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I would like to know what I need to do to my 68 Bronco so I can retire and travel with 5k lp vintage trailer.
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Toweing
- Thread starter Trevor VanLandingham
- Start date
Do you mean tow a 5000 lb trailer with your bronco? If so I would seriously reconsider towing a trailer that heavy with an EB since the trailer will out weigh the truck. That’s not so bad but the short wheel base is. If you are dead set on doing it here are the things I would address:
1) BRAKES - front disc conversion, power brake conversion or upgrade (either vacuum booster or hydroboost) Make sure the rear drums are in good shape, new wheel cylinders and hardware. Trailer brake controller for sure and make sure the trailer has brakes.
2) Cooling system. Make sure the radiator, hoses, water pump and thermostat and shroud are in good shape. Converting to clutch styled flex fan can help as well.
3) Suspension- Double check you spring springs and all the bushings. 5k trailer will make an EB squat if the tongue weight is too much. I’ve never investigated a weight distributing hitch for an EB but I use one on my f150 and it makes a difference when I have 7500 lbs on a trailer behind it.
4) Transmission - Manual transmission make sure the clutch is in good shape and service the transmission and t-case. Automatic same as manual but I would add an auxiliary cooler and a fan as the c4 will get hot quickly in hilly country with that kind of load.
Many other things could be done to add comfort for you but the things I listed I think are a must. I’m sure others will have things I neglected or forgot.
1) BRAKES - front disc conversion, power brake conversion or upgrade (either vacuum booster or hydroboost) Make sure the rear drums are in good shape, new wheel cylinders and hardware. Trailer brake controller for sure and make sure the trailer has brakes.
2) Cooling system. Make sure the radiator, hoses, water pump and thermostat and shroud are in good shape. Converting to clutch styled flex fan can help as well.
3) Suspension- Double check you spring springs and all the bushings. 5k trailer will make an EB squat if the tongue weight is too much. I’ve never investigated a weight distributing hitch for an EB but I use one on my f150 and it makes a difference when I have 7500 lbs on a trailer behind it.
4) Transmission - Manual transmission make sure the clutch is in good shape and service the transmission and t-case. Automatic same as manual but I would add an auxiliary cooler and a fan as the c4 will get hot quickly in hilly country with that kind of load.
Many other things could be done to add comfort for you but the things I listed I think are a must. I’m sure others will have things I neglected or forgot.
- Joined
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Thank you.
Broncobowsher
Total hack
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2002
- Messages
- 35,524
Again, don't.
It is easy to get the power needed to get it moving. Even brakes to stop it. Cooling is really hard to get enough for that load.
But stability is the problem that can't be fixed. Short wheelbase does you in. There are other factors, but wheelbase is the show stopper. trying to remember the numbers, late model Jeep Wrangler. Pretty much same suspension, powertrain, cooling package, brakes, etc. The 2-door actually weighs less, so should be able to tow more and still be at the same total weight. But the towing capacity of the 2-door is way less than the 4-door. Off memory (and probably wrong) 2k vs. 5k for 2-door to 4-door. And that is wheelbase.
The only time you would be good towing a 5k trailer around is moving it around the grounds to put it in a place where you want it. Pretty much just using the Bronco as a low speed tractor. Not getting it onto the roads, not getting any real speed. Just move stuff around.
There are people that have done it. I've towed stuff I should never have towed myself. Stuff goes real bad real fast. Doing stuff I know was bad and doing it anyway, it's just 10 miles away, has nearly had me jack knifed in the ditch multiple times. Most of those stupid youth moments were well under 5k as well.
It is easy to get the power needed to get it moving. Even brakes to stop it. Cooling is really hard to get enough for that load.
But stability is the problem that can't be fixed. Short wheelbase does you in. There are other factors, but wheelbase is the show stopper. trying to remember the numbers, late model Jeep Wrangler. Pretty much same suspension, powertrain, cooling package, brakes, etc. The 2-door actually weighs less, so should be able to tow more and still be at the same total weight. But the towing capacity of the 2-door is way less than the 4-door. Off memory (and probably wrong) 2k vs. 5k for 2-door to 4-door. And that is wheelbase.
The only time you would be good towing a 5k trailer around is moving it around the grounds to put it in a place where you want it. Pretty much just using the Bronco as a low speed tractor. Not getting it onto the roads, not getting any real speed. Just move stuff around.
