Towing a Burro trailer with a 2-Door Bronco

[adventureTime]

After renting a TAXA Cricket, a Scamp 13ft, and an A-Liner, we knew the Bronco can tow and we felt ready to buy our own trailer.

We have been searching for the perfect trailer for a while — something that felt sustainable and comfortable for longer trips. Our must-haves are a fixed bed, a separate dinette to double as dining table and office space, a bathroom with shower, and a decent-size kitchen.

We finally found the one… but it is in California, and we live in Austin. It’s also bigger than anything we’ve towed before. We decided to go for it, and over Memorial Day weekend this year, we packed up the Bronco and made the trek west to pick it up. Here’s how the return trip went in case you're towing-curious.

The Tow Vehicle:

• 2023 Base Bronco
• 2.3L EcoBoost
• 7-speed manual
• DIY towing setup
• 255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Tires
• Roof Basket with awning
• Inside, we built out custom drawers and a small kitchen prep area. We also added a platform to fit our dog’s Large Ruffland crate — just because adventure is better with a 4-legged!

The Load:

• 1999 17 ft Burro Wide Body
• 2,200 lbs dry

It’s taller and wider than the Bronco, which made for an interesting dynamic.

Towing set-up:

• No WDH
• No Brake Controller - Couldn’t make the Bluetooth to work on the Curt Echo Brake Controller so we didn’t end up using it. Even when it had worked, the connection felt loose and dangly and didn’t look like it would stay on bumpy roads. I’m planning to switch to a Redarc for a more solid setup.

The Route:
Big Sur, CA → Austin, TX

Key Metrics:

Metric​	Value​	Notes​
Total Distance	2,600 miles	13 days of driving.
Average MPG	15.5	We swapped out the stock tires before the trip, which dropped our MPG from 20 to around 17. We expected it to tank even more once we started towing, we were pleasantly surprised that it didn’t.
Oil Temperature	Avg 217°F; max 235°F on 5° grades	Stayed in a safe range.
Top Speed	65 mph	Faster felt unsafe especially on the bumps.
Max Elevation	~6,000 ft	Noticed some power loss uphill.
Fuel Stops	Every 200-250 miles	We plan our fuel stops ahead of time, making sure each gas station has enough clearance for our rig.

Driving Impressions:
No shocker here: the Bronco’s slow to get going with all that extra weight. You absolutely know you’re towing. Every bump on the road turned the ride into a mini rollercoaster. But once we hit cruising speed, it settled into a steady groove. Climbs didn’t feel too daunting, and the descents were manageable.

The Verdict:
All in all, the Bronco’s a champ for towing the Burro all that way. But after this trip, we’ve agreed this little rig’s officially sticking to short-haul missions.

Photos:

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[Squatch]

Sounds like much more fun than my trip with a 2dr 7MT and a 6x12 Uhaul loaded down.

Towing note: Never trust your life with wireless connections. Wired trailer brake controller is worth the hassle; imagine if the problems you had with the Bluetooth happened on a steep downhill grade... yikes.

Looks like a good time overall, though!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Wow!! One hell of a set up you have there!!
Sharp Bronco, love the stripes.

I've towed with the 7spd Base and a 2.3/auto Badlands.
The 10spd auto makes these tow like magic, not that the manual was weak, but there was a noticeable improvement.
I was towing 3000 lb of boat and trailer, fwiw.

In the end, I kept the 2dr manual Base.

 

[Smocaine]

Good looking trailer, looks "right" behind the 2-door Bronco. I always loved the shell/tub type trailers, tend to look a lot better than the square sheds on wheels.
In the very limited experience I have, the 2.3/7MT has towed surprisingly well - Crawl and short 1st make it pretty easy to get things moving without torturing the clutch.

 

[CitrusBronco]

That’s beyond what I expected. Mine feels underpowered and over worked when I’m towing half that. I think my problem is for the past 20 years I’ve been daily driving and towing with my f250 diesel. It’s such a beast and just eats up the highway.

Great write up, love the data points you included and beautiful pictures.
You’ve inspired me to give towing another look with the Bronco.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

After renting a TAXA Cricket, a Scamp 13ft, and an A-Liner, we knew the Bronco can tow and we felt ready to buy our own trailer.

