Sponsored

Bronco towing vs Ranger, why the difference?

DHH

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
60
Reaction score
103
Location
Here
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
Not trying to be "that guy", but if people keep pressuring Ford to get it more towing capacities, then it becomes less offroad-able. Think before you vote.
Sorry, but don't really understand this. It's an unnecessary fear.
As Lakelife said, it's pretty simple to add a Max Tow package that won't affect the current options.

Personally I haven't seen anyone ask Ford to cancel the Sasq package and change the Bronco completely to reduce it's off-road capability for everyone, just so we can get a better tow rating.

All I want is an Max Tow OPTION. If that OPTION reduces the off-road capability for MY Bronco, then I am ok with that.
Sponsored

 

Rick Astley

Raptor
Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Threads
70
Messages
5,019
Reaction score
18,563
Location
Up Doug's ass
Vehicle(s)
d
Your Bronco Model
Raptor
All I want is an Max Tow OPTION. If that OPTION reduces the off-road capability for MY Bronco, then I am ok with that.
Yes, the Ranger exists. That was your point, right?

We all have fond memories of the Reebok pumps, but they didn't make you run faster, jump higher or really anything aside from be poorer. Your argument on the other hand is to remove the laces so the shoe is infinitely comfortable because that's what you want regardless of the shoes falling off constantly afterward.

Ford Bronco Bronco towing vs Ranger, why the difference? s-l640[1]
 

Cookieck

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
267
Reaction score
623
Location
Georgia, USA
Vehicle(s)
Camaro SS, Indian Chief Vintage, Yamaha Fz1, Honda Shadow, etc
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
I'm gonna go with suspension. Off road oriented vehicles generally have softer spring rates for better off road compliance. For example, look at the Ram 2500 with the 6.4 hemi. The Power Wagon, an off-road "specialist" has a max payload of 1420 lbs with a max tow rating of 9470 lbs.
The other trim versions of the Ram 2500 crew cab 4x4 with the 6.4 hemi, 4:10 gears and the 6' 4" bed have max payloads ranging from 2710 to 2990 lbs, and max tow capacity ranging from 16450 to 16780 lbs. So the Power wagon has roughly half the payload and 2/3 the towing capacity of any other vehicle in their lineup in that configuration.
Power wagon only comes with 4x4 and crew cab and 6’4” bed, and on 2020 models from rams website shows 10k tow cap. Compare with any other 2500 with the same setup(4x4, crew cab, 6’4” bed) and the highest I got it to is 14k tow cap, so power wagon is just over 70% what the tow cap is in same configuration. Raptor is similarly about 70% what a f150 limited with the same engine can tow. If bronco had 70% what the ranger had for tow cap it’d be over 5000lbs. Even 2/3 would be at 5k. I’d be fine with that.
Ford Bronco Bronco towing vs Ranger, why the difference? E4E6C14F-254E-4F61-B584-B944B921096C
 
Last edited:

Cookieck

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
267
Reaction score
623
Location
Georgia, USA
Vehicle(s)
Camaro SS, Indian Chief Vintage, Yamaha Fz1, Honda Shadow, etc
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
Yes, the Ranger exists. That was your point, right?

We all have fond memories of the Reebok pumps, but they didn't make you run faster, jump higher or really anything aside from be poorer. Your argument on the other hand is to remove the laces so the shoe is infinitely comfortable because that's what you want regardless of the shoes falling off constantly afterward.

s-l640[1].jpg
0 interest in the ranger here. But also 0 interest in minivan tow cap. And the shoes analogy is just ridiculous and meaningless. If anything, a tow cap would be tying laces tighter not removing them, but that’s still a stupid comparison. If ya really wanna use shoes it’d be more like currently the bronco comes with rock climber shoes(suspension), grippy and flexible but outside rock climbing not very helpful. And plenty of people that have rock climbing shoes only use them for rock climbing. But there’s also plenty people that don’t have room in the budget or shoe rack for specific rock climbing shoes, and so we want the option for something like an athletic sneaker. I’ve worn sneakers rock climbing many many times, and never had an issue with them(real life rock climbing not just analogy), but I can also wear those same sneakers for things outside rock climbing, and be perfectly fine. So I would love the option to buy a bronco with a sneaker, still be more than capable rock climbing for all but the most extreme rock climbers but be able to do more than just rock climb well.
 

