Pictures of Round Draw-Tite install?

[jwater7]

I'm thinking about getting the Draw-Tite round bar hitch (like the one here:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Ford/Explorer/2000/75083.html?vehicleid=2000899)
But, it says with a 16" or 17" spare I need to modify the spare tire bracket.

Has anyone installed this on their explorer? What did you have to do to modify the bracket? Pics?

Thanks

 

[Joe Dirt]

I have it on my 1997 with a 15" spare, I didn't have to modify anything.

 

[Spdrcer34]

The Ford Dealer Option Receiver Hitch was made by Draw Tite, and that's the one that I took off of the `97, and installed on my wife's `93. Straight forward install.

The 1997 Explorer XLT had 15" wheels, so does the `93. Never had any issues.

Ryan

 

[99SportX]

I have the round tube hitch installed on my sport with 16" wheels. I actually just removed it a couple days ago to do some work.

The bracket you have to 'modify is the one just forward of the tire. It needs to be bent forward just slightly which allows the tire to move forward a little bit so the rear clears the hitch assy. I think I just kicked it or hit with a sledge to bend it a little. It may fit without modification. It doesn't hurt to try the tire before doing any bending just to see. I don't remember tweaking it by much.

 

[kstrayhorn]

Got a junk 05 with the big hitch in it, went to swap it for my little hitch, it was solid to the frame!! the other junk ex I had wasn't solid, but it was little too.

 

[Sbyrne97]

got me one of thems it works great and is better looking than other hitches I tow my boat regularly and it does fine.

i don't know about a spare I have big ass tires on mine so I don't ever put a spare in there. Although I think a 16" tire will be fine

 

[simon5ay5]

I have the round tube hitch installed on my sport with 16" wheels. I actually just removed it a couple days ago to do some work.

The bracket you have to 'modify is the one just forward of the tire. It needs to be bent forward just slightly which allows the tire to move forward a little bit so the rear clears the hitch assy. I think I just kicked it or hit with a sledge to bend it a little. It may fit without modification. It doesn't hurt to try the tire before doing any bending just to see. I don't remember tweaking it by much.

my dads exploder has one of the recever hitches on the back and a 33x12.5x15 in tire under there. its not that hard to bend the bracket to make a bigger tire fit. we didnt have to hammer it much to fit this tire under there.

 

[jwater7]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I went out and got one and now have it installed. All that has to be done for a 16" is to bend the front of the bracket (like you said). Thank you for all your help, looks real good now, can't wait to use it.