Tow capacity will keep me from switching...

[FLTrojan21]

Like many of you, I really was anticipating the new Bronco launch. I was extremely impressed by the engineering and design feats made by Ford. It’s a very good looking rig.

I watched the release getting more and more excited UNTIL I read the towing capacity. This was a really key opportunity to pull away two large segments of buyers(existing pickup owners and current Jeep owners). With both segments, I think towing capacity was a big deciding factor. I live in Florid, and the ability to tow a boat when needed is critical. For that reason, you see a lot of pickup trucks. You also see/hear a ton of Jeep owners wondering why they paid 30-50k for practically no towing capacity.

3500 lbs is NOTHING. It doesn’t even match the Ford Ranger.

I, like most Americans, don’t have the money to plop down 40-50k on multiple vehicles to serve multiple purposes.

I hope someone at Ford will read this and consider it for the future.

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[RubyRuin]

The kind of suspension you see on a Bronco or Wrangler is quite soft and doesn't allow for much payload or towing. The JL Wranglers are rated at 2000 pounds for the two doors, and 3500 pounds for the four door so the Bronco is right on point for what it is.

Same reason why a regular F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost HO can handle 11,000 pound but the Raptor is down to 8000 even if they have the same chassis and powetrain.

 

[LemonShark]

I figured with the Bronco on the Ranger platform, and with the 2.7, we'd at least match the 4Runner in towing capacity.

Net yet a deal breaker for me, but it is a bit of a bummer.

 

[NotApplicable]

The kind of suspension you see on a Bronco or Wrangler is quite soft and doesn't allow for much payload or towing. The JL Wranglers are rated at 2000 pounds for the two doors, and 3500 pounds for the four door so the Bronco is right on point for what it is.

Same reason why a regular F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost HO can handle 11,000 pound but the Raptor is down to 8000 even if they have the same chassis and powetrain.

This is accurate. Though I guess it is does kinda suck that both of my vehicles (Bronco and Model Y) top out at the same 3500 capacity...

 

[codydb19]

The kind of suspension you see on a Bronco or Wrangler is quite soft and doesn't allow for much payload or towing. The JL Wranglers are rated at 2000 pounds for the two doors, and 3500 pounds for the four door so the Bronco is right on point for what it is.

Same reason why a regular F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost HO can handle 11,000 pound but the Raptor is down to 8000 even if they have the same chassis and powetrain.

Yeah I'm not sure why people were expecting this to be a tow rig. I mean the Bronco heritage has roots in high-speed desert racing. That kind of suspension doesn't lend itself to towing capability. And like you said it already meets/exceeds the Wrangler capacity.

Also since the 2 door and 4 door both have the same listed towing capacity I'm fairly certain that number was chosen as a placeholder/stopgap until they have an actual concrete number while still being able to say they can do better than Jeep.

Edit: So my guess with the supposed "towing package" we've seen as a possible option, is that the 4 door will come in closer to 4/4.5K

 

[NotApplicable]

Yeah I'm not sure why people were expecting this to be a tow rig. I mean the Bronco heritage has roots in high-speed desert racing. That kind of suspension doesn't lend itself to towing capability. And like you said it already meets/exceeds the Wrangler capacity.

Also since the 2 door and 4 door both have the same listed towing capacity I'm fairly certain that number was chosen as a placeholder/stopgap until they have an actual concrete number while still being able to say they can do better than Jeep.

Edit: So my guess with the supposed "towing package" we've seen as a possible option, is that the 4 door will come in closer to 4/4.5K

Exactly. One vehicle can’t excel at all duties. Bronco clearly prioritizes off road capability over towing. Just like the wrangler. And Raptor.

 

[King Luis]

I think they were kinda smart not to increase the towing capacity from a business point of view. if they did, then the ranger sales would be dead. the only reason to get a ranger is the bed. and if no one is buying a ranger and then looking for something bigger later on like the f150, then the sales there would be hurt as well. just a thought from that point of view.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

 

[Toccoa]

How many toys does one need to bring when they play? Bronco would be all the toy I need.

Joking aside, just how much weight are people wanting to tow?

 

[BroncoKong Jr.]

3500 is exactly what I was expecting. What's surprising is the 2-door can do that much

 

[RedRiverRev]

I too was initially thinking higher because of the Ranger platform, but I didn't factor in the soft suspension. I totally get that we need jack-of-all-trades with the prices of vehicles, but it's hard to overcome physics. These are designed to be toys, so you gotta pay to play.

 

[Lilj4425]

I have a bass boat so yes. Lol.

 

[PavementQueen]

If only they had released the f150 bronco prototype instead of the lame bronco sport..we could all be happy.

 

[Nickp]

Since there’s no way in hell the 2 and 4 door will have the exact same tow rating, I have a feeling it’s a placeholder. My guess is the 4-door will end up having a tow rating around 5000 once we get closer to launch.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

I have a bass boat so yes. Lol.

True, but unless you're trading in your Ram, shouldn't be an issue now, right?

Truth be told, in the year and half I've owned my Ram, never towed

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