Towing with the Bronco

Csmalley32

Feb 15, 2022

Waiting on a Big Bend I ordered and am hoping to tow a small RV trailer. I ordered the Big Bend with the 2.3, automatic, 4.27 gear ratio, and tow package. The RV trailer I am looking at is 3,200 pounds. Anyone out there been towing with a similar setup? Interested to hear how it does.

Last edited by a moderator: Feb 15, 2022

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Feb 15, 2022

I guess it depends on your background.

If you are used to towing with pickup trucks that have 7500+ lbs towing capacity, you can tell almost immediately that the Bronco is very much NOT a towing vehicle. Pretty evident as soon as you start towing with it. If you aren't used to that and you don't have that background, I think you'll be happy.

Said another way... it is a perfectly capable vehicle and will tow a small camper just fine. Just don't expect it to tow like a F-150.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon

TK1215, VT Bronco

Feb 15, 2022

Csmalley32
Waiting on a Big Bend I ordered and am hoping to tow a small RV trailer. I ordered the Big Bend with the 2.3, automatic, 4.27 gear ratio, and tow package. The RV trailer I am looking at is 3,200 pounds. Anyone out there been towing with a similar setup? Interested to hear how it does.

What kind of tongue weight do you have on the trailer? It won't take much for the rear to squat which might be helped by a weight distribution hitch.
Something to consider.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

TK1215, PSUTE

Feb 15, 2022

Csmalley32
Waiting on a Big Bend I ordered and am hoping to tow a small RV trailer. I ordered the Big Bend with the 2.3, automatic, 4.27 gear ratio, and tow package. The RV trailer I am looking at is 3,200 pounds. Anyone out there been towing with a similar setup? Interested to hear how it does.

@Chase Gentry could you give some perspective here?

Bronco Nation Member #0000
Instagram: bdawson24

Feb 15, 2022

Deano Bronc
What kind of tongue weight do you have on the trailer? It won't take much for the rear to squat which might be helped by a weight distribution hitch.
Something to consider.

Most conventional trailers have a tongue weight of 10% minimum, 15% maximum of trailer weight. Fifth wheels by design should be around 25%.

Jakob1972, naturegirl7

Feb 16, 2022

I searched long and hard to find the right trailer to pair with my Bronco. Seriously... liked months and months of obsessive research. If you know me, that's no surprise.

I finally settled on a trailer that the specs showed at 2600 pounds dry weight. Perfect! Tight but perfect.

Not perfect. Me and hubby drove from KC to Phoenix to pick up my jewel only to find that the factory sticker showed 3007 curb weight. Camper is gorgeous (Lance 1475) and there was no way we were leaving without it.

When I plugged in all the GVWRs, GCWRs, tongue weight, max cargo capacity, and all the data to check to see if "Buttercup" can safely tow "Daisy", I found that I'd have to strip out 300 pounds of camping gear and figure another way to carry food and clothing. With that I was at the max. Surely I can force my will and it'll be fine. It's worked before...lots of times.

They're aren't enough 4-letter words to drop to convey my frustration and broken heartedness that the marriage of my Bronco to my dream trailer is a bum match. Kinda crushed a little.

I had asked lots of questions in forums like these and latched onto the minority response that my pairing would work. Most people told me to err on the side of caution and to tow with a different vehicle. They also suggested rather than towing the max of 3500, shoot for 80% of that and be realistic with cargo weight to give yourself some safe leeway.

3200 curb weight for a trailer is too heavy to safely tow with a Bronco. It breaks my heart that I can't tow my really weighs 3000 not 2600 camper. That was my whole plan. Camp across the country from National Park to National Park in my Bronco and camper.

Guess I'll have to find another way. Like search for the next, perfect trailer under 2000 pounds or swap for a Class C and turn Buttercup into a toad.

