New Bronco Raptor Towing Abilities

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

So the new Bronco Raptor uped thier game to 4,500 gwr ( 450 tongue). So what is it about a Bronco that limits the towing capacity. I mean the new Wrangler goes to 5k. The 4 runner the same. 2023 GX460 is 6,500.

Would you all consider the Raptor a good tow vehicle with 37" tires including the spare?

 

[crazysccrmd]

It’s designed with soft, flexible suspension in order to off-road. That does not work with the requirement for firm, load handling suspension required to tow a decent weight.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

It’s designed with soft, flexible suspension in order to off-road. That does not work with the requirement for firm, load handling suspension required to tow a decent weight.

Gotcha. So one could alter the suspension to get a fitmer ride for towing? Would that be expensive and add weight?

Do they come with 37" 10 ply tires stock?

 

[crazysccrmd]

Gotcha. So one could alter the suspension to get a fitmer ride for towing? Would that be expensive and add weight?

Do they come with 37" 10 ply tires stock?

I don’t know specifics on the Bronco, sorry. Generally you can buy different springs/shocks to give a firmer ride for towing and weight handling. No matter how you change the suspension you do not change the manufacturer’s limit of 4500lbs/450 tongue weight.

That said, I wouldn’t spend Bronco Raptor kind of money on a vehicle purpose built for one thing to just spend more money swapping suspension to make it ok at something it isn’t built to do.

What are you planning to tow?

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

I don’t know specifics on the Bronco, sorry. Generally you can buy different springs/shocks to give a firmer ride for towing and weight handling. No matter how you change the suspension you do not change the manufacturer’s limit of 4500lbs/450 tongue weight.

That said, I wouldn’t spend Bronco Raptor kind of money on a vehicle purpose built for one thing to just spend more money swapping suspension to make it ok at something it isn’t built to do.

What are you planning to tow?

I am just trying to educate myself on the Bronco Raptor. Trying to convince a guy who is towing a Xplore X 145 (dry weight 4,400 lbs/ tongue dry weight 450) off road trailer with his new Raptor that he is over capacity. My guess is it will be 5,200 / 600 tongue weight loaded.

I believe he has stiffened his suspension and he is trying to reduce loaded tongue weight by counter balancing the trailer. Can't imagine he will get it under 500 loaded. I believe he rolls without a spare on Bronco and maybe even the trailer.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Got it. Almost guaranteed to be over capacity but it isn’t the end of the world. I drove a Tacoma that was over its factory rated limits for years without issues, including a trip from Alaska back across the lower 48 while about 1000lbs over GVWR and towing a trailer. I wouldn’t purposely plan to do it from the get go but most vehicles will easily handle way over the limit before seeing problems.

 

[Gravelette]

"Trying to convince a guy...." Unless he asked for it, this kind of help is rarely appreciated.

 

[Dougnuts]

Smart, taking off his spare tire would help a lot. He will probably sag, but will be fine.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Got it. Almost guaranteed to be over capacity but it isn’t the end of the world. I drove a Tacoma that was over its factory rated limits for years without issues, including a trip from Alaska back across the lower 48 while about 1000lbs over GVWR and towing a trailer. I wouldn’t purposely plan to do it from the get go but most vehicles will easily handle way over the limit before seeing problems.

Well that's a Toyota not a Ford. Just kidding. Yes we all have our risk limits. I towed my 4k loaded trailer with a borrowed Taco and the tranny was all over the place on steep mnt roads. Are you saying you towed a 8,000 pound trailer with your Taco?

 

[crazysccrmd]

Well that's a Toyota not a Ford. Just kidding. Yes we all have our risk limits. I towed my 4k loaded trailer with a borrowed Taco and the tranny was all over the place on steep mnt roads. Are you saying you towed a 8,000 pound trailer with your Taco?

No, the trailer was about 4000lbs but the truck weighed 6600ish pounds before hitching the trailer. It was way overloaded before adding the tongue weight of a trailer.

 

[SDDiver5]

Well that's a Toyota not a Ford. Just kidding. Yes we all have our risk limits. I towed my 4k loaded trailer with a borrowed Taco and the tranny was all over the place on steep mnt roads. Are you saying you towed a 8,000 pound trailer with your Taco?

lol Taco transmissions are all over the place on a mountain road regardless of towing or not.

 

[tacollie]

4runner, gx460, and the Bronco Raptor aren't great tow vehicles. I wouldn't choose to tow 5000 lb with any of them on a regular basis. If I was going to pick one though it'd be the Bronco Raptor. It has a better torque curve, 10 speed tranny, bigger axles, and bigger brakes. It's also wider and has a longer wheelbase.

Anytime you're towing anything with the mid-size there's more I worry about than just staying in the ratings. It's crucial to live the to a vehicle properly, trailer properly, slow down, and be smart. The people with the Bronco Raptor in question do that. We have plenty of friends that tow trailers with Tacomas that are well within the rating of the vehicle. Their lack of experience towing terrifies me despite them being well within the limits of the vehicle.

The people that have that Bronco have had some really good threads. Their F250 build saved me time and money. Hopefully they continue to contribute to the forum.

We live near an RV park. The things people get away with is mind-boggling.

 

[crazysccrmd]

We live near an RV park. The things people get away with is mind-boggling.

You don’t like seeing a Ford Explorer with the rear fenders resting on the tires towing a 30’ trailer? It’s safe, the trailer salesman said so and he would never lie to get a sale made.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

No, the trailer was about 4000lbs but the truck weighed 6600ish pounds before hitching the trailer. It was way overloaded before adding the tongue weight of a trailer.

Gotcha!

 

[tacollie]

You don’t like seeing a Ford Explorer with the rear fenders resting on the tires towing a 30’ trailer? It’s safe, the trailer salesman said so and he would never lie to get a sale made.

The amount of people that pull fifth wheels with a half ton is crazy.