Bronco is a no-go

[Globie64]

I think the reason not to tow with the Bronco is the short wheelbase- a longer wheelbase is better for directional stability when towing. We tow with an '08 Tundra, the base extra cab with a V6, towing our 2850 dry weigh '64. The thing has been pretty bullet proof with the exception of tires, but the current set is holding up well. Two great things for towing: one, you can choose gears manually, so you can drive in 4th or 5th. The other thing is the tight turning circle, it turns on a dime. We've had Fords, which had numerous stupid problems. We also have a Ridgeline which would be my tow vehicle of choice, but it had higher mileage on it so I set up the Tundra. The Ridgeline is much, much more comfortable and handles a lot better, and does just fine fully loaded. It also has a ladder frame and the body is very stiff. We have 100k on our 2006 with no problems, one brake reline and that's it. The one issue for me is that you can't select 4th gear, and I don't know if the Grade Logic transmission would compensate for towing by keeping it in 4th automatically. It automatically downshifts and holds the gear when necessary.

[r carl]

The toyota powertrain warranty is only good for 60k,,, they must not believe in their trucks like GM.

[Condoluminum]

It's actually do-able, but...

We towed a 24' Trailer with an '85 Ford Bronco 351 with Tow package for more than 12,000 miles, including trip across US and back.. Plastic Roof lets inside get warm in Dakota's when air temps over 100 degrees, but short wheelbase was actually a rare benefit in manuevering and backing up into tight spaces..

I won't argue with folks who say an '84 ANYTHING is getting potentially tired and worn out, and prone to blow at usually troublesome times.. Weak links in full-size Bronco's are cooling and transmission...

That said, dealer who sold us Trailer literally declined to make sale unless we bought best anti-sway setup (short of Hensley..) we could.. Problem with Bronco's isn't just short WB, it is squirrelly (technical term) steering box using recirculating ball instead of rack and pinion. Consequence is that even when NOT towing, Bronco tended to wander and use ALL of the lane it was assigned.. Add in a heavy trailer, some crosswinds, and a double semi-trailer truck passing you, and you will be sawing at the wheel like a NASCAR driver after being bumped in a corner.. Solutions involve slowing down and watching mirrors to see trucks coming and anticipate bow wave and tail suck-in.. In Idaho, where triples are allowed on I-90, we just decided to stay behind a UPS Triple rather than risk a pass at 65...

If you're not going to do a lot of freeway driving fast, and need to conserve cash for a couple years, get a really good anti-sway setup and you could try it..

Final thought is that Dodge Durango is same vehicle as Jeep Grand Cherokee (but for body parts and interior trim) and it might be less expensive alternative.. Late model Chevy TahoeGMC Yukon or Ford Expedition would be improvements over Bronco, even though wheelbase only slightly longer, as they use rack and pinion steering and are more stable... In many places, Tahoe's and Expeditions are getting cheap as gas gets expensive..

ps And yes, we traded Bronco in after 4 years and bought a Suburban.. ess power, but more stable

[FlashSilver]

Originally Posted by zlee

Touareg TDI. That's my dream TV. Not sure it'd tow a 25' though.

It will, and then some. Ask your friends at Can-Am. But it costs more than the Jeep.

[pxlchk1]

I emailed back and forth a couple of times with Andy and he seems to really know his stuff. Asking around, I've gotten a lot of recos for his work as well as people saying that he is very well-respected.

Sounds like he's the guy to listen to.

I have an '06 Subaru Tribeca and have gotten lots of very strong opinions from well-meaning people who are not towing experts. I plan on taking it to Andy even though it's a 7 hour drive from Chicago. I want the work done right.

Good luck!

-Alana

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Condoluminum

Problem with Bronco's isn't just short WB, it is squirrelly (technical term) steering box using recirculating ball instead of rack and pinion. Consequence is that even when NOT towing, Bronco tended to wander and use ALL of the lane it was assigned.. Add in a heavy trailer, some crosswinds, and a double semi-trailer truck passing you, and you will be sawing at the wheel like a NASCAR driver after being bumped in a corner..

Hi, I agree with Condoluminum; Working at Ford dealers for many years and I have driven lots of Broncos. They wander all over the road even without any worn out steering components. I would never recommend a Bronco for towing.

[pxlchk1]

Originally Posted by 50KIP

BTW: The Porche Cayenne is the same body as the VW Touareg

AND a Subaru Tribeca.

HOLLA!



Alana (Tows with a Tribeca.)

[ROBERT CROSS]

I wanna toe with a teeny-weeny too.

Bob

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I wanna toe with a teeny-weeny too.

Bob

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure that I'd be towing with a teeny-weeny no matter what I was driving.

