Curious about the ford bronco towing capacity? This guide reveals ten crucial facts to master its towing potential, from engine options to trailering features. Ideal for hauling trailers, boats, or off-road gear, these insights ensure Bronco drivers tow confidently and safely on any adventure.
Safety Warning: Towing is hazardous. Secure trailers properly, verify weights, and use safety chains to prevent accidents or vehicle damage.
1. Base Towing Capacity
The 2025 Ford Bronco offers a base towing capacity of 3,500 pounds across most trims with the standard 2.3L EcoBoost engine. This suits light towing tasks like small trailers or jet skis, perfect for weekend getaways or small-scale projects.
Base towing is versatile. Here’s what it offers.
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3,500-pound limit. Tows small campers or ATVs, costing $0-$200 to hitch.
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Standard engine. 300 horsepower, available on Base, Big Bend, and Black Diamond trims.
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Tongue weight. Supports up to 350 pounds, ensuring safe balance, costing $0 to check.
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Everyday use. Hauls 5×8-foot trailers for camping, saving $100-$300 on rentals.
2. Maximum Towing Capacity
The ford bronco towing capacity peaks at 4,500 pounds with the Raptor trim, equipped with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 and Class II Trailer Tow Package. This allows towing larger trailers or boats, rivaling other midsize SUVs.
Max capacity is robust. Here’s how to achieve it.
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4,500-pound capability. Tows 20-foot campers or boats, saving $200-$1,000 on rentals.
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Raptor trim. 418 horsepower, 3.0L V6, costing $10,000-$15,000 more than base trims.
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Trailer Tow Package. Includes hitch and wiring, costing $0-$595 to add.
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4WD standard. Enhances traction for heavy loads, included in all trims.
3. Towing Package Essentials
The Bronco’s Class II Trailer Tow Package includes a hitch receiver, seven-pin wiring, and Trailer Sway Control. These features ensure safe towing for loads up to 4,500 pounds, enhancing stability and ease of use.
Packages boost reliability. Here’s what’s included.
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Class II hitch. Supports 4,500 pounds, included or $200-$600 to install.
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Seven-pin connector. Connects trailer lights and brakes, costing $0-$50.
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Trailer Sway Control. Automatically stabilizes trailers, included in package, saving $100-$300.
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Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Simplifies reversing, optional on higher trims, costing $0-$500.
4. Engine Options Impact
The Bronco offers three engines: 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 2.7L EcoBoost V6, and 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (Raptor). The 3.0L V6 maximizes towing, while the 2.3L and 2.7L suit lighter loads with solid performance.
Engines drive towing. Here’s their role.
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2.3L EcoBoost. 300 horsepower, 325 lb-ft torque, tows 3,500 pounds, standard on most trims.
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2.7L EcoBoost. 330 horsepower, 415 lb-ft torque, also tows 3,500 pounds, optional upgrade.
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3.0L EcoBoost. 418 horsepower, 440 lb-ft torque, tows 4,500 pounds on Raptor.
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Transmission options. 10-speed automatic or 7-speed manual, with automatic better for towing.
5. Trim Level Towing Differences
The Bronco’s trims—Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, Heritage, Everglades, and Raptor—impact towing capacity. Most offer 3,500 pounds, but the Raptor stands out with 4,500 pounds.
Trims shape capability. Here’s how they vary.
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Base to Wildtrak. Tow 3,500 pounds with proper equipment, costing $0-$600 for towing package.
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Raptor superiority. Tows 4,500 pounds, ideal for heavier loads, costing $10,000 more.
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Everglades limit. Slightly reduced to 3,450 pounds due to off-road gear, costing $0 extra.
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Verify setup. Check trim and package via VIN, costing $0, to confirm capacity.
6. Payload and Towing Balance
The Bronco’s payload capacity, up to 1,500 pounds, complements its towing ability. Balancing payload and towing weight is critical to stay within the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for safe hauling.
Balance prevents overload. Here’s how to manage it.
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1,500-pound payload. Carries 37 40-pound bags in cargo area, costing $0.
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Towing reduces payload. A 4,500-pound trailer lowers cargo capacity, requiring checks.
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GCWR limits. Ranges from 8,000-9,500 pounds, avoiding $1,000-$3,000 in damage.
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Weigh loads. Use a scale ($0-$20) at truck stops to ensure compliance.
7. Compatible Trailer Types
The ford bronco towing capacity supports various trailers, from lightweight utility models to mid-size campers. Choosing the right trailer ensures safe and efficient towing for your specific needs.
Select trailers carefully. Here’s what fits.
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Light trailers. 2,000-3,500-pound jet skis or ATVs, hitching in 15-30 minutes.
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Mid-size campers. 3,500-4,500-pound trailers, costing $2,000-$10,000 to buy.
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Heavy loads. 4,500-pound boats or RVs, needing Raptor trim, costing $200-$600.
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Check weights. Verify trailer weight to avoid $500-$2,000 in vehicle damage.
8. Towing Safety Features
The Bronco includes advanced safety features like Trailer Sway Control and Pro Trailer Backup Assist to enhance towing confidence. These technologies simplify handling heavy loads, especially for novice towers.
Safety ensures control. Here’s what’s offered.
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Trailer Sway Control. Automatically brakes to stabilize trailers, included in tow package.
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Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Knob-based steering for reversing, optional, costing $0-$500.
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360-degree cameras. Monitor trailer surroundings, standard on higher trims, saving $100-$300.
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Inspect connections. Check hitch and chains before towing, costing $0, preventing accidents.
9. Fuel Economy While Towing
Towing impacts the Bronco’s fuel efficiency, dropping from 20 MPG city to 12-15 MPG when hauling heavy loads. Planning for reduced MPG is essential to manage trip costs effectively.
Fuel affects budgeting. Here’s the impact.
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Base efficiency. 20 MPG city without towing, dropping to 12-15 MPG with 4,000 pounds.
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Cost increase. Heavy towing adds $40-$80 per 300-mile trip in fuel costs.
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Plan routes. Avoid steep grades to save 1-2 MPG, costing $0 to map.
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Monitor usage. Use trip computer to optimize fuel, saving $20-$50 per trip.
10. Real-World Towing Scenarios
The Bronco handles real-world towing tasks, from recreational adventures to small work projects. Owners report success with various loads, showcasing its versatility for practical hauling needs.
Practical towing excels. Here’s what owners tow.
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Recreational gear. 3,000-pound boats or dirt bikes, hitching in 15-30 minutes, costing $0-$200.
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Campers. 3,500-4,500-pound trailers, like pop-ups, taking 30-60 minutes to hitch.
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Utility trailers. 3,000-pound trailers for tools, saving $100-$500 on rentals.
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Avoid overloading. Exceeding 4,500 pounds risks $1,000-$3,000 in suspension damage.
Conclusion
The ford bronco towing capacity, ranging from 3,500 to 4,500 pounds, empowers adventures with trailers, boats, or work gear. Stay safe and plan for efficient hauling. At STUCK, our professional towing service in Sugar Land, Texas, offers 24/7 support, ensuring Bronco drivers get reliable help for any towing challenge!