Bronco Sport Badlands Load Capacity

[Paradocks]

Ours is also a '22 Badlands but the sticker says 975 pounds.

I wonder what accounts for the (small) difference? Maybe the weight of the hitch?

Could be added weight of the moonroof if you have one.

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[sajohnson]

Could be added weight of the moonroof if you have one.

Good suggestion, but we don't have one.

My working theory is that the lower load rating is due to the hitch. The only other option we ordered was the crossbars for the roof rails, but they weigh very little.

 

[sajohnson]

Who has had experience carrying 1,200 lbs in the Badlands? How did it go?

While I would not recommend exceeding the factory load rating, there are a few things to consider:

* All mfrs include a safety factor in the load rating.

* Needless to say, it's not as if the load rating is a hard limit, beyond which the vehicle cannot be driven. There is a gradual decline in performance characteristics. Each mfr picks a point along the curve where they feel vehicle performance is still reasonable and relatively safe.

* Any added weight, even within the limit, decreases steering response, increases braking distance, and decreases acceleration. The plus side is usually a smoother ride.

* 1,200 lbs. is significantly over the load limit (by about 20%). My non-Ford engineer guess is that it will be OK, if you are aware of the effects above and drive accordingly. IOW, increase following distance, drive slower going down hill, and use engine braking if possible, to avoid overheating the brakes, take turns slower. You'll get a feel for it pretty quickly.

* It's not as if you're talking about carrying over double the load limit with the suspension on the bump stops.

EDIT to add: In addition to the total load, balance is important. Even a load equal to the factory specified limit might be dangerous if it is almost all in the rear cargo area -- so the rear end is sagging and the front is angled upward (steering and braking effected negatively). And of course any load carried on the roof is more of a concern than if it's carried lower.

Trucks and RVs are weighed to determine GVW, GAW, and balance left>right. Tire pressure is set according to the load on the heavy side of each axle. Needless to say, few people do that with passenger vehicles. It usually isn't necessary, but would not be a bad idea when there's a good chance the BS might be overloaded.

 

[Mark S.]

Each mfr picks a point along the curve where they feel vehicle performance is still reasonable and relatively safe.

The GVWR is the maximum weight at which the vehicle can pass all safety testing.

 

[Bronco4423]

Specs of the Badlands says that the max load weight it can carry (including occupants and cargo) is 824 lbs. Is that real? It is about the same limit of an small car! How can it be possible? I imagined it would have a load capacity of 1200lbs at least, considering the load capacity of similar size SUVs.
I was planning a holydays trip with my familiy but we are five, and together weight about 700 Lbs and we have about 200 lbs or more of luggage, and I wont to take my kayak (about 90lbs). Can´t I do it with the Badlands? I will break it? I had a BMW X1 and carried all this without problems. I imagined the Bronco Sport with more capacity than the X1. It looks more strong.

The specs on my ‘22 Badlands said 1095# load rating. So I too was surprised when the rating on my ‘25 Badlands was so much lower.

 

[MARTIN MAGULA]

Did you try carrying it with more weight than it says?

 

[wireman]

887 lbs. on my 2021 BL. Optioned with just about everything including an engine block heater.

 

[NMhunter]

Definitely up the tire pressure from the 33 psi that the Ford recommends. I've run my tires at 40 psi with no issues.

 

[sajohnson]

Definitely up the tire pressure from the 33 psi that the Ford recommends. I've run my tires at 40 psi with no issues.

Good advice.

I'm used to using "Load and Inflation Tables" from Michelin and other mfrs for RV tires.

I imagine there must be the same data for passenger car tires. That's ideal if you can find it. Otherwise you may under/over inflate your tires.

 

[RidingTheBronco]

I know you didn't ask.... but 2025 BS Outer Banks load is 916# on the sticker. I did not see towing capacity, but the Ford website said 2000# max. I'll try to stick to those limits. It would be a hellofa Costco shop that could exceed that. I do know 5 people who could exceed a total of 916# just as passengers.

 

[jkernitzki]

I know you didn't ask.... but 2025 BS Outer Banks load is 916# on the sticker. I did not see towing capacity, but the Ford website said 2000# max. I'll try to stick to those limits. It would be a hellofa Costco shop that could exceed that. I do know 5 people who could exceed a total of 916# just as passengers.

The ‘25’s with the 1.5 have a 2200 lb. tow rating. Though the notes specify Black Diamond or Sasquatch packages for that, there’s no mention of 2000 lb. limit otherwise.

