Towing capacity for Base model without factory install towing package?

[Davexxxx]

There are campers that motorcycles can tow, so there are certainly campers, that even a base BS can tow.

The BL that we bought, did not come with the tow package, which bothered my wife but even if it had, 2200lbs. isn't much.

If something happened to me and she wanted to tow, she'd have my truck, or could rent a truck.

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[Emerald]

I too am bothered after learning about the factory install tow pkg and the mystery behind the trans cooler. Without the transcooler tow weight is 1500 and with is 2000. Ford stands behind 2000. That only makes sense factory installs were done with & without transcooler. Bespoke 'ish. The exception being the BL transcooler installed with and without the tow pkg.

 

[sajohnson]

I too am bothered after learning about the factory install tow pkg and the mystery behind the trans cooler. Without the transcooler tow weight is 1500 and with is 2000. Ford stands behind 2000. That only makes sense factory installs were done with & without transcooler. Bespoke 'ish. The exception being the BL transcooler installed with and without the tow pkg.

* Good info here, see oil/ATF cooler info post #33:
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/factory-tow-hitch-install-after-purchase-any-one.10158/page-3

* Also this tech specs PDF:
https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North America/US/product/2022/bronco-sport/2022-Bronco-Sport-Tech-Specs.pdf
For Badlands only:
"8-speed automatic SelectShift ® with oil cooler and Manual shift ing mode with paddle shifters."

* "Adding Tow Hitch":
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/adding-tow-hitch.1745/

I hope some of that helps.

 

[sajohnson]

I too am bothered after learning about the factory install tow pkg and the mystery behind the trans cooler. Without the transcooler tow weight is 1500 and with is 2000. Ford stands behind 2000. That only makes sense factory installs were done with & without transcooler. Bespoke 'ish. The exception being the BL transcooler installed with and without the tow pkg.

I admit to not being 100% clear on this myself. Out of curiosity, I just re-read some posts, poked around on Google, and looked at some Ford docs.

Everything I found said there was no ATF cooler included with the factory tow package (or did not mention one). This is from that post #33 I linked to above:

Contrary to what I've read, it's possible that the above parts listing indicates that an ATF cooler *is* part of the factory tow package.

However, I noticed that both coolers are described as "AUXILIARY" (in upper case) as if they are a dealer add-on.

I've seen plenty of lists of what is included in the BS factory tow package, and none mentioned an ATF cooler.

From Google:

"The Ford Bronco Sport Badlands factory tow package includes a trailer hitch receiver, a four-pin trailer wiring harness, front tow hooks, and trailer sway control. It also includes lane keeping alert."

"The package is optional on the Bronco Sport Badlands, Big Bend, Free Wheeling, and Outer Banks trim levels
It comes standard on the Bronco Sport Heritage model."

[Searching for Bronco Sport (w/o Badlands) just deletes front tow hooks in the result]

"The extra transmission cooler is typically only added to Bronco Sports equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, as this engine is designed for higher towing capacity."

Of course Google is far from the last word, but the Ford literature I read also did not mention an ATF cooler being part of the tow package.

Regardless, anyone who is planning to be towing at/near the GCWR, on steep grades, and/or close to the max frontal area spec might consider the trans oil cooler above.

 

[Emerald]

This is taken from the :
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Packaging Guide - Dealer 6452
Showing "oil engine cooler" under the Base model specs (note the website is clunky)
https://manuals.plus/m/d3be50d615d690ec4189e4d291af5c3a3307db12dff00f2855337de5c344af76

 

[sajohnson]

This is taken from the :
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Packaging Guide - Dealer 6452
Showing "oil engine cooler" under the Base model specs (note the website is clunky)
https://manuals.plus/m/d3be50d615d690ec4189e4d291af5c3a3307db12dff00f2855337de5c344af76

I'm not sure if that's correct, but I'm certainly not the ultimate authority on the Bronco Sport -- or anything else for that matter.

I see what you mean about the webpage -- very strange. That said, the brochure page copied at the top says, "2021 Ford Bronco Sport Packaging Guide."

Hmm...

When I searched with Google, all that came up was dealers selling a Ford aux./add-on engine oil cooler.

