Flat tow equipment needed to flat tow the 2021 Bronco?

[kylesredapple]

Probably the biggest reason I reserved a Bronco is so that I can flat tow it behind my Truck Camper setup. Normally, we pull our boat and stay at the lake in the truck camper, but we also want to travel to places like Yellowstone, Montana as well as for me to have a hunting rig that isn't on a trailer. Currently, there are no options for a tow capable front bumper nor have I found anyone who is hinting at developing this kind of equipment. Does anyone have experience with the flat tow equipment necessary to flat tow the bronco or have any input on the subject?

Sponsored

 

[survivormanca]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/flat-tow-new-bronco-yes-confirmed.1147/

 

[dgorsett]

There may be others with more info, but I'll give it a poke:

1. You will need a TowBar base plate. This is what attaches to the Bronco and accepts the tow bar. Many manufacturers have plates for new Rangers that attach where the base model tow loops attach. They look like they should fit, I have emails out to Curt and Demco (through etrailer about this). Some aftermarket bumpers have shackle mounts, or the shackles on Modular bumper Broncos that may also work. Shackle mounts may be quite high and will require hitch lifts to align properly

2. Tow Bar: Any tow bar with adequate capacity should be fine. There are many with different features. Some are 5000# capacity which would be OK for 2dr lower trims, but marginal or inadequate for an up optioned Bronco. Must be compatible with chosen Base Plate.

3. Tail lights. The Broncos taillights may be able to be used, Requires special wiring using diodes to prevent damage to Bronco electrics. May install auxiliary bulb. Or use an auxiliary set of lights. Some are magnetically attached, but the body/bumper of the Bronco is aluminum/plastic so another attachment method is required.

4. Auxiliary Brakes. A system to utilize the Bronco brakes is required. Some use air from the towing vehicle, but since you are towing with a pick up, you will need an electrically operated one, there are several. I use RVI, Blue Ox and others have systems, none are cheap. Must be properly selected to work with your Bronco, V6 vs 4 cyl brake systems have different types of boost that must be accounted for. With electrically operated you need an always hot 12v outlet in Bronco, there is question if the one in the console is always hot.

The main thing about flat towing is to be very methodical on hook up, setting the towed in the proper mode (transfercase neutral, steering unlocked) watching your 6 and checking hook up, tires, bearings on towed whenever you stop.

 

[kylesredapple]

There may be others with more info, but I'll give it a poke:

1. You will need a TowBar base plate. This is what attaches to the Bronco and accepts the tow bar. Many manufacturers have plates for new Rangers that attach where the base model tow loops attach. They look like they should fit, I have emails out to Curt and Demco (through etrailer about this). Some aftermarket bumpers have shackle mounts, or the shackles on Modular bumper Broncos that may also work. Shackle mounts may be quite high and will require hitch lifts to align properly

2. Tow Bar: Any tow bar with adequate capacity should be fine. There are many with different features. Some are 5000# capacity which would be OK for 2dr lower trims, but marginal or inadequate for an up optioned Bronco. Must be compatible with chosen Base Plate.

3. Tail lights. The Broncos taillights may be able to be used, Requires special wiring using diodes to prevent damage to Bronco electrics. May install auxiliary bulb. Or use an auxiliary set of lights. Some are magnetically attached, but the body/bumper of the Bronco is aluminum/plastic so another attachment method is required.

4. Auxiliary Brakes. A system to utilize the Bronco brakes is required. Some use air from the towing vehicle, but since you are towing with a pick up, you will need an electrically operated one, there are several. I use RVI, Blue Ox and others have systems, none are cheap. Must be properly selected to work with your Bronco, V6 vs 4 cyl brake systems have different types of boost that must be accounted for. With electrically operated you need an always hot 12v outlet in Bronco, there is question if the one in the console is always hot.

The main thing about flat towing is to be very methodical on hook up, setting the towed in the proper mode (transfercase neutral, steering unlocked) watching your 6 and checking hook up, tires, bearings on towed whenever you stop.

Thanks for the well thought out response. I might have to put it on my trailer until I can get everything I need and verify that it will work. I have never owned a flat tow vehicle before and have no experience with it. So again, thank you very much for this response.

 

[BreezyNVegas]

I'm planning on towing my Bronco whenever it gets here. We currently tow a 2019 Jeep
Wrangler. We use a Ready Brute Elite II tow bar with surge braking and a Blue Ox base plate installed on the Jeep. So I just need a new base plate and the Emergency Brake Away Kit for the Bronco. Not sure when Blue Ox will have a base plate ready but I'll let them know they can use mine to measure if needed.