Look out, Costco!

 

[sajohnson]

I know you didn't ask.... but 2025 BS Outer Banks load is 916# on the sticker. I did not see towing capacity, but the Ford website said 2000# max. I'll try to stick to those limits. It would be a hellofa Costco shop that could exceed that. I do know 5 people who could exceed a total of 916# just as passengers.

This is unlikely to be an issue with Costco runs, but max tow weight is spec'd at something less than full load (GVWR). I recall that coming up in another thread. It seemed potentially confusing/misleading but I can't recall the details.

There's some info here. It looks like tow ratings have increased to 2,200/2,700 (BS BL):
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.vdm.ford.com/content/dam/brand_ford/en_us/brand/towing/pdf/2025-Ford-RV-and-Trailer-Towing-Guide.pdf

https://www.nickmayerford.com/blogs/6922/2025-ford-bronco-sport-towing-cargo-faqs-in-shaker-heights#:~:text=Q: What is the towing,with weekend chores or getaways.

These are specs for 2021 and 2022:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North%20America/US/product/2021/bronco-sport/pdf/21MY-BroncoSport-Tech-Specs.pdf

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North%20America/US/product/2022/bronco-sport/2022-Bronco-Sport-Tech-Specs.pdf

EDIT: The PDF John linked to above looks like a better source of info. It's focused on just the 2025 BS.

 

[sajohnson]

From the PPDF linked to in #26:

• Combined weight of vehicle and trailer cannot exceed listed GCWR.
• Do not exceed the Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight listed.
• Bronco Sport calculated with SAE J2807® method.

So for our 2022 BL: 6,260 GCWR - 2,200 max tow weight = 4,060 lbs. GVW. The curb weight is 3,707 lbs. so with a 2,200 lb. trailer, that leaves just 353 pounds for passengers and cargo.

The tongue weight must be subtracted from that, so 353 - 220 lbs. = 133 pounds. I guess only my wife can drive.

We have an RV but we don't tow with it. We have a 'landscaping' trailer but have never had it fully loaded. So I'm not used to calculating weight limits when towing. The above may be incorrect (I hope it is) but if not, the max tow ratings seem unrealistically high.

FWIW, here's what Google says:

"The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands is 6,260 pounds. This means the combined weight of the vehicle and its trailer cannot exceed this amount. The Bronco Sport Badlands weighs 3,707 pounds, leaving 2,553 pounds for the driver, passengers, fuel, cargo, and trailer. The Ford website provides further details on towing."

Looks like I need to go on a serious diet...

 

[jkernitzki]

From the PPDF linked to in #26:

• Combined weight of vehicle and trailer cannot exceed listed GCWR.
• Do not exceed the Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight listed.
• Bronco Sport calculated with SAE J2807® method.

So for our 2022 BL: 6,260 GCWR - 2,200 max tow weight = 4,060 lbs. GVW. The curb weight is 3,707 lbs. so with a 2,200 lb. trailer, that leaves just 353 pounds for passengers and cargo.

The tongue weight must be subtracted from that, so 353 - 220 lbs. = 133 pounds. I guess only my wife can drive.

We have an RV but we don't tow with it. We have a 'landscaping' trailer but have never had it fully loaded. So I'm not used to calculating weight limits when towing. The above may be incorrect (I hope it is) but if not, the max tow ratings seem unrealistically high.

FWIW, here's what Google says:

"The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands is 6,260 pounds. This means the combined weight of the vehicle and its trailer cannot exceed this amount. The Bronco Sport Badlands weighs 3,707 pounds, leaving 2,553 pounds for the driver, passengers, fuel, cargo, and trailer. The Ford website provides further details on towing."

Looks like I need to go on a serious diet...

Just to drop another fly in the ointment, you have to account for the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front & rear. There’s a lot of load ratings that must be adhered to. A visit to a CAT scale would be illuminating.


A happy note is that the GVWR (usually) assumes full fluids, so fuel isn’t an added burden. There’s 96 pounds you’ve recovered!

 

[sajohnson]

Just to drop another fly in the ointment, you have to account for the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front & rear. There’s a lot of load ratings that must be adhered to. A visit to a CAT scale would be illuminating.


A happy note is that the GVWR (usually) assumes full fluids, so fuel isn’t an added burden. There’s 96 pounds you’ve recovered!

And a gnat -- left/right balance.

Load and inflation tables would be handy.

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