Lakelife36

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ben
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
1,755
Reaction score
2,486
Location
Interior of BC
Vehicle(s)
2010 Kia Borrego, 2012 Chevy Cruze, 2022 Bronco
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
Clubs
 
Yes, the Ranger exists. That was your point, right?

We all have fond memories of the Reebok pumps, but they didn't make you run faster, jump higher or really anything aside from be poorer. Your argument on the other hand is to remove the laces so the shoe is infinitely comfortable because that's what you want regardless of the shoes falling off constantly afterward.

Ford Bronco Bronco towing vs Ranger, why the difference? E4E6C14F-254E-4F61-B584-B944B921096C
A. What the H-E-Double hockey sticks are you smoking? I'll take some.

B. The Ranger doesn't come with a manual transmission
 

Sponsored

PDiddy

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Paul
Joined
Jul 27, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
642
Reaction score
1,513
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
4Runner
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
what is the weight of your toy hauler and the weight of the toy you put in it? I would think you would need something in the 10k range to tow it.
 

Lakelife36

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ben
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
1,755
Reaction score
2,486
Location
Interior of BC
Vehicle(s)
2010 Kia Borrego, 2012 Chevy Cruze, 2022 Bronco
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
Clubs
 
I'm gonna go with suspension. Off road oriented vehicles generally have softer spring rates for better off road compliance. For example, look at the Ram 2500 with the 6.4 hemi. The Power Wagon, an off-road "specialist" has a max payload of 1420 lbs with a max tow rating of 9470 lbs.
The other trim versions of the Ram 2500 crew cab 4x4 with the 6.4 hemi, 4:10 gears and the 6' 4" bed have max payloads ranging from 2710 to 2990 lbs, and max tow capacity ranging from 16450 to 16780 lbs. So the Power wagon has roughly half the payload and 2/3 the towing capacity of any other vehicle in their lineup in that configuration.
Soft suspension will certainly be the main factor, but many other off-road vehicles tow more than 3500lbs. That number is ludicrously small. I don't care if it's what Jeeps get, it's silly on them too.

It's also not everything - Tacomas have the same tow rating between an SR5 and TRD Pro (of the same door count and powertrain). In a manual Gladiator the Rubicon has a higher tow rating than both the Sport and Overland.
 

Cookieck

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
267
Reaction score
623
Location
Georgia, USA
Vehicle(s)
Camaro SS, Indian Chief Vintage, Yamaha Fz1, Honda Shadow, etc
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
what is the weight of your toy hauler and the weight of the toy you put in it? I would think you would need something in the 10k range to tow it.
There’s much smaller toy haulers nowadays, but sure plenty toy haulers can still weigh up to 15k or more empty. For me, my current one weighs a bit over 5k empty, have multiple motorcycles but only take one at a time, lightest is in the 300lbs range heaviest is almost 800lbs. I know of a couple brands with toy haulers that meet my basic needs that weigh around 3200lbs empty, but that’s the smallest I’ll go(there’s actually a couple slightly smaller than that, but won’t work for me and some cost way too much for the size). So with my heaviest bike that would put me at 4K with no clothes or gear. 5k tow cap would then give me 1000lbs for anything I need to bring(few hundred more if bringing lighter bike or the few trips I don’t bring a bike, and anything over 5k tow cap is a plus too). If no 5k tow cap then no reason to go to a smaller toy hauler, the other vehicle options I’m considering all have closer to around 8k+ tow caps. Still might trade my toy hauler in for a new one soon anyways, but just be similar size instead of smaller.
 

ZackDanger

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Z
Joined
Jul 8, 2020
Threads
23
Messages
6,451
Reaction score
28,975
Location
Massachusetts
Vehicle(s)
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
There’s much smaller toy haulers nowadays, but sure plenty toy haulers can still weigh up to 15k or more empty. For me, my current one weighs a bit over 5k empty, have multiple motorcycles but only take one at a time, lightest is in the 300lbs range heaviest is almost 800lbs. I know of a couple brands with toy haulers that meet my basic needs that weigh around 3200lbs empty, but that’s the smallest I’ll go(there’s actually a couple slightly smaller than that, but won’t work for me and some cost way too much for the size). So with my heaviest bike that would put me at 4K with no clothes or gear. 5k tow cap would then give me 1000lbs for anything I need to bring(few hundred more if bringing lighter bike or the few trips I don’t bring a bike, and anything over 5k tow cap is a plus too). If no 5k tow cap then no reason to go to a smaller toy hauler, the other vehicle options I’m considering all have closer to around 8k+ tow caps. Still might trade my toy hauler in for a new one soon anyways, but just be similar size instead of smaller.
I'm in a very similar boat. My wife and I race motorcycles (singles and sidecars). A 5k lb tow rating would have been perfect to comfortably bring two bikes and the gear to the track... 3500 is where we are at right now in the Wrangler and it makes things more complicated.
 

