Towing recommendations!

[Prodigymd]

hey all!
long time lurker and I’m learning something new every time I’m here!

i have a 2022 non sas badlands with tow package. I have wildtrak sas tires on. No lift.

im moving from Phoenix to the northeast and I’m planning to buy a trailer, likely 6x10. (within the weight limit 3500 total). I have never towed before and id rather not experiment without recommendations regarding hitch mounts (extender vs long), drop level and whether or not I need a trail brake installed (I actually don’t know where to go for this)
id appreciate any reccs

thank you!

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[Brian_B]

The biggest thing will be loading - make sure your load weight is centered (L/R), and that the weight is evenly distributed across the axle of the trailer.

If you aren't centered L/R, the trailer will try to sway when you get up to speed. If you don't have it centered on the axle, it will either overload your hitch (and your rear end will sag and you could damage the bumper) or it will pull your rear end up off the ground and your handling is going to be all over the place.

For hitches - there it's a matter of finding what works. You need a drop low enough to clear your spare tire, but high enough so you don't drag the tongue on the ground. Or just run a straight hitch and take off your spare tire when you hook up the trailer and throw it on the trailer.

The ball size will be determined by the tongue on the trailer. 2" and 2 5/16" are common.

I do not recommend hitch extensions. They will exaggerate the bumper weight issue.

3500 lbs may require a trailer brake. Different states have different weight limitations on that though. CA I know is 1,500 for a camper trailer, and 3,000 for a general trailer. They are nice, but at 3,500 lbs I wouldn't say it's strictly required - the Bronco has enough brake to stop that much weight pulled behind it - but more brakes are always better.

 

[PWillette]

Max tongue weight is 350lb...evenly distribute the load over the axle(s), stay under the max 350lb tongue weight and you'll be good to go.

 

[Prodigymd]

Wow thank you for the detailed and quick response.

Is there an objective method to check weight? It’s basically going to be minimal furniture and an ebike

how do I know what my tongue weight is?
Sorry I’ve just never done this before. And I want to do it right!
I think trailer brakes would be nice I just have to find out where to get it installed

 

[PWillette]

Wow thank you for the detailed and quick response.

Is there an objective method to check weight? It’s basically going to be minimal furniture and an ebike

how do I know what my tongue weight is?
Sorry I’ve just never done this before. And I want to do it right!
I think trailer brakes would be nice I just have to find out where to get it installed

Short of finding a set of truck scales to check the weight, easiest is to estimate the weight of your items and add them up then add the weight of the trailer.

Tongue weight is hard to nail down exactly w/o a scale...a regular bathroom scale would suffice. I typically judge it by if I can pick up the tongue without too much effort I'm under 350lb...if I'm struggling to lift it or can't lift it most likely over 350lb. Not very scientific but works for me.

 

[Brian_B]

Easiest way I can think of - just look at how your rear end is setting.

If you wanted to get scientific, you could measure height from ground to fender or ground to rear bumper. Then throw about 350# of crap in the rear end and measure again. Now you know how your rear end will settle with that about much load on it. That is kind of a poor man's scale right there.

Another easy way to kind of tell on a single axle trailer - if you can rock it front/back on the axle (may require some effort, or jumping up on the front/rear of the trailer), you are pretty well balanced. If you can't make the trailer tilt in both directions, you are too heavy one way or the other.

 

[Figmo]

Take it from a guy who’s been towing trailers for 50 years with all sorts of vehicles: While not required I would highly recommend electric brakes for safety. Especially given the distance you’ll be towing and the time of year (assuming it will still be winter). Also the fact that you are crossing states where you don’t know local laws.

You’ll need to install a brake controller in your Bronco to power them. Very easy item to install. Then as you brake in the Bronco the trailer will apply the appropriate amount of braking as well. Reducing the “push” on your vehicle from the trailer if you need to slow down or stop. (you can adjust how hard or how soft you want the trailer brakes to be using a knob on the controller)

This can absolutely save your life on icy downhills!!! (no exaggeration)

Also, the brake controllers have a button on them that will allow you to activate the brakes on the trailer ONLY. This is useful if you feel the trailer swaying (due to high winds or road conditions or whatever). Braking the trailer separate from the Bronco will cause it to instantly straighten up behind your vehicle and track true.

For the money you’ll spend on a controller - the peace of mind it gives you (and your family if present) is money well spent. Trust me.

 

[BigHoof]

Here anything 3,000 lbs and over requires brakes and an annual inspection.

 

[Go Devils]

I towed a 5x10 Uhaul trailer from Texas to Chicago with only a 4 pin. They have surge brakes and under the weight limit for trailers. The tongue on the uhaul trailer fits perfectly under the spare as an fyi.
But I would agree with the others that electric brakes on the 7-pin give you peace of mind if you’re getting close to the 3k range. Phoenix to anywhere in the northeast will bring hills/mountains. Bronco will tow just fine but braking is another story. Better safe than sorry.
Also I hope you’re not leaving until after spring?

 

[TX-Dennis]

The secret of towing is EASY DOES IT. Accelerate gently, brake gently, steer gently. Allow extra room between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

To determine your tongue weight you can set your tongue jack to roughly the height it rides when attached to the tow vehicle and then set the tongue jack on a bathroom scale. While not 100% accurate, it's pretty darned close. You want your tongue weight as close to 10% of the total trailer weight as possible for the easiest towing. Again, it doesn't have to be exact, just as close as possible.

 

[NVCowboy]

I tow a 6x12 Cargo Conversion. Follow all of the above advice, and then use Sport Mode while towing. I don't otherwise use sport Mode.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

I would say a brake controller not necessary for occasionally pulling around 3000 lbs and sounds like u won’t really even be doing that. Nice to have, but if you dont need to tow all the time or regularly in inclement weather I don’t think you’ll really have an issue. I pull about 2500-3000 lbs quite a bit with my sxs and equipment - never found it sketchy. Just slow down and don’t be like the other idiots out there. I definitely recommend getting a cushioned hitch - I have a convert a ball; lovely product can find them on etrailer… great site to familiarize yourself with if you haven’t already.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Pull the spare off, attach the trailer, then put the spare back on the tailgate.

 

[Prodigymd]

Thank you all for the recommendations! I was busy packing and sorting out the trailer.
update!
I got a 6x12 trailer that weighs 2000lbs with a ram coupler.
trailer brakes: redarc tow pro elite. The dealership was out of it so I had to order it straight from the website not knowing that I needed a specific harness for it. Which I ordered separately.
I bought an adjustable tow hitch as well cause I didn’t know the height of the trailer. It goes down to 6”.

thank you all for making this easier for me! I appreciate all the tips!

 

[Old Codger]

Nice looking trailer. Good move with the brake controller also. One thing to watch out for is clearance between the trailer tongue jack and the spare tire when turning while backing up. Can't tell from the photos if it clears or not. You'll want to check this before trying to backup and park the trailer. If it hits and you plan to use the trailer often the trailer shop can replace the mid mount jack with a clamped on side mount jack that will swivel to horizontal to get it out of the way. If you'll only occasionally use the trailer you can just remove the spare before hooking up and put it inside the trailer so you'll have it just in case.

Good luck.

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