End of the story is that, for now, when we camp locally, we'll be that couple that brings two vehicles. We'll tow with our ever capable F150 and we won't even feel that little camper. But have the Bronco for play.

When we want to vacation where we can off-road, then it's cabin rental time and tons of Bronco fun.

Way long story - Short answer:
Google tow calculator.
Do the math.
Protect your Bronco.

Kathleen
OBX, 4D, Soft top, 2.7, Cyber Orange, Lux, Tow, BO Leather; Order 4/3, Prod Week 11/29, Blend Date 12/1, Delivery 12/11/21

Deano Bronc

Feb 16, 2022

Kathleen
3200 curb weight for a trailer is too heavy to safely tow with a Bronco. It breaks my heart that I can't tow my really weighs 3000 not 2600 camper.

Epic trailer-finding story aside … this is a good point I should have mentioned earlier. 3200 dry/curb weight is too heavy because it leaves no room for gear, people, dogs, whatever.

Once you load up the Bronco itself with gear the maximum towing drops below 3500 due to the GCWR. If the trailer is 3200 lbs fully loaded, then you are probably fine. If it’s 3200 lbs unloaded, you better be packing light.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon

Deano Bronc, Kathleen

Feb 16, 2022

Kathleen
I searched long and hard to find the right trailer to pair with my Bronco. Seriously... liked months and months of obsessive research. If you know me, that's no surprise.

I finally settled on a trailer that the specs showed at 2600 pounds dry weight. Perfect! Tight but perfect.

Not perfect. Me and hubby drove from KC to Phoenix to pick up my jewel only to find that the factory sticker showed 3007 curb weight. Camper is gorgeous (Lance 1475) and there was no way we were leaving without it.

When I plugged in all the GVWRs, GCWRs, tongue weight, max cargo capacity, and all the data to check to see if "Buttercup" can safely tow "Daisy", I found that I'd have to strip out 300 pounds of camping gear and figure another way to carry food and clothing. With that I was at the max. Surely I can force my will and it'll be fine. It's worked before...lots of times.

They're aren't enough 4-letter words to drop to convey my frustration and broken heartedness that the marriage of my Bronco to my dream trailer is a bum match. Kinda crushed a little.

I had asked lots of questions in forums like these and latched onto the minority response that my pairing would work. Most people told me to err on the side of caution and to tow with a different vehicle. They also suggested rather than towing the max of 3500, shoot for 80% of that and be realistic with cargo weight to give yourself some safe leeway.

3200 curb weight for a trailer is too heavy to safely tow with a Bronco. It breaks my heart that I can't tow my really weighs 3000 not 2600 camper. That was my whole plan. Camp across the country from National Park to National Park in my Bronco and camper.

Guess I'll have to find another way. Like search for the next, perfect trailer under 2000 pounds or swap for a Class C and turn Buttercup into a toad.

End of the story is that, for now, when we camp locally, we'll be that couple that brings two vehicles. We'll tow with our ever capable F150 and we won't even feel that little camper. But have the Bronco for play.

When we want to vacation where we can off-road, then it's cabin rental time and tons of Bronco fun.

Way long story - Short answer:
Google tow calculator.
Do the math.
Protect your Bronco.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am very disappointed as I had found a nice camper trailer that I thought would be perfect as it is advertised at just over 3,000. I guess that is not going to work.

Kathleen

Feb 16, 2022

We have been doing the Camper Hokey-Pokey as well. We finally settled on the Taxa Cricket (for a variety of different reasons) but its dry weight is 1750LBs. We also looked at the Casita line, but decided the Taxa fit our needs better.
If we didn't have two kids and a worthless dog to take with us, we would have gone to the smaller Taxa model (Tigermoth). My deal with the spouse was to get the camper in order to get the Bronco (she is tired of sleeping in a tent on the ground).
I guess the point is there are campers in the tow-weight range, but they are going to be different than some of the larger campers you can get in the 5-6Klb range.

