Hauling question
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 80
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Hauling question
Im in the market for a new vechile and I have been tossing around the idea of a big Bronco. I found a 1990 Bronco with the 5.0 that has been lifted (not sure on how much), but I pull a 18' trailer with a 3000 lb. race car,extra tires,and tool boxes. Would the Bronco be able to pull the trailer without any problems? I have never owned a Bronco so any advice on how they do pulling trailers would be great. And what is your take on the 5.0 in a Bronco? Been around several and havent been impressed yet. Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 33
From: Swansea SC
Dirt , i can tell u that my 1992 has no issues in power just that when adding tounge weight (pulling a truck on trailer)I need to have air liftcoils installed. The truck squats when the truck was up on the trailer a bit .TR
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,007
Likes: 5
I have a 1990 5.0L automatic. I'm not happy with it at this time. I think a longer wheelbase would be less squirley than the short wheelbase of the Bronco.
Is the one you're looking at auto or manual? automatic 4x4 shift? hubs?
Is the one you're looking at auto or manual? automatic 4x4 shift? hubs?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
From: Longview, TX
We love our Broncos. You know we are biased. However, for towing major stuff, the wheelbase is a little short. I find adding an extra 3 lbs to the rear to 38 psi helps. About 90% of the time I pull a 14 ft. trailer with one or two four wheelers. My preferred tire dealer tells me that 51 lbs are possible with the new (I hope this is correct name) Uniroyal/Bridgestone Long Mile Tour and it settles the whipping down. The new "Tour" solves the problem of former asymetric tread and rain issues causing handling problems. My 5.8 will handle anything after many sensors and timing chain set but I still have to drive carefully with the trailer.
Bottom line, in my opinion, 5.8 is better, dually could be better for your car towing.
Bottom line, in my opinion, 5.8 is better, dually could be better for your car towing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 14
From: cape may county NJ
Pulling a load that big I would look for a truck,the 302 is a great engine but a 351 would be better.Pulling won't be a problem but I wouldn't want to stop fast on a down hill grade with a uneven surface.I once saw a friend roll his bronco on it's side pulling a bobcat and tryed to make a quick stop on a flat road were there was a slight bend but the trailer had surge brakes.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
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I would think you want a 351, especailly if you must tow on hills. The short wheelbase is not as bad as you might think because of the short distance between the rear axle and the hitch. The shorter this distance, the better with the fifth wheel being the ideal. The short wheelbase is a big benifit when doing slow speed manurvering also. If you think about it, the ideal tow vihical is short wheelbase fifthwheel. (semi tractor)
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 140
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dirtracer2a,
I have pulled a similar load (3600 lb Mercedes) cross-country with my 92 Bronco 302 auto tranny. I had no problems pulling the car hauler with a car on it. I did install a tranny cooler and watch the tire inflation closely on the Bronco and the trailer. If tires on one side of the vehicle or trailer are low relative to the other side the spongy ride can cause wobble in the trailer which can be severe enough to flip you like a toy. But that's true even for full-size trucks. Use a load-leveling hitch to moderate some of that if you need to.
If I had owned a truck at the time I would have used it instead but had no issues pulling from south Florida to north Texas ahead of hurricane Andrew.
I also use the Bronco pulling a 16 trailer loaded with other miscellaneous stuff and haven't had any issues.
With your intended use though I would probably opt for a 3/4 ton or better truck and a gooseneck hitch.
I have pulled a similar load (3600 lb Mercedes) cross-country with my 92 Bronco 302 auto tranny. I had no problems pulling the car hauler with a car on it. I did install a tranny cooler and watch the tire inflation closely on the Bronco and the trailer. If tires on one side of the vehicle or trailer are low relative to the other side the spongy ride can cause wobble in the trailer which can be severe enough to flip you like a toy. But that's true even for full-size trucks. Use a load-leveling hitch to moderate some of that if you need to.
If I had owned a truck at the time I would have used it instead but had no issues pulling from south Florida to north Texas ahead of hurricane Andrew.
I also use the Bronco pulling a 16 trailer loaded with other miscellaneous stuff and haven't had any issues.
With your intended use though I would probably opt for a 3/4 ton or better truck and a gooseneck hitch.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 1
From: St Louis
If you do use the bronco, I would recomend a weight distribution hitch versus the standard hitch. The rear springs are great for riding unloaded and minor loads, but personally I would rather have my vehicle level on heavy loads. I had the 78 3/4 ton truck on an 18 foot trailer moving it around in my yard to repositon the trailer, the motor in the 3/4 ton was dead if you want to know why it was on the trailer. The weight of that 3/4 ton had the bronco sitting on its axle blocks, I would not do it again without some weight distribution hitch to level the truck. A trailer with good brakes and a good electric brake controller go a long way to helping the bronco in stopping the load. Without the electric trailer brakes, you will definitely need at least a 3/4 ton truck. The 302 will do okay for pulling, but not for fuel mileage because overdrive could not used, and should never be used in a towing situation unless you have money laying around for a tranny rebuild.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
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From: Central Oregon
I haul a 8x20 box car trailer with my 80 Bronco with a 460 engine, power is good, but as above, she is short. I use a load leveling hitch, that helps a lot. going to add air bags to it this summer also. I haul 4,1/4 midgit race cars and all the gear, but it is not as heavy as hauling a full size car in it. I will be looking for a F250\350 later when money is better.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2008
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Thanks for the advice guys. I guess Ill be looking for a 1973-1979 Ford or a Super Duty. Had a 1993 3/4 ton that I loved but I ran my mouth to my buddy when we was drink and then he showed up with the money. Wont do that again,lol.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
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From: Longview, TX
Tire choice update.
I have had Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires for years and had to load my trailer evenly and Bronco lightly even with the towing package to keep it from whipping.
As mentioned previously, my tire guy suggested a sister company tire B F Goodrich Long Trail T/A Tour (the Tour on the end is very important). Last week I replaced only the rears and can't believe the improvement. I'm ready for the fronts to go to use the same tires there.
Now I can load with 20-25% on the trailer tongue and more in the Bronco with no whipping on good roads and only a little in the truck ruts.
I like the "Tour" tires.
As mentioned previously, my tire guy suggested a sister company tire B F Goodrich Long Trail T/A Tour (the Tour on the end is very important). Last week I replaced only the rears and can't believe the improvement. I'm ready for the fronts to go to use the same tires there.
Now I can load with 20-25% on the trailer tongue and more in the Bronco with no whipping on good roads and only a little in the truck ruts.
I like the "Tour" tires.
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