Ford Bronco Tow Ratings: What You Need to Know Before Hitching Up

image: Andrew Muse

The Ford Bronco is more than just a good-looking SUV. It’s a trail-conquering, rock-crawling, head-turning machine that can take you from backcountry dirt to black tie downtown without missing a beat. But how does it hold up when it comes to towing?

What Is Tow Capacity?

Towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can safely pull behind it. This includes anything you’re hauling like boats, campers, utility trailers, and more. Think of it as how strong your Bronco is when pulling something attached to a hitch.

How Much Can the Ford Bronco Tow?

Depending on the trim and configuration, the Bronco can tow anywhere from 3,200 to 4,500 pounds. Most models top out at 3,500 pounds, give or take a few pounds.

Ford Bronco Towing Capacity by Trim and Configuration

Base: 2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Big Bend: 2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Black Diamond:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Outer Banks:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Badlands:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Wildtrak:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Everglades: 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Heritage Edition:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Heritage Limited Edition:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

First Edition:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Stroppe:  2-door = 3,500 lbs / 4-door = 3,500 lbs

Raptor:  4-door = 4,500 lbs

While this number works for most owners, it can often spark debate in the off-road and overlanding communities. Is it enough? And what exactly does that number mean for real-world towing?

To answer that, we need to break down how towing capacity is calculated, what factors affect it, and how each Bronco model stacks up.

What determines tow capacity?

There are many things that can determine towing capacity which vary by trim and configuration.

• Engine size: engines with more torque can tow more.
• Transmission type: automatic transmissions tend to have higher tow capacities.
• Drive configuration: 2WD models can usually tow more because they weigh less, but 4WD models are better for towing on dirt roads, snow, or uneven ground since they have better grip. Choose the one that fits where you plan to tow.
• Axle ratio: A higher axle ratio gives your Bronco more pulling power, which makes it easier to tow heavier things. The tradeoff is that it can use more fuel. A lower axle ratio is better for saving gas but may not tow as well.
• Brakes: Larger brakes are required to compensate for the extra trailer weight.
• Towing Packages: Some of these may include cooling or heavy-duty systems and components.

How to Calculate Towing Capacity

Calculating your actual tow capacity is a complicated process, which is why there are plenty of towing calculators online.

What you need to calculate tow capacity:

• Vehicle curb weight: How much it weighs completely empty.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): How much it weighs completely loaded with gas, people, cargo, etc.
• Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR): How much the vehicle and trailer combined weigh, fully loaded.
• Payload rating: Weight of cargo, passengers, and trailer hitch.
• Payload: Total weight of vehicle curb weight plus payload rating.
• Trailer Dry Weight: Weight of the trailer completely empty.
• Trailer GVWR: Maximum amount the trailer can weigh fully loaded, including cargo waste, water tanks, and propane, if equipped.
• Hitch weight: Weight of the hitch.

Keep in mind some of these numbers are found on the door sticker or somewhere in the owner’s manual. Others must be calculated at a physical weigh station.

Towing Capacity Formula

Let's do the math to find your basic towing capacity.

Take the GCWR then subtract the curb weight.

This is what your vehicle can tow, and it’s recommended to avoid operating within 10% of the calculated tow rating for safety.

For a more precise calculation, take the GCWR, then subtract the vehicle’s curb weight, passenger weight, cargo weight, and any customization weight. Now take the payload rating and subtract the curb weight.

Towing Capacity = GCWR - Curb Weight - Passenger Weight - Cargo Weight - Customization Weight

Here is an example:

• GVWR: 5,720 lbs
• Curb weight: 4,700 lbs
• GCWR: 8,760 lbs
• Passenger weight: 300 lbs
• Cargo weight: 300 lbs
• Customization weight: 100 lbs

Your final towing capacity here would be 3,360 llbs. 

8,760 (GCWR) - 4,700 (curb weight) - 300 (passenger weight) - 300 (cargo weight) - 100 (customization weight) = 3.360 lbs

Payload Capacity

While towing capacity measures how much weight your Bronco can pull, payload capacity measures how much weight it can carry inside the vehicle including passengers, gear, cargo, and accessories.

