Ford Bronco Towing Capacity by Year, Engine & Trim

The Bronco competes directly with the Jeep Wrangler, not with trucks or three-row SUVs. Its tow ratings reflect that positioning — capable enough for light recreational towing, but built primarily for trail use. If you need serious towing from a Ford, the Ranger at 7,500 lbs or the F-150 at 13,500 lbs are the right tools. For the basics of tow ratings, our towing capacity guide covers the fundamentals.

Use our towing capacity lookup tool to check your specific Bronco configuration.

The maximum Ford Bronco towing capacity is 4,500 lbs, available on select 2021–2025 trims equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, the Sasquatch Package, and the factory Tow Package (RPO 534). Not every Bronco can reach this ceiling — most configurations cap at 3,500 lbs.

The Tow Package adds a Class II trailer hitch receiver, 4-pin wiring harness, an upgraded radiator, and a transmission oil cooler. The Sasquatch Package adds 35-inch tires, front and rear locking differentials, Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, and specific axle ratios — and on V6 models with the Tow Package, this particular combination unlocks the higher 4,500 lb rating.

The 2.7L V6 produces 300 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque with the 10-speed automatic. The 2.3L four-cylinder makes 275 hp and 270 lb-ft. Despite the V6's power advantage, both engines share the 3,500 lb base tow rating when equipped with the standard Tow Package alone. The 4,500 lb ceiling requires the specific V6 + Sasquatch + Tow Package combination.

⚠️ Warning: The Bronco's removable top and doors reduce rigidity compared to a permanent-roof vehicle. When towing, always ensure the hardtop or soft top is fully secured. Towing with the top removed isn't recommended — wind forces at highway speed with a trailer create instability that the open cabin amplifies.

For details on locating your specific tow rating, our guide on how to find towing capacity covers every method.

The 6th generation Bronco (2021–2025) has maintained consistent tow ratings since its relaunch. Earlier Bronco generations (1966–1996) had significantly different ratings due to their full-size truck-based platforms.

Use the tool below to look up your specific Bronco year and configuration.

Source: Ford Motor Company Towing Supplements (ford.com); Edmunds vehicle specifications (edmunds.com)

The Bronco Sport is a completely different vehicle — it's built on the Ford Escape's unibody platform, not the Bronco's body-on-frame architecture. The Sport's 2,000–2,200 lb tow rating reflects its compact crossover underpinnings. If someone mentions "Bronco towing capacity," clarify which Bronco they mean.

The classic full-size Bronco (1966–1996) was based on the F-Series truck platform and towed 5,000–6,500 lbs depending on the V8 engine. The modern Bronco's lower tow rating reflects its smaller, Ranger-based platform and off-road-focused engineering.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want the maximum 4,500 lb Bronco for towing, the Outer Banks or Wildtrak trims with the V6, Sasquatch Package, and Tow Package are the configurations to target. The Base and Big Bend trims can also reach 4,500 lbs with the right option combination, but availability varies by model year. Check the build sheet for RPO codes 534 (Tow Package) and 67T (Sasquatch).

The Bronco handles light recreational towing well, particularly loads you'd want to take off-road or to remote destinations that most SUVs can't reach.

Bronco at 3,500–4,500 lbs — Comfortable Loads

• Teardrop trailers: 1,000–2,500 lbs — the Bronco's ideal camping companion
• Pop-up campers: 1,500–2,800 lbs — fits within both tow rating tiers
• Small A-frame campers: 1,800–3,000 lbs loaded
• Aluminum fishing boats (14–16 ft): 1,200–2,500 lbs on trailer
• Jet skis (single or double): 1,000–2,200 lbs
• ATV/UTV on small open trailer: 1,500–3,000 lbs
• Utility trailers: Up to 3,000 lbs loaded
• Snowmobiles on trailer: 1,200–2,200 lbs

What Exceeds the Bronco's Capacity

• Travel trailers over 18 feet: Most exceed 3,800 lbs loaded
• Bass boats over 17 feet: 3,500–5,000 lbs on trailer
• Car hauler trailers: 5,500+ lbs minimum
• Enclosed cargo trailers: Most start at 2,500 lbs empty, 4,000+ loaded

⚠️ Warning: The Bronco's short wheelbase (particularly the 2-door at 100.4 inches) makes it more susceptible to trailer sway than longer-wheelbase vehicles. With loads over 3,000 lbs, maintain speeds under 65 MPH and use a weight distribution hitch. Our tongue weight guide covers proper hitch setup.