We have been searching for the perfect trailer for a while — something that felt sustainable and comfortable for longer trips. Our must-haves are a fixed bed, a separate dinette to double as dining table and office space, a bathroom with shower, and a decent-size kitchen.

We finally found the one… but it is in California, and we live in Austin. It’s also bigger than anything we’ve towed before. We decided to go for it, and over Memorial Day weekend this year, we packed up the Bronco and made the trek west to pick it up. Here’s how the return trip went in case you're towing-curious.

The Tow Vehicle:

• 2023 Base Bronco
• 2.3L EcoBoost
• 7-speed manual
• DIY towing setup
• 255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Tires
• Roof Basket with awning
• Inside, we built out custom drawers and a small kitchen prep area. We also added a platform to fit our dog’s Large Ruffland crate — just because adventure is better with a 4-legged!

The Load:

• 1999 17 ft Burro Wide Body
• 2,200 lbs dry

It’s taller and wider than the Bronco, which made for an interesting dynamic.

Towing set-up:

• No WDH
• No Brake Controller - Couldn’t make the Bluetooth to work on the Curt Echo Brake Controller so we didn’t end up using it. Even when it had worked, the connection felt loose and dangly and didn’t look like it would stay on bumpy roads. I’m planning to switch to a Redarc for a more solid setup.

The Route:
Big Sur, CA → Austin, TX

Key Metrics:

Metric​	Value​	Notes​
Total Distance	2,600 miles	13 days of driving.
Average MPG	15.5	We swapped out the stock tires before the trip, which dropped our MPG from 20 to around 17. We expected it to tank even more once we started towing, we were pleasantly surprised that it didn’t.
Oil Temperature	Avg 217°F; max 235°F on 5° grades	Stayed in a safe range.
Top Speed	65 mph	Faster felt unsafe especially on the bumps.
Max Elevation	~6,000 ft	Noticed some power loss uphill.
Fuel Stops	Every 200-250 miles	We plan our fuel stops ahead of time, making sure each gas station has enough clearance for our rig.

Driving Impressions:
No shocker here: the Bronco’s slow to get going with all that extra weight. You absolutely know you’re towing. Every bump on the road turned the ride into a mini rollercoaster. But once we hit cruising speed, it settled into a steady groove. Climbs didn’t feel too daunting, and the descents were manageable.

The Verdict:
All in all, the Bronco’s a champ for towing the Burro all that way. But after this trip, we’ve agreed this little rig’s officially sticking to short-haul missions.

Photos:

After renting a TAXA Cricket, a Scamp 13ft, and an A-Liner, we knew the Bronco can tow and we felt ready to buy our own trailer.

We have been searching for the perfect trailer for a while — something that felt sustainable and comfortable for longer trips. Our must-haves are a fixed bed, a separate dinette to double as dining table and office space, a bathroom with shower, and a decent-size kitchen.

We finally found the one… but it is in California, and we live in Austin. It’s also bigger than anything we’ve towed before. We decided to go for it, and over Memorial Day weekend this year, we packed up the Bronco and made the trek west to pick it up. Here’s how the return trip went in case you're towing-curious.

The Tow Vehicle:

• 2023 Base Bronco
• 2.3L EcoBoost
• 7-speed manual
• DIY towing setup
• 255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Tires
• Roof Basket with awning
• Inside, we built out custom drawers and a small kitchen prep area. We also added a platform to fit our dog’s Large Ruffland crate — just because adventure is better with a 4-legged!

The Load:

• 1999 17 ft Burro Wide Body
• 2,200 lbs dry

It’s taller and wider than the Bronco, which made for an interesting dynamic.

Towing set-up:

• No WDH
• No Brake Controller - Couldn’t make the Bluetooth to work on the Curt Echo Brake Controller so we didn’t end up using it. Even when it had worked, the connection felt loose and dangly and didn’t look like it would stay on bumpy roads. I’m planning to switch to a Redarc for a more solid setup.

