Adding hitch to Explorer (newbie)
#1
Adding hitch to Explorer (newbie)
Situation:
I will be renting a skiboat in a couple weeks and need to figure out towing. I don't know the exact weight of the trailer/boat, but it is an average 18-20' Sea Ray w/ ski tower. I don't need to haul very far, maybe 10 miles, then up and down the launch ramp.
Current Equiptment:
'98 XLT SOHC (4.0L V6) 4X4 Explorer
Ball on bumper (no receiver hitch), and factory (4 pin) wiring.
I have pulled small trailers on this before with no problems.... but never a boat.
Questions:
I assume I will need a 2" receiver hitch, correct me if I am wrong.
Will one of those $100 - 150 WalMart jobs do?
How easy are they to DIY install?
What about wiring? - I have never seen a 4pin trailer.... is this easy to replace, or do the 6 and 8 pins require adding brakes and a whole lot of other fancy stuff?
I tried a search first, so sorry if this has been covered and I missed it.
THANKS!
I will be renting a skiboat in a couple weeks and need to figure out towing. I don't know the exact weight of the trailer/boat, but it is an average 18-20' Sea Ray w/ ski tower. I don't need to haul very far, maybe 10 miles, then up and down the launch ramp.
Current Equiptment:
'98 XLT SOHC (4.0L V6) 4X4 Explorer
Ball on bumper (no receiver hitch), and factory (4 pin) wiring.
I have pulled small trailers on this before with no problems.... but never a boat.
Questions:
I assume I will need a 2" receiver hitch, correct me if I am wrong.
Will one of those $100 - 150 WalMart jobs do?
How easy are they to DIY install?
What about wiring? - I have never seen a 4pin trailer.... is this easy to replace, or do the 6 and 8 pins require adding brakes and a whole lot of other fancy stuff?
I tried a search first, so sorry if this has been covered and I missed it.
THANKS!
#2
A 2" receiver is an excellent idea; it's almost impossible to level a boat/trailer rig off of the bumper ball plus you eliminate the bumper stress. Some companies make round-tube receivers that look pretty good tucked up under an Explorer. Look for a receiver that requires no drilling for DIY.
If the trailer has surge brakes with an electric lock-out for reverse, you're gonna need to add a 5-pin connector so you can back up without applying the trailer brakes. If it has electric brakes (not near as common), you'll need a 7-pin connector with a controller.
Steve
If the trailer has surge brakes with an electric lock-out for reverse, you're gonna need to add a 5-pin connector so you can back up without applying the trailer brakes. If it has electric brakes (not near as common), you'll need a 7-pin connector with a controller.
Steve
#3
Thanks for the info.
I just picked up the Reese Towpower (Product No. 37042) from Walmart for $109. This particular hitch is MOSTLY bolt-on, but I do need a 1/2" bit - so hopefully it won't be too difficult or too much drilling. This is pretty much all I could find. As far as sizing...... the box doesn't say anything about an Explorer, but it says it will fit a Ranger. In my understanding they are the same truck, but a friend told me the bumper might be lower on the Explorer.
Anyone have any foreknowledge on fitting this particular hitch?
I just picked up the Reese Towpower (Product No. 37042) from Walmart for $109. This particular hitch is MOSTLY bolt-on, but I do need a 1/2" bit - so hopefully it won't be too difficult or too much drilling. This is pretty much all I could find. As far as sizing...... the box doesn't say anything about an Explorer, but it says it will fit a Ranger. In my understanding they are the same truck, but a friend told me the bumper might be lower on the Explorer.
Anyone have any foreknowledge on fitting this particular hitch?
#6
I installed a hitch last night. It was by Curt mfg. and I got it off ebay. The seller was good, but the hitch isn't. It is a custom no-drill model that claims 10 min. install..... but they didn't say that the quality controls in the factory suck. I had to drill a hole to get them all lined up because one of the brackets wasn't bent to the angle it needed to be - it was close. There may have been a slight bend in the crossmember of the frame too.... but I think it was primarily the hitch. The receiver isn't centered either.... it is off by about 1/4 - 1/2". I am sure it will work fine, but it looks shoddy. Lesson learned, but for $89 I can't complain too much.
#7
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