Towing

[rdennardsr]

I have a 1988 Bronco II 2.9 5 spd. Was wandering what the towing capacity is ? Can't seem to find any info on it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure. I believe the automatic is rated for 5000lbs? But I would never go that high unless short trips on level ground. Usually the standards are rated less.

 

[wildbill23c]

I believe in the neighborhood of about 3500lbs is far more realistic with the automatic...the manual would probably be around 1500lbs maybe? I have never found any definitive answers either, but being a short narrow wheelbase 5,000lbs is pretty far fetched, and the A4LD automatic isn't the greatest so I wouldn't put that much weight behind a Bronco 2...and they downrate the manual transmissions by quite a bit, I think my 87 Ranger is only rated to tow 1200lbs with the 5 speed...I'd bet the Bronco 2 would be around that number as well with a manual transmission.

I attached the towing info right out of my 88 Bronco 2's owner's manual. Maybe this will help.

 

[duffy]

I don't plan on towing anything with my 89'...........A4LD's aren't known for their strength. Having said that, my brother routinely tows a heavy fiberglass boat behind his Mazda B3000 (3L V6 with the same 5 speed as Ranger/Bronco II).

 

[wildbill23c]

I don't plan on towing anything with my 89'...........A4LD's aren't known for their strength. Having said that, my brother routinely tows a heavy fiberglass boat behind his Mazda B3000 (3L V6 with the same 5 speed as Ranger/Bronco II).

The truck is a bit larger than the Bronco 2 so it'll handle a larger trailer. The issue with the Bronco 2 is its top heavy and it has that short narrow wheelbase and any weight you put behind it will easily push it all over the place on the highway. Its not really so much that the engine/transmission couldn't handle it, its the Bronco 2's size that severely limits its towing capacity.

I don't really plan on towing much if anything with my 88 Bronco 2, however I did score a Class 2 receiver hitch for it last year at the pick a part for $20...so I did install it....wiring for the trailer lights needs redone though. Most I'd ever tow would be one of those little 4x8 type trailers you see Harbor Freight selling and many other places. I recently picked up an 87 Ford Ranger 4x2 5 speed 2.9L V6 that I can use to haul stuff if I need to.

 

[duffy]

I had a 72' Scout 2 for a couple of years and towed a 19' stinger RV trailer.....that was not fun. It was a heavy little vehicle but that trailer would push it all over the road at any speed over 60 mph.

 

[rdennardsr]

I have a 1988 Bronco II 2.9 5 spd. Was wandering what the towing capacity is ? Can't seem to find any info on it.

 

[rdennardsr]

Thanks for the replys gentlemen, My boat weights around 1900 #s empty. I'm going to take it on a short trip and see how it does. The wind is my biggest concern blowing the trailer around. Might have to stick with my F150.

 

[wildbill23c]

Let us know how the trip goes...I really don't think a boat would be quite as bad as say a cargo trailer or camp trailer.