The Route:
Big Sur, CA → Austin, TX

Key Metrics:

Metric​	Value​	Notes​
Total Distance	2,600 miles	13 days of driving.
Average MPG	15.5	We swapped out the stock tires before the trip, which dropped our MPG from 20 to around 17. We expected it to tank even more once we started towing, we were pleasantly surprised that it didn’t.
Oil Temperature	Avg 217°F; max 235°F on 5° grades	Stayed in a safe range.
Top Speed	65 mph	Faster felt unsafe especially on the bumps.
Max Elevation	~6,000 ft	Noticed some power loss uphill.
Fuel Stops	Every 200-250 miles	We plan our fuel stops ahead of time, making sure each gas station has enough clearance for our rig.

Driving Impressions:
No shocker here: the Bronco’s slow to get going with all that extra weight. You absolutely know you’re towing. Every bump on the road turned the ride into a mini rollercoaster. But once we hit cruising speed, it settled into a steady groove. Climbs didn’t feel too daunting, and the descents were manageable.

The Verdict:
All in all, the Bronco’s a champ for towing the Burro all that way. But after this trip, we’ve agreed this little rig’s officially sticking to short-haul missions.

Photos:

The reason hitting bumps felt unsafe is because the rear suspension is not up for that. Sumo Springs are the answer to the problem. I'm pulling an Xpidition Voyager loaded at 3500 lbs. with a four door Badlands 2.3, 7 speed manual. You are also loosing some initial inertia to rear end squat. You are bottoming out on freeway bumps and transitions. When I pulled mine home empty, I knew right away the rear was weak. Sumo is the way to go for your application. I'm running the blue ones and I couldn't be more pleased. Safe travels.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

After renting a TAXA Cricket, a Scamp 13ft, and an A-Liner, we knew the Bronco can tow and we felt ready to buy our own trailer.

We have been searching for the perfect trailer for a while — something that felt sustainable and comfortable for longer trips. Our must-haves are a fixed bed, a separate dinette to double as dining table and office space, a bathroom with shower, and a decent-size kitchen.

We finally found the one… but it is in California, and we live in Austin. It’s also bigger than anything we’ve towed before. We decided to go for it, and over Memorial Day weekend this year, we packed up the Bronco and made the trek west to pick it up. Here’s how the return trip went in case you're towing-curious.

The Tow Vehicle:

• 2023 Base Bronco
• 2.3L EcoBoost
• 7-speed manual
• DIY towing setup
• 255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Tires
• Roof Basket with awning
• Inside, we built out custom drawers and a small kitchen prep area. We also added a platform to fit our dog’s Large Ruffland crate — just because adventure is better with a 4-legged!

The Load:

• 1999 17 ft Burro Wide Body
• 2,200 lbs dry

It’s taller and wider than the Bronco, which made for an interesting dynamic.

Towing set-up:

• No WDH
• No Brake Controller - Couldn’t make the Bluetooth to work on the Curt Echo Brake Controller so we didn’t end up using it. Even when it had worked, the connection felt loose and dangly and didn’t look like it would stay on bumpy roads. I’m planning to switch to a Redarc for a more solid setup.

The Route:
Big Sur, CA → Austin, TX

Key Metrics:

Metric​	Value​	Notes​
Total Distance	2,600 miles	13 days of driving.
Average MPG	15.5	We swapped out the stock tires before the trip, which dropped our MPG from 20 to around 17. We expected it to tank even more once we started towing, we were pleasantly surprised that it didn’t.
Oil Temperature	Avg 217°F; max 235°F on 5° grades	Stayed in a safe range.
Top Speed	65 mph	Faster felt unsafe especially on the bumps.
Max Elevation	~6,000 ft	Noticed some power loss uphill.
Fuel Stops	Every 200-250 miles	We plan our fuel stops ahead of time, making sure each gas station has enough clearance for our rig.

Driving Impressions:
No shocker here: the Bronco’s slow to get going with all that extra weight. You absolutely know you’re towing. Every bump on the road turned the ride into a mini rollercoaster. But once we hit cruising speed, it settled into a steady groove. Climbs didn’t feel too daunting, and the descents were manageable.

