Tested out towing a 2900 lbs trailer with 2.7 Badlands w/ tow package

[Tricky Dick]

That's a good looking Bronco you have there.

I'd be curious how it pulls without the WDH, even if it means strapping the spare to the trailer.

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[Kaopeterson]

That's a good looking Bronco you have there.

I'd be curious how it pulls without the WDH, even if it means strapping the spare to the trailer.

Thank you. I don’t think it would have been much different. I didn’t get the arm bars as tight as they could have been. When I had the smaller hitch on at first I didn’t notice much sag but just really changed because of the spare issue. Though I was going to pop the spare trying to get the hitch off and didn’t want to deal with that struggle again

 

[mpeugeot]

It may not even be an issue with the Bronco’s but I know my 2nd gen 3.5EB in my F150 will run warm on big grades. I’ll lock out 8/9/10 to keep out of the overdrive gears and keep the RPM’s spinning when towing. Long grades or trying to pull hard acceleration on grade will warm it up too.

I’m curious to see how the bronco’s fair when towing and water temps.

Yep, with my 1st gen 3.5 EB running heavy load, I will sometimes lock out 5 and 6 (6 speed) (especially on steep grades to keep the motor from lunching on a spark plug or if the plugs are marginal this will prevent misfires). Temperatures have never been an issue on my 1st gen 3.5 EB, but 2nd gen motors seem to be a little more finicky with regards to the cooling.

 

[ssolypop]

Tested out the towing yesterday and in general it was great. Had to switch hitches to my weight distribution hitch since it is longer and the spare was in the way for my short trip hitch. Found out it has sway control. Didn’t add my brake controller because I couldn’t find the plug or maybe it’s different but the trailer weighs 2900 lbs so just under the required weight for needing one. I’ll get one added before I head into the mountains as it gives some good piece of mind.

Specs: 2.7 Badlands high package w/ tow package

I really wanna see the inside of that trailer! Can you post more pics at the camp site? Do you put most of your gear in the trailer or the back of the 2dr? I'm seeing a good you tube video in the making

 

[Marauder]

Tested out the towing yesterday and in general it was great. Had to switch hitches to my weight distribution hitch since it is longer and the spare was in the way for my short trip hitch. Found out it has sway control. Didn’t add my brake controller because I couldn’t find the plug or maybe it’s different but the trailer weighs 2900 lbs so just under the required weight for needing one. I’ll get one added before I head into the mountains as it gives some good piece of mind.

Specs: 2.7 Badlands high package w/ tow package

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[Wanted33]

I commented on your fb post over the weekend. Beautiful ride! I think this might help alleviate how close and tight everything is.

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in...MI_LiGkc218gIVxfrICh05egJIEAQYASABEgL4EvD_BwE

It a heavy extender for sure. But be careful, these have a lot of play in them. So much so that I have to shim mine when I use my bike rack (on my Wrangler). The rack swings so hard I'm afraid something will break. I expect the ones sold at other stores are all built by the same company in China, so I wouldn't expect much better out of those. IMHO

 

[PDiddy]

Looking at the numbers, It looks like with the trailer you still have around 600lbs left over for payload in your Bronco. Leaves some room for two passengers and some cargo. That is assuming the hitch weight is 350lbs.

 

[Yukon65006]

It a heavy extender for sure. But be careful, these have a lot of play in them. So much so that I have to shim mine when I use my bike rack (on my Wrangler). The rack swings so hard I'm afraid something will break. I expect the ones sold at other stores are all built by the same company in China, so I wouldn't expect much better out of those. IMHO

Experienced the same so ran a few beads of weld down one side then ground to fit.

 

[Kaopeterson]

I really wanna see the inside of that trailer! Can you post more pics at the camp site? Do you put most of your gear in the trailer or the back of the 2dr? I'm seeing a good you tube video in the making

Plenty of room inside the trailer. I’ve slept 6 in it. It’s a flagstaff 206SE. This was just a test drive. Don’t think I’ll be driving to a campsite topless. Damn raccoons always tried to get inside my truck so no way I’d let them free reign at the bronco

 

[BroncoAgain]

California requires brakes on trailers over 1500 pounds. A light weight WD hitch for 3000 pounds is a good idea to transfer some of the weight to the front wheels. When you get to the dirt road you can always remove the bars.

 

[MSparks909]

I'll be towing around ~2800 with a Badlands 2.3 manual.

Anyone have any manual-specific towing tips or tricks?

Turn on your boost gauge and get used to looking at it. Shift between 3-4K RPMs and run in 5th if need be on the 55mph highways and 6th (if it’ll pull it) when on the 70mph highways. I personally wouldn’t pull faster than 70 on these short wheelbase vehicles. Don’t be afraid to run the 2.3 Eco in the powerband when towing.

 

[Kaopeterson]

California requires brakes on trailers over 1500 pounds. A light weight WD hitch for 3000 pounds is a good idea to transfer some of the weight to the front wheels. When you get to the dirt road you can always remove the bars.

Yep and Colorado it’s 2999 I believe. I’m using a WDH and plan to get the brake controller plugged in, just need to do a little more investigating or change the plug out

 

[bgcfman]

As people tow with these, especially when getting near the max tow, keep an eye on the water temp on long grades. The 2.7 shouldn’t have much of an issue as it’s oversized for the tow capacity but the 2.3 might see some issues.

When the ecoboost motors run, they like to shift up to still keep fuel Econ’s, even in a tow/haul mode. What this leads to, when pulling a large grade, is lots of boost being pushed and the water pump not turning very fast. The turbos are water cooled so the extra boost means extra heat.

It may not even be an issue with the Bronco’s but I know my 2nd gen 3.5EB in my F150 will run warm on big grades. I’ll lock out 8/9/10 to keep out of the overdrive gears and keep the RPM’s spinning when towing. Long grades or trying to pull hard acceleration on grade will warm it up too. I’ve never went into limp mode (251 water temp I believe) but I’ve seen 241 several times. The motors have the power but not the cooling for high boost, low coolant movement.

I’m curious to see how the bronco’s fair when towing and water temps.

I can't find a grade here in Florida, but I know what you mean from some out west trips.

 

[Max1h]

question when in tow mode does it turn off the auto start and stop?? if so would tricking the system into thinking its towing disable that annoying feature?

 

[2Jeeps&PatriotX1]

I can't find a grade here in Florida, but I know what you mean from some out west trips.

After living in FL for 15yrs and towing boats, steepest grades I ever found were the entrance ramps to I-75 lol.

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