New Owners, New Questions!

[BabyBronco]

Hello everyone. My wife and I just picked up our new Badlands edition Bronco Sport yesterday. We're not new to the adventure world - we have a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that's very well outfitted for off-road and overlanding, and we have a 1999 Land Rover Defender 130. Having said that (not that we need another off-roader or overlander), I want to understand some things about this vehicle:

1. Why doesn't it come with a rear recovery hook that threads into the rear bumper/frame? I can't find it if it does... I've pulled out countless vehicles from snowbanks and their owners had no idea that they even had a screw-in hook, or what that little square in the bumper was for. Now here we are with a supposed off-road capable vehicle and Ford doesn't think that we'd ever have the need for a little recovery in the rear direction? Forwards is ok - we'll give you 2 hooks for that, just not backwards.

2. What is the little strap that's tucked inside the jack for?

3. I read in the manual that the load limit for the roof rack is 150lbs. I'm assuming that's dynamic load - what about static load? I ask because if I have a RTT that's 116lbs (currently on the Jeep), I want to know if I could put it on the Bronco for less extreme journeys and still have us sleeping up there. We'd be up slightly over 400lbs with tent, people and bedding etc.

4. What's up with the humming under the hood when the car isn't doing anything? Is it cooling fans for the headlights or something? That seems to be where it's coming from.

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[Jrl]

Hello everyone. My wife and I just picked up our new Badlands edition Bronco Sport yesterday. We're not new to the adventure world - we have a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that's very well outfitted for off-road and overlanding, and we have a 1999 Land Rover Defender 130. Having said that (not that we need another off-roader or overlander), I want to understand some things about this vehicle:

1. Why doesn't it come with a rear recovery hook that threads into the rear bumper/frame? I can't find it if it does... I've pulled out countless vehicles from snowbanks and their owners had no idea that they even had a screw-in hook, or what that little square in the bumper was for. Now here we are with a supposed off-road capable vehicle and Ford doesn't think that we'd ever have the need for a little recovery in the rear direction? Forwards is ok - we'll give you 2 hooks for that, just not backwards.

2. What is the little strap that's tucked inside the jack for?

3. I read in the manual that the load limit for the roof rack is 150lbs. I'm assuming that's dynamic load - what about static load? I ask because if I have a RTT that's 116lbs (currently on the Jeep), I want to know if I could put it on the Bronco for less extreme journeys and still have us sleeping up there. We'd be up slightly over 400lbs with tent, people and bedding etc.

4. What's up with the humming under the hood when the car isn't doing anything? Is it cooling fans for the headlights or something? That seems to be where it's coming from.

To the right of the plate is a 2x2 plastic door , the recovery is there.

 

[omahafordowner]

To the right of the plate is a 2x2 plastic door , the recovery is there.

the threaded socket is there, but I think he is asking for the actual hook. I guess you have to purchase one.
The static load of the roof is 600
I think the hum is the fans on the lights, yes.

 

[69cuda340s]

You can buy the rear tow hook from Ford. I do not believe any of the trims come with it:

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/rear-tow-hook.3105/

 

[BabyBronco]

To the right of the plate is a 2x2 plastic door , the recovery is there.

Thank you - I did know that. I was looking for the hook/eye that goes in there.

 

[BabyBronco]

the threaded socket is there, but I think he is asking for the actual hook. I guess you have to purchase one.
The static load of the roof is 600
I think the hum is the fans on the lights, yes.

Thank you for the answers. Where do you find the 600lbs reference for the static load?

 

[BabyBronco]

Still looking for what the little strap that is tucked into the jack is for... anybody have a clue on this?

 

[RSH]

The strap is used to secure your "flat tire" in the cargo area, its in the owners manual if you choose to read it.

 

[omahafordowner]

Thank you for the answers. Where do you find the 600lbs reference for the static load?

On the ford website. Go down past the explore interior blue button and there are sliding information elements. It is on one of those.

 

[BabyBronco]

On the ford website. Go down past the explore interior blue button and there are sliding information elements. It is on one of those.

Thanks. I've just been looking through the paper manual. Apparently it doesn't have all the information that the online version does.

 

[BabyBronco]

Rear recover Ford Part number 6M2Z-17A954-A
Got mine on Amazon

Ordered!

 

[Cabezone]

Ordered!

If you have the tow package another option is a hitch mounted shackle.

 

[BabyBronco]

If you have the tow package another option is a hitch mounted shackle.

Yeah, we didn't get the tow package because we have 2 other vehicles for that. I've use the shackle many times on my 4x4s. I'm super-conscious of recovery scenarios and what-ifs, and that's why on the first day of owning the Bronco I was searching for the recovery hook's location (didn't want to be a hypocrite not knowing where my own hook was) only to find out that there isn't one - which I was thoroughly disappointed about. I've recovered many daily-driver vehicles out of snow, and they all seem to have a hook included somewhere (usually to their owners' surprise). I even rescued a Porsche Cayman that had a hook included in the car. Come on Ford, smarten up! Aren't these vehicles expected to get into situations where they might need a pull? Clearly they are since they include 2 hooks on the front; just not one for the back. ?‍ I digress. I know they don't include one so that they can make extra money by making us go out and buy one separately.

 

[brockdog12]

The noise you hear from the front is cooling fans for the led headlights.

 

[13MikeH]

Yeah, we didn't get the tow package because we have 2 other vehicles for that. I've use the shackle many times on my 4x4s. I'm super-conscious of recovery scenarios and what-ifs, and that's why on the first day of owning the Bronco I was searching for the recovery hook's location (didn't want to be a hypocrite not knowing where my own hook was) only to find out that there isn't one - which I was thoroughly disappointed about. I've recovered many daily-driver vehicles out of snow, and they all seem to have a hook included somewhere (usually to their owners' surprise). I even rescued a Porsche Cayman that had a hook included in the car. Come on Ford, smarten up! Aren't these vehicles expected to get into situations where they might need a pull? Clearly they are since they include 2 hooks on the front; just not one for the back. ?‍ I digress. I know they don't include one so that they can make extra money by making us go out and buy one separately.

Simple answer...don't get stuck? it's a Bronco...it should be responsive enough to dig itself out. All kidding aside, interesting topic, knock on wood I hope to never need it. And you probably could have gotten it "free" through the dealer using Ford pass points. Just have to order through the service dept.

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