There are people that have done it. I've towed stuff I should never have towed myself. Stuff goes real bad real fast. Doing stuff I know was bad and doing it anyway, it's just 10 miles away, has nearly had me jack knifed in the ditch multiple times. Most of those stupid youth moments were well under 5k as well.
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2009
- Messages
- 1,501
I tow a lot. Sometimes with an F250 super duty crew long bed. Other times with a 90 Bronco. Either way trailer brakes are important with much weight.
Hands down the F250 tows better on the highway. The long wheelbase & added weight flat out gives you more control over the trailer.
The 90 Bronco is handy for in town & tight space backing, but can get hairy pulling much weight at speed. Wind can push it around a lot easier too.
If you really want to tow with your 68 I'd seriously consider a lighter trailer with a low profile. A pop-up is much easier to handle in windy conditions. And a better weight ratio is huge for handling.
As @RudyF6 points out, when the trailer outweighs the towing vehicle it puts you into a tail wagging the dog situation. That can go bad quickly. Even if you're driving carefully, wind, weather, & sudden stupid moves by other drivers are greatly magnified when the trailer is too heavy for the vehicle.
This trailer is loaded heavily. This Bronco can pull it easily enough, but it isn't a great combo on the highway. I use the Bronco in town for its maneuverability, but for highway speeds I would use the bigger truck. This combo was nice in the tunnels beneath the Rose Bowl. (Fun to post this shot today
)
The F250 pulled this 78 from Los Angeles to Oregon. Handling was good, but even with the bigger truck it was a nailbiter because this borrowed trailer had no trailer brakes. I left lots of stopping room, but other drivers repeatedly felt the need to cut me off & hit their brakes. On the edge of my seat for 800 miles.
Since then I've bought a trailer of my own with brakes that handles weight much better. This EB was lighter & with trailer brakes it towed like a song for 500 miles.
Same trailer (With brakes), no engine or trans in the 79, so it was lighter than the 78, but pulled by the 90 Bronco due to the SD being down. Even with trailer brakes it was 130 miles slow & careful because the tow vehicle was too light. That was a long day that I wouldn't like to repeat.
Hands down the F250 tows better on the highway. The long wheelbase & added weight flat out gives you more control over the trailer.
The 90 Bronco is handy for in town & tight space backing, but can get hairy pulling much weight at speed. Wind can push it around a lot easier too.
If you really want to tow with your 68 I'd seriously consider a lighter trailer with a low profile. A pop-up is much easier to handle in windy conditions. And a better weight ratio is huge for handling.
As @RudyF6 points out, when the trailer outweighs the towing vehicle it puts you into a tail wagging the dog situation. That can go bad quickly. Even if you're driving carefully, wind, weather, & sudden stupid moves by other drivers are greatly magnified when the trailer is too heavy for the vehicle.
This trailer is loaded heavily. This Bronco can pull it easily enough, but it isn't a great combo on the highway. I use the Bronco in town for its maneuverability, but for highway speeds I would use the bigger truck. This combo was nice in the tunnels beneath the Rose Bowl. (Fun to post this shot today
)
The F250 pulled this 78 from Los Angeles to Oregon. Handling was good, but even with the bigger truck it was a nailbiter because this borrowed trailer had no trailer brakes. I left lots of stopping room, but other drivers repeatedly felt the need to cut me off & hit their brakes. On the edge of my seat for 800 miles.
Since then I've bought a trailer of my own with brakes that handles weight much better. This EB was lighter & with trailer brakes it towed like a song for 500 miles.
Same trailer (With brakes), no engine or trans in the 79, so it was lighter than the 78, but pulled by the 90 Bronco due to the SD being down. Even with trailer brakes it was 130 miles slow & careful because the tow vehicle was too light. That was a long day that I wouldn't like to repeat.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2009
- Messages
- 1,501
A-liner pop-up trailers have been catching my attention lately. Not as cool as a vintage trailer, but lightweight & low profile.
https://aliner.com/shop-now/
https://aliner.com/shop-now/
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- Joined
- Nov 26, 2005
- Messages
- 6,165
X100...get a lighter trailer or a heavier/longer tow rig. There are so many decent options for lightweight camp trailers these days, it's pretty cool, just not retro cool like you're maybe wanting. Too much steel and heavy wood in the old camp trailers, whereas most of lightweight stuff today will be aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, etc. Not only will they be lighter, but they should be warmer and tow better as well with modern axles, brakes, electrical, etc.
