Towing Capacity

That would be pushing it. The Raptor is rated at 4,500 lbs - you might be able to upgrade to the Raptor rear suspension, braces, and hitch.

Jackie

Is there anyway to increase the 3500 lb towing capacity for the 2022 4 door Wildtrax with the Sasquatch package? I would really like to drag an off grid/off-road travel trailer that’s around 5000lbs loaded! I really love my Bronco and want to maximize my enjoyment!

Not really. The Raptor is rated to more, but thats a function of the way the hitch attaches to the frame and the suspension in the back. You are limited by the Design to 3500. Sorry.

Nope. Also 4-door Wildtrak will have about ~3,450 lbs towing depending on exactly how you spec'd it. Both the Wildtrak and Badlands trims hit the weight limits of these vehicles due to all of the extra off-roading gear they have, and thus both have less than the full 3,500 lbs towing capacity.

There is a chance that an aftermarket solution will pop up in the future to increase the tow rating, but it'll be a a complete suspension replacement and a bunch of added bracing.

If you are really sold on the off-roading trailer, you may want to consider trading in your Bronco for a Ford Ranger with the Tremor off-road package and the Trailer Tow package. The Ranger is roughly the same size as the Bronco, just with a 7500 lbs towing capacity. Or you can look at other similar vehicles from other manufacturers that have higher tow ratings (Jeep Gladiator, Toyota 4Runner, etc.).

Personally I will be building an off-road trailer that (hopefully) comes in around 3,000 lbs for my Bronco.

Thank you for your response, this is my first Major disappointment for me in the Bronco! I had hoped that Ford would have at least improved the towing capacity over the Jeep.

Increasing tow capacity on any vehicle is a very difficult task. There are so many things that go into the tow ratings and to exceed them gets dangerous very quickly. Same goes for pickup trucks, large SUVs, etc. Even if the vehicle is rated for 10,000 lbs, if you start trying to go beyond that you essentially will have to tweak just about everything and it’d be cheaper to buy a new truck. The bronco is just not built for towing larger toys unfortunately.

Jackie

Thank you for your response, this is my first Major disappointment for me in the Bronco! I had hoped that Ford would have at least improved the towing capacity over the Jeep.

I was disappointed too, especially since the older Broncos from the 1980s/90s had much higher towing capacity. BUT... the older Broncos were full-sized SUVs based on the F-150, and not the mid-sized super-off-roader that the new Bronco is today.

It's a trade-off Ford made for sure. It seems their plan is to keep the Bronco focused squarely on off-roading capabilities. And rather than watering down the Bronco, they are Instead introducing off-road packages/trims on other vehicles for those that are more interested in towing their big toys around but still like to take their vehicles off-road. Tremor package on the Ranger, Tremor trim on the F-150, Timberline trim on the Explorer, Tremor package on the F-250, etc. etc.

They may be able to squeeze another 500-1000 lbs out of the Bronco without losing too much off-roading capability. But, overall the decision Ford made was probably the correct one. There is very few off-road SUVs out there capable of more extreme off-roading—really the only other option is the Jeep Wrangler. But there are a billion crossovers and SUVs that have some amount of off-roading capabilities.

Really, its probably easier to design a more off-road capable small trailer than optimize the Gen6 Bronco or Wrangler for towing a large trailer. I like the crazy Aussie travel trailers and some of the offroad camper models (like the Taxa overland series).

Mal

Really, its probably easier to design a more off-road capable small trailer than optimize the Gen6 Bronco or Wrangler for towing a large trailer. I like the crazy Aussie travel trailers and some of the offroad camper models (like the Taxa overland series).

I agree, and I'm not sure that I would want to overland with a 5,000 LBS trailer anyway. That's a LOT of weight to be dragging around off-road. Something like a Taxa would be one choice. One thing I would suggest before you run out an buy something is try renting. For example, you can rent an XGRID off-road trailer directly from their site here. That way you can decide if that kind of trailer will work for you and your family ahead of making a large purchase. For some folks, who only go out a couple go time per year that's all you need. You save not only the purchase price, but also the storage and maintenance costs.

