2021+ Ford Bronco 2.3L Towing Review | 8k Miles, Snow, Mountains, & More!

[@66scooterdaytona]

Towing capacity of your Bronco? Weight of your camper?

[@2021KTM]

The Bronco has a 3500 lb. towing capacity.

[@zihaoli1549]

Hi, just a friendly reminder: 3500ib is the towing rating for Bronco. I used to tow a GeoPro-15Tb, UVW 2,846 lb, with 4Dr 2.7 L Wildtrack. My longest trip was from Salt Lake City to Pasadena, and my mpg was around 11.5. It was a terrible idea to tow a travel trailer with a Bronco, except towing an "offroad trailer." (empty lightweight box under 1500 ib with no amenities inside). The worst outcome from towing a trailer with a Bronco is destroying your transmission; you should always manually shift to lower gear on the inclines. Eventually, I had to sell that GEOPro-15Tb because Bronco couldn't handle the job.

[@TheOrlobo]

While the weight rating is true. It doesn't seem to be an issue to tow at or near capacity. I had the same transmission in my ranger and it could tow 7500. It's the rear suspension that's the main limiting factor.

[@spyder000069]

@@TheOrlobo Your ranger wouldn't have had the larger heavier tires. That is a lot of rolling mass and friction that zaps the power and strains the drivetrain. I am not familiar with all the differences between ranger / bronco but since their bronco didn't come with a tow package it does make me wonder if there is an additional trans cooler or different radiator that may have the trans cooler part adjusted to meet the towing demands. The other thing to remember is its not always how much weight you tow but what the frontal dimensions are. 3500 on a flatbed down low is nothing. Moving a big box at 65 really puts the hurt on mpg. Makes a big difference in picking a trailer that has the smallest dimensions (width/height) that you can get away with. Length is less important.

[@TheOrlobo]

@spyder000069 in terms of mpg, sure. But my bronco on stock wheels got better mileage than my ranger. Both had 18 inch wheels and 33's. I just put 34.5's on my bronco and now my mpg is lower. My ranger also didn't come with a tow package stock and some broncos do. I tow the same trailer with both cars and the bronco is only slightly slower with the larger tires. Both had 3.73 gearing and the 2.3 engine. While my bronco is slower and gets worse MPG, it was only because I put bigger tires on, otherwise it would do better.

[@str-lrd3863]

The Ranger uses the same 2.3 engine and is rated to tow 7500lbs. In fact TFL just tested it at max tow up the IKE and it rocked it, so no worries with that engine in the Bronco for towing. Just make sure the inter cooler has airflow.😁

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

I am so glad you said that, and I agree!

[@michaelpartin2684]

Just so you all know, it isn't the engine. Its how the hitch is attached to the frame, suspension. On the Ranger, its a solid frame mount with a different suspension. On Bronco, the hitch isn't attached solidly to the frame as on the Ranger and the suspension on Bronco isn't designed for towing but for off roading. I'd be checking those hitch attachments to Bronco's frame at every stop. Nothing worse than having your trailer pass you by as you are towing it because the hitch gave out.

[@bobuncle8704]

That winch affecting the mileage is quite interesting. Makes a lot of sense once you think of it. Great info. Thank you

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

It was quite the discovery!

[@StanW-t8k]

Thank you for the great video, Question, we have a 2023 Bronco Raptor, 37" spare on the back and were looking to get the Imagine AIM 15RB. Do you think if the if you were to turn the head of the tongue jack 90 degrees, would give you enough room so you won't have to remove the Bronco's spare tire? Also, you mentioned that you were looking to get a different travel trailer, could you share which one and does it have more tongue room so the Bronco's spare tire is not an issue?

[@Just_Joe71]

Which winch bumper are you using and can you show us where you think the blocking is happening?

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

I plan to do a detailed video on this very soon for you. I have a bodyguard bumper hit going to talk to them about a revision to prevent this from happening.

[@diydoug]

Congrats on the success of your channel. Once I saw your video drag racing Mitchell Watts, I knew you had made it!

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Awe thanks! We are having another drag race next month :)

[@richardhiatt9749]

Great short video on trips and lessons learned.. THANK YOU for the towing update..

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@williamolliges2622]

Also, my most recent experience with my first tow was that towing MPGs were better in Sport Mode with the 2H transfer case setting engaged. This was with a much lighter trailer (6x12 Cargo Conversion) and a 2.7 4D Sasquatch Bronco. The seat of the pants meter was also happier in Sport Mode as well.

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Interesting, now that I got the IAT thing figured out, my next test was going to be which goat mode is best!

[@eljefe6847]

Count me in on the live stream … you guys are awesome. April 4th 8pm. 🤓 I have a lot to learn.

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Awesome! See ya there!