Ken

[TouringDan]

I like the new Jeep Laredo also, but probably with the 5.7L motor, but a new one will be pricey. As a used alternative, I would go after an 08 or newer Sequoia with the 5.7L motor (2wd or 4wd). It has the tow package and the 6 speed- great drive train. I would then go straight to Andy for any mods that he believes are necessary (I don't care how far he is away, he will do it right and it only needs to be set up once).

Dan

[zlee]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure that I'd be towing with a teeny-weeny no matter what I was driving.

Ken

Wrong thread! Wrong thread!

[bhutch74ly]

Originally Posted by scubachris

I have an 84 Bronco that I love, the problem is that everyone I have talked to says it is unsafe to use as a towing vehicle. Right now I am saving to buy a 25 or 27 ft Eddie Bower, but I need to start planning for a new vehicle. My question is what to get. I like my Bronco because it is compact, and big. It is just my daughter and I so I don't need a suburban type vehicle. The only new vehicle I like is the new Grand Cherokee, but it is expensive. Is there any vehicles I am missing?

Thanks,
Chris

I composed a reply to your message last night, but, don't see it here. Anyway, I've got a 1976 Early Bronco with 302, c-4 auto, ford 9-inch rear end, Dana 44 front diff, mild RV camshaft, 500cfm Holley 2 barrel carb and high perf. aluminum radiator (i.e. bone stock except for the cam, carb and radiator). I've towed trailers heavier than a 25' AS with no problems. It's also been over several of the highest 4x4 passes in
Colorado on several occasions. It would tow my 25' Airstream just fine, but, the handling would be a scary/tricky because of the very short wheelbase, narrow tread and high CG of the Early Broncos. Yours is a lot heavier, longer, wider and generally more stable than the early models that were made until 77. If your Bronco is in good/safe condition for the highway, I don't see why it wouldn't do a great job with this trailer. If not, there are numerous aftermarket retailers that handle any part you may need to put it in top condition. The parts are also very reasonable in cost. In my opinion, all of the engines from the venerable 302 to the big blocks are capable of doing the job for you with a little tweaking (cam, carb, or better yet, fuel injection). Your truck probably has a Ford 9-inch pumpkin which is considered bullet-proof by many professional drag racers. In addition, this differential is very popular because it's very easy to remove the center section (gears) from the differential housing and replace with other ratios if needed. I believe it has either a c-4 or c-6 automatic which are both good truck transmissions. The 84 full size Broncos are sitting on basically the same chassis as the full size pickup so it's plenty beefy for your application. I would certainly check the owners manual for towing capacities before I got rid of my beloved Bronco if I were you.
Disclaimer: I've got a very bad case of Brocoitis so I'm probably not very objective on this matter.

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

84 Bronco.....it's time, I think he's doing the correct research.

Bob

Agreed - time for new TV...

[scubachris]

It isn't that it is old. In fact I like the fact that I can actually work on the vehicle. The thing is that the vehicle sways pretty bad to begin with, much less with a trailer. If I could upgrade the steering and suspension I would keep it. To be honest the only vehicle I like is the new Jeep 4 door Wrangler. Everything else is all right. Is it to much to ask for a little chrome on the vehicles?

Thanks for the suggestions, I really appreciate it.

[Beginner]

Here isthe physics of it.
You want the ball as close to the center transverse line of the rear axle. That is why the Ford and Chrystler 15 passenger vans are dangerous tow vehicles. GM added the length between the wheels.
Get the longest wheel base you can find. Thats why Suburbans made such good tow vehicles.
Long wheel base and the hitch ball reasonably close to the rear end.
Sway control necessary, no options.
Beginner

[r carl]

Originally Posted by scubachris

It isn't that it is old. In fact I like the fact that I can actually work on the vehicle. The thing is that the vehicle sways pretty bad to begin with, much less with a trailer. If I could upgrade the steering and suspension I would keep it. To be honest the only vehicle I like is the new Jeep 4 door Wrangler. Everything else is all right. Is it to much to ask for a little chrome on the vehicles?

Thanks for the suggestions, I really appreciate it.

The tires are most likely the culprit, second come front end alignment.

[edc4080]

I ran across this rig last November in Scotts Valley, CA.

[mcfamily]

We towed our 1961 19 ft Shasta with our 1971 Bronco. I would not do it again. The camper steered the Bronco. We have done extensive work on the Bronco so it is fit to pull.

[scubachris]

Originally Posted by KECM

We towed our 1961 19 ft Shasta with our 1971 Bronco. I would not do it again. The camper steered the Bronco. We have done extensive work on the Bronco so it is fit to pull.

What would I have to do to get it were it needs to be ready to tow? Where can I get the parts?

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

As Rebee noted it's better to have more than you need....than need more than you have.



Bob

Well said! We loved our full-sized Broncos (not the Bronco II shown in the above pic). What a shame Ford decided to stop producing them.