Towing A Bronco

[jimbo74]

I dont know if this has ever been posted or what not or if this is the right forum, but my friend has a 1966/74 bronco with 33s and may go to truckhaven 2002. some on here, have told me i can tow him with a towbar flat tow. i know i need correct lights[those mag mounts that plug into my trailer harness] .. i was wondering....

do i need to disconect his driveshaft? how long will it take to put on at thaven if disconect needed? do i need a device to lock the steering wheel in place? or will it track fine on its own?

 

[leebo]

You're going to tow a bronco with the Explorer. I hope it's a Bronco2 with VERY little weight.

You'll be fine on both fronts. Just make sure it's in 2wd and the front hubs are unlocked. You'll need to put the key in the ignation and turn it to ACC for it to steer, but it will be fine. I've towed a few different rigs with our Yukon and a tow bar, and they've all been fine. Hardest thing is stopping. Makes it harder to stop with something pushing you from behind.

Have you ever seen those towbars and how they worked? 7

 

[Dannyboy]

Dude, I would just make sure that your truck is tip top before you strap a couple thousand pounds to your back. Dont mean to sound like an @sshole, but the way you talk about your ex getting totalled, and not having the money to get it all fixed, combined with making sure brakes, tranny and all the other IMPORTANT SAFETY things are in store, it may be a better idea for this dude to drive his rig, or find his own tow vehicle. I'd hate to see you get hurt or killed pulling a sketchy move, and to me it seems like a bad idea.

 

[jimbo74]

it is an early bronco...a 66... the little broncos..... and my truck runs in tip top shape it just looks really bad....but it will all be fixed in like a month.....

 

[leebo]

Honestly Jim,

I'm with Danny. It maybe best for him to just drive it down. Tow bars work by hooking two chains up to the frame of the towed truck, then making them as tight as they can be against your hitch. There's a few other items involved, but that's mostly how the truck is towed. The biggest problem is that when braking there's no help for the Explorer. All the foward weight from the bronco is going to be pushing the Explorer forwards. Even with the Yukon and it's upgraded brakes, I had to start stopping several hundred feet before normal.

I think you maybe asking for trouble.

 

[jimbo74]

not worried about the brakes... i know that i will have to drive very differently than normal... and i just overhualed the front brakes.... lee, what are you talking about chains? i am talking about a towbar like this:

Dead Link Removed

i know i will need safety chains though...

 

[leebo]

They also make another design that is for short term. That one mounts to the bumper for life, or the chains hook to the frame for seldom use. Both use the same ideas. You can often rent the short term tow bars from Uhaul and such if he doesn't have one.

I personaly don't feel that the Explorer brakes are up to the challange, but it sounds like you've made up your mind to go for it. If you do, please, PLEASE hook it up and drive it around the neighborhood at slow speeds to see how it feels. Try some turns and brake often.

ps.. get ready to replace your brake pads once you get home.

 

[jimbo74]

i plan on replacing the pads in early january... also.. he doesnt have the towbar yet but the prvious owner did tow it and his custom front bumper has the part that the towbar with a clevis pin attaches too.... i will also need to get those magnetic lights... i saw a set for $30 at U-Hual...