Are Bronco Flat Tow Issues Resolved?

[56huck]

I have lost 2 transmissions due to Flat Tow issues on My 21 Badlands. Both I followed procedures to the Letter. At some time the transfer case was no longer in Neutral and in one instance over heated the engine. Im thinking of getting a New 24 or 25 and was wondering if we feel this has been resolved. I don't think ford has ever admitted to an issue, but I know many have had it.

I’m in exactly the same position
I have a 21 Balands SAS 2.7. I flat towed it a few times with no issues (other than occasionally having difficulty getting it out of neutral tow)
Then last year after towing it home from a camping trip the tranny was toast. Ford replaced since it had less than 60k miles for the engine teanny warranty.
Now, a year later I get to my camp s

I have lost 2 transmissions due to Flat Tow issues on My 21 Badlands. Both I followed procedures to the Letter. At some time the transfer case was no longer in Neutral and in one instance over heated the engine. Im thinking of getting a New 24 or 25 and was wondering if we feel this has been resolved. I don't think ford has ever admitted to an issue, but I know many have had it.

im in exactly the same boat - 2-toasted trannys.
I have a 21 Badlands SAS 2.7 with 52 k miles on it now. I off-road it nearly monthly and it’s my daily driver.
I’ve flat towed it successfully several times.
Last year about this time my tranny was toast after (Flat towing) returning from a camping trip. Ford replaced it under warranty. It was fine after towing it to my camp spot, but not when I returned home.
Yesterday was the first time I flat towed since the tranny was replaced a year ago. I get to my camping spot and the tranny is toast again. It didn’t easily come out of neutral tow, I heard it trying to shift it said it needed to move forward a little, but when I put it in drive to move it forward nothing happened. So frustrating!
Both times it said it was in neutral tow mode and leave in neutral (which I did). I am religious about following the owners manual instructions exactly. If I’m doing something wrong, I have no idea what it is.

Sponsored

 

[Tilzbow]

@56huck,

Sucks to hear about your transmission!

How many miles/hours on the trips are you towing before the failure? Asking because during my latest trip, I had the shift inhibit warning two times (out of 32 trips) but only after being on the road for 6-8 hours and never during one of the shorter, sub 4 hour, trips.

Do you have a charge line from the RV to the Bronco to keep the battery fully charged?

Lastly, what auxiliary brake system are you using?

 

[56huck]

@56huck,

Sucks to hear about your transmission!

How many miles/hours on the trips are you towing before the failure? Asking because during my latest trip, I had the shift inhibit warning two times (out of 32 trips) but only after being on the road for 6-8 hours and never during one of the shorter, sub 4 hour, trips.

Do you have a charge line from the RV to the Bronco to keep the battery fully charged?

Lastly, what auxiliary brake system are you using?

About 300 miles, mostly freeway.
Yes, I have a hot line from my tow vehicle to the Bronco through the 6-pin connector.
I use the BlueOx Patriot 3 brake system. It’s just OK, not great.
I tow behind F250 with a cab over camper.

@56huck,

Sucks to hear about your transmission!

How many miles/hours on the trips are you towing before the failure? Asking because during my latest trip, I had the shift inhibit warning two times (out of 32 trips) but only after being on the road for 6-8 hours and never during one of the shorter, sub 4 hour, trips.

Do you have a charge line from the RV to the Bronco to keep the battery fully charged?

Lastly, what auxiliary brake system are you using?

i thought I replied, but I don’t see it, so I’ll reply again.

 

[56huck]

have a ‘21 Badlands SAS that the transmission has failed a second time after flat towing. It was covered under warranty the first time but I don’t know about this time.
I recently spoke to a guy that flat tows his 22 Wildtrack SAS and he said he had to replace the tranny once (Fors didn’t cover it) and since then he leaves the key fob in the Bronco when flat towing and hasn’t had any issues. Has anyone heard about this?

 

[lamokadave]

I flat tow a 24 BL SAS allot and have never had an issue. ( Luckily) I do not leave the fob in the Bronco but keep it in the front of my MH about 30 ft away.
What is his logic in keeping the fob in the bronco??
I do have an RVI battery charger in the loop and monitor that from my MH. It provides a continuous charge to the bronco battery keeping it over 13v. There has been speculation that low voltage is the potential cause of the tranny engaging

 

[goatman]

I haven't been on these forums for a few years, but decided to check in. I have a '22 Badlands 2.3L and we flat tow extensively. I also daily drive it and off road regularly. Just over 30k on the Bronco, and so far no issues. I've experienced issues getting it out of flat two mode a number of times, similar to what has already been posted. Drive forward message, just not shifting, etc. A couple tries shutting off, starting over has always resolved it. Just like any other vehicle, if there is a bit of bind on the gears in the t-case it might take a bit of playing around with it to get it to shift. Nothing really out of the ordinary. I use an Air force One brake system, and don't have a charge wire from the coach.

