Frame Mounted Trailer Hitches

[MountaineerGreen]

Since the factory bumpers on Explorers is inherently weak, often and easily bent by overloading, a trailer hitch is vital.

There are several options, many brands and styles.

Round Tube?

Square?

Rectangular?

Full Size Spare or Not?

I have seen some really poorly made ones, that hang way down from the bumper and look terrible. I had a round tube that was contoured with the bumper, then upgraded to a DrawTite that had a heavier rating.

The best site that I have found so far has been www.etrailer.com, they have every style available and a nice web site.

I would like people's opinions and experiences with fame hitches so others can see.

 

[Gay-briel]

look at the hidden hitch class 3 hitches.

I had one on my ranger, and you couldnt see anything but the reciever part of it under the bumper. it was a round style hitch and wrapped around the factory spare tire

Personally, thats the style ill be looking for to get fo my 04 sport trac

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I have a Hidden Hitch "Max Frame", which is the heaviest rated hitch I could find at 7500 lbs. I bought it after I bought my 23' travel trailer.

 

[SnakeCharmer]

I like the round tube style myself because they tuck up out of the way nicely. The square ones may have a slightly higher capacity but the round ones will handle anything I will ever tow with my vehicles. I installed a Reese on the wifes Escape because thats what the local trailer store stocked. I have no complaints and would have used the same on my ST but they were out of stock and were 3 weeks out. I found this brand new SurePull hitch on Ebay for about $80 shipped. Easy install and my only complaint is the grade 5 hardware that it shipped with. I replaced it with grade 8 stuff.

 

[Premier]

Will any hitch work, like one from a silverado click or does it have to be explorer specific?

And if it does, what are the stats of the hitch so I can find one on ebay? I need 2.. PS that site is great (etrailer)

 

[99SportX]

You are going to need a hitch designed for an Explorer. This way it will fit easily without modification.

I have a hidden hitch brand hitch on my X. It is made out of round tube. I haven't pushed it too hard yet, but it seems like a nice solid unit.

 

[Flounder]

Hidden Hitch Class 3 here. No complaints, other than the damn thing rusted too soon. I'm weighing pulling it and sanding/painting, or just getting another.

 

[dman726749]

i have a putnum (sp?) brand...its great, i put it through hell...its a class 3 or 4 and i use it as a skid plate in the rear..i have drug that thing all over the badlands and used it as my tow point quite a few times....it also used to tow the ski boat to the lake on a regular basis in the summers.

 

[Pollarican]

Has anybody found a place to buy class IV hitches for our explorers. I am looking to invest in the best possible recovery point for my first gen, and I figure if I'm going to spend the money I might as well try and find the best.

 

[joecrna]

Isn't a class IV hitch rated at 7500 lbs? Draw Tite makes one for the second gen

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I like www.etrailer.com they have good prices and $.99 shipping.

Otherwise a local truck accessory shop should be able to get one or have on in stock.

 

[JohnnyO]

I have a Hidden Hitch. I like it because about all you see is the receiver and a little bit of tubing. I hate the generic ones that hang down real low.

 

[CDW6212R]

I like the one that came with my Mountaineer, it still has the model number sticker on it. It rusted a lot, but if it is a strong unit I'll clean it and powder coat it. I've pulled about 5500lbs. with it, my 99 Limited on a car trailer, through Carolina mountains. Regards,

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Don, I really like how that hitch fits tightly under and behind the bumper, it seems that some, mine included, look like a second bumper. Does that one allow for a full size / oversize spare?

 

[FROADER]

I think mine was a Draw-Tite class III.

 

[CDW6212R]

Don, I really like how that hitch fits tightly under and behind the bumper, it seems that some, mine included, look like a second bumper. Does that one allow for a full size / oversize spare?

Evan, I'm glad that you asked. I have a 275/60/17" tire on a factory 2002+ Mountaineer rim, it's about 30" tall. I had to cut 1/4" off of the front square portion of the hitch, no big deal with a sawzall. Regards,

 

[Vinniety]

You are going to need a hitch designed for an Explorer. This way it will fit easily without modification.

I have a hidden hitch brand hitch on my X. It is made out of round tube. I haven't pushed it too hard yet, but it seems like a nice solid unit.

99sportX - Do you have a model number for your hitch?

I have been searching for one for a while now. I was thinking to try to get a used one if possible. I dont have anything to pull but i have plans to get a small trailer to bring crap to the dump. Maybe max weight 1500 pounds loaded.

Also what is the max i can tow with my truck? 2000 X Sport OHV motor.

thanks

 

[Gadget X]

I found this one on a '93 ex in a local junkyard for $25. I'm not sure of a model #, but it is a draw-tite brand hitch. I'm not sure if it is typical of most hitches, but this sucker seems massive! It has two "arms" that mount to the rear of the frame at each end, and then two more "arms" that go up alongside the spare tire and also mount to the frame, just a lot farther up.

 

[techboj]

I have a Towmaster by Hidden Hitch model FE-0500. (I cant find the actual model or equivalent from Hidden Hitch's website and I called tech support and they said it was specially made for the Explorer at one time.

It used to be on my dad's 93 4-door then I moved it to my 99 sport. So I'm pretty sure it should fit 1st and 2nd gens.

Heavily reinforced support brackets go from the the hitch tube to the frame

Just in case anybody is interested...it's also for sale

 

[CDW6212R]

Cool, thanks to all for the pictures. I need to remove mine to powder coat it, coming from Milwaukee it is well rusted. I'll reinforce it then also.