2006 Explorer Tow Hitch

[dothedeww]

Alright, Ive got the 06 Explorer...with the wimpy V6...and the 1.25 inch hitch. Of course...its welded on. I want to get rid of it and put on a 2" reciever.

First....how do I cut the weld?

Second...Do they make bolt on 2" hitches for my 06?

Third...the little rectangle connector I have...is there an adapter to make it the "round one" (excuse my terminology). Or can I just buy the round one...and wire it on? Does it use the same wires?


Thanks!

 

[gijoecam]

To replace the OEM hitch with another OEM hitch requires cutting the back portion of the frame off and installing a replacement frame member with the 2" hitch on it... No small task, to say the least.

They do make bolt-on 2" hitches that will ride below the 1-1/4" hitch. You may sacrafice a bit of ground clearance, but you can make up for that with the apropriate rise/drop drawbar. Plus, if you ever want to use the hitch and a bike rack at the same time, you can.

For the connector, if you need a 7-pin for the trailer brakes, you're hauling too much trailer for the vehicle to start with. Any trailer large enough to require brakes is going to be beyond the capacity of the truck. They do make 4-pin to 7-pin adapters if you're looking to simply not replace the wiring on one end or the other, but you will not have functioning trailer brakes.

-Joe

 

[jrford]

as gijoecam say the second hitch would be the cheapest route, imo dosn't look bad at all.
If you still want to replace what you got, you might check with a body shop they should have the tools and welder, but thats just a guess. I imagine what they would do is grind off the old hitch and not cut the frame. Then its a matter of re-welding the new one on, not cheap. You have to figure there is a way to do it, otherwise what happens when you rearended enough to bend the hitch but not total the truck.

For the wire if you can find the 7pin harness or buy it, the connector is there to plug it in under the taillight. Besides the brake circuit another thing it adds is a 12v feed to charge the battery in the camper. . .

 

[gijoecam]

Actually, they cut off the back horns of the frame, and the replacement slides up inside the frame rails and bolts in place. It's not a small unit. Anyone could do it in their garage with a die grinder and hand tools, but it's not really worth the effort. The bolt-on is WAY less work...

 

[dothedeww]

aiight. Looks like that project may have to wait. I really need ground clearance...and Im not too desperate for the 2" hitch. Thanks for all teh responses!

 

[justchecking]

I cut the hitch out (just the receiver) and welded in a 2". I know it says "Do Not Weld, Cut, Drill, Or Modify This Hitch", but what the heck, it was free, just my time, and I can weld.

My camper (3200 lbs gross weight) has trailer brakes, and my boat (3000 lbs) and utility trailer (3700 lbs gross weight) do not. I like the camper because you can feel it trying to help slow down in an emergency stop. The boat and utility trailer seem to be pushing. A deer ran out in front of me when I was towing the boat and my first thought was "I am going to hit this deer because I don't have trailer brakes on this thing!". The deer must have realized that too because he jumped out of the way...

 

[jrford]

you did this on an '02, thats a bolt on for the 50-70 bucks - imho i'd keep an eye out for a classIII . . .. structurally the class III is much thicker in the cross bar area and around where that hitch receiver is welded into place, weight is about twice.

 

[GreenMando]

I cut the hitch out (just the receiver) and welded in a 2". I know it says "Do Not Weld, Cut, Drill, Or Modify This Hitch", but what the heck, it was free, just my time, and I can weld. ...

The problem with doing this is that it removes liability from Ford and puts it in your pocket. If a accident occurs - say the hitch breaks and the trailer kills a driver of a different car. A good lawyer will attack your welding skills and if you are certified.

I know we are all trying to make the trucks we have do more, but the 1 1/4" hitch is there to keep some trucks within their physical limits as a class 2 hitch.