The Jeep Wrangler shares similar limitations — both are designed for trails first and towing second. For matching campers to your Bronco's rating, our camper towing capacity guide ranks options by weight.

The Bronco competes in the off-road SUV segment, not the conventional three-row crossover or truck segment. Here's how it stacks up against its real competitors.

Source: Manufacturer specifications via Edmunds (edmunds.com) and KBB (kbb.com)

The Jeep Wrangler matches the Bronco at 3,500 lbs in most configurations. The Wrangler's V8 392 model has 470 hp but still only tows 3,500 lbs — proving that engine power isn't the limiter on these short-wheelbase off-road platforms.

The Toyota 4Runner significantly out-tows the Bronco at 5,000–6,100 lbs. The 4Runner's longer wheelbase and more conventional SUV design allow for higher tow ratings despite its off-road capabilities.

If towing is more important than trail capability, the Ford Ranger shares the Bronco's engine family but tows 7,500 lbs. The Ranger sacrifices the Bronco's removable top and extreme articulation but more than doubles the tow rating.

💡 Key Insight: The Bronco and Wrangler are the only mainstream SUVs that can be legally flat-towed behind an RV (in 4WD Low transfer case neutral). If you own an RV and want a trail vehicle that can be towed behind it, both are excellent choices. See our flat towing guide for setup details.

Four variables determine your Bronco's tow rating: the Tow Package, Sasquatch Package, engine choice, and the inherent limitations of a short-wheelbase off-road platform.

Tow Package Is Required

Without the Tow Package (RPO 534), Ford doesn't publish a tow rating for the Bronco. The package adds the hitch, wiring, and cooling upgrades necessary for rated towing. A Bronco without it is technically not rated to tow anything.

The Sasquatch + V6 Unlocks 4,500 lbs

Only the V6 engine paired with both the Sasquatch and Tow Packages reaches 4,500 lbs. The specific axle ratio and tire combination in the Sasquatch Package, combined with the V6's torque, allows Ford to certify the higher rating. Other V6 + Tow Package combinations without Sasquatch remain at 3,500 lbs.

Short Wheelbase Limits Stability

The 2-door Bronco's 100.4-inch wheelbase is shorter than most passenger cars. Even the 4-door at 116.1 inches is shorter than the Ranger's 126.8 inches. Short wheelbases amplify trailer sway because there's less leverage to resist the trailer's lateral forces. This is a key reason Ford caps the Bronco at 4,500 lbs while the Ranger — with the same engine — tows 7,500.

Payload Is Modest

Bronco payload ranges from approximately 1,000–1,370 lbs depending on configuration. With a 3,500 lb trailer, tongue weight at 10–15% equals 350–525 lbs. That's 26–53% of payload before passengers and gear. Understanding the relationship between towing capacity and payload prevents overloading.

⚠️ Warning: Aftermarket bumpers, winches, roof racks, and light bars add significant weight to the Bronco. A steel front bumper with a winch can add 200–350 lbs to the front axle. This weight counts against your GVWR and effectively reduces available payload for tongue weight and passengers. Factor accessory weight into your towing calculations.

Match your hitch type to your trailer's requirements before your first tow.

The Bronco is an excellent choice if towing is secondary to off-road capability. At 3,500–4,500 lbs, it handles light recreational loads — the kind of trailers you'd want to pull to remote destinations.

Buy the Bronco for towing if:

• Your typical load stays under 3,000 lbs (teardrops, small boats, jet skis, ATVs)
• You tow to off-road destinations — campgrounds, trails, boat ramps on dirt roads
• Off-road capability is the primary vehicle purpose; towing is occasional
• You want the removable top and doors lifestyle with light towing capability
• You need a vehicle that can be flat-towed behind an RV

Don't buy the Bronco for towing if:

• You need over 4,500 lbs — a Ranger, 4Runner, or truck is required
• Travel trailers are your planned towing load — most exceed Bronco capacity loaded
• You tow frequently on highways — the Bronco's short wheelbase and off-road tires create more noise and sway than conventional SUVs
• Interior space and passenger comfort while towing matter — the Bronco trades interior refinement for trail capability

💡 Pro Tip: The Bronco 4-door with the V6, Sasquatch Package, and Tow Package is the best all-around configuration if you want both trail capability and maximum towing. The 4-door's longer wheelbase provides meaningfully better tow stability than the 2-door, and the Sasquatch's axle ratio helps the engine maintain power at lower speeds when climbing with a load.