The Verdict:
All in all, the Bronco’s a champ for towing the Burro all that way. But after this trip, we’ve agreed this little rig’s officially sticking to short-haul missions.

Photos:

I have been looking at all possible quality trailers within the 350/3500lb parameters.
I eliminated the cheap disposable trailers from Thor (Jayco, ect.) and Berkshire Hathaway (Forest River, ect.)
The best compact 4-person quality trailer is the Amish Nucamp TAB400, but as with most, the tongue weight is above 350.
I want 600ah plus of lithium (Battle Born), solar, cassette toilet, reasonable fresh water capacity and........quality.

 

[adventureTime]

The reason hitting bumps felt unsafe is because the rear suspension is not up for that. Sumo Springs are the answer to the problem. I'm pulling an Xpidition Voyager loaded at 3500 lbs. with a four door Badlands 2.3, 7 speed manual. You are also loosing some initial inertia to rear end squat. You are bottoming out on freeway bumps and transitions. When I pulled mine home empty, I knew right away the rear was weak. Sumo is the way to go for your application. I'm running the blue ones and I couldn't be more pleased. Safe travels.

that's good to know, thanks i will look into that.

 

[adventureTime]

That’s beyond what I expected. Mine feels underpowered and over worked when I’m towing half that. I think my problem is for the past 20 years I’ve been daily driving and towing with my f250 diesel. It’s such a beast and just eats up the highway.

Great write up, love the data points you included and beautiful pictures.
You’ve inspired me to give towing another look with the Bronco.

Yeah, that makes sense—it’s more noticeable in your case since it is a downgrade from the F250. We haven’t really towed with anything else before, so the Bronco felt like a solid starting point. That said, we’ve been tossing around the idea of switching to something more capable like the new Land Cruiser. It's hard because i really like our Bronco.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

That said, we’ve been tossing around the idea of switching to something more capable like the new Land Cruiser.

If you're going to tow heavier, then yes, a different tow rig makes sense.
But don't write these Broncos off completely!!

As I mentioned above, the auto is a game changer as far as how the towing feels.
I can only imagine how much more effortless a 2.7 V6 would feel.

By comparison, I have towed that 3000lb boat (actual across the scales weight) all over hells creation with Dad's Chebby 1/2 ton , crew cab, 5.3, 4spd auto.
That 4dr Badlands I had, was .... 2.3/ auto /4.46 gears and 33's ... power-wise, it pulled much better than the v8 truck.
Yes, read that again,.... the 4banger/auto combo performed better than the V8 and old 4spd trans.

Stability-wise, with THAT 3000lb boat, the heavier, longer truck only barely beats out the 4dr. .....Barely .....
On any normal non-interstate highway (60/65mph), the Bronco was the trucks equal.
Only at 75+mph Interstate speeds did the Bronco give anything up, and again, it was very little. I basically never exceed 75 pulling that boat anyways, but I'll cruise it at 75 for hundreds of miles.

Same for twisty 2 lane highways and back roads, yes the boat pushed a bit harder on the Bronco, but it was nowhere near "unsettling". I feel it was a very stable rig.
Brakes were fine, plus the trailer has surge brakes.
Towing the boat was one of the reasons I stayed with the 33's (non-Squatch) Badlands version, thinking the shorter 33's might be a bit more stable. But having had it , I'd not worry at all using a Squatch for the same weight/etc tow.

Now, towing that boat with the Base/4.46/manual on 35's, yep , it got a little bucky and power was down as there were fewer gears to choose from.
I've yet to tow with the factory 30's on it though. That might help with the power delivery and maybe a little on the ride/tow quality.
But I van't imagine it getting to the levels that auto takes these things to.

.... and then there's the V6 Rangers as well!!! LOL!!!

 

[Sparkie]

Thank you @adventureTime . This is a fantastic write up.

We are looking at pop-up tent trailers. (We had one for many years and sold it when I sold my pickup a few years ago, but a pop-up is still all we really need). Your Bronco towing assessment and experiences eliminated most of my concerns about what size pop-up we buy. Thanks again.

 

[adventureTime]

Thank you @adventureTime . This is a fantastic write up.

