Anyone towing a Bronco with View/Navion?

SeeTheUSA · 09-16-2023, 10:02 AM

It may be time to replace our current toad, would like to consider a two-door Bronco. Is there anyone already doing so now? Any tips, advice, cautions?

Thanks in advance!

Scotty B · 09-16-2023, 01:36 PM

Not your rig, but no dramas at all...we use a Blue Ox and Patriot breaking system. Be prepared for heaps of folks checking your set up out and wanting to talk to you about it. Not sure if you have anything specific you want to ask, but feel free to do so. Couple pics including one on the Lake Champlain ferry...

SeeTheUSA · 09-16-2023, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty B

Not your rig, but no dramas at all...we use a Blue Ox and Patriot breaking system. Be prepared for heaps of folks checking your set up out and wanting to talk to you about it. Not sure if you have anything specific you want to ask, but feel free to do so. Couple pics including one on the Lake Champlain ferry...

Thanks y’all! Nice setup. My interest is in whether a View/Navion is up to the task. The 2 door Bronco curb weight fits in the GVWR/GCWR specifications, barely, so I’m wondering how the Mercedes diesel performs that task. We travel mostly out west, so mountain passes are normally in the routes we take.

Scotty B · 09-16-2023, 02:55 PM

No idea...however, both of our vehicles have a 5K max tow weight. My 4 door comes in around 4.7K, the two door 4.3K. We spent fall, winter, and summer out west climbing to 8,600 feet in Angelfire, NM on to Durango. Also up 5 across the CA/OR border - a beast! And over to the Oregon coast and back up to Glacier through CDA. We just go slow...we have too! I wish my rig had better engine breaking - for me easier going up than down. Maybe your diesel will be better?
Don't see a lot of Broncos in parks, maybe 1/2 a dozen over 14 months of straight adventuring. Tons of Jeeps, would think the weight would be similar?
Regardless, my wife says people ask for opinions when they already know what they're going to do.
Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide. Am so happy I picked the Bronco and Was able to find one.
Safe travels!

Fanrgs · 09-27-2023, 04:38 PM

The View-Navion twins have a 5,000# hitch, but they can only tow a max. weight of 4,200#. And that is GVWR of the toad, not the curb weight. So, that Bronco far exceeds the GCWR for the Sprinter-based motohomes. Plus you have to add the weight of the tow bar and brake system to the toad weight.

bigb · 09-27-2023, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fanrgs

The View-Navion twins have a 5,000# hitch, but they can only tow a max. weight of 4,200#. And that is GVWR of the toad, not the curb weight. So, that Bronco far exceeds the GCWR for the Sprinter-based motohomes. Plus you have to add the weight of the tow bar and brake system to the toad weight.

True, the GCVWR of the Sprinter 3500 chassis is 15,250 and if the View/Navion is fully loaded to it's allowable 11,030 that only leaves 4,220 for a toad and hitch. If you can keep the weight of the motorhome under the 11,030 then you can add that weight to the allowable toad weight but with payload being pretty meager on these rigs that's not easily done.
Bottom line is you cannot weigh more than 15,250 lbs total no matter how you distribute it.

SeeTheUSA · 09-27-2023, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb

True, the GCVWR of the Sprinter 3500 chassis is 15,250 and if the View/Navion is fully loaded to it's allowable 11,030 that only leaves 4,220 for a toad and hitch. If you can keep the weight of the motorhome under the 11,030 then you can add that weight to the allowable toad weight but with payload being pretty meager on these rigs that s not easily done.
Bottom line is you cannot weigh more than 15,250 lbs total no matter how you distribute it.

Thanks Brian … you unfuzzed the math!

I should also say, unrelated to your response Brian, I don’t already know what I’m going to do, hence the questions. Seems logical.

bigb · 09-27-2023, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeTheUSA

Thanks Brian … you unfuzzed the math!

I should also say, unrelated to your response Brian, I don’t already know what I’m going to do, hence the questions. Seems logical.

We chose a Jeep TJ for their relatively light weight...3,600. Lots of folks towing Jeeps with Sprinter chassis motorhomes. Still, it's heavy and I can really feel it on the grades. We have decided when we come to long steep grades we will disconnect and the wife will follow in the Jeep. We considered a Fiat 500 which I still think would make a great toad but not as fun or versatile as a Jeep.