Trailering enhancements
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39
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From: Janesville WI
Trailering enhancements
I have a 94 Bronco with a 351, 3.55 gears, and I am purchasing a 23 foot boat. It has a dry weight of 3400 lbs. Figuring 1000lbs for a dual axel trailer and about 500lbs for gas, water, and gear I am at about 5000lbs.
I live in wisconsin (no exceptional hills or mountains)and I won't be trailering over 100miles in any one direction.
Questions:
1. How will the stock Bronco handle this type of load?
2. Can a weight distributing hitch be applied to a boat trailer?
3. Is it worth investing in a chip upgrade?
4. Is the std. factory tranny cooler sufficient or should a larger unit be installed?
5. I would like electric brakes for the trailer but it comes with surge brakes. Can these be switched to electric or are they fine as they are?
Any help or insight would be appreciated
I live in wisconsin (no exceptional hills or mountains)and I won't be trailering over 100miles in any one direction.
Questions:
1. How will the stock Bronco handle this type of load?
2. Can a weight distributing hitch be applied to a boat trailer?
3. Is it worth investing in a chip upgrade?
4. Is the std. factory tranny cooler sufficient or should a larger unit be installed?
5. I would like electric brakes for the trailer but it comes with surge brakes. Can these be switched to electric or are they fine as they are?
Any help or insight would be appreciated
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,486
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From: Independence, MO
Trailering enhancements
my 20" bass boat with tandem axle trailer had hydraulic surge brakes and i loved them on dry pavement i could stop almost like it wasnt there,
The factory trans cooler should be okay, but bigger will not hurt anything.
Aweight distributing hitch will shurly help! it's not totaly nessacery but would help alot especialy with a short wheel base tow truck.
as far as towing ability, the 351/3.55's should tow your boat fine. JUST KEEP IN MIND, the shorter your towing truck the more squirly it become if it get out of controll, so for this reason i cant stress enough how important it is to have your boat properly loaded, and toung weight properly distributed. hope this helps you out some good luck. DW
The factory trans cooler should be okay, but bigger will not hurt anything.
Aweight distributing hitch will shurly help! it's not totaly nessacery but would help alot especialy with a short wheel base tow truck.
as far as towing ability, the 351/3.55's should tow your boat fine. JUST KEEP IN MIND, the shorter your towing truck the more squirly it become if it get out of controll, so for this reason i cant stress enough how important it is to have your boat properly loaded, and toung weight properly distributed. hope this helps you out some good luck. DW
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39
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From: Janesville WI
Trailering enhancements
Thanks DW2455.
I appreciate your feedback. I am currently towing a 17ft open bow 2300lbs. And even with its low profile it gets sucked in by passing semi's and I am concerned what the bronco will do when the cabin cruiser with all the windage, encounters a similar situation.
The electric brakes would give me additional control but if your experience is that a tap on the surge brakes will bring it back into control thats great. I would much rather spend the money on continuing to upgrade the truck.
Additional question, it appears that I have a factory 7 pin wiring harness, does that mean it is set up for electric brakes?
Also is there a good place to get replacement seats, The driver seat is showing a little wear but the interior otherwise is like new and I want to keep it that way.
Thanks
I appreciate your feedback. I am currently towing a 17ft open bow 2300lbs. And even with its low profile it gets sucked in by passing semi's and I am concerned what the bronco will do when the cabin cruiser with all the windage, encounters a similar situation.
The electric brakes would give me additional control but if your experience is that a tap on the surge brakes will bring it back into control thats great. I would much rather spend the money on continuing to upgrade the truck.
Additional question, it appears that I have a factory 7 pin wiring harness, does that mean it is set up for electric brakes?
Also is there a good place to get replacement seats, The driver seat is showing a little wear but the interior otherwise is like new and I want to keep it that way.
