towing the bronco
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
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From: Joppa, Maryland
towing the bronco
this weekend i'm going up to rausch creek to take the bronco wheelin (finally!) and my dad suggested that I tow it and offered his truck and trailer for it, so I figure why not? incase something brakes or my wheelin' buddy brakes something we can throw it on the trailer and get home. What I'm wondering is which way should I put the bronco on the trailer? The last time I towed it I did nose first (at front of trailer) and it wasn't too bad, a little light on the steering but I got where I was going safely. What do you guys think?
edit: I guess I should add that its just a normal tow behind trailer that we use for the bobcat (not 5th wheel or goosneck) if that makes any difference.
edit: I guess I should add that its just a normal tow behind trailer that we use for the bobcat (not 5th wheel or goosneck) if that makes any difference.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
I towed mine a couple times, and always put it noise first, and not to far up so you could keep some weight over the trailer axles.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=110353&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=123314&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=110353&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=123314&width=0
Last edited by MBBFord; Dec 20, 2006 at 01:43 PM.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
From: Joppa, Maryland
tow vehicle is either a '99 dually 7.3 or a '00 7.3.. both supercab long beds. The trailer is just barely long enough so I don't have any room to adjust it, but looks like nose first it is.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
never tow tail first! even at slow speeds the rear can start to sway side to side and get real squirrely.... i've done it!
it needs to be nose first (as was said) and adjusted by backing it up where the trailer is level or slightly tongue heavy. if you cant adjust the ride much just be careful. with it being a dually i would imagine the tow hitch is rated heavy enough.
just think twice and compare load ratings and numbers. you outta be fine.
air the trailer tires all the way up and check the rear tires on the tow pig.
i'm just curious, but what kind of trailer is it?
this situation is the very reason i bought my 96 and built my gooseneck! i would not go back, best investments i have ever made!
-cutts-
it needs to be nose first (as was said) and adjusted by backing it up where the trailer is level or slightly tongue heavy. if you cant adjust the ride much just be careful. with it being a dually i would imagine the tow hitch is rated heavy enough.
just think twice and compare load ratings and numbers. you outta be fine.
air the trailer tires all the way up and check the rear tires on the tow pig.
i'm just curious, but what kind of trailer is it?
this situation is the very reason i bought my 96 and built my gooseneck! i would not go back, best investments i have ever made!
-cutts-
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
From: Joppa, Maryland
I'm not sure of the name for the trailer, I just know we use it to haul the bobcat, and has towed some of our vehicles that needed work done by someone else. I've towed it (the bronco) before, but only about 10 miles and I took it really easy as it was my first time towing that much weight, I'm sure once I get out on the highway it'll be fine. The trailer is rated to tow the bobcat and does a fine job at it, so I'm sure the bronco is no big deal for it.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
lol your bronco is about a third of the weight of that bobcat so i doubt it even knew something was on it. kind of like putting a cat on top of an elephant! well thats realllly good that you can take advantage of trailer brakes! if you havent towed much i'd get out on some back roads and toy around with an empty trailer. find out how much it takes to stop the thing! better to practice a couple times and know better of what to expect than find yourself in bumper to bumper and ppl keep cutting you off!
good luck to ya and if ya need any help PM me, go to the diesel section or better yet hop over to the diesel stop (dot) com, their towing section has loads of great info for everyone!
-cutts-
good luck to ya and if ya need any help PM me, go to the diesel section or better yet hop over to the diesel stop (dot) com, their towing section has loads of great info for everyone!
-cutts-
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
cool, thanks for the help.
My dad just informed me that the dually's brake controller isn't working, so I won't be using that truck. looks like I might end up driving it up there after all.
My dad just informed me that the dually's brake controller isn't working, so I won't be using that truck. looks like I might end up driving it up there after all.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
From: Joppa, Maryland
Just for anyone wondering, the dually did a great job towing it. The truck handled it without any problems. The trailer brakes started working after a little bit of cleaning on the contacts.
But on to my reason for bringing this thread back. Do you guys think a '01 super cab shortbed 7.3 would handle this load in the same way? I'm kind of thinking out loud here, but I'm thinking about selling my Mazda and moving back to a truck. There's a real nice '01 on eBay I've been eying up 95k miles, completely loaded lariat package. It's red, but I can live with that, and it has the ESOF, but it being a daily driver that wouldn't matter much. I do deliver food as a second job, so the mileage may be a concern, but I'm only averaging 20 with my Mazda while delivering. Do you think 15 is a realistic expectation for the truck? I'm probably getting a little off topic now, so i'll stop rambling, but tell me what you think.
But on to my reason for bringing this thread back. Do you guys think a '01 super cab shortbed 7.3 would handle this load in the same way? I'm kind of thinking out loud here, but I'm thinking about selling my Mazda and moving back to a truck. There's a real nice '01 on eBay I've been eying up 95k miles, completely loaded lariat package. It's red, but I can live with that, and it has the ESOF, but it being a daily driver that wouldn't matter much. I do deliver food as a second job, so the mileage may be a concern, but I'm only averaging 20 with my Mazda while delivering. Do you think 15 is a realistic expectation for the truck? I'm probably getting a little off topic now, so i'll stop rambling, but tell me what you think.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
well just for comparison i bought my 96 in my sig with 183K for $12K. 15K doesnt sound too bad but you can never tell till you drive it a time or 2.
the longer trucks pull better and obviously haul more stuff, but that is plenty of truck to pull your bronco, it has the larger brakes than the 1/2 ton trucks which is of the utmost concern even if the trailer has brakes
-cutts-
the longer trucks pull better and obviously haul more stuff, but that is plenty of truck to pull your bronco, it has the larger brakes than the 1/2 ton trucks which is of the utmost concern even if the trailer has brakes
-cutts-
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
oo ok, what chris said... can ya find a beater to putt around in? i hate racking up the miles on my psd but right now its all i can afford.
15 mpg or even a hair lower depending on the condition of the truck is all i would expect. in fact if i am doing a lot of city driving to and from red lights and such i have gotten as low as 13.
-cutts-
15 mpg or even a hair lower depending on the condition of the truck is all i would expect. in fact if i am doing a lot of city driving to and from red lights and such i have gotten as low as 13.
-cutts-
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
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From: Joppa, Maryland
It'd be hard for me to justify having 3 vehicles, especially since I could just borrow one of my dad's trucks most of the time if I'm doing any towing. The more I drive the Mazda the more I feel like I'm going to end up killing myself in it, I can't seem to slow down on those twisty roads.
Unless it was like 100 dollar junk yard car, even then I don't think I could justify insurance for all of them, since I only work 2-3 days a week delivering.
Unless it was like 100 dollar junk yard car, even then I don't think I could justify insurance for all of them, since I only work 2-3 days a week delivering.