Towing 3,000+ lbs - Actual experience input requested

[jakej]

We are looking at some new travel trailers, and the ones we like best have a dry-weight ~3,200 lbs. So, with our stuff we will be close, if not slightly over, 3,500 lbs rating. I have towed our current, 2,900 lbs trailer for over 20k miles with the Bronco (2.7L V6). It tows great, with plenty of power and 17+ MPG, but I do feel the weight a little bit on downhills.

Request - I'm looking for input from other Bronco owners that have towed with trailers >3,000 lbs. Good/bad/other? Extra credit for those towing R-Pod trailers.

Note - I've read several other threads (and other sources), so understand how tow capacity works and to include passengers, luggage, etc. Really hoping to get actual experience vs. opinions. Thanks.

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[DoubleADuster]

I’m interested in this too, I have been towing a 24 Ozark 1620 Bhle with 2900 lbs dry weight for two years and it has been easy and no issues- I have been considering getting an upgraded oil/tran cooler to help regulate them better we are thinking of driving cross country in fall and will most likely be slightly over the 3500 with gear for a long haul.

based on current performance I am not worried about it, bust interested in other opinions

 

[23OBX2.7]

Must have E rated tires ( preferably street orientated if want to stop 8,500 lb) and correct hitch level and trailer brakes.

 

[mjp2]

Brake controller, weight distribution hitch, and blue Sumo Springs in the rear and my 2021 Badlands 7MT had no issues pulling our 3500lb 2020 GeoPro 19GBH through the hills of northeastern Pennsylvania. We travel with a full water tank and gear for the whole family.

The 2.3 likes to rev, doesn't complain under load, and the temps never get high. Stopping is uneventful when the brake controller is set properly.

We did outgrow this trailer and will be towing the bigger camper with the Expedition this year but the Bronco happily pulls 3500 lbs.

 

[Brian_B]

Beefing up the rear suspension will help a lot -
the stock suspension is very soft for towing. With a lot of weight the trailer can just push the rear suspension around, especially if you don't have the trailer brakes set just right or the weight distributed on the hitch correctly.

All Broncos have more than enough towing power and braking power. Just a big difference in a rear coil over vs a leaf spring like a pickup

 

[Oldhippie]

Sorry no real experience towing with the bronco but along with trailer brakes and maybe a weight distributing hitch I would also be looking at beefing the rear crossmember with someting like this https://www.hkoffroad.com/products/ford-bronco-2021-rear-tow-hitch-w-shackle-tabs

 

[SmilingSasquatch]

I've been pulling a 3,300lb R-Pod with my 2.7L Bronco for about a year now and honestly it handles it fine, just make sure you get a good weight distribution hitch because the rear end will squat without it.

 

[23OBX2.7]

also consider rear airbags for towwing occcasions VS stiffer springs that have to love with all the time...somerimes its just simpler to rent a pick up or whatever if tow infrequently instead of spendinng thousands.

 

[DoubleADuster]

also consider rear airbags for towwing occcasions VS stiffer springs that have to love with all the time...somerimes its just simpler to rent a pick up or whatever if tow infrequently instead of spendinng thousands.

Is anyone aware of airbags that work for the bronco I was looking at the suspension set up in the back and didn’t quite see any out there that would fit or work for it

 

[23OBX2.7]

something like this

 

[wjtinfwb]

We are looking at some new travel trailers, and the ones we like best have a dry-weight ~3,200 lbs. So, with our stuff we will be close, if not slightly over, 3,500 lbs rating. I have towed our current, 2,900 lbs trailer for over 20k miles with the Bronco (2.7L V6). It tows great, with plenty of power and 17+ MPG, but I do feel the weight a little bit on downhills.

Request - I'm looking for input from other Bronco owners that have towed with trailers >3,000 lbs. Good/bad/other? Extra credit for those towing R-Pod trailers.

Note - I've read several other threads (and other sources), so understand how tow capacity works and to include passengers, luggage, etc. Really hoping to get actual experience vs. opinions. Thanks.

Pulled a loaded 6x12 dual-axle U-Haul from Florida to Atlanta, about 3600 lbs. loaded with furniture. Mostly interstate up I-75. 4 door Sasquatch 2.7 with factory tow. No issues, just a bit of push when decelerating or braking, otherwise stable as a rock and plenty of power and torque. It felt like it would easily handle another 1,000 lbs. The factory tow was awesome, plugged in the trailer and the display recognized it immediately, put the car into tow mode and tested the lights. A lot easier than my older vehicles with tow packages but no integration with the vehicle. If I was doing it frequently I'd probably ad a larger trans cooler to be safe but on my trip I never saw trans temp get over 205 degrees.

 

[Tonka Bronka]

We are looking at some new travel trailers, and the ones we like best have a dry-weight ~3,200 lbs. So, with our stuff we will be close, if not slightly over, 3,500 lbs rating. I have towed our current, 2,900 lbs trailer for over 20k miles with the Bronco (2.7L V6). It tows great, with plenty of power and 17+ MPG, but I do feel the weight a little bit on downhills.

Request - I'm looking for input from other Bronco owners that have towed with trailers >3,000 lbs. Good/bad/other? Extra credit for those towing R-Pod trailers.

Note - I've read several other threads (and other sources), so understand how tow capacity works and to include passengers, luggage, etc. Really hoping to get actual experience vs. opinions. Thanks.

300 lbs. of gear ready to camp is very light. Do you not carry water? That said, my rig ready to camp weighs in between 3500 and 3600. No trouble pulling or stopping with C rated tires, they are hauling the tongue weight. I also use the blue Sumo springs, necessary and eliminates the need for additional sway or load control systems that can get in the way when you are on tight mountain trails. Set up right, the Bronco is great with the right trailer. Lets camp!

 

[jakej]

Thank you for the great responses so far - sounds like 3,500 - 3,600 lbs is doable. I should have mentioned that I have factory tow package, and installed the recommended brake controller.

Follow-up question - what's involved in changing the rear shocks (in short) and do you lose anything, when not towing, with out the factory setup. I am non-SAS OBX.

 

[jakej]

I've been pulling a 3,300lb R-Pod with my 2.7L Bronco for about a year now and honestly it handles it fine, just make sure you get a good weight distribution hitch because the rear end will squat without it.

Which model/year R-Pod do you have? We are looking at 178, 179, 180, and 190.

 

[Brian_B]

Thank you for the great responses so far - sounds like 3,500 - 3,600 lbs is doable. I should have mentioned that I have factory tow package, and installed the recommended brake controller.

Follow-up question - what's involved in changing the rear shocks (in short) and do you lose anything, when not towing, with out the factory setup. I am non-SAS OBX.

Rear end is easy to change out - hardest part is getting the fender clips out of the liner, and having a safe spring compressor (if needed, not all need this). Not something you'd want to swap every time you tow, but very much achievable by Six-Pack Joe in the driveway.

That said - if you do swap it out, the springs for towing will ride much stiffer/harsher than what you have stock, or what you would normally use for off roading, and you may have to look at something adjustable (either clips or collar) because a stiffer spring will tend to ride higher when not loaded, and you'll end up looking like Rat Fink hot rod.

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