Towing 3,000+ lbs - Actual experience input requested

[PAULWESTSKI]

@23OBX2.7

There are not any lowering mods for that suspension type that I'm aware of. The camper rides extremely well on the independent coils, it is a relatively sought after suspension system. I don't want to loose ground clearance on the camper, we will be camping off the beaten path at times.

Air springs are inferior to replacing the coil overs themselves (band aids) They would also severely limit the suspension travel off road while not towing.
I have a heavy front winch bumper that required heavier springs so it made sense to replace the coil overs front and rear.

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[jakej]

We are looking at some new travel trailers, and the ones we like best have a dry-weight ~3,200 lbs. So, with our stuff we will be close, if not slightly over, 3,500 lbs rating. I have towed our current, 2,900 lbs trailer for over 20k miles with the Bronco (2.7L V6). It tows great, with plenty of power and 17+ MPG, but I do feel the weight a little bit on downhills.

Request - I'm looking for input from other Bronco owners that have towed with trailers >3,000 lbs. Good/bad/other? Extra credit for those towing R-Pod trailers.

Note - I've read several other threads (and other sources), so understand how tow capacity works and to include passengers, luggage, etc. Really hoping to get actual experience vs. opinions. Thanks.

UPDATE - I thought I would circle back and let people know where our trailer search ended up, with help from this thread. This week we found and purchased a very little used 2018 RPod 179. This trailer has the perfect layout for my wife and I, including a bathroom and shower, which opens us up to wider travel options. We've been camping last 10+ years in a pop-up tent trailer.

The dry-weight of the RPod 179 is ~2,950, and I expect we'll travel between 3,300 and 3,500 lbs. The prior owner gave me his weight-distribution / sway bar hitch system (EAZ Lift 800), which makes a big difference in front-end stability (almost no bounce) on my test drives. We're heading out to Anza Borrego Desert next week for our trial run.

FWIW - After reading posts to this thread, I did some research on weight-distrubtion hitch (WDH) vs after market shock options, and learned that the shock options don't really shift the weight off the vehicle rear-end. In other words, the WDH seems much more effective. This YouTube test was very helpful to me:

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Really hoping to get actual experience vs. opinions. Thanks.

3 pages deep now, not sure what all the other replies covered, but here is my testimony ... lol
I've posted this in a lot "towing" threads over the years.

I've towed the same load with numerous "trucks" ... The load being my Dad's Ranger fish-n-ski boat.
A year or three back I dropped the boat and trailer on the scales, loaded for a trip .... a hair over 3000 lbs.

Most recent tow vehicles:

• 2006 Chevy 1/2 ton crew 4x4 , brand new motor, 5.3 V8.
• 2021 Bronco 2dr 2.3 7spd 4.46 gears , using both factory 30" and aftermarket 35" tires.
• 2023 Bronco Badlands 4dr (33") 2.3/ auto/ 4.46

Our normal trip has interstate, hilly 2 lane highways and back country county roads that are hilly and twisty. We have traveled the same route for literally decades. I know these roads well and how a vehicle handles them.

Of the three, the Badlands was the best puller. The 10 spd auto is straight up MAGIC. It made it feel like this set up had the most power. Yes, even more than the V8 truck.

Stability-wise, the truck with more length and girth weight was only slightly more stable. Very negligible difference.
I'd choose the Bronco every time. It does get pushed a bit in the twists and turns, but it was nothing that gave me any concern. The only vehicle I've had that made you forget the boat was there was a diesel F250 super duty ext. cab, and the Bronco or the Chevy ain't that. They both do fine, the truck is just a smidge more stable.

2nd place, I'd probably take the truck. Primarily because it has a "boat load" more room than the 2 door Bronco.

3rd in this contest of three is the 2dr Bronco. It really wasn't bad, the tranny being the weak link in the set up. It just felt like there were speeds that I didn't have the right gear. It made you remember that you're driving a 4 banger. So on steep hills, find that speed/gear that keeps it at 2700 rpm and let it purr away.

I don't recall having any issues in the twists and turns with the 2dr, it still handled really well, but what did stand out was the slight "whoops" that happen on interstate bridges. Between the boat pivoting and the short wheel base of the 2dr, it takes some getting used to.
It really gives meaning to the term "bucking Bronco".

The 2.3/auto did so well, it makes me wonder how well the 2.7 would do? I'd love to try !!!
Maybe give a 2.7 Ranger a whirl, see how that goes.

 

[PAULWESTSKI]

UPDATE - I thought I would circle back and let people know where our trailer search ended up, with help from this thread. This week we found and purchased a very little used 2018 RPod 179. This trailer has the perfect layout for my wife and I, including a bathroom and shower, which opens us up to wider travel options. We've been camping last 10+ years in a pop-up tent trailer.

The dry-weight of the RPod 179 is ~2,950, and I expect we'll travel between 3,300 and 3,500 lbs. The prior owner gave me his weight-distribution / sway bar hitch system (EAZ Lift 800), which makes a big difference in front-end stability (almost no bounce) on my test drives. We're heading out to Anza Borrego Desert next week for our trial run.

FWIW - After reading posts to this thread, I did some research on weight-distrubtion hitch (WDH) vs after market shock options, and learned that the shock options don't really shift the weight off the vehicle rear-end. In other words, the WDH seems much more effective. This YouTube test was very helpful to me:

Thanks everyone for your help!

Nice camper upgrade from a pop up.

You may want to research different weight spring bars.....something closer to the actual tongue weight.
The correct weight spring bars will allow the weight distribution system to be more compliant, and fine tuned to the towing configuration.

