The most heavy duty hitch available?

[kblackav8or]

Who makes the most heavy duty hitch for the 2k Mounty/Explorer? I am also interested in the most robust tranny cooler setup. Mine already has what appears to be a pretty big tranny cooler on it and possibly an engine oil cooler as well. I can't seem to find the factory trailer wiring harness either. Ours is a 5.0 AWD with 3.70 gearing.
Kevin

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Etrailer.com will sell you a Hidden Hitch tubular class III, which is rated for 5,000 pounds. You shouldn't be towing any more then that with a 2nd gen Explorer anyway. Plenty of power and a nice, clean installation look. You don't see hardly any of the hitch besides the receiver.

 

[kblackav8or]

Anyone else have any comments? What about Reese vs Easy Lift vs Draw tite etc? I am all for very sturdy hitches. I have a Superhitch on my truck and wouldn't have it any other way with my Mounty.

 

[SilverBullet]

I have a drawtite, but it won't fit on with the spare underneath.. so I'll have to trim it a little to make it fit.. just an FYI, I have a 2001 eddie bauer 5.0 AWD. The hitch itself looks really nice, it's a class 3 (although the guy I bought it from claims it's a class 4).

 

[aldive]

I will second the Hidden Hitch recommendation.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

They're all really the same, strength wise, as long as you get a class III. I just prefer the Hidden Hitch because of its low profile design, its low price, and the fact that the 235 size spare I have still fits with ease. What are you towing that you're so concerned about having a hardcore hitch.

 

[kblackav8or]

It may have to haul a car cross country. I want something that can fully take advantage of a weight distributing hitch. Mostly it will tow a trailer with dirt bikes and ATV's on it though.
Kevin

 

[section525]

I have the Draw-tite class IV 7500lbs.

 

[greenhornet3147]

Hidden Hitch

I have hadt it for a couple of years with no problems I like that you only see the reciver

 

[kblackav8or]

Sounds like the choice is between hidden hitch and Draw Tite. I had a draw tite before and didn't have any issues. I am going to wire it up with a 7 pin RV connector which is what all my trailers end up using. My truck is also wired that way. Any brake controllers that work well and fit nicely in the Mounty/Explorer?
Kevin
BTW The manual transfer conversion is very interesting. Need to see more on that.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

For all the money you're spending, not to mention the possible wear/tear on your truck, why not just pay a few hundred dollars and have it shipped cross country??

 

[kblackav8or]

I want the ability to do it. BTW it costs about a grand to ship a car, more if you want insurance. It may not happen for quite a while. I just don't like dinky hitches.

 

[JDraper]

I've got a Valley Class III on my X and I tow my Sammy with it regularly. We've never had a problem with it, it bolts right up with no drilling, and it cost about $100 from Advance Auto.

 

[F14CRAZY]

A U-Haul. Definitely a U-Haul.