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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 03:27 PM
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1995 Bronco question

I'm looking to buy a pull behind travel trailer. The problem is, I know nothing about pulling anything!!!! Does anybody know what the towing capacity for the 1995 bronco is? I still have the factory hitch on.

Thanks
 
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 03:59 PM
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From: Riverview, MI
The first thing you'll need is a reese hitch. Probably at least a 5000lb trailer your talking about. You'll probably want to get a trailer brake set up to. My uncle used to do the same thing, he's a electrical contractor. He had a 94 150 with a towing package and a 5.8L auto. Truck worked well for him, just be ready for a slow down on hills.

How much experiance do you have backing up with a trailer? If so, I would say practice in a safe place before you undertake a big trip.

Oh, do you have the 5.0 or 5.8L? I wouldn't try it with the small 302, unless your like me and abuse your vehicle on a regular basis.
 
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 04:07 PM
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Thx snake for the info. I have the 5.0 302 engine. I have some experience, I used to spot semi trailers (backing them to doors). The travel trailer Im looking at has a GVWR 0f 7500 hitch 700
 
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 04:15 PM
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For flat interstate driving, you'd probably be fine. My Uncle lived in Bristol, TN though, carrying it up and down the mountains. If your planning on hitting any hilly areas, I'd look at maybe a bigger motor, or new truck. I have a 95 150 with a 302, its paid for, and if it dies, there it'll sit, but I just bought a 93 Bronco with a 5.8L for towing. 7500 pounds, you might want to look at a F-250. A diesel would probably be great for you. Thats my opinion. I'm sure someone else will have a diffrent one.
 
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 05:03 PM
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thx alot snake
 
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 08:18 PM
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Thats a heavy trailer for a Bronco. It will tow it, but its not the best veichle for the job. Because of the short wheelbase the heavier trailers tend to force the tow viechle around the road, especially when you get on curvy roads.
The 302 is actually a very impressive engine for towing when its mated to the 5 speed transmission ( allthough its only rated to tow 3500 pounds in that configuration). That engine loves to be around 3500 to 4000 RPM's and when going up hills you can drop a gear or two and move it right along at 55 mph in 3rd gear. I would even take a 302 with a 5 speed over a 351 with the automatic for towing. If you have the automatic transmission with your 302 it will still do fine, but it wont go up hill as good.
 
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 08:48 PM
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My 1995 Bronco with a 302 has "800 lbs tongue weight, 8000 lbs. trailer weight" for the stock bumper hitch so I would say that your vehicle should be able to handle the load.
 
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Old Jan 16, 2006 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by okst1
My 1995 Bronco with a 302 has "800 lbs tongue weight, 8000 lbs. trailer weight" for the stock bumper hitch so I would say that your vehicle should be able to handle the load.
Its not safe to assume that because thats just what the bumper is rated for, not the truck. I'll bet right by where that was printed on the bumper it also says "check owner's manual and never tow more than what the viechle is rated for", or something along those lines
 
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 12:12 AM
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The rating for later Broncos actually depend on a tranny -- the E4OD reated to tow significantly more than the M5OD. If you can swap in a ZF, then it will be the same as the E4OD. If you tow often, you can also change the gearing.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 01:24 AM
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From: END OF THE OREGON TRAIL
Originally Posted by DaveBowman
Thats a heavy trailer for a Bronco. It will tow it, but its not the best veichle for the job. Because of the short wheelbase the heavier trailers tend to force the tow viechle around the road, especially when you get on curvy roads.
The 302 is actually a very impressive engine for towing when its mated to the 5 speed transmission ( allthough its only rated to tow 3500 pounds in that configuration). That engine loves to be around 3500 to 4000 RPM's and when going up hills you can drop a gear or two and move it right along at 55 mph in 3rd gear. I would even take a 302 with a 5 speed over a 351 with the automatic for towing. If you have the automatic transmission with your 302 it will still do fine, but it wont go up hill as good.
I'm with Dave on the short wheelbase. Winding roads and or mountains with a heavy trailer with the Broncos short wheelbase could be nerve racking. Flat ground and no wind not a problem.
If you get in the hills adjust the trailer brake so the trailer brakes first on the downhill, notherwise the trailer will push you down hill and tend to sway a lot.

Long wheelbase and 3/4 ot 1 ton is a safer way to go in the long run, Duallies are even better.
Good Luck
 
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 04:04 AM
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From: Riverview, MI
Originally Posted by DaveBowman
Thats a heavy trailer for a Bronco. It will tow it, but its not the best veichle for the job. Because of the short wheelbase the heavier trailers tend to force the tow viechle around the road, especially when you get on curvy roads.
The 302 is actually a very impressive engine for towing when its mated to the 5 speed transmission ( allthough its only rated to tow 3500 pounds in that configuration). That engine loves to be around 3500 to 4000 RPM's and when going up hills you can drop a gear or two and move it right along at 55 mph in 3rd gear. I would even take a 302 with a 5 speed over a 351 with the automatic for towing. If you have the automatic transmission with your 302 it will still do fine, but it wont go up hill as good.
I never said the 302 wouldn't do it, I said I'd advise against it for most people. I myself abuse my 150 often, and wouldn't think twice. But I've got trailer brakes, and a reese hitch to. I wouldn't do it all the time either. If its a common thing, then I would definatley get a bigger motor.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 09:28 AM
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thanks everybody for the info...I'll take all in consideration when I buy the trailer.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveBowman
Its not safe to assume that because thats just what the bumper is rated for, not the truck. I'll bet right by where that was printed on the bumper it also says "check owner's manual and never tow more than what the viechle is rated for", or something along those lines
Good point. I just checked my owner's manual and it said a 302 with auto transmission can tow up to 6600 lbs., a 351 with auto can tow up to 7000 lbs. and a 302 with manual transmission can only tow 3000 lbs.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 06:27 PM
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So a 351 can only pull 400 more pounds than a 302? Seems like another classic case of Ford underating for insurance purposes.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:43 PM
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That means that towingg capacity is effected by something else such as brakes. Also, short wheel base vehicles are usually not as good as longer vehicles.
 
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