EAZ Lift (Camco) makes 400 and 600 WD hitches you may be able to use those bars in your WD hitch. Depending on what model you have.

Be cautious of severe angled approaches (parking lot entrances etc) folks have bent the camper tongue "A" frame with incorrect (too heavy) weight spring bars.

Safe travels on your maiden voyage.

 

[SoCal]

great thread....looking to get a can am Maverick R Max which is about 2650 lbs...the trailer with braking system double axel is about 1200 lbs.

Will the 4 door 2.3 Sasquatch be able to handle this pretty easily?

 

[jakej]

great thread....looking to get a can am Maverick R Max which is about 2650 lbs...the trailer with braking system double axel is about 1200 lbs.

Will the 4 door 2.3 Sasquatch be able to handle this pretty easily?

Sorry for the slow reply, we were out on another camping trip with the Bronco and RPod!

If I understand your question, you're talking about 3,850 lbs with trailer and ATV? I assume that would be before any additional equipment, fuel, etc. If that is correct, my gut says that would be pushing the limit, perhaps too far. In the last few months we've made 3 long-distant trips (over 5,500 miles) towing the RPod, which I believe is ~3,200 lbs with our gear. I have a non-SAS, 2.7L, 10-speed automatic.

The Bronco does wonderfully uphill and flat-towing. But on long, downhill grades (>7%) it is white-knuckle time. The 3,200 pounds really pushes the Bronco downhill pretty good. On steeper hills, I need to keep it in 3rd gear and still apply the trailer brake every minute or so to keep under 45-50 mph. If steep and straight, no problem. But if steep and curvy (e.g., Tioga Pass out of Yosemite) it gets a little stressful. The Bronco power, and transmission are fine, it's just the extra weight pushing the 4,700 lb Bronco down the grade, as well as the softer suspension on the curves.

So, if it was me, I would not exceed the 3,500 lb rating unless I knew I was always going to be doing flat towing. If only flat, you might be ok. Note: If you decide to go for it, I would look into reinforcing the hitch system. I've had no issues after our three big trips, but do keep a close eye on the hitch receiver for bends and cracked welds since it is only rated for 3,500 lbs. Also, weight-distribution bars are a must for this much weight.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

Sorry for the slow reply, we were out on another camping trip with the Bronco and RPod!

If I understand your question, you're talking about 3,850 lbs with trailer and ATV? I assume that would be before any additional equipment, fuel, etc. If that is correct, my gut says that would be pushing the limit, perhaps too far. In the last few months we've made 3 long-distant trips (over 5,500 miles) towing the RPod, which I believe is ~3,200 lbs with our gear. I have a non-SAS, 2.7L, 10-speed automatic.

The Bronco does wonderfully uphill and flat-towing. But on long, downhill grades (>7%) it is white-knuckle time. The 3,200 pounds really pushes the Bronco downhill pretty good. On steeper hills, I need to keep it in 3rd gear and still apply the trailer brake every minute or so to keep under 45-50 mph. If steep and straight, no problem. But if steep and curvy (e.g., Tioga Pass out of Yosemite) it gets a little stressful. The Bronco power, and transmission are fine, it's just the extra weight pushing the 4,700 lb Bronco down the grade, as well as the softer suspension on the curves.

So, if it was me, I would not exceed the 3,500 lb rating unless I knew I was always going to be doing flat towing. If only flat, you might be ok. Note: If you decide to go for it, I would look into reinforcing the hitch system. I've had no issues after our three big trips, but do keep a close eye on the hitch receiver for bends and cracked welds since it is only rated for 3,500 lbs. Also, weight-distribution bars are a must for this much weight.

I noticed that you mentioned the soft suspension being a problem. There is no question that the rear suspension in stock form, is not up to the task of towing. I'm curious if you have done anything to address this? I picked up an off grid camper in TN (2600 lb. dry), and the first bump on the interstate bottomed it out. I went with the blue Sumo helper springs and that fixed it. I would even say that towing a 3500 lb. load without doing something to help the rear is dangerous.

 

[jakej]

I noticed that you mentioned the soft suspension being a problem. There is no question that the rear suspension in stock form, is not up to the task of towing. I'm curious if you have done anything to address this? I picked up an off grid camper in TN (2600 lb. dry), and the first bump on the interstate bottomed it out. I went with the blue Sumo helper springs and that fixed it. I would even say that towing a 3500 lb. load without doing something to help the rear is dangerous.

I use the EAZ Lift Weight Distribution bars and they virtually eliminated any forward & back sway. But, I do feel a little bit of side-to-side sway in turns at speed (50+ mph) - nothing dangerous, but you do feel it and are reminded of the soft suspension. I'm not a suspension expert, but seems like stiffer springs would help.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

I use the EAZ Lift Weight Distribution bars and they virtually eliminated any forward & back sway. But, I do feel a little bit of side-to-side sway in turns at speed (50+ mph) - nothing dangerous, but you do feel it and are reminded of the soft suspension. I'm not a suspension expert, but seems like stiffer springs would help.

The problem with stiffer springs is that they are stiffer all of the time. The Sumo springs only come into play when towing if installed correctly, with an approximate gap of 1/2" between the Sumo and the frame. When towing, the frame will settle down on the Sumo and not allow bottoming while providing a smooth ride. Pulling an off grid camper with a fully articulating hitch will not allow the use of a weight distribution setup. The only time I have ever experienced sway is when my cargo tray, plugged into the receiver of the camper, was loaded with firewood and the tray was too far rearward. I moved it in 4" closer to the camper and the sway was gone.

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