How to add a trailer plug to a '99 Explorer Sport?

[Robert_P]

Have '99 Explorer Sport, anticipating towing a car, need to add a trailer plug to it, what's involved in doing this?

Thanks.

 

[poker4me007]

This trailer harness is for a trailer without brakes.
The video will show you where the trailer wire harness should go.I don't know how much towing you'll be doing but you may want to get a trailer receiving hitch,(not the ball on the bumper) below are some links for what you'll need.


Tow Package Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector Tekonsha Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring 118241

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...6+sohc,1354542,accessories,trailer+hitch,1212

 

[Mbrooks420]

I don’t know if your Sport is up to the task of towing a car. Auto or manual? What’s your rear end gear? Weight of the car? Dolly or trailer?

Do all trucks have that plug in, or just ones with the “trailer tow prep” package?

 

[koda2000]

All my Explorers/Mountaineers came with the plug for the Ford harness plug-in trailer wire pigtail behind the left rear tail light. I would assume they all have this. One even had the trailer harness pigtail in the jack compartment unopened, but the PO had spliced in a cheap auto parts store harness (which I removed).

You didn't provide any information about your Sport, or what you plan on towing, but as mentioned I don't know if your Sport is up to towing a car and trailer. Short wheelbase vehicles can be tricky to tow with, your V6 engine (SOHC or OHV?) may struggle with the weight of a car and trailer. If it's a tandem axle trailer and relatively heavy vehicle you really need to have brakes on the trailer. You also need to have a frame mounted trailer hitch and not use a ball mounted on the bumper. This example would really not be suitable for a Sport. However, if your talking about towing a small vehicle on a tow dolly you would probably be okay.

 

[Robert_P]

You didn't provide any information about your Sport, or what you plan on towing, but as mentioned I don't know if your Sport is up to towing a car and trailer. Short wheelbase vehicles can be tricky to tow with, your V6 engine (SOHC or OHV?) may struggle with the weight of a car and trailer.

Don't know what the rear end is but I wondered about whether it would be up to it. Most likely will be towing a Corvette on a trailer some unknown distance - still shopping. Having the ability to tow will of course increase what deals I can go for.

I can get a used pickup for a while just to complete this task and sell it. What do you think would be enough truck for the job and what should I look for as far as drivetrain and other characteristics? What recommendations as far as a trailer?

P.S. Yes, I'm researching the topic of trailering a car to make sure I know what I'm doing so as to not culminate in a disaster rooted in ignorance.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’d figure out what your sport is rated for. Check the axle code on the door tag, along with the gross vehicle weights.

Any half ton will tow a corvette.

 

[koda2000]

I think a pickup (any 1/2 ton) would be a much better choice than a Sport. As far as a trailer for towing a Corvette (a fairly heavy vehicle despite it's plastic/fiberglass body) I think you're looking at a 2 axle/tandem trailer with electric brakes. Electric brakes require the tow vehicle to have brake controller as well as trailer lights, which would require a trailer harness will more wires than just a 4-pin flat connector. Look on-line at etrailer, they have good prices.

If you only plan on towing this Corvette home after acquiring it, I think it would probably be less costly, and a lot less trouble, to hire someone to pick it up and deliver it to you. Just make sure they're insured. A decent used pickup is gonna cost you at least $5,000, even if you plan on reselling it afterwards, plus the cost of a trailer and other incidentals.

If you belong to AAA and the distance isn't too far they tow for free. I've done this multiple times, cheapest way to go, but they have mileage restrictions.

 

[96eb96]

I don’t know if your Sport is up to the task of towing a car. Auto or manual? What’s your rear end gear? Weight of the car? Dolly or trailer?

Do all trucks have that plug in, or just ones with the “trailer tow prep” package?

Mine don't have it. I also lacked a trans cooler and Trac-lok. It is definitely an option.

 

[Robert_P]

If you only plan on towing this Corvette home after acquiring it, I think it would probably be less costly, and a lot less trouble, to hire someone to pick it up and deliver it to you. Just make sure they're insured. A decent used pickup is gonna cost you at least $5,000, even if you plan on reselling it afterwards, plus the cost of a trailer and other incidentals.

If everything goes without a hitch maybe but a potential issue is getting to the seller's location and having the deal fall through - car isn't as described, something fishy about the deal you don't find out until you get there, guy gets into a screaming match with his wife because she doesn't want to sell it or thinks he isn't getting enough for it, who knows.

I was going to buy a car from a guy locally and at the last minute turns out it wasn't his name on the title and the signature was absolute chicken scratch - I'm sure it was forged. I have no idea what the deal is, how he came into possession of this vehicle, he starts hemming and hawing about his relationship to the guy whose name is on the title, no way to contact this person. I walked, literally because the guy was pissed and wouldn't give me a ride home. I now always ask up front if it's their vehicle and I ask to see ID.

Plus having to coordinate with someone else. Who knows, might run across something where the early/quicker bird gets the great deal. I like the maximum flexibility of having my own rig. Who knows I might hang onto the truck/trailer and be able to tow any of my rides to a repair shop myself.

If you belong to AAA and the distance isn't too far they tow for free. I've done this multiple times, cheapest way to go, but they have mileage restrictions.

I don't know where you are but around here the AAA club has a specific rule against towing a car you just bought - they won't tow to or from auto auctions or storage units unless it's obvious you just broke down there, the drivers are on the lookout for someone trying to work the system like that.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

As someone who's occasionally bought and sold cars for profit as a hobby, having the harness and dedicated hitch is nice. If memory serves the connection is behind the left rear light. However I wouldn't tow with any 2nd gen that wasn't a V8, especially a Sport. Just my 2 cents. I have my doubts that either V6 drivetrain offered is up to this task, and a Sport rear suspension is also a weak link for towing that much weight.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The harness can be in either side, or both, oddly enough.

 

[koda2000]

The harness can be in either side, or both, oddly enough.

I thought I once read that the plug on the right side was for the B/U sensors if so equipped...? IDK.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

You can equip these with backup sensors even if they didn't come with it?

 

[koda2000]

You can equip these with backup sensors even if they didn't come with it?

Yes, there have been threads on how to do it.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

I've got to look into that now, I have seen the plug on my Eddie Bauer and would like the sensors on that truck, since my aim with it is to make as nice of a V8 Eddie Bauer as possible, and at 131K miles finished and done, why not.