We are looking at pop-up tent trailers. (We had one for many years and sold it when I sold my pickup a few years ago, but a pop-up is still all we really need). Your Bronco towing assessment and experiences eliminated most of my concerns about what size pop-up we buy. Thanks again.

It's my pleasure. We did a lot of research before getting the trailer too, and hearing from others really helped us. Good luck on finding the right pop-up!

 

[Sparkie]

It's my pleasure. We did a lot of research before getting the trailer too, and hearing from others really helped us. Good luck on finding the right pop-up!

Thanks.

 

[rcl4668]

After renting a TAXA Cricket, a Scamp 13ft, and an A-Liner, we knew the Bronco can tow and we felt ready to buy our own trailer.

We have been searching for the perfect trailer for a while — something that felt sustainable and comfortable for longer trips. Our must-haves are a fixed bed, a separate dinette to double as dining table and office space, a bathroom with shower, and a decent-size kitchen.

We finally found the one… but it is in California, and we live in Austin. It’s also bigger than anything we’ve towed before. We decided to go for it, and over Memorial Day weekend this year, we packed up the Bronco and made the trek west to pick it up. Here’s how the return trip went in case you're towing-curious.

The Tow Vehicle:

• 2023 Base Bronco
• 2.3L EcoBoost
• 7-speed manual
• DIY towing setup
• 255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Tires
• Roof Basket with awning
• Inside, we built out custom drawers and a small kitchen prep area. We also added a platform to fit our dog’s Large Ruffland crate — just because adventure is better with a 4-legged!

The Load:

• 1999 17 ft Burro Wide Body
• 2,200 lbs dry

It’s taller and wider than the Bronco, which made for an interesting dynamic.

Towing set-up:

• No WDH
• No Brake Controller - Couldn’t make the Bluetooth to work on the Curt Echo Brake Controller so we didn’t end up using it. Even when it had worked, the connection felt loose and dangly and didn’t look like it would stay on bumpy roads. I’m planning to switch to a Redarc for a more solid setup.

The Route:
Big Sur, CA → Austin, TX

Key Metrics:

Metric​	Value​	Notes​
Total Distance	2,600 miles	13 days of driving.
Average MPG	15.5	We swapped out the stock tires before the trip, which dropped our MPG from 20 to around 17. We expected it to tank even more once we started towing, we were pleasantly surprised that it didn’t.
Oil Temperature	Avg 217°F; max 235°F on 5° grades	Stayed in a safe range.
Top Speed	65 mph	Faster felt unsafe especially on the bumps.
Max Elevation	~6,000 ft	Noticed some power loss uphill.
Fuel Stops	Every 200-250 miles	We plan our fuel stops ahead of time, making sure each gas station has enough clearance for our rig.

Driving Impressions:
No shocker here: the Bronco’s slow to get going with all that extra weight. You absolutely know you’re towing. Every bump on the road turned the ride into a mini rollercoaster. But once we hit cruising speed, it settled into a steady groove. Climbs didn’t feel too daunting, and the descents were manageable.

The Verdict:
All in all, the Bronco’s a champ for towing the Burro all that way. But after this trip, we’ve agreed this little rig’s officially sticking to short-haul missions.

Photos:

Very nice! Question: I've got a /23 four-door Heritage with the 2.3L engine, OEM tow package and Ford tow controller installed. Beyond this, what kind of towing hardware would you need? For example, what size towing ball, hitch, drop etc. I've towed a little but am a relative newbie.

 

[adventureTime]

Very nice! Question: I've got a /23 four-door Heritage with the 2.3L engine, OEM tow package and Ford tow controller installed. Beyond this, what kind of towing hardware would you need? For example, what size towing ball, hitch, drop etc. I've towed a little but am a relative newbie.

You’re pretty much set. You’ll just need a ball mount and hitch ball for the Bronco’s 2" receiver. If you tow different trailers, a height-adjustable mount is a good idea. Just make sure to calculate the correct drop or rise—there are plenty of helpful tutorials online for that.

The Bronco uses a 7-pin connector, so you’ll need an adapter if your trailer uses a different plug.

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