Any way to chop the top, need to fit quad

[dbc112]

Hello all! 1st post.

I have a stock 2004 explorer V6. I recently purchased a quad... Now, I have to say, I hat towing any type of trailer and would love to fit this badboy into the back cargo area. The problem is, the clearance isnt enough.

That said, any way to extend the top say 6 inches? Any kits? Doubtful.

Part of me wants to take a saw and just chop it, BUT. The wife needs to drive this car daily. So anything like a truck camper type.. Think of it this way, the nissan extera has a larger top, or the land rover LR3 has an "extension to the top.

Anyone ever heard of something like this? Am I crazy?

 

[410Fortune]

you are nuts, a simple 5x8 ATV trailer is like $300 or sell this sucker and get a truck

Now with that said I have seen worse thanks to the intraweb

 

[Turdle]

You might find a roof extender here?

http://www.v-sales.com/lcm_pictures.htm

 

[kert0307]

x2 on the trailer... What don't you like about them, backing up?

 

[dbc112]

I just hate going 65 mph with my trailer.. Plus its more than $300... I already have a trailer.. Just hate strapping that bad boy down and driving 4 hours with it hitched to the sh!tty stock hitch.

BTW, I expected those photos!!!! great!


The link to the conversion is exactly what I am looking for, problem is the rear gate is still stock. I may be able to get it in on an angle etc.

Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

I do 85 with my trailers, no issues but I know I am not supossed to
sell it and get a sport trac? how about a truck?

Loading the ATV into the back of the pickup takes more time then putting it on the trailer, the trailer tilts the bed of the truck requires the ramp and straps then to drive it up there = I do it alot with ATV and sleds, I would rather use a trailer all day long... but hey thats me

Anything is possible, but yes even asking your wife if you can chop the back off her 04 Explorer is risking your life = you're nuts!

 

[dbc112]

I do 85 with my trailers, no issues but I know I am not supossed to
sell it and get a sport trac? how about a truck?

Loading the ATV into the back of the pickup takes more time then putting it on the trailer, the trailer tilts the bed of the truck requires the ramp and straps then to drive it up there = I do it alot with ATV and sleds, I would rather use a trailer all day long... but hey thats me

Anything is possible, but yes even asking your wife if you can chop the back off her 04 Explorer is risking your life = you're nuts!

BTW, this forum is great...

My trailer has 12 inch tires, so I know 65 is the limit. I guess it takes getting used to. The bed dosent tilt (cheap harbor freight model). Maybe it is time to sell my trailer and get a real one with 14 inch tires etc.

Any issues with the stock hitch (class II)?

 

[Dannyboy]

no issues at all with a stock hitch. I'd rather have a tire blowout of a trailer than have a 500lbs quad 6" from my head when my truck goes sliding off the freeway with no roof to support any type of a rollover.

 

[eXcali]

I agree with the previous posters. Any cutting of your roof will equal months of "find the leak" not to mention it turns your resale value of the explorer into $0. I also know your insurance company will never clear you for full coverage with such a mod.
Then you run into having an additional permanent drag added to your brickxplorer. A good trailer will fix all of your worries, if you don't haul but a couple of times a year pickup one of those cheapo $10 a day uhaul trailers. Your bumper mounted hitch should be good for up to 2,500lbs.

I've also loaded atvs and snowmobiles into pickup beds and it's a pain in the butt. I've seen those ramps slide off while loading and make a big mess as well. Get a tilt trailer and have fun.

 

[feetwet]

Let a bunch of air out of your quad tires... might give you a few inches? Or just us the dang trailer.

 

[kert0307]

Just thinking out of the box, but what if you unbolt the coilovers on the a-arms and put it in with the suspension bottomed out?

 

[410Fortune]

you can use ratchet straps for that no need to unbolt the coilovers

 

[dbc112]

All good points.. I could unbolt the shocks and also lower the handlebars.. a 4 hour trip isnt worth it, but if I head to West Virginia (10 hours at least) then yes, great idea. Maybe even remove the tires, but picking up 500lbs isnt easy.

 

[X6StringerX]

What type of quad? I can't see a utility fourwheeler fitting, but a sport quad might be able to fit if you do a combination of lowering tire pressure, bottoming out the suspension, and turning the handlebars down. I'd be way too worried about wrecking the interior if it was me though.

What part of WV?

 

[patrick112390]

as previous posted about a uhaul trailer- they WILL NOT rent to explorer owners for a FACT. i am in the process of renting one, the guy was like "good thing you have a mountaineer, if it was an explorer we couldnt rent to you"... haha i wasnt going to go into how they are the same thing .... because i want my rental! lol

 

[Rofocowboy84]

I want to go to a Uhaul and try to rent a trailer, just to ***** them out when they say I can't.....

And also, trying to mod the back of the X would be a whole lot more hassle than it's worth. Just get a trailer that can go above 65, or just go 65 with the trailer you have...

 

[Mxrider99]

people are gunna call me an idiot, But i had a 4k pound race car behind my explorer on the stock class 2 hitch.=on a flatbed race trailer...

It towed just fine at 60. Just make sure you have PLENTY of room to stop.... and dont drive like its a race car with it.



I guess it helps ALOT that it was a dual axle trailer and the car was centered perfectly in the middle of the axles...

 

[dbc112]

To start, I am not worried about the interior of the explorer. I got a screaming deal on an 04 with 65k miles.. Paid $6k. It is a long story, but I got it at wholesale prices and the best part... My old man drove it! So I know it was babied.


The quad is the honda 700xx, its a sport quad with IRS. I need to shave off approx 7 inches to fit, so tire pressure, suspension and handlebars sound like a plan.

 

[Rofocowboy84]

To start, I am not worried about the interior of the explorer. I got a screaming deal on an 04 with 65k miles.. Paid $6k. It is a long story, but I got it at wholesale prices and the best part... My old man drove it! So I know it was babied.


The quad is the honda 700xx, its a sport quad with IRS. I need to shave off approx 7 inches to fit, so tire pressure, suspension and handlebars sound like a plan.

I just realized you live like 2 miles from me.....let me know when you're going to try this, I'll come watch, lol. Also, what package is the truck, XLS, XLT, EB, Limited? If you're not worried about the interior, and it's an EB or Limited with the nice seats, I'll trade you before you F them up.....

 

[dbc112]

I just realized you live like 2 miles from me.....let me know when you're going to try this, I'll come watch, lol. Also, what package is the truck, XLS, XLT, EB, Limited? If you're not worried about the interior, and it's an EB or Limited with the nice seats, I'll trade you before you F them up.....

Awesome.. I am not sure when I will actually move forward. I need the go ahead from the wifey for a long trip...

To be honest I have no clue what model (I know its a shame)... It has leather.. and a sh!tty stereo.


Anyway with the seats down I should be ok on the interior.... But, if I do a long trip, I may remove the seats completely and would be sure to cover the interior with movers blankets etc. If fact, I havent even checked the width on the wheel well. The bike is 48 inches across.. so it may not even work.

If it dosent work, then I will rent a good size trailer off ridge across from Ace. I think its only $200 for the week, but where is the fun in that?

Also, what size hitch are you running? I was thinking about upgrading to class III. On etrailer they have a model with a plate that covers the stock hitch. Not as ghetto as others.