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,486
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From: Independence, MO
Trailering enhancements
as for seats idont know, make a new post and inquir on where to get seats, the tandum axle trailer should help a lot, plus the whole rig being a lot heavier should make it more stable. DW
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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Trailering enhancements
As noted above the Bronco with its short wheelbase is a less than desirable tow vehicle. I hope you will consider using some kind of sway control. If the tongue weight is high enough a dual cam system would be of value.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Trailering enhancements
Pointer
I have an almost l truck. I think you are on the edge with what you want to tow. But I think you would be completely safe with good trailer brakes and a sane speed limit. It you are only towing 100 miles, then it isn't a big deal to arrive 20 minutes later. I tow a 17 foot Alumacraft with lots of my crap in it. But it only weighs about 3000 lbs or so with a vacation load.
I have an almost l truck. I think you are on the edge with what you want to tow. But I think you would be completely safe with good trailer brakes and a sane speed limit. It you are only towing 100 miles, then it isn't a big deal to arrive 20 minutes later. I tow a 17 foot Alumacraft with lots of my crap in it. But it only weighs about 3000 lbs or so with a vacation load.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Janesville WI
Trailering enhancements
I appreciate all the feedback.
Additional questions:
Dispite the usual wheel well and tailgate rust the rest of the truck is in exceptional condition. I recently had viturally the entire front end replaced (bushings, tie rods, ball joints) which made the steering, which when purchased was somewhat vague, is now sharp and precise.
One unusual thing, the shocks are original (after 112k) but are not leaking and don't feel like they need to be replaced. Mechanic said they could be worn out even though they are not leaking or showing any sign of failure. Do they need to be replaced based on mileage, if so what are the best units to put on for trailering and a general use.
Second based on rclarke's suggestion where is a good web site to check out a dual cam system.
This site has been a huge help in understanding some of the limitations and creative possibilities of the Bronco. I have had mine for about 1.5years and think it is all that and a bag of chips. I will be keeping and improving it for a long time.
Pointer94
Additional questions:
Dispite the usual wheel well and tailgate rust the rest of the truck is in exceptional condition. I recently had viturally the entire front end replaced (bushings, tie rods, ball joints) which made the steering, which when purchased was somewhat vague, is now sharp and precise.
One unusual thing, the shocks are original (after 112k) but are not leaking and don't feel like they need to be replaced. Mechanic said they could be worn out even though they are not leaking or showing any sign of failure. Do they need to be replaced based on mileage, if so what are the best units to put on for trailering and a general use.
Second based on rclarke's suggestion where is a good web site to check out a dual cam system.
This site has been a huge help in understanding some of the limitations and creative possibilities of the Bronco. I have had mine for about 1.5years and think it is all that and a bag of chips. I will be keeping and improving it for a long time.
Pointer94
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Independence, MO
Trailering enhancements
Yes i would replace the shocks. and check your yellow pages for trailer and towing supplies. Good luck DW
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 3
Trailering enhancements
Here's a link to one source for trailering parts and supplies.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...mv?Screen=SFNT
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...mv?Screen=SFNT
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 167
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From: Corona, CA
Trailering enhancements
I pretty much have the same setup as you have a 23' 1972 Formula Thunderbird Deep-V on a twin axle trailer. Only the brakes dont work, but then again neither does the boat. My only recomendation is to get a larger tranny cooler. You will be towing a lot of weight behind you and you REALLY dont want that tranny to pop. They can get kinda expensive. So do the larger tranny cooler. As for power the stock 351 should be able to handle it, just dont try racing any Diesels you WILL lose :P
As for handling the trailer My truck actually does a great job no wandering or excessive hitch loading. But then again the trailer I have is pretty well balanced. Just keep in mind you are towing a big boat behind you dont hot-rod around and dont race at all. Just take it nice and smooth try not to jerk it around behind you, if you do the boat will win.
As for handling the trailer My truck actually does a great job no wandering or excessive hitch loading. But then again the trailer I have is pretty well balanced. Just keep in mind you are towing a big boat behind you dont hot-rod around and dont race at all. Just take it nice and smooth try not to jerk it around behind you, if you do the boat will win.
Last edited by frogger01; Aug 27, 2003 at 05:51 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 194
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From: Port Richey FL.