Michael 1973

Base
Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Jul 27, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
7
Reaction score
8
Location
Kentucky
Vehicle(s)
Ford F150
Your Bronco Model
Base
With the max set up at 3500 lbs across the board .Which package would handle the 3500 lbs the best . I’m leaning towards Big Ben or Black Diamond with no Sasquatch.
 

Sponsored

Pl8to

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Threads
6
Messages
125
Reaction score
301
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
Subaru Forester
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
I was going to argue some points about how off-road suspension is worse for towing (which it is) or that some changes to increase towing would inhibit some of the off-road capabilities (which they can), but really it most likely comes down to liability (and probably a little to tongue weight with that class II hitch). If I was Ford and put a 5,000 or 7,500 lb limit on the Bronco and then people decide to tow these weights off-road and roll off a cliff, or damage the vehicle, there would be a lot of lawsuits coming down the line. By limiting the tow rating it makes this less likely. People are dumb and if you give them the option to do stupid things they will.

It's definitely a bummer because I would of liked at least a 5,000 lb rating, but it is what it is. Most likely if you install a better tow hitch you can probably tow much heavier than the rating, just know the liability will be on you and not on Ford.
 

JonChicago

Active Member
First Name
Jon
Joined
Sep 17, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
26
Reaction score
34
Location
Chicago
Vehicle(s)
Subaru
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
There are a lot more variables in the Bronco than the Ranger,

Ranger:
One wheelbase
One wheel diameter, more or less
One suspension height
One transmission
One engine
One axle ratio
Leaf spring rear

Bronco:
2 Wheel bases, both shorter than Ranger
30-35" wheels
Large range in suspension height
Two trans
Two engines
4 axle ratios
Coil spring rear without sway bar

I suspect if Ford wanted to they could rate all these different combos but for whatever reason (probably lawyers) they went with the most conservative config, probably a 2 door sasquatch manual, for the rating. I have no doubt that one could take a 2.7L auto 4D base to 5000# and never have an issue. I also bet that a 2D sasquatch at 3500# in heavy braking is a full code brown.
 

The Pope

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
719
Reaction score
1,612
Location
NC
Vehicle(s)
1977 F250/2007 Mercury Mariner/2014 Infiniti Q60x/2011 Kawasaki C14
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
There are a lot more variables in the Bronco than the Ranger,

Ranger:
One wheelbase
One wheel diameter, more or less
One suspension height
One transmission
One engine
One axle ratio
Leaf spring rear

Bronco:
2 Wheel bases, both shorter than Ranger
30-35" wheels
Large range in suspension height
Two trans
Two engines
4 axle ratios
Coil spring rear without sway bar

I suspect if Ford wanted to they could rate all these different combos but for whatever reason (probably lawyers) they went with the most conservative config, probably a 2 door sasquatch manual, for the rating. I have no doubt that one could take a 2.7L auto 4D base to 5000# and never have an issue. I also bet that a 2D sasquatch at 3500# in heavy braking is a full code brown.
No disrespect intended..... but I Don't Care what the differences are or that the Bronco was DESIGENED to be an Off-Road Vehicle.

FoMoCo "can" provide a TOW Package for this.
If Not, some Official FoMoCo Spokes Person needs to tell us Why.
 

JonChicago

Active Member
First Name
Jon
Joined
Sep 17, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
26
Reaction score
34
Location
Chicago
Vehicle(s)
Subaru
Your Bronco Model
Undecided
No disrespect intended..... but I Don't Care what the differences are or that the Bronco was DESIGENED to be an Off-Road Vehicle.

FoMoCo "can" provide a TOW Package for this.
If Not, some Official FoMoCo Spokes Person needs to tell us Why.
No disrespect intended... But maybe this opinion is better expressed in a thread that is not specifically regarding "Bronco towing vs Ranger, why the difference?"
Sponsored

 
 


Top