To calculate payload capacity, subtract the curb weight from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):

Payload Capacity = GVWR − Curb Weight

In this example:
Payload Capacity = 5,720 − 4,700 = 1,020 lb.

To figure out how much payload you’re using, add:

• Passenger Weight
• Cargo Weight
• Customization Weight
• Plus, the trailer’s tongue weight (typically 10–15% of total trailer weight)

In this case:
Actual Payload = 300 + 300 + 100 + (0.15 × 3,360) = 1,204 lb.

This exceeds the vehicle’s payload capacity by nearly 200 pounds, which can compromise handling, safety, and braking performance.

Even at 10% tongue weight, it still exceeds the limit by 13 pounds.

If this happens, you should consider reducing the payload or redistributing weight.

Payload Capacity: 5,720 – 4700 = 1,020 lbs

Payload = 300 + 300 + 100 + (0.15 x 3,360), which is 504 = 1,204

You can see that the payload now exceeds the payload capacity by just under 200 lbs.

If you had a tongue weight of 10% instead of 15%, it would still exceed it by 13 lbs. At this point you might consider altering the payload to reduce the number.

This would show you how much payload you can carry. Payload is the total weight of passengers, cargo, and customization. Don’t forget to include the tongue weight of 15%, for example.

What can I tow with 3,500 pounds capacity?

Most Bronco models can tow at a maximum of 3,500 pounds. While a max tow rating of 3,500 may not sound like a lot, it can tow just about anything you need to complement your on- or off-road adventure.

Plus, a tow rating of 3,500 pounds is average for the segment. Here’s an example of what it can tow:

• Two motorcycles
• Teardrop, pop-up, camper, or utility trailer
• Fiberglass or 20-ft aluminum fishing boat
• Two ATVs
• 2 jet skis
• Snowmobiles
• Tow dolly with small vehicle
• Two goats and a small horse trailer

How to Improve My Ford Bronco’s Towing Capacity

Before making any changes, it is important to follow Ford’s official recommendations when it comes to towing.

Modifying your Bronco may void the factory warranty, so always consult your owner’s manual and consider using approved upgrades from trusted sources like Ford Racing.

If you’re looking to safely improve your Bronco’s towing capabilities, here are a few common upgrades that may help, assuming your specific vehicle configuration can support them:

• Upgrade your hitch: A stronger hitch can improve towing capability, but only if your Bronco’s frame and design are rated to handle it. Always verify compatibility before making changes.
• Upgrade your brakes: Installing performance brake pads and rotors can enhance your Bronco’s ability to control heavier loads more effectively and safely.
• Install a weight-distribution hitch: This type of hitch uses spring bars to level the load between your Bronco and the trailer, helping reduce sway and improve handling.
• Replace your axles: A heavier-duty axle may increase your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), but it can affect other mechanical systems. Understand the trade-offs before committing to this change.
• Upgrade your radiator: A high-capacity or heavy-duty radiator can help your engine stay cool when pulling heavier loads, especially over long distances or in hot conditions.

Bronco vs. Competitors Towing Comparison

Here’s a quick chart to show you that the Bronco is competitive in the segment by vehicle and manufacturer's tow capacity ratings in pounds:

Ford Bronco: 3,500 (standard for Bronco) and 4,500 (Raptor only)

Chevrolet Blazer: 1,500 - 4,500 (with tow package)

Chevrolet Trailblazer: 1,000

Jeep Wrangler: 2,000 - 4,000

Nissan Pathfinder: 3,500

Toyota 4Runner: 5,000

You can see that the Bronco is competitive when it comes to towing. Remember, there is more to consider in a vehicle besides towing.

How does the vehicle handle off-road? What are the features? How is the suspension? There’s more to selection than just towing numbers.

Bottom line: the Bronco gets the job done. So, the real question is, what matters most to you when you’re behind the wheel –– raw numbers or real-world capability?