Trailering enhancements
I tow a 26 ft proline boat with my bronco ..it has the towing package that came from the factory.. i have a 89 bronco with 351w .. i have plenty of power ,it can pull a house ,not to worry there ..just make sure you have good brakes on the trailer thats the most important and dont go to crazy in tow ,you should have no problem..good brakes and dont speed and you will be in the water ...lol good luck ..
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 21
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From: USA
Trailering enhancements
I drove this rig around 10 hours or so from Rhode Island to West Virginia. I don't have a ton of towing experience but it was certainly do-able, but while I wouldn't call it the MOST stable ride in the world, it was definitely VERY controllable. No swaying, it tracked straight, etc... This is pretty close to the load you are talking about. A lot of people warned me about the short wheelbase issues, and I may consider a weight-distributing setup when I actually buy a car trailer.
The sag in the back tells me I either had too much tongue weight (tough to deal with on this rental trailer,) or I need to think about add-a-leafs or something like that. This truck is bone-stock with the 351, 3.55's, and the tow package, 80K miles, original shocks - soon to be replaced.
The sag in the back tells me I either had too much tongue weight (tough to deal with on this rental trailer,) or I need to think about add-a-leafs or something like that. This truck is bone-stock with the 351, 3.55's, and the tow package, 80K miles, original shocks - soon to be replaced.
Last edited by maxray; Aug 27, 2003 at 11:00 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Trailering enhancements
More important to note than rear sag, is the front lift I see. That means the front suspension was being unloaded, screwing up steering goemetry, and taking away tire pressure on the pavement.
A WD hitch would have eliminated the rear sag, and re-loaded your front suspension, vastly improving handling and safety. It also would have eliminated the need for any rear helper springs or air bags...etc. Contrary to poular belief, WD hitches are available for use on trailers with Pole Tongues, like boat trailers and snowmobile trailers. Reese sells a special adaptor for this purpose.
Also, it's very foolish to try and reduce tongue weight just to eliminate tongue weight on the tow vehicle. Trailers need 10-14% of their total weight on the tongue in order to prevent sway and wandering. Same principle as an spear, with a heavy point it travels straight through the air. Boat trailer people sometimes get away with less, because the wheels on a boat trailer are very far back from the hitch. The further back the wheels on the trailer are, the less it is prone to sway as well. The tongue weight precentage I quoted is even printed in the NHTSA towing guide I read once.
-Jimmy
A WD hitch would have eliminated the rear sag, and re-loaded your front suspension, vastly improving handling and safety. It also would have eliminated the need for any rear helper springs or air bags...etc. Contrary to poular belief, WD hitches are available for use on trailers with Pole Tongues, like boat trailers and snowmobile trailers. Reese sells a special adaptor for this purpose.
Also, it's very foolish to try and reduce tongue weight just to eliminate tongue weight on the tow vehicle. Trailers need 10-14% of their total weight on the tongue in order to prevent sway and wandering. Same principle as an spear, with a heavy point it travels straight through the air. Boat trailer people sometimes get away with less, because the wheels on a boat trailer are very far back from the hitch. The further back the wheels on the trailer are, the less it is prone to sway as well. The tongue weight precentage I quoted is even printed in the NHTSA towing guide I read once.
-Jimmy
Last edited by caddywhompus; Aug 28, 2003 at 08:38 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 194
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Trailering enhancements
that pics looks to me that there is way too much wait on the hitch. look at how far forward the miata is in front of the axles of the trailer, and yes the sterring geometry was vastly changed as noted above. good to hear you made it just try and center the load over the trailer axles. i was always told to only have between 300 and 500 lbs on the tounge.
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 21
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From: USA
Trailering enhancements
Originally posted by 96XL
that pics looks to me that there is way too much wait on the hitch. look at how far forward the miata is in front of the axles of the trailer, and yes the sterring geometry was vastly changed as noted above. good to hear you made it just try and center the load over the trailer axles. i was always told to only have between 300 and 500 lbs on the tounge.
that pics looks to me that there is way too much wait on the hitch. look at how far forward the miata is in front of the axles of the trailer, and yes the sterring geometry was vastly changed as noted above. good to hear you made it just try and center the load over the trailer axles. i was always told to only have between 300 and 500 lbs on the tounge.