I learned something reading through a few of these threads. I do occasionally get a low battery message, yet the Bronco always starts easily. Going forward I will always start the Bronco if we stop overnight and don't unhook it from the coach. One thing I haven't read is anyone mentioning that when shifting into flat tow mode they look at the t-case shift dial to see that the light goes out, as well as listen for the shift. I have always done both. Watching the 2hi or 4A light go out on the dial means much more to me than what the dash says, though the dash always says flat tow engaged. Anyway, my .02 worth.

 

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I'll have to check those indicator lights, I never have before, we always check the dash message. Have you ever had to start over because those lights stayed on but the dash says neutral tow enabled?

 

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Forgot to copy you in

 

[grtharris]

I take a two pictures one of the dash and one of the GOAT mode dial once the Bronco is in tow mode.

 

[56huck]

I haven't been on these forums for a few years, but decided to check in. I have a '22 Badlands 2.3L and we flat tow extensively. I also daily drive it and off road regularly. Just over 30k on the Bronco, and so far no issues. I've experienced issues getting it out of flat two mode a number of times, similar to what has already been posted. Drive forward message, just not shifting, etc. A couple tries shutting off, starting over has always resolved it. Just like any other vehicle, if there is a bit of bind on the gears in the t-case it might take a bit of playing around with it to get it to shift. Nothing really out of the ordinary. I use an Air force One brake system, and don't have a charge wire from the coach.

I learned something reading through a few of these threads. I do occasionally get a low battery message, yet the Bronco always starts easily. Going forward I will always start the Bronco if we stop overnight and don't unhook it from the coach. One thing I haven't read is anyone mentioning that when shifting into flat tow mode they look at the t-case shift dial to see that the light goes out, as well as listen for the shift. I have always done both. Watching the 2hi or 4A light go out on the dial means much more to me than what the dash says, though the dash always says flat tow engaged. Anyway, my .02 worth.

I’m not sure I understand which lights your speaking? The lights on the dash that show 2h or 4h, or the goat selector in the center console?

 

[Tilzbow]

I haven't been on these forums for a few years, but decided to check in. I have a '22 Badlands 2.3L and we flat tow extensively. I also daily drive it and off road regularly. Just over 30k on the Bronco, and so far no issues. I've experienced issues getting it out of flat two mode a number of times, similar to what has already been posted. Drive forward message, just not shifting, etc. A couple tries shutting off, starting over has always resolved it. Just like any other vehicle, if there is a bit of bind on the gears in the t-case it might take a bit of playing around with it to get it to shift. Nothing really out of the ordinary. I use an Air force One brake system, and don't have a charge wire from the coach.

I learned something reading through a few of these threads. I do occasionally get a low battery message, yet the Bronco always starts easily. Going forward I will always start the Bronco if we stop overnight and don't unhook it from the coach. One thing I haven't read is anyone mentioning that when shifting into flat tow mode they look at the t-case shift dial to see that the light goes out, as well as listen for the shift. I have always done both. Watching the 2hi or 4A light go out on the dial means much more to me than what the dash says, though the dash always says flat tow engaged. Anyway, my .02 worth.

I always listen for it shifting when going into and out of flat tow mode. Also pushing the brake pedal all the way down until it stops and holding it there when taking it out of flat tow mode has resolved 90% of my issues with the shift delay.

My Bronco just broke 30,000 miles and I’ve also flat towed it over 20,000 miles after this year’s 8,300 mile trip.

 

[goatman]

I’m not sure I understand which lights your speaking? The lights on the dash that show 2h or 4h, or the goat selector in the center console?

Yes, the lights on the GOAT indicator dial. I'm more concerned that it indicates the t-case has shifted into neutral (the light goes out) than I am what the dash says.


I'll also try to remember to push the brake pedal down really hard. Thanks.

 

[HomePeace]

The shift delay crap is just Ford being Ford; holding the brake and cycling ignition is the fix. The low battery message while hitched is classic, Air Force One plus no charge wire slowly drains it.

 

[Tilzbow]

The shift delay crap is just Ford being Ford; holding the brake and cycling ignition is the fix. The low battery message while hitched is classic, Air Force One plus no charge wire slowly drains it.

The instructions clearly state to fully press the brake pedal when taking it out of flat tow mode. If that done 90% of the issues disappear. Pressing it part way doesn’t work out well many times.

 

[dgorsett]

I always listen for it shifting when going into and out of flat tow mode. Also pushing the brake pedal all the way down until it stops and holding it there when taking it out of flat tow mode has resolved 90% of my issues with the shift delay.

My Bronco just broke 30,000 miles and I’ve also flat towed it over 20,000 miles after this year’s 8,300 mile trip.

The instructions clearly state to fully press the brake pedal when taking it out of flat tow mode. If that done 90% of the issues disappear. Pressing it part way doesn’t work out well many times.

Yep, if I limp wrist (ankle) it I will get the "preconditions not met warning". Also with the 2.3 you may get all kinds of brake warnings coming out of tow, but they will go away after starting and restoring brake vacuum.

Sponsored