Yup the tow rating is why I am building this. If you can build a wooden box you can build this.
https://thebronconation.com/forums/threads/a-little-project-while-i-wait.11667/

The problem I’m running into is that to have the room to accommodate the three possibly four of us, all Over 60, and for it to not be a “roof top tent” type trailer is that the TAXA Mantis is 3486 lbs. dry and the OPUS OP4 at 3970 lbs wet are just a little overweight!
I would love to be able to rent one of these but I haven’t been able to locate a place anywhere close to where I live, Alabama!

Jackie

The problem I’m running into is that to have the room to accommodate the three possibly four of us, all Over 60, and for it to not be a “roof top tent” type trailer is that the TAXA Mantis is 3486 lbs. dry and the OPUS OP4 at 3970 lbs wet are just a little overweight!
I would love to be able to rent one of these but I haven’t been able to locate a place anywhere close to where I live, Alabama!

I have a similar problem... 4-person family. Personally solving it with two roof top tents. One tent goes on top of the Bronco itself, another will go on top of the trailer I will be building (unless I give up and end up buying something).

You can also do something similar with a teardrop trailer, like the Escapod or the trailers from Bean Trailers. 2 of you sleep in the trailer itself, another two sleep in a roof-top tent that goes on top of the trailer or on the Bronco.

Yea, simple...new engine, new suspension, new gearing, and probably missing some other stuff. Not a bad upgrade

RagnarKon

I have a similar problem... 4-person family. Personally solving it with two roof top tents. One tent goes on top of the Bronco itself, another will go on top of the trailer I will be building (unless I give up and end up buying something).

You can also do something similar with a teardrop trailer, like the Escapod or the trailers from Bean Trailers. 2 of you sleep in the trailer itself, another two sleep in a roof-top tent that goes on top of the trailer or on the Bronco.

I appreciate it but the Rooftop tents and the teardrop campers are a big nope from the spousal unit!

ResidualGenius

Yea, simple...new engine, new suspension, new gearing, and probably missing some other stuff. Not a bad upgrade

Nothing to it! Easy upgrade

Jackie

I appreciate it but the Rooftop tents and the teardrop campers are a big nope from the spousal unit!

Yeah if the spousal unit wants a more traditional camper, not a whole lot of options that come in under 3500 lbs loaded truthfully. There is something like the Airstream Basecamp that can sleep 4 and the some of the inTech campers can sleep 4... but I wouldn't exactly call it a "comfortable" four. So if you want something with a little more room your basically stuck with a pop-up tent camper, a tear drop, or rooftop tents. :(

Jackie

Thank you for your response, this is my first Major disappointment for me in the Bronco! I had hoped that Ford would have at least improved the towing capacity over the Jeep.

The Bronco beats the Wrangler in tow capacity by 1500 pounds.
The 2 door Wrangler is rated at 2000 pounds where the Bronco 2 door is rated 3500 pounds.
3500 is more than enough to tow 2 sleds or dirtbikes, a utility trailer with a L&G tractor, small OB boat.

The Toyota 4Runner has a very similar design, independent front axle/solid rear axle and tows 5,000. It's probably a good option for people that need a slightly higher tow rating.

Bronco V-8

The Bronco beats the Wrangler in tow capacity by 1500 pounds.
The 2 door Wrangler is rated at 2000 pounds where the Bronco 2 door is rated 3500 pounds.
3500 is more than enough to tow 2 sleds or dirtbikes, a utility trailer with a L&G tractor, small OB boat.

I think most people buy a four-door, which is what the original poster has, so it's the same as a Wrangler.

I mean, just because the numbers say it can't tow it doesn't mean it can't tow it. Don't be scared!



But seriously, as with any popular vehicle, there will be plenty of aftermarket options for hitches and suspension components to tow safer or better, but with current FMVSS requirements, don't expect anyone to claim their product will allow your vehicle to safely tow more than the manufacturer's rating. That will never happen, for any vehicle, way too much liability.
As for the design, maximum offroad capability and maximum towing capability are incompatible design aspects. One has to sacrifice for the other, can't have both.
I do like weight distribution hitches when I'm on the heavier side of my truck's ratings, but I've never used one on the Bronco