[@joebartlett3255]

I’m interested to see what you come up with for more air. I have the Maxlider bumper/winch on my 2.7 Badlands. No issues while not towing, but the mpg is terrible. I’ve also noticed the temperature range in the summer, it warms up pretty good.

[@stevewade7722]

Have the Everglades and pull a Forest River Ozark 14ft. Close to 3k lbs. Everglades unloaded I get 19mpg. Towing I haven’t had a problem with the winch blocking the intercooler

[@oscarapple1365]

I just found your channel, good bronco content. I missed the live q&a. How did y'all increase the towing capacity? I have a stock 2.7l with tow package and I'm interested in towing my FSX 178BH, but the 3500lb is holding me back.

[@steve6382]

Sounds like you have a new product for 21 off-road. Intercooler ductwork! I am loving the drone footage. You guys take care and have many more great adventures.🐶

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Thank you 😊

[@its-andrew-y]

leaner fuel trim = more power and less fuel consumption, so that makes a lot of sense actually. might be worth considering an intercooler sprayer for summer towing when you’re hitting the grades.

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

We are coming up with something, either relocation or re ducting… maybe a new set up?

[@gilbertferguson1685]

Interesting video, thanks for the info. I have not towed anything yet with my 2.3 L Bronco and I am only averaging 17 mpg, so I can imagine what it will be like when I do pull something. Do you think that the 2.7 engine with the extra torque would get better gas mileage, or not? 😊

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

I’m not sure, but we will find out because my 2.7 gets built in May!

[@lifeinmontana7815]

My 23 Bronco 2.3 while pulling 3500 lbs camper dropped to 10 mpg.

[@jasonchapman9474]

@@lifeinmontana7815two door or four door?

[@lifeinmontana7815]

@@jasonchapman9474 4

[@finwaydiddy1977]

Great video. Hmm… I have the standard wheels for my 4dr Outer banks. I wonder will I have the rear tire problem?

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

I doubt you would.

[@TriTownBronco]

Will be towing a 2k lb trailer about 1700 mi to Moab in May. Similar winch setup but not the same but also on 37" Pats. Good info and will try to update on MPG comparison. U guys gonna be at Safari?

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

I wanted to, but it’s just so far and we have a trip planned right before that

[@robertbucko2334]

No matter what mods you do it doesn't increase your tow rating. The factory rating is the only number to care about. In fact with all the mods on your bronco your tow rating is actually decreased. Yes it may tow just fine but if you are ever in a serious accident you will find yourself in loads of trouble for being overweight.

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Thanks, but I am involoved with a company that legally can change tow capacity on vehicles and “retag” the official tow capacity and payload on the vehicle.

[@robertbucko2334]

Great to hear.

[@mpeugeot]

awe, come on, what will the haters do now?

[@warrencarter665]

I have a winch and recently got same code. wasn't towing but I had gone off road. maybe I need to clean that area a bit better. not taking the winch off

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Make sure your intercooler doesn’t have mud caked on it.

[@jasonnash7323]

What’s is the tow rating on the bronco?

[@markkelly7517]

3500lbs

[@brettdomangue9666]

What happened to the guy from the earlier videos?

[@christophertyacke6019]

That other guy was her husband. This guy is his replacement.

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Went through a divorce

[@mathewshoyt1763]

@@BuckleUpButtercupTV sorry to hear that but sometimes its better to take a loss than continuing playing a game where no one wins

[@msst9114]

Good info, was thinking I may tow a trailer to Super Celebration. Or maybe just bring a tent

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Awesome! Can’t wait to see ya!

[@broncofun5636]

Great and informative review

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Thanks!

[@SarahVignali]

What brake controller did you get? The link you included for it is the same as the wire kit. Thanks!

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

Sorry let me get that for you

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

amzn.to/3TTKAxO

[@robertchapman4488]

I may have missed it but does your bronco have a transmission cooler or did you guys install one?

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

It does not

[@mpeugeot]

You would have really loved the 2.7 for towing. Load distribution hitches are totally awesome btw. The Grand Design trailer is nice, bur from watching the review, I don't know if it is $10,000 nicer than a Sunset Park RV Sun-Lite 16BH. They are pretty similar, but the Sun-Lite 16BH is 1000 lbs lighter. As far as the bumper, the RC Hidden Winch mount is the right answer for the 2.3. Also, you can put off road tires in the camper and run the stock tires on Buttercup to tow on the highway.

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

I’ll find out how the 2.7 is soon enough 😃

[@mpeugeot]

cue the haters... LOL

[@BrooklynNY1979]

Apologies, I missed the name of your camper. Can you please let me know? Thank you in advance

[@BuckleUpButtercupTV]

This is the Grand Design Imagine Aim 15bh