Towing Capacity

[TinyMonstertruc]

I'm looking at buying an early bronco, either a 76 or 77 to pull double duty as a fun trail rig and something to tow my boat with. I have not been able to find towing capacity, or any real world experience using said model as a tow vehicle. The boat is a 2008 Tracker Tahoe Q4, 18' open bow runabout, I think it's around 3000 lbs total(boat, engine, trailer). Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance.

 

[Justafordguy]

I towed my old 18' McKee Craft center console with one of my EBs once and it was kinda scary. It had plenty of power but braking and control with such a short vehicle was not good.

 

[markperry]

I would not buy a Bronco with the specific intent of towing ANYTHING!!!! The short wheelbase makes it unstable for towing a long trailer, like a boat trailer, car trailer, etc.

I don't know for a fact but I would think towing something as long or shorter than the length of your Bronco would be fine: jet-ski, small utility trailer for a lawn mower etc would be fine! I'm sure others will chime in on this?

 

[lonesouth]

I towed an 18' trailer loaded with wet drywall, figure about 6,000 lbs, with a 4cyl jeep wrangler. It was less than ideal and did the job (not over 30mph and backroads all the way), but I wouldn't recommend it. At a minimum, I would look into getting ELECTRIC trailer brakes installed if you plan to tow that boat with a bronco.

 

[TinyMonstertruc]

probably wouldn't see too much freeway depending on what lake I'm feeling like, be mostly in town driving. trailer brakes sound like they'd be an excellent way to combat any handling issues. would there be any suspension considerations like softer/stiffer springs, sway bars, etc. for said model bronco?

 

[BroncoDawg]

The softer the suspension, the scarier the towing will be, which is why you see tow rigs pulling trailer queens to the trailhead. At low speeds you will be fine, but if you get on the interstate and have to make an emergency stop, the boat may well jacknife the bronco.

 

[white64]

I see Wranglers, Bronco IIs and CJs with snowmobile trailers and utility trailers all the time up here. I had a Bronco II and the previous owners towed a 17 foot boat all the time and they said they never had a problem. Maybe it all comes down to common sense...

 

[white64]

See alot of 2 dr S10 Blazers towing stuff too...

 

[TinyMonstertruc]

Maybe it all comes down to common sense...

a little common sense goes a long way, but the ones without it can keep us entertained too ;D thanks for all the input guys, anybody else have anything to add? just wanted to gain any insight and useful knowledge before plowing ahead.

 

[OsideDave]

I used to ride with a guy that towed his boat from San Diego to the Colorado river all the time - like 4 hrs drive in his hard top EB. Did fine, his was pretty comfortable for an EB and he wheeled it pretty hard too. Stay at speed limits and you will be fine.

 

[siderbox]

I see Wranglers, Bronco IIs and CJs with snowmobile trailers and utility trailers all the time up here. I had a Bronco II and the previous owners towed a 17 foot boat all the time and they said they never had a problem. Maybe it all comes down to common sense...

I see alot of things on the freeways too. Doesn't mean it's right, safe, or a good idea.

I've seen a Explorer being 'towed' by a Civic with two pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.%)

 

[TinyMonstertruc]

I've seen a Explorer being 'towed' by a Civic with two pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.%)

and the redneck award goes to........

 

[siderbox]

I think I still have the video of it some where.
It happened in 08 downtown KCMO on 670.

 

[needabronco]

I think the official tow rating is 3500#'s but I'm not sure where that info came from... That said I once towed a popup camper with mine but only across town. It was 'ok' braking was the only issue I had, but I only went about 25MPH, any faster and I probably would have had stability problems.

 

[white64]

what kinda jeans?

 

[Broncobowsher]

I think the official tow rating is 3500#'s but I'm not sure where that info came from... That said I once towed a popup camper with mine but only across town. It was 'ok' braking was the only issue I had, but I only went about 25MPH, any faster and I probably would have had stability problems.

Tow rating is lower, I recall closer to 2000#. Then anything done to make it more of a toy and better offroad will remove from that. taller tires, harder on brakes, less reserve capacity, less trailer capacity.

I have an older magazine article from the 60's tha states that you should slow down when towing. 45 MPH on the highway is a good speed. Over the past few decades we have progressed to dragging trailers as fast as we driv without them. But the Bronco is still an old truck.

I have towed my 16' boat around. But it just isn't a good safe mix on fast highway driving. Same boat with the BroncoII was no problem. But the early Bronco is great on a boat ramp. Not enough speed for a stability issue but small and short and you can really put the trailer where you want it. It can easily pull heavy loads around. Just don't go much faster then parking lot speeds when doing so.

 

[Socal Tom]

http://www.jaysweb.net/bronco/manuals/73ownersmanual/73man-51.JPG

Per the 73 owners manual they were rated at 2000 lbs. The 76/77s have better brakes and better rear axle so they might go to 2500.

Any lift or other modification probably lowers the overall rating.
Tom

 

[TinyMonstertruc]

hmmmmmm, anybody happen to have this same info except for the 76/77 instead of a 73? I looked up the weight of the boat/trailer/engine package and it's approximately 2697 lbs. great info by the way, thanks for all the responses.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I looked up the weight of the boat/trailer/engine package and it's approximately 2697 lbs. great info by the way, thanks for all the responses.

Don't forget to add fuel weight , passenger weight and all of your gear that will be stored in the boat(all the time, like anchors etc) or loaded into it before the trip (coolers skis etc) , which adds up very fast.

I normally don't like to see broncos towing boats of any size on the street , but I understand short hauls to the lake if you live nearby , just go slowly. If something bad happens right when an oncoming car is near , who cares about your stuff , you'll be screwing up yours and someone elses day ...or worse. Plus the additional liability if a lawyer gets hold of ya'.

 

[TinyMonstertruc]

Don't forget to add fuel weight , passenger weight and all of your gear that will be stored in the boat(all the time, like anchors etc) or loaded into it before the trip (coolers skis etc) , which adds up very fast.

luckily i'm still youthful and haven't packed on an extra 50 pound beer gut ;D