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Realistic 2.3L Towing Capacity?

Cactus Jack

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Hi all,
So we all know that the Bronco will have a 3,500 max towing capacity, but what will be a realistic number to comfortably, and safely tow?

I currently drive a Tacoma TRD Pro, but am interested in switching to the Bronco 2.3L w/manual trans.
Typically, I tow an aluminum trailer with a loaded weight of around 1,000 lbs to 1,500 lbs. (Includes 625lb trailer weight)
I would also like to occasionally tow my tractor which would bring the towing weight to 3,000 lbs.

This is the one thing that might hold me back from buying a Bronco. Either that or I'll just have to keep to my pickup.

Any advice is appreciated, Thanks
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Fordboi

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Clubs
 
Hi all,
So we all know that the Bronco will have a 3,500 max towing capacity, but what will be a realistic number to comfortably, and safely tow?

I currently drive a Tacoma TRD Pro, but am interested in switching to the Bronco 2.3L w/manual trans.
Typically, I tow an aluminum trailer with a loaded weight of around 1,000 lbs to 1,500 lbs. (Includes 625lb trailer weight)
I would also like to occasionally tow my tractor which would bring the towing weight to 3,000 lbs.

This is the one thing that might hold me back from buying a Bronco. Either that or I'll just have to keep to my pickup.

Any advice is appreciated, Thanks
it ain't the engine. it's the shocks. and the way the truck is set up. and the class II hitch. 2020 ford ranger does 7500 lb towing capacity.
 

Lakelife36

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it ain't the engine. it's the shocks. and the way the truck is set up. and the class II hitch. 2020 ford ranger does 7500 lb towing capacity.
I concur it has to be the suspension. The platform, and one engine/transmission combo is the same as Ranger and there is no difference in TC between any of the Bronco drivetrain combinations. Wranglers have a different TC between the two door and four door due to wheelbase (presumably) and there is no difference in TC between the Bronco two door and four door. To me the only obvious thing left is suspension, which given that the Badlands and Sasquatch have their own super-amazing tall and articulating version still with 3500lbs kind of leaves me disappointed that they couldn't get a higher rating on the base version.
 

Merica123

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Hi all,
So we all know that the Bronco will have a 3,500 max towing capacity, but what will be a realistic number to comfortably, and safely tow?

I currently drive a Tacoma TRD Pro, but am interested in switching to the Bronco 2.3L w/manual trans.
Typically, I tow an aluminum trailer with a loaded weight of around 1,000 lbs to 1,500 lbs. (Includes 625lb trailer weight)
I would also like to occasionally tow my tractor which would bring the towing weight to 3,000 lbs.

This is the one thing that might hold me back from buying a Bronco. Either that or I'll just have to keep to my pickup.

Any advice is appreciated, Thanks
I towed a 3000# travel trailer with a 2.3 Ford Ranger last weekend and it pulled like a champ. Never over 2500rpm and felt stable.
 

Used2jeep

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Is there a small chance that we can reduce the "towing used to be better" mantra (similar to the hp lamenting)?

Ford Bronco Realistic 2.3L Towing Capacity? Capture.PNG
 

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linbackr99

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I have a 19.5' Seadoo jet boat, trailer and boat loaded weigh in @4000 and I have towed it a number of times with my son's Ranger - albeit only @ 2 miles one way to the lake but it actually tows as well (or better) than my 17 Raptor. I will not hesitate to do the same with the Bronco. I have ordered the WT so I will have the 2.7 but if I was getting any other model I would have stuck with the 2.3 because it is an excellent engine in the Ranger and would have every confidence in it in the Bronco.
 

Lakelife36

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Is there a small chance that we can reduce the "towing used to be better" mantra (similar to the hp lamenting)?

Ford Bronco Realistic 2.3L Towing Capacity? Capture.PNG
Honest question- what is the wheelbase of that truck compared to the new ones?
In reality even 4k is a significant improvement over 3.5k considering the weight of small travel trailers.
 

Used2jeep

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Honest question- what is the wheelbase of that truck compared to the new ones?
In reality even 4k is a significant improvement over 3.5k considering the weight of small travel trailers.
1996 = 104.7
2021 = 100.4/116.1
 

Lakelife36

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1996 = 104.7
2021 = 100.4/116.1
Thanks! Wheelbase is only one factor but is the big one that can't be helped by tweaks for tow rating, so it's an important metric. 3500lbs seems impressive for the 2-door, but looking at the difference between the 2- and 4-door and their difference to the 1996, the 4-door looks cheezy with the same number IMO.
 

mtap

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Buy the Bronco AND keep the Yota for towing...that’s what I’m doing.
 

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Lakelife36

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Buy the Bronco AND keep the Yota for towing...that’s what I’m doing.
Dude not all of us are made of money. Can we stop with this "buy X" garbage once and for all? Everybody's situation is different, and most of the time that's not helpful.
 

jjack50

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Hi all,
So we all know that the Bronco will have a 3,500 max towing capacity, but what will be a realistic number to comfortably, and safely tow?

I currently drive a Tacoma TRD Pro, but am interested in switching to the Bronco 2.3L w/manual trans.
Typically, I tow an aluminum trailer with a loaded weight of around 1,000 lbs to 1,500 lbs. (Includes 625lb trailer weight)
I would also like to occasionally tow my tractor which would bring the towing weight to 3,000 lbs.

This is the one thing that might hold me back from buying a Bronco. Either that or I'll just have to keep to my pickup.

Any advice is appreciated, Thanks
Direct answer: you will be fine. Modern vehicles can comfortably tow at the limit.
 

timhood

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Dude not all of us are made of money. Can we stop with this "buy X" garbage once and for all? Everybody's situation is different, and most of the time that's not helpful.
What, you don't have the money to drop 50K on the Bronco just as an off-road toy and nothing else? 😄 I thought all of us who wanted to tow something were just going to grab a $50K F-150 as well. ;)
 

Natai

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What's the possibility that brakes play into the tow rating as well?

Obviously wheel base is part of it, but the tow rating is the same for both 2-door and 4-door, so it's not the only factor.

Not sure how heavy these are compared with older Broncos or the Ranger, but given the GVWR issues I wonder about stopping distance while also towing being a factor contributing to the tow rating.

In any case, you should be fine towing at least up to the rated limit.
 

Lakelife36

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What's the possibility that brakes play into the tow rating as well?

Obviously wheel base is part of it, but the tow rating is the same for both 2-door and 4-door, so it's not the only factor.

Not sure how heavy these are compared with older Broncos or the Ranger, but given the GVWR issues I wonder about stopping distance while also towing being a factor contributing to the tow rating.

In any case, you should be fine towing at least up to the rated limit.
Pretty much the same GVWR as the Ranger and "based on it". I would think that either they aren't an issue or if they are, it could easily be rectified.
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