This is what we spent

Order Summary​

ITEM DESC​ QUANTITY​ TOTAL​ Ready Brute Elite II Baseplate Clevis Connector: Blue OX 1​ $1,359.50​ Blue Ox Baseplate Baseplate #: BX1139 1​ $450.00​ ReadyStop™ Towed Vehicle Emergency Break Away Kit SKU: RS-5000 857768004166 1​ $120.95​

Subtotal​ $1,930.45 Shipping - Free Shipping on Orders $100+​ $0.00 Tax (US)​ $0.00 TOTAL​ $1,930.45

 

[BreezyNVegas]

 

[HBTFD]

I'm planning on towing my Bronco whenever it gets here. We currently tow a 2019 Jeep
Wrangler. We use a Ready Brute Elite II tow bar with surge braking and a Blue Ox base plate installed on the Jeep. So I just need a new base plate and the Emergency Brake Away Kit for the Bronco. Not sure when Blue Ox will have a base plate ready but I'll let them know they can use mine to measure if needed.

This is what we spent

Order Summary​

ITEM DESC​ QUANTITY​ TOTAL​ Ready Brute Elite II Baseplate Clevis Connector: Blue OX 1​ $1,359.50​ Blue Ox Baseplate Baseplate #: BX1139 1​ $450.00​ ReadyStop™ Towed Vehicle Emergency Break Away Kit SKU: RS-5000 857768004166 1​ $120.95​

Subtotal​ $1,930.45 Shipping - Free Shipping on Orders $100+​ $0.00 Tax (US)​ $0.00 TOTAL​ $1,930.45

Why don’t people with RVs just buy a trailer for $1500 more and save the wear on the vehicle being drug around?

 

[kylesredapple]

Thats a nice setup ( I went and test drove a Chateau this weekend) and thanks for the close up pics. of the tow bar.

 

[BreezyNVegas]

Why don’t people with RVs just buy a trailer for $1500 more and save the wear on the vehicle being drug around?

Not all campsites have parking for trailers, and I don't have land to store a trailer or want to maintain it.

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

Another Ready Brute tow bar user, great system. No electrical or air connections needed. Simple surge brake. I would assume somebody will make attachments that will mount where the front recovery points are so you wouldn't need a baseplate, thats how we have it on our JK, but it's an aftermarket bumper.

 

[kylesredapple]

Why don’t people with RVs just buy a trailer for $1500 more and save the wear on the vehicle being drug around?

Because trailers add weight, maintenance, campgrounds count a trailer as a vehicle and don't let you have 3 vehicles (1 RV, 1 Trailer, 1 Ride). Trailers are hard to backup with RV's. Most of us are old enough to not like pains in our asses like stepping over the trailer tongue to get in the camper, dragging the trailer at the gas station, and on and on and on and on and on....


BTW, I have a flatbed to tow my Rangers as well so I speak from personal experience.

 

[Laminar]

Why don’t people with RVs just buy a trailer for $1500 more and save the wear on the vehicle being drug around?

Easier hook up than worrying about the trailer plus car tiedowns. Easier to just unhook and go once you get the campsite. No need to store a trailer while not traveling. No need to park the trailer at the campsite - some sites might not have room for RV + towed vehicle + trailer. Flat tow is the shortest length and lightest configuration for easiest towing.

Downsides of flat towing would be wear on the tires (suspension still bounces when on a trailer) and no ability to back up without unhooking.

edit: haha looks like we all piled on at the same time.

 

[HBTFD]

Because trailers add weight, maintenance, campgrounds count a trailer as a vehicle and don't let you have 3 vehicles (1 RV, 1 Trailer, 1 Ride). Trailers are hard to backup with RV's. Most of us are old enough to not like pains in our asses like stepping over the trailer tongue to get in the camper, dragging the trailer at the gas station, and on and on and on and on and on....


BTW, I have a flatbed to tow my Rangers as well so I speak from personal experience.

So at campsites you are required to unhook your towed vehicle?

Is it hard to back up the RV with the towed vehicle attached?

I have never been in an RV or camped in one. I have seen plenty of RVs with boat trailers at campsites where I’ve tent camped.

 

[kylesredapple]

So at campsites you are required to unhook your towed vehicle?

