

[Eruption883]

Also from what ive seen the reciever hitch does not mount to the frame directly but to a cross member

Ah, that might then be a pretty solid reason for the low limit. Did not know that.
Thanks.

 

[DogHauler]

Towing capacity on the Bronco is less than the Maverick, keep your truck.

 

[tobands]

i have no doubt the bronco can tow your setup but can it do it safely and without damage to the bronco

Ah, that might then be a pretty solid reason for the low limit. Did not know that.
Thanks.

 

[Baja71]

Also from what ive seen the reciever hitch does not mount to the frame directly but to a cross member

That and the fact that it doesn't really have a roof. Bad juju in a rollover, and when things go bad pulling a trailer, they can go really bad. I vote no., JMHO

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