Towing recommendations/solutions?

[ap5496]

Hi all,

I have been reading about the hitches quite a bit but I can seem to land on a common solution.

I have a 24 badlands and I do not have the tow hitch installed on my Bronco. I need to do some light towing with a 4 pin trailer and I really don’t feel like spending the $5-600+ on the ford setup.

I just wanted to ask for some recommendations on a good aftermarket hitch and simple 4 pin harness setup. I can do the work myself and I’m trying to avoid going to the dealership for this.

Thanks in advance.

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[BroncoChallenger]

You could look on etrailer.com to see what's available...

But the most seamless installation will be the OEM parts or OEM-compliant parts (some vendors have developed stuff that functions just like OEM). The hitch bolts right on (you do have to remove the rear bumper and replace it IIRC but it's extremely light), and for MOST Broncos most of the wiring is already there for the plug at the back. You just need to have it activated, which someone with ForScan or the dealer can do for you.

Any more, I don't bother going aftermarket for a lot of this kind of stuff, because a LOT of aftermarket stuff requires cutting/splicing, and with how finicky newer vehicle electrical systems are, I'd rather not deal with potentially adding an issue that could have been avoided by spending a few extra dollars up front.

 

[ap5496]

I totally get your point and appreciate the advice. Also not trying to argue your points.

However, I just personally think the cost of the OEM setup is a bit rich. People fit hitches and wiring harnesses to all sorts of cars. I don’t see why a bronco should be any different in needing the OEM equipment. There should be plenty of lesser expensive solutions that do the job just fine IMO but again seems hard to find a common solution.

Perhaps I will be going with the OEM one out of convenience but that’s why I asked here about other options.

Thanks again for the input!

 

[Jossman 2026]

You could look on etrailer.com to see what's available...

But the most seamless installation will be the OEM parts or OEM-compliant parts (some vendors have developed stuff that functions just like OEM). The hitch bolts right on (you do have to remove the rear bumper and replace it IIRC but it's extremely light), and for MOST Broncos most of the wiring is already there for the plug at the back. You just need to have it activated, which someone with ForScan or the dealer can do for you.

Any more, I don't bother going aftermarket for a lot of this kind of stuff, because a LOT of aftermarket stuff requires cutting/splicing, and with how finicky newer vehicle electrical systems are, I'd rather not deal with potentially adding an issue that could have been avoided by spending a few extra dollars up front.

Agree! That is the reason that when I ordered my 2022 WT I paid the bucks + put up with the delays to get my Bronco with the tow package. Installed many hitches + brake controller's on many vehicles over the years but then worst case scenario you might have a fuse blow or change a few things.But with the Bronco electrical + all the glitches thankful every time it doesn't show trouble codes.

 

[BlueWaffle]

Curt hitch and Curt wiring harness. Couple hundred bucks and a half hour of tour time, done. No need to remove the bumper, no need for forscan.. easy peasy.

 

[BudgetBronco]

Agree with @BlueWaffle above. The hitch itself is about $110 and easy to mount with 4 bolts.

The wiring harness is under $100 on Amazon and is a little more work but it can definitely be done as a DIY. Just make sure you get the correct harness type. There are different part numbers from Curt and Tekonsha depending on if your Bronco came from the factory with halogen style tail lights, or LED tail lights. Make sure you get the right one.

Here is a video of the install process.

 

[ap5496]

Ty. And this even works with the 24’s? Just asking since I have that cover where the OEM wiring harness is suppose to go

 

[TX-Dennis]

Ty. And this even works with the 24’s? Just asking since I have that cover where the OEM wiring harness is suppose to go

It should. The Curt harness doesn't use any of the built in harness. You plug it into your taillights, run a power wire to your battery, mount the module out of the way underneath, test it, and you're good to go.

 

[lakesinai]

Hi all,

I have been reading about the hitches quite a bit but I can seem to land on a common solution.

I have a 24 badlands and I do not have the tow hitch installed on my Bronco. I need to do some light towing with a 4 pin trailer and I really don’t feel like spending the $5-600+ on the ford setup.

I just wanted to ask for some recommendations on a good aftermarket hitch and simple 4 pin harness setup. I can do the work myself and I’m trying to avoid going to the dealership for this.

Thanks in advance.

I'll just say as an old trailer guy on multiple vehicles that the round 7 wire/5 wire unit is more versatile, you can adapt to a flat pin from there. Eventually you'll wish you had it, need it, with the extra $ and time. Towing is very random, unexpected, but when you need it, it's there.

 

[wjtinfwb]

Hi all,

I have been reading about the hitches quite a bit but I can seem to land on a common solution.

I have a 24 badlands and I do not have the tow hitch installed on my Bronco. I need to do some light towing with a 4 pin trailer and I really don’t feel like spending the $5-600+ on the ford setup.

I just wanted to ask for some recommendations on a good aftermarket hitch and simple 4 pin harness setup. I can do the work myself and I’m trying to avoid going to the dealership for this.

Thanks in advance.

Depending on the cost, the OEM set up may be worth it. It's well integrated into the vehicle and the wiring is plug and play. And if properly configured, it will automatically active the trailer tow mode and check the trailer lighting for you in the display. Mine came from the factory and while for $750 I wish it included some HD Cooling components, it's a well designed solution.

 

[Nick72]

Ty. And this even works with the 24’s? Just asking since I have that cover where the OEM wiring harness is suppose to go

If you have the cover, you will have to remove the bumper in order to remove that cover. The cover has to be removed in order to mount the hitch receiver.

 

[ap5496]

If you have the cover, you will have to remove the bumper in order to remove that cover. The cover has to be removed in order to mount the hitch receiver.

Thanks. That’s what I was trying to find out.

 

[ap5496]

Depending on the cost, the OEM set up may be worth it. It's well integrated into the vehicle and the wiring is plug and play. And if properly configured, it will automatically active the trailer tow mode and check the trailer lighting for you in the display. Mine came from the factory and while for $750 I wish it included some HD Cooling components, it's a well designed solution.

I just don’t do enough towing and won’t do enough towing with my Bronco to justify it.

 

[Pokey_Cacti]

I plugged the Curt unit that just plugs into the stock connector at the bumper and do NOT have a brake controller. The tail & running lights work fine, just not the directionals. For a rare/occasional light towing, this will work fine for me. Otherwise, the hitch is just another recovery point. Mine is a 2024 Black DIamond.

 

[ap5496]

I plugged the Curt unit that just plugs into the stock connector at the bumper and do NOT have a brake controller. The tail & running lights work fine, just not the directionals. For a rare/occasional light towing, this will work fine for me. Otherwise, the hitch is just another recovery point. Mine is a 2024 Black DIamond.

Can you explain a little more in detail how you went about doing this? How does the curt harness work with the ford wiring that’s there ? Aren’t they different plugs?

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