2023 Wildtrak. "Sometimes you got to get lost, to get found" -J Bronco

Kathleen, Csmalley32

Feb 20, 2022

I am also looking for a towable RV. I need room for two, + 2 medium sized dogs. Wifey insists on an onboard bath and shower (and I'm sorta on her side on this one...)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these?

Little Guy Mini-MAX / Little Guy MAX
TAB Clamshell / TAB S / TAB 400
Sol Dawn / Sol Eclipse

Does anyone have the Ford Trailer Brake Controller installed? Does it help?

Also, does anyone know of any aftermarket upgrades that might help towing something *slightly* over max tongue or gross vehicle weight?

Any insight, thoughts, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

2022 CyberOrange Badlands 2D LuxTow SansSquatch.
Pre-order 8/21/20; Sold 10/30/22.

Feb 20, 2022

#10

TMars
I am also looking for a towable RV. I need room for two, + 2 medium sized dogs. Wifey insists on an onboard bath and shower (and I'm sorta on her side on this one...)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these?

Little Guy Mini-MAX / Little Guy MAX
TAB Clamshell / TAB S / TAB 400
Sol Dawn / Sol Eclipse

Does anyone have the Ford Trailer Brake Controller installed? Does it help?

Also, does anyone know of any aftermarket upgrades that might help towing something *slightly* over max tongue or gross vehicle weight?

Any insight, thoughts, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I researched each one if those before landing on my final choice. Each one you listed are high in quality - you wouldn't go wrong with any of them. I believe each one converts the dining to bed. That was the deal breaker for me. Pick the lightest one that meets your needs. Pay big attention to it's TRUE dry weight. Specs don't normally include added weight of AC and other options.

If I could do it again, I'd go for the Tab 320S. But my dear husband can't bend his leg in the bath. Just a tad too small.

Have fun! Let me know what you finally pick.

Kathleen
OBX, 4D, Soft top, 2.7, Cyber Orange, Lux, Tow, BO Leather; Order 4/3, Prod Week 11/29, Blend Date 12/1, Delivery 12/11/21

TMars

Feb 20, 2022

#11

TMars
I am also looking for a towable RV. I need room for two, + 2 medium sized dogs. Wifey insists on an onboard bath and shower (and I'm sorta on her side on this one...)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these?

Little Guy Mini-MAX / Little Guy MAX
TAB Clamshell / TAB S / TAB 400
Sol Dawn / Sol Eclipse

Does anyone have the Ford Trailer Brake Controller installed? Does it help?

Also, does anyone know of any aftermarket upgrades that might help towing something *slightly* over max tongue or gross vehicle weight?

Any insight, thoughts, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I have the Ford trailer brake kit, dealer installed. But for the Bronco, I don't believe braking is a "limiting" factor. Nor cooling, performance, remember the Ranger goes to 7500 pound trailer. The issue is the ride height, where tongue weight would put it over rear GAWR. I have a weight distributing hitch set up, which effectively transfers weight to the front axle, using torsion spring bars.

TK1215, TMars

Feb 20, 2022

#12

The “Retro 135” is kinda cool.

2022 -2door Black Diamond
Mid Package
2.7. Velocity Blue.

TMars

Feb 20, 2022

#13

Kathleen
I researched each one if those before landing on my final choice. Each one you listed are high in quality - you wouldn't go wrong with any of them. I believe each one converts the dining to bed. That was the deal breaker for me. Pick the lightest one that meets your needs. Pay big attention to it's TRUE dry weight. Specs don't normally include added weight of AC and other options.

If I could do it again, I'd go for the Tab 320S. But my dear husband can't bend his leg in the bath. Just a tad too small.

Have fun! Let me know what you finally pick.

Thank you very much!

I looked at a TAB 320 S a few weeks ago. I had the same complaint about the bath. And I also had to crouch a little bit at the kitchen, which is a little uncomfortable on my back. Maybe the CS would be an improvement? (I also am not a fan of cassette toilets, but I guess I could adjust.)