I think there is some confusion because Ford refers to:

"8-speed automatic SelectShift ® with oil cooler and Manual shifting mode with paddle shifters" (Badlands only).
https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North America/US/product/2022/bronco-sport/2022-Bronco-Sport-Tech-Specs.pdf

One example (Google AI):

Yes, the Ford Bronco Sport has an engine oil cooler from the factory on some models. The oil cooler is available on the 8-speed automatic SelectShift® transmission."

Using "ATF (auto trans fluid) cooler" would make it clear.

That's a pretty comprehensive 'tech spec' sheet. "Cooler" is only mentioned that one time. Of course that does not mean there is no engine oil cooler, but it seems like it would be included.

Of course in my previous posts I was referring to ATF coolers. That's typically the primary concern when towing -- but if the BS does have a factory engine oil cooler that helps.

Also, your intended use sounds pretty moderate. I don't want to tell you that an ATF cooler is not necessary and then your transmission melts down, but 'my friend' thinks you'll be OK.

 

[Davexxxx]

I wonder what the same question would be on a BL?

Ours didn't come with the tow package but I know the hitch and wiring can be added.

 

[kshaw]

These posts are timely. I have been asked if can tow an aluminum trailer with up to 12 kayaks. I have the Bronco Sport and an Escape Hybrid, both rated at 1500 towing capacity. I think that either vehicle could tow the trailer but I have not weighed the trailer and kayaks to make sure.

 

[sajohnson]

These posts are timely. I have been asked if can tow an aluminum trailer with up to 12 kayaks. I have the Bronco Sport and an Escape Hybrid, both rated at 1500 towing capacity. I think that either vehicle could tow the trailer but I have not weighed the trailer and kayaks to make sure.

The scale is your friend, for sure.

That said...

We have an all-steel 5x8 'landscaping' trailer. It weighs 400 lbs. (2,000 lb. GVWR). An aluminum trailer large enough for 12 kayaks probably wouldn't weigh much more than that.

Just guessing, but a kayak probably doesn't weigh more than (say) 70 lbs., or 840 lbs. (or less) for 12 of them.

It's always a good idea to use a scale, but that sounds doable.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

These posts are timely. I have been asked if can tow an aluminum trailer with up to 12 kayaks. I have the Bronco Sport and an Escape Hybrid, both rated at 1500 towing capacity. I think that either vehicle could tow the trailer but I have not weighed the trailer and kayaks to make sure.

I agree with @sajohnson, it should not be an issue based on what you are saying.

 

[Emerald]

It is my understanding the 2.0 BL trans cooler is standard equipment installed by the factory. The tow package is the option.

 

[sajohnson]

It is my understanding the 2.0 BL trans cooler is standard equipment installed by the factory. The tow package is the option.

That's correct -- it's how we ordered ours, BS BL + tow package.

What I'm not 100% clear on is whether the other models (that do not come with an ATF cooler standard) get an ATF cooler with the tow package. Generally speaking, that's fairly common.

 

[SLJ]

Way back when I bought my '21 Sport OB no one could tell me if the trans coolers were the same in both the non tow package and the tow package. With the help of the local parts guy and the rep we found that by looking at VIN numbers the tow package had a different trans cooler than the standard build even though nothing was listed in the advertising. Those posts above showing the two trans coolers were mine from when we finally figured it out.

 

[sajohnson]

Way back when I bought my '21 Sport OB no one could tell me if the trans coolers were the same in both the non tow package and the tow package. With the help of the local parts guy and the rep we found that by looking at VIN numbers the tow package had a different trans cooler than the standard build even though nothing was listed in the advertising. Those posts above showing the two trans coolers were mine from when we finally figured it out.

I wish I knew how to use our VIN to check. Any idea?

If not, I'm going to change the oil in a couple months so I'll have a look around then.

In our situation it's not very important because we aren't doing much towing, and when we do it's local and below the GCWR. I'm just curious.

My guess is, as others have said, that the tow package for the Badlands does not include an ATF cooler since all Badlands have one as standard equipment.

 

[Dude]

I wish I knew how to use our VIN to check. Any idea?

If not, I'm going to change the oil in a couple months so I'll have a look around then.

In our situation it's not very important because we aren't doing much towing, and when we do it's local and below the GCWR. I'm just curious.

My guess is, as others have said, that the tow package for the Badlands does not include an ATF cooler since all Badlands have one as standard equipment.

Several people purchased the repair manual perhaps they will lend it to you (on dvds) and you could look up what comes with towing package and what is standard (for both the 1.5L and 2L models)

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