Campsites have different configurations and not all are always available (either reservation or first come first serve) the Pull thru sites are nice but not always available. You are not required to unhook your towed vehicle but in the case of a trailer, it puts a serious damper on your site. you have to walk around it, run into it in the dark, might not fit all the way in your site... there are actually lots of issues with trailers. (jackknifing your 150k rv sure sucks)

Is it hard to back up the RV with the towed vehicle attached?

RVs maximize the 8'6" wide rules for vehicles and many are this wide, combine that with 24 to 30 ft in length and your rear view is significantly compromised. Your towed vehicle "hides" behind your camper and it is difficult to navigate. Newer technological breakthroughs have helped, I.E. cameras, back up assist, 360 degree sensors and such but still have issues. You cannot back up your flat tow vehicle as far as I can tell tho but I don'h have any flat tow experience just yet so can't say for certain.

I have never been in an RV or camped in one. I have seen plenty of RVs with boat trailers at campsites where I’ve tent camped.

I have a 30 ft boat. Its so fun and lake campgrounds and marinas are set up to handle trailers and such, national parks like Yellowstone are not trailer friendly. My family boondocks a ton. Thats why I don't mind the trailer, the Rangers fit on it and after I unload them I park the trailer in the bushes out of the way and don't think about it until we leave. The Bronco is a new way of thinking for us and in my mind, the flat tow feature combined with our Truck Bed Camper set up will be awesome. We can set up the camper and have a vehicle to drive around and explore with and not have an additional burdensome trailer to deal with.

 

[BreezyNVegas]

There may be others with more info, but I'll give it a poke:

1. You will need a TowBar base plate. This is what attaches to the Bronco and accepts the tow bar. Many manufacturers have plates for new Rangers that attach where the base model tow loops attach. They look like they should fit, I have emails out to Curt and Demco (through etrailer about this). Some aftermarket bumpers have shackle mounts, or the shackles on Modular bumper Broncos that may also work. Shackle mounts may be quite high and will require hitch lifts to align properly

2. Tow Bar: Any tow bar with adequate capacity should be fine. There are many with different features. Some are 5000# capacity which would be OK for 2dr lower trims, but marginal or inadequate for an up optioned Bronco. Must be compatible with chosen Base Plate.

3. Tail lights. The Broncos taillights may be able to be used, Requires special wiring using diodes to prevent damage to Bronco electrics. May install auxiliary bulb. Or use an auxiliary set of lights. Some are magnetically attached, but the body/bumper of the Bronco is aluminum/plastic so another attachment method is required.

4. Auxiliary Brakes. A system to utilize the Bronco brakes is required. Some use air from the towing vehicle, but since you are towing with a pick up, you will need an electrically operated one, there are several. I use RVI, Blue Ox and others have systems, none are cheap. Must be properly selected to work with your Bronco, V6 vs 4 cyl brake systems have different types of boost that must be accounted for. With electrically operated you need an always hot 12v outlet in Bronco, there is question if the one in the console is always hot.

The main thing about flat towing is to be very methodical on hook up, setting the towed in the proper mode (transfercase neutral, steering unlocked) watching your 6 and checking hook up, tires, bearings on towed whenever you stop.

I just sent Blue Ox an email. Here's what they said...


Thank you for contacting us,



We do not have a time frame of when we would have it. We are currently looking for a customer who owns one, and is willing to participate in our fit program, and bring us theirs so we can design the baseplate for it. Until we find someone, we won’t have a baseplate. If you own the vehicle, and would be willing to participate in our fit program please let me know. Here are the details of our fit program:



Below is the information about the Blue Ox Fit Program. Fits usually take 5 days and are scheduled for an entire week, Monday – Friday, starting at 8:30 am Monday morning. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thank you.



Baseplate Fit Program

You would come to the Pender, NE facility: One Mill Road Pender, NE 68047



You will receive the following for participating in the program:

• Baseplate – free of charge

• Avail tow bar – free of charge

• Baseplate installation – free of charge

• Wiring kit installation – free of charge

• Receive a 25% discount on the required wiring kit, plus any other Blue Ox product purchased during their stay

• Free stay at the Blue Ox RV Park (Notification needed for site reservation)

• Company car is reserved for use. (No mileage restrictions)

• Optional factory tour

**Please check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or consult a dealer for the proper towing procedures of your vehicle prior to scheduling a baseplate fit for your vehicle.

The fact that Blue Ox® has a baseplate for a particular vehicle does not imply the towability of the vehicle.



**If the vehicle has been damaged prior to arrival, Blue Ox reserves the right to refuse the vehicle for the Fit Program**

Thank you

Sponsored