I'm curious, have you tried a weight distributing hitch with your Lance?

2022 CyberOrange Badlands 2D LuxTow SansSquatch.
Pre-order 8/21/20; Sold 10/30/22.

Kathleen

Feb 20, 2022

#14

Mikey Smith
I have the Ford trailer brake kit, dealer installed. But for the Bronco, I don't believe braking is a "limiting" factor. Nor cooling, performance, remember the Ranger goes to 7500 pound trailer. The issue is the ride height, where tongue weight would put it over rear GAWR. I have a weight distributing hitch set up, which effectively transfers weight to the front axle, using torsion spring bars.

What do you tow? (If I'm not being rude! :))

2022 CyberOrange Badlands 2D LuxTow SansSquatch.
Pre-order 8/21/20; Sold 10/30/22.

Feb 20, 2022

#15

TMars
What do you tow? (If I'm not being rude! :))

TK1215, Ryno956

Feb 20, 2022

#16

Mikey Smith
View attachment 29143

Note the black brackets on the trailer tongue, where the spring bars get attached.

TMars

Feb 20, 2022

#17

Mikey Smith
Note the black brackets on the trailer tongue, where the spring bars get attached.

TYVM!

2022 CyberOrange Badlands 2D LuxTow SansSquatch.
Pre-order 8/21/20; Sold 10/30/22.

Feb 21, 2022

#18

TMars
Thank you very much!

I looked at a TAB 320 S a few weeks ago. I had the same complaint about the bath. And I also had to crouch a little bit at the kitchen, which is a little uncomfortable on my back. Maybe the CS would be an improvement? (I also am not a fan of cassette toilets, but I guess I could adjust.)

I'm curious, have you tried a weight distributing hitch with your Lance?

When we bought it, we added an anti-sway bar and towed it home with our F-150, but didn't add a weight distribution hitch - the dealer said we didn't need one. We'll see if we need it when I get it worked out with the Bronco. I haven't given up on on towing the Lance with the Bronco. Right now, it's fully loaded with most of the stuff we had in our previous trailer. I know I can lighten it up. I'll start by pulling the cast iron cookware out and all the other cookware I keep saying I'll use one day. Plus, dear hubby totes every tool imaginable to man. It seems to me that with a naked trailer at 3000 pounds, I can comfortably camp with less than 300 pounds of stuff. I'm a minimalist tent camper from way back and can get by without much. Once I get that lined out, I'll consider the weight distribution hitch.

Kathleen
OBX, 4D, Soft top, 2.7, Cyber Orange, Lux, Tow, BO Leather; Order 4/3, Prod Week 11/29, Blend Date 12/1, Delivery 12/11/21

TMars

Feb 21, 2022

#19

TMars
I am also looking for a towable RV. I need room for two, + 2 medium sized dogs. Wifey insists on an onboard bath and shower (and I'm sorta on her side on this one...)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these?

Little Guy Mini-MAX / Little Guy MAX
TAB Clamshell / TAB S / TAB 400
Sol Dawn / Sol Eclipse

Does anyone have the Ford Trailer Brake Controller installed? Does it help?

Also, does anyone know of any aftermarket upgrades that might help towing something *slightly* over max tongue or gross vehicle weight?

Any insight, thoughts, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I owned a Little Guy MAX for seven months, three of which it was in storage. It towed like a parachute. They have a long tongue so you can mount a bike rack which means the frontal area of the camper catches a LOT of wind. When driving in the rain I was pushing a spray of water completely across the lanes adjacent and lost about 4mpg when compared to towing a similar size/weight rPod 180. I should also point out that in that seven months it was back to the factory and dealer three times for serious leaks. I took the financial hit and traded it off for a ParkLiner the dealer had on the lot. I've never been so glad to be rid of something in my life.

Kathleen, TMars

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