Can You Flat Tow A Bronco? | Hook Up and Go

Yes, the Ford Bronco (both 2-door and 4-door models) is engineered for flat towing, offering a convenient way to bring your adventure rig along.

Hitting the open road with your RV and wanting to bring your Bronco along for off-road excursions is a common desire. Understanding the right way to tow your rig keeps it safe and ready for any trail. Let’s get into the specifics.

Can You Flat Tow A Bronco? — The Basics of Four-Down Towing

Flat towing, also known as four-down towing or dinghy towing, means pulling your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. This method is popular for RV owners who want to bring a secondary vehicle for local travel or off-road adventures. The Ford Bronco, thankfully, is designed with this capability in mind.

Ford specifically engineers the Bronco’s drivetrain to handle flat towing without damage. This is a huge advantage for enthusiasts. It saves you the hassle of a tow dolly or a full car hauler trailer.

The key to safe flat towing a Bronco lies in properly engaging its “Recreational Towing” mode. This special setting ensures the transfer case is in neutral, preventing internal drivetrain components from spinning unnecessarily. Always refer to your Bronco’s owner’s manual for the precise steps for your specific model year and trim.

Understanding your vehicle’s capabilities and following manufacturer guidelines prevents costly damage. It also ensures you’re ready for any adventure once you unhitch.

Essential Gear for Flat Towing Your Bronco

Getting your Bronco ready for flat towing involves more than just hooking up a chain. You need the right equipment to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Tow Bar

• A robust tow bar is the primary connection between your RV and the Bronco.
• Choose a tow bar rated for your Bronco’s curb weight, plus a safety margin.
• Ensure the tow bar is compatible with the base plate mounted on your Bronco.

Base Plate

The base plate attaches directly to the frame of your Bronco. It provides the secure connection points for the tow bar. These are specific to the Bronco’s chassis and require careful, professional installation for maximum safety.

Safety Chains or Cables

These are a legal requirement in all states. They provide a secondary connection in case the main tow bar fails. Cross them under the tow bar for added security, forming a cradle to catch the tow bar if it disconnects.

Supplemental Braking System

Most states require a supplemental braking system for towed vehicles over a certain weight. The Bronco’s weight typically exceeds these thresholds. This system applies the Bronco’s brakes in sync with your RV’s brakes, reducing stopping distances and strain on your tow vehicle.

There are several types of supplemental braking systems:

• Proportional Systems: These apply the Bronco’s brakes with a force proportional to the RV’s braking.
• Non-Proportional Systems: These apply the brakes at a pre-set level, regardless of the RV’s braking force.
• Breakaway Systems: A mandatory safety feature that applies the Bronco’s brakes automatically if it separates from the tow vehicle. This is a vital layer of protection.

Towing Lights and Wiring Harness

Your towed Bronco needs functional tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals. A dedicated wiring harness connects the Bronco’s lighting system to your RV. This ensures other drivers can clearly see your intentions on the road, day or night.

Here’s a quick overview of essential gear:

Equipment	Purpose	Key Consideration
Tow Bar	Primary connection	Weight rating, compatibility
Base Plate	Tow bar attachment	Bronco-specific fit
Safety Chains	Secondary connection	Crossed, proper rating
Braking System	Assists stopping	State law compliance
Wiring Harness	Lighting signals	Plug-and-play design

Step-by-Step: Preparing Your Bronco for Flat Towing

Proper preparation is paramount for a safe and trouble-free tow. Follow these steps carefully, always double-checking your owner’s manual for any model-specific variations.

1. Position the Bronco: Park your Bronco on a level surface, directly behind your tow vehicle, ready for connection. Ensure enough space for easy hook-up.
2. Connect the Tow Bar: Securely attach the tow bar to the Bronco’s base plate and your RV’s hitch receiver. Ensure all pins and couplers are locked and seated correctly.
3. Attach Safety Chains: Connect the safety chains, crossing them underneath the tow bar. This creates a cradle in case of separation, preventing the Bronco from completely detaching.
4. Connect Lighting Harness: Plug in the wiring harness for the Bronco’s lights. Test all lights—tail, brake, and turn signals—before moving to confirm they are working correctly.
5. Engage Supplemental Braking: Install and activate your supplemental braking system. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for calibration and testing to ensure proper function.
6. Transfer Case to Neutral: This is a very important step to prevent drivetrain damage.
   • Shift the transmission into Neutral (N).
   • Shift the transfer case into Neutral (N). You may need to press a button or pull a lever.
   • Shift the transmission back into Park (P).
   • Turn the ignition to the “Accessory” (ACC) position. This often unlocks the steering column, which is essential for the Bronco to track properly.
   • Some models may require pulling a specific fuse to prevent battery drain while maintaining steering unlock. Consult your owner’s manual for precise instructions.
7. Release Parking Brake: Fully disengage the parking brake. Driving with the parking brake engaged will cause severe damage.
8. Verify Steering Unlocked: Gently turn the steering wheel to confirm it moves freely. This allows the Bronco to track properly behind your RV, especially during turns.
9. Final Walk-Around: Double-check all connections, lights, and ensure nothing is overlooked. Give a firm tug on the tow bar to confirm it’s secure.

The “Recreational Towing” procedure in your owner’s manual details the exact sequence for your Bronco. This usually involves placing the transfer case in neutral while the transmission is in park. This disconnects the drivetrain from the wheels, allowing them to spin freely without damaging the transmission or other components.

For longer towing durations, some Bronco owners opt to disconnect the battery. This prevents any potential parasitic drain from accessories that might remain active. However, this might affect steering lock on some models, so always verify your specific Bronco’s requirements and follow the manual.

Understanding Weight, Capacity, and Legalities

Towing safely means understanding the numbers. Your Bronco has a specific weight, and your tow vehicle has limits. Additionally, state and federal regulations dictate how you can tow.

Bronco Weight Considerations

The curb weight of a Ford Bronco varies significantly based on its configuration, doors, engine, and added accessories. A 2-door Bronco might weigh around 4,200 pounds, while a 4-door Sasquatch Edition can approach 5,300 pounds or more. Always know your specific Bronco’s weight, especially if you’ve added heavy aftermarket bumpers, winches, or roof racks.

Knowing the exact weight of your Bronco is vital for selecting the correct tow bar and ensuring your RV’s towing capacity is sufficient. You can find your Bronco’s curb weight in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door jamb sticker. Overlooking this detail can lead to unsafe towing conditions and equipment failure.

Tow Vehicle Capacity

Your RV or tow vehicle must have a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) that exceeds the combined weight of the RV itself and your fully loaded Bronco. While flat towing doesn’t involve tongue weight, the total towed weight still contributes significantly to the GCWR. Overloading your tow vehicle is dangerous, compromises handling, and is illegal.

Always check your RV’s owner’s manual for its specific towing capacities. Never exceed these limits to protect both your vehicles and yourself on the road.

State and Federal Regulations

Recreational towing regulations primarily fall under state jurisdiction. These laws cover requirements for a range of safety components and procedures:

• Supplemental Braking: As mentioned, most states mandate a separate braking system for towed vehicles over a certain weight (often 1,500 to 3,000 pounds). Ignoring this can result in fines and unsafe driving.
• Towing Lights: Functional tail, brake, and turn signals are universally required. These ensure your intentions are clear to other drivers.
• Safety Chains: Always required as a backup connection.
• Maximum Towing Speed: Some states have lower speed limits for vehicles towing. Be aware of these rules when crossing state lines.