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Four wheels down behind a motorhome
Can you flat tow a Ford Bronco?
Ford allows the 2026 Ford Bronco to be towed four wheels down — as long as you follow the steps below.
- Transfer case in neutral tow
- Run the engine every 6 h
From Ford's 2026 towing guide, p. 48 ↗
Photo: Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kin…, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsStep by step
How to flat tow the Bronco
Bronco, all versions — automatic
- 1
Shift the transfer case to neutral tow
Place the transfer case in the neutral tow position to engage the four-wheel-down towing feature – refer to Owner's Manual to follow additional steps.
- 2
Run the engine every 6 hours
Start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes at the beginning of each day and every six (6) hours or fewer, thereafter. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into drive (D) and then into reverse (R) before shifting back into neutral (N).
- 3
Give it its own brakes
“Ford Motor Company recommends that a separate functional brake system be used on any towed vehicle, including those dolly-towed or towbar-towed.” p. 3 ↗
Steps from Ford's guide, p. 48 ↗. Your owner's manual has the full procedure.
Bronco, all versions — manual
- 1
Shift the transfer case to neutral tow
Place the transfer case in the neutral tow position to engage the four-wheel-down towing feature – refer to Owner's Manual to follow additional steps.
- 2
Give it its own brakes
“Ford Motor Company recommends that a separate functional brake system be used on any towed vehicle, including those dolly-towed or towbar-towed.” p. 3 ↗
Steps from Ford's guide, p. 48 ↗. Your owner's manual has the full procedure.
Every version
2026 Bronco: by version
| Version | Automatic | Manual | Transfer case | Run engine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All versions | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | In neutral tow | Every 6 h | p. 48 ↗ |
Every version
2025 Bronco: by version
| Version | Automatic | Manual | Transfer case | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All versions | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | In neutral tow | p. 48 ↗ |
What you'll need
A flat-tow setup, piece by piece
1. Base plate
Vehicle-specific brackets bolted behind the front bumper — the tow bar connects here. Look it up by year and model.
2. Tow bar
Connects the motorhome's hitch to the base plate. Tow bars carry a weight rating — check it against your vehicle.
3. Safety cables
Back up the tow bar if it ever disconnects.
4. Supplemental braking
A brake system in the towed vehicle so it helps stop itself.
5. Breakaway switch
Applies the towed vehicle's brakes if it separates from the motorhome.
6. Lights / wiring
Carries the motorhome's brake, turn and tail lights to the towed vehicle.
Find the base plate for your exact year and model: Roadmaster FitMaster ↗ · Demco base plates ↗ · Blue Ox ↗. This list is general flat-towing practice, not from Ford's guide — except the brakes, which Ford recommends.
In the maker's words
Before you tow
- “For safe operation, towed vehicles (or dollies or trailers carrying them) should be equipped with a separate functional brake system.”
- “Some aftermarket camper centers offer kits which may allow vehicles with automatic transmissions to be flat-towed. … Check your new vehicle Warranty Guide, as this could void the warranty of your vehicle.”
- “Individual vehicles have different restrictions and towing procedures. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual or contact your Ford dealer for complete details.”
Other options
Similar vehicles you can flat tow
Questions people ask
Can you flat tow a 2026 Ford Bronco?
Yes. Ford allows the 2026 Ford Bronco to be towed four wheels down — as long as you follow the steps below.
Do you have to start the Bronco's engine while flat towing?
Start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes at the beginning of each day and every six (6) hours or fewer, thereafter. With the engine running and your foot on the brake, shift into drive (D) and then into reverse (R) before shifting back into neutral (N).
Does flat towing void the warranty?
Some aftermarket camper centers offer kits which may allow vehicles with automatic transmissions to be flat-towed. … Check your new vehicle Warranty Guide, as this could void the warranty of your vehicle.
Source: 2026 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide (Ford Motor Company, v1 (PDF modified 2026-03-25); retrieved 2026-09-27). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
Source: 2025 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide (Ford Motor Company, v5 (PDF modified 2026-05-20); retrieved 2026-09-27). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.