Brands I'd be looking at: T@B, Rove Lite, Escape Industries, Aliner, Intech, R Pod, Osprey, Airstream Bambi (if you're rich or have an extra kidney), etc
I've never towed with my EB, but I have loaded upwards of 1000# in the bed multiple times hauling inventory around for my business and it's not super fun to drive like that...not a huge deal for a 10 mile trip, but certainly not something I would want to do cross county, let along cross country. My '77 F150 tows significantly better, being 5200# empty and having a 133" wheelbase (versus 92" for the EB), and was my go-to tow rig for ATV's, moving, etc, though if/when I had something heavy to haul (forklift, excavator, etc), I'd borrow a 3/4 or 1-ton truck. Current tow rig is a 2014 F250 diesel, and it weighs close to 8000# and tows 12-14k pounds pretty well when properly setup and loaded.
Brands I'd be looking at: T@B, Rove Lite, Escape Industries, Aliner, Intech, R Pod, Osprey, Airstream Bambi (if you're rich or have an extra kidney), etc
I've never towed with my EB, but I have loaded upwards of 1000# in the bed multiple times hauling inventory around for my business and it's not super fun to drive like that...not a huge deal for a 10 mile trip, but certainly not something I would want to do cross county, let along cross country. My '77 F150 tows significantly better, being 5200# empty and having a 133" wheelbase (versus 92" for the EB), and was my go-to tow rig for ATV's, moving, etc, though if/when I had something heavy to haul (forklift, excavator, etc), I'd borrow a 3/4 or 1-ton truck. Current tow rig is a 2014 F250 diesel, and it weighs close to 8000# and tows 12-14k pounds pretty well when properly setup and loaded.
Personally I beat this around in my head and spare time.
Like you I want to do the same but come back to the short wheelbase and the actual camper amenities I want, frankly they just don't fit.
In the end, I think I will end up with a pickup with truck camper towing and EB around or a full on RV towing the EB for fun when we get there.
Best of luck.
Like you I want to do the same but come back to the short wheelbase and the actual camper amenities I want, frankly they just don't fit.
In the end, I think I will end up with a pickup with truck camper towing and EB around or a full on RV towing the EB for fun when we get there.
Best of luck.
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,818
I towed an open 2-place sled trailer with some 340 Yamaha's years ago with mine. Roughly 1500# total, good balance and tongue weight but no trailer brakes. That is all I felt I was geared for at that time as anything more would tax the drivetrain significantly as it was not designed for the additional gross weight. This obviously was done in the winter so cooling was not a consideration as long as the heater worked.
BOBS 2 68S
Jr. Member
My running bronco 302 ax-15 power steering hydar-boost and front disk brakes 4:11 and 31 inch tires no lift. That being said I tow a 1970 Cardinal 10ft camper, 14 ft alum fishing boat, 4x8 box trailer. I am confident in my driving to be safe, every where I go here in Colorado is mountains. The biggest concern is the other drivers driving a cars that are smarter than they are.
Lets face it driving skills don't exist any more people let the car drive for them.
By the way I have been driving a Bronco since 1979
I will now step off my soap box.
Lets face it driving skills don't exist any more people let the car drive for them.
By the way I have been driving a Bronco since 1979
I will now step off my soap box.
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- Nov 5, 2024
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- 11
I truly appreciate all the feedback. So if I dropped the weight down to around 2700 lbs what do you all say. So you know i have been toweing trailers, 5th wheels, and boats most my life. I'm retiring soon and all I want to do is semi restore, boost and love my 68 EB and tow around a vintage travel trailer made with modern materials and flyfish American rivers.
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Also I AM SUPER STUBBORN LOL!
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I would not think twice to tow 2700 pounds with a properly set up EB.
Be aware that rv sites are claiming insurance companies are not covering damages if you are over ford rating. The bronco is rated at 2000 pounds trailer in the operator manual. I would not be afraid to pull 3000 pounds but I have a lot of experience towing over weight.