2021 Ford Bronco!

[TXiceman]

Personally, I'd never buy a 1st or 2nd year production unit....give then 2 years to address the bugs. We had a first year Ford Explorer and what a piece of junk. Ford wound up doing a buy back. We also have a 1st year Oldsmobile X-body and also a junker. Finally traded it for a Honda Accord after 8 months. It spent more time in the shop than in our garage and leaked oil like a sieve.

Ken

[colo.kids]

Just came accross an article by Motor1 that stated it can confirm the Bronco will be flat-towable. It said in part:

"A few days back, Ford North America Product Communications Manager Mike Levine dropped a short sentence on Twitter regarding the Bronco’s towing capability. In this instance, it’s not what the Bronco can tow, but how it can be towed. RV travelers often tow a vehicle behind their massive rig to use as a runabout machine at their destination, and according to Levine, the Bronco is “engineered to be flat-towed.”

The article later says:

"A company spokesperson explained the process basically involves putting the Bronco's transfer case into neutral. This is virtually identical to the Jeep Wrangler, which can also be flat-towed with its transfer case in the neutral position. It certainly makes sense; Ford is aiming the Bronco directly at Wrangler, and making it an attractive option for RV travelers is another stab at Jeep's market share."

[pauldub]

I'm quite disappointed that it's almost 1,000 pounds heavier than a Wrangler and that it has such a low (3500 lbs) tow rating. I was super hopeful have decided to shop for a 4Runner that's a bit newer than the one I currently have.

[Sundancer268]

Originally Posted by Geaux Tigers

I like those figures since it looks like you can get a 4-door Bronco with either engine and still be under 5,000 pounds which is the tow limitation on my MH.

Problems with those weights, is you can't add any cargo to the vehicle without exceeding the 5000 pound weight limit. I am uncomfortable with my Cherokee Trailhawk weighing 4300 pounds, I can easily exceed the 700 pound remaining capacity if I wasn't careful when I pack up. Adding Bicycles, Canoe and camping gear adds up quickly.

[MouseHunter]

Just chatted with Ford rep on the Ford site. I was told the Bronco Sport WAS NOT towable 4 down or on a dolly. I was about ready to order one till they said it was not towable.

[Jackofall]

Originally Posted by kpecks

Incredible reveal by Ford. They knocked it out of the park. Hoping they integrated flat towing!! Either way, I like.

I just read today that it can be towed all 4 down

[toddb]

Originally Posted by MouseHunter

Just chatted with Ford rep on the Ford site. I was told the Bronco Sport WAS NOT towable 4 down or on a dolly. I was about ready to order one till they said it was not towable.

I guess the answer will have to wait until somebody actually get to an owners manual. Per this article:
https://jalopnik.com/2021-ford-bronc...now-1844371066

Sounds like the Bronco Sport is a AWD system not a 4x4 system with transfer case and high/low range like the new Bronco or Jeep Wranglers. AWD vehicles are typically not flat towable or dolly friendly either.

[theroc]

Just thought I'd update and summarize again.

According to Bronco Nation, they have confirmed with Ford that the "big" Bronco will be flat-towable in all the configurations. When saying "big" Bronco, I don't mean the real-big full-sized pickup-based, O.J. Simpson -sized Bronco of old but there are two new models for 2021 and as has been discussed, one is flat towable and one isn't ...the Bronco will be authorized by Ford to be flat-towed and the Bronco Sport purportedly will not.

Remember, as has been discussed, there are two basic models called "Bronco" and that, in my opinion, is something I don't believe Ford should have used as a name for the "smaller" model as it's substantially different from its counterpart. One is the "Bronco" and the other is the "Bronco Sport."

Bronco: It is a vehicle meant to compete with the Wrangler so will have great off-road capability. It is body-on-frame (truck-based) and has a longitudinal mounted engine. It's based on the next-generation Ranger ...as has already been mentioned. The styling will be more retro and takes its cues from the original, first generation 1966 Bronco that more-or-less competed with the Jeep CJ. It will have the same 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo and 10-speed transmission as the current Ranger but also will have a six-cylinder option. It will come in 2-door and 4-door options just as the Wrangler. And the reason I have a deposit down on one is it will be offered with a manual transmission if desired on some model configurations (but sadly only on the 4-cylinder and not the 6). This Bronco will be flat-towable in all transfer case configurations.

There is currently a waiting list for this vehicle and orders are being taken by reservation. If reserving one now, it most likely will be a 2022 model and delivery will probably be taken sometime in 2022. The first reservations and orders will likely start being fulfilled in late spring or early summer this year.

Bronco Nation came out with this article on Thursday:

New Bronco - Flat Towing a Bronco



Bronco Sport: Now this vehicle has really no significant relationship to the "Bronco" and is a smaller 4-door SUV that has more similarities to the Escape than to the Bronco. It has a transverse-mounted engine and is built on a car-based unibody chassis. It's aimed more to compete with maybe the Cherokee. It will not be offered with a manual transmission. From everything being written so far, the Bronco Sport will NOT be authorized by Ford to be flat-towed. I'm not following the news on the Bronco Sport as much as I am about the Bronco as I intend to purchase a Bronco with a manual transmission. The Bronco Sport is now available at dealerships with no waiting.


Summary from Motor1 as has already been mentioned above by colo.kids:

Good News RVers: The 2021 Ford Bronco Can Be Flat-Towed

Bad News RVers: Ford Bronco Sport Not Recommended For Flat Towing




eta: Yes, I too would prefer a solid front axle and also don't like to buy any vehicle in the first year of production but I'm not going to be doing much off-roading and I need it for a specific purpose and it seems to check more boxes for me than a Wrangler. So I'm thinking of going ahead and taking the chance.