New to towing, but I want to do it right.

[1996BLKBauer]

My new Job has had me jump right in to the world of towing, In the last 2 weeks I have installed 2 brake controllers, rewired an entire trailer, and half rewired a enclosed trailer. To be honest I knew nothing about trailers until two weeks ago, but what I can tell you I have met my least favorite thing the the entire world!!! Scotch Locks I have recently found that they are used on EVERYTHING!

Enough ranting. I would like to get a frame mounted hitch for my 1996 Eddie Bauer V8 AWD, a 7 pin plug, and brake controller. Up to now everything was already bought, so I know nothing about quality, or good brands. I plan to not skimp out on ANYTHING, I want to do this right. One thing I seem to like more is the round type frame mount hitch, it seems to hug the truck better, and be more concealed.

So what is good? Any opinions, or ideas I am totally open too.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I recently installed a Curt hitch on my Sport Trac. It has round tubes and tucks up under the truck nicely. Everybody here seems to like their Curt hitches. The powder coating/paint seems top notch on them, too.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I recently installed a Curt hitch on my Sport Trac. It has round tubes and tucks up under the truck nicely. Everybody here seems to like their Curt hitches. The powder coating/paint seems top notch on them, too.

I checked them out, they seem to only carry Square hitches, unless I chose the wrong spare tire option.

It says:

4-Door, Except with Oversized spare tire, or
4-Door, Including with Oversized Spare....

All I know is that I have a fulled sized spare tire, what do they mean by oversized spare tire?

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I checked their website and you're right. The one for the Sport Trac is round so I assumed their Explorer hitch is too. The hitch on my '94 Explorer is round but I have no idea what brand it is. The label was gone when I bought the Ex.
I was in the salvage yard today looking for factory trailer wiring and saw a number of Explorers with hitches and I don't remember seeing any with round tube hitches, which seems kind of strange, but I know they're out there. I like the round ones, too, especially with the more rounded lines of the 2nd generation Explorers.

I think the "oversized" spare is aimed at the guys who've put larger than stock tires on their Explorers. The matching spare takes up more space underneath and might interfere with the standard hitch.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Have you checked the "Frame Mounted Hitches" sticky above? Looks like a good variety of options/opinions there.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Have you checked the "Frame Mounted Hitches" sticky above? Looks like a good variety of options/opinions there.

I scanned it for a little while, there are many pages, so I will have to have a little time to sit down and read.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

Did you find the hitch you were looking for? I was in the salvage yard here in Des Moines today and saw a '97 Mountaineer with a round tube hitch that tucked up close under the bumper, so they are out there. Most of the paint was off this one, but only surface rust. No tags or brand ID.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Did you find the hitch you were looking for? I was in the salvage yard here in Des Moines today and saw a '97 Mountaineer with a round tube hitch that tucked up close under the bumper, so they are out there. Most of the paint was off this one, but only surface rust. No tags or brand ID.

I haven't been able to really look, I checked out Curt, and Reese Hitches, it seems that they only offer square hitches, then I sort of ran out of time. Right now is my last week of classes, then next week is finals, and one of my Jobs now needs me more because of machine breakdowns. Regardless in mid July I will have the time and money to buy things for my Explorer, and this will be one of them.

 

[R1dd1cK]

Well if you want a round receiver look at a uhaul unit.

 

[thebrakeman]

www.etrailer.com
...is your friend. Looks like they have 2 round-tube Class 3 hitches for your trailer. One rated 4000 lbs, one is 5000.

I ordered a hitch and full wiring kit several years ago, when I needed to set up our minivan to tow our previous camper (3000 lbs popup, 7-pin Bargman, trailer brakes, 12V charge line). This place has free shipping on any order over $150, and the customer service (if needed) is top notch. Be sure to order anything else you might need, to take advantage of the free shipping.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Etrailer, has a really nice looking Hidden Hitch, I think I might pick up that.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I just saw a 2nd Gen Explorer with a round tube Drawtite Hitch that tucks up under the bumper. You can see it, but it doesn't just jump out at you, unlike the massive square hitch on the '97 Mountaineer I bought over the weekend.