07 Explorer Sport Trac towing question
 

I have an '07 Explorer Sport Trac V6 that came with the integrated Class II hitch that is rated up to 3500lbs for towing. I want to upgrade to a Class III/IV hitch to be rated up to 5240lbs for towing. The owners manual lists this as an available option - but no where I've looked online or at shops can I find a Class III/IV hitch available for this vehicle. I've received conflicting information from various Ford and non-Ford vendors about this.

Any help/advice on this?

Thanks!

John

Welcome to FTE John!:-X22

I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you. To replace your hitch with the Class III, you'll have to buy the hitch from Ford because they are the only source for it. Additionally, you'll need to have them install it because it requires cutting the old hitch off and welding this one back in its place.

On the Explorer Sport Tracs from 2006.5 - 2010, the hitch is integrated into the frame to complete it as the rearmost cross member, so to speak. I hope you're sitting down because the price on this bad boy is $1040.70. It can be had for a little less here:www.partsguyed.com

Just doing a little searching on the net shows that it's generally about $350 in labor to remove the Class II and install the Class III.

why do they do that? It makes no sense. If I'm going to tow the 3,500 max rating for that hitch, I'm going to want a WD hitch. You can't do that with a 1.25" receiver. it's dumb. Why can't they have that cross section rivoted like our spring perches so you can at least drill them out and bolt in a new class 3?

When you look at the Ford parts catalog illustration it almost looks like it bolts to the end of the main framerails. It even lists the bolts for it. But it is pretty vague. Are we sure it needs to be cut and welded?