Class III hitch?

[ramblinwreck]

I have the crummy little class II hitch and would like to add a class III. However, can't stand the look of the aftermarket hitches that have to mount underneath the factory class II. Has anyone actually had the dealer cut/grind off the class II and replace it with the factory class III? I've looked underneath and it appears to be possible but I'm not sure. Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I don't see why you couldn't order a factory hitch from a V8 or optioned up Ex, and unbolt the Class II and bolt up the Class III. I would ask the dealer maybe? Then order one online or find one on eBay or something.

 

[ramblinwreck]

I don't see why you couldn't order a factory hitch from a V8 or optioned up Ex, and unbolt the Class II and bolt up the Class III. I would ask the dealer maybe? Then order one online or find one on eBay or something.

I wish it was this simple. Some genius at Ford decided it would be better to weld the trailer hitches on and make them an integral part of the unibody. So unlike every other vehicle I've owned it's impossible to just unbolt the class II and bolt the class III on. Not to mention every hitch you can find online specifically states that it bolts directly under the factory class II so that's why I would have to get the class III from Ford. Thanks for the input though and I wish you were correct......it would sure save me some hassle (probably money too!!)

 

[Joe Dirt]

Wow- it really is welded on?!?! Man that sucks. I hated that little class II hitch on my 2003 even though it was rated to tow more than the truck would handle- I thought it looked silly on there. will you grind it off then? Man, what a pain- good idea Ford. Even bolted on hitches become an integral part of the frame when installed correctly... Jeez.

 

[ramblinwreck]

Wow- it really is welded on?!?! Man that sucks. I hated that little class II hitch on my 2003 even though it was rated to tow more than the truck would handle- I thought it looked silly on there. will you grind it off then? Man, what a pain- good idea Ford. Even bolted on hitches become an integral part of the frame when installed correctly... Jeez.

No kidding! Being the optimistic idiot I am I didn't even think about finding this out until after I purchased it. I just assumed I could order a class III hitch and put it on myself like I have with other vehicles. But (like my wife always tells me) I was wrong.

 

[mfont]

Class 2 vs class 3/4 hitches

Depending on your engine, you may need to consider the axle ratio if you plan to tow heavy loads. For the 4.0L V6 the ratio is 3.55 for class 2 but the factory ratio is 3.73 if you had ordered a class 3 hitch. Wrong ratio when combined with heavy loads could damage your trans.

 

[ramblinwreck]

Depending on your engine, you may need to consider the axle ratio if you plan to tow heavy loads. For the 4.0L V6 the ratio is 3.55 for class 2 but the factory ratio is 3.73 if you had ordered a class 3 hitch. Wrong ratio when combined with heavy loads could damage your trans.

I have the V8 so I assume it's the 3.55 ratio. To be honest I will probably never pull anything more than a small utility trailer and that's just because I'm too picky with my interior being in good shape to put something like a Christmas tree in there.

 

[RJ]

Depending on your engine, you may need to consider the axle ratio if you plan to tow heavy loads. For the 4.0L V6 the ratio is 3.55 for class 2 but the factory ratio is 3.73 if you had ordered a class 3 hitch. Wrong ratio when combined with heavy loads could damage your trans.

Although this is the theory, I doubt the difference is great enough to place any real strain on the transmission. (3.73-3.55)/3.73 = 4.83% difference in overall ratio.

I bet the safety factor of the gear sets and torque converter are much higher than this. Besides, once you get going and are moving along at a constant speed, the converter is locked and the difference is negligible.

 

[blighty]

Does anyone know if the '06 V8 needs an additional transmission oil cooler for towing over 3500 lbs if it doesn't have the factory Class III/IV tow package?

I've spoken to several dealerships and called Ford but nobody can give me definate/consistant answer... including Ford!! When they run my vehicle VIN it's showing that it has a factory installed Transmission Oil Cooler, but is this standard on all explorers or maybe V8s? What I want to do is compare the part number of the cooler I have installed to the part number of the cooler in the factory tow package, but again, Ford can't do this.

Any insight would be appreciated.... I'm heading down to the dealership this afternoon, so I'll bug the parts guy in person and see if I can get a little more clarification.

 

[jrford]

It used to be that the trans was cooled by the Radiator. On my '04 or earlier they did away with that method and gave the trans its own separate cooler. I think they are the same.

By chance do you have any pics? Next time I’ll see one Ill take a look. . . .
As an option I have seen the Class II with a Class III below it, didn’t bad. Also it gives you an option of putting Bike rack and still being able to tow using both hitches.

With my ’04 - the class III was a direct bolt on but I still have the 3.55’s. To really tow something near the 6k lbs limit, the 3.73 add about 200-300 rpm per gear. A transmission guy once told me that the clutches will be tighten by the increase in RPMs enough to prevent slippage with the heavy loads. I would still think you can tow without 3.73s but I wouldn’t do it often and if so turn off the OD.
Jim.

 

[dotray]

Factory Hitch

I am new to this forum and I appreciate the advice. I looked at a V-6 2007 Eddie Bauer today and I would have made an offer if it wasn't for the receiver being so small AND welded on and a 4 pin plug. The vehicle comes with a factory tow package but yet it has this little receiver. I don't get it. Would that little receiver be a class II? I could research it but doesn't the vehicle tow 3500 lbs? What does a tow package give you?

I currently have a 95 Explorer with a 2" receiver and tow a small pop-up tent trailer. If I were to buy this EB it sounds like my only fix is to buy a mounted hitch system that goes under the existing one and changing the wiring to 7 prong?

Ray

 

[Essex4x4]

EckHart

I was told by my local hitch installer Eckhart that they could remove my bumper cut the old hitch off, weld an new class III/IV hitch on and reinstall my bumper for about $720. don't know if this is a good price, but i don't intend on finding out, i had him just weld the class III/IV under the old II hitch so now i have two, i use the II for my hitch mounted tail light so it doesn't look bad