Towing my 03 Sport Trac.

[hotpud1]

I want to be able to tow my 03 sport trac 4x2 with automatic tranny behind my motor home four wheels down. What do I need to do to make this happen?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the towing section.

 

[stocked]

You'll need a Tow Bar, base plate for your vehicle. and if you want to use the vehicle's lighting for tail, brake and turn signal lights then you'll have to install a lighting kit with Diodes for the lights.. If your not worried about that then just grab a set of magnetic lights. eTrailer.com is your friend..

http://www.etrailer.com/towbar-2003_Ford_Explorer+Sport+Trac.htm

 

[ncranchero]

A "flat tow or neutral tow" kit is required where this option is available. It doesn't appear your 4x2 should be flat towed. See linked chart.
Flat Tow Info 1
03-05 Neutral Tow Instruction Sheet
Neutral tow TSB

 

[hotpud1]

Thanks

Thanks for the valuable information on towing my 03 4x2 sport trac.

 

[stocked]

Despite what has been said.. Put the truck in neutral, ignition turned to where the steering isn't locked, but the ignition isn't receiving power and you'll be fine. Otherwise your looking at putting the back wheels on a Dolly and towing it backwards, which sucks..

 

[ncranchero]

Buying transmissions suck as well.............

On a 4x4, where you have a transfer case to be shifted (manually or electronically) into neutral the transmission internals then doesn't turn. A 4x2 has no provision for "disconnecting' the transmission internals......which MUST be lubed to prevent failure. If the engine/flex-plate/torque converter/front pump doesn't turn you have NO lubrication. Standard FORD recommendation for 4x2 automatic transmission equipped vehicles has always been "Towing is limited to no faster than 35 MPH for more than 50 miles". Exceed that and you will have a nice transmission rebuild bill to pay.

 

[ExcelDominus]

Lol. Since I started working on my in-laws campground I've seen 4 people who were towing that shouldn't have been. The melt down is not pretty when they disconnect the new lawn ornament from their motorhome and all you here when they start it up is a whirring or grinding noise. However since all have them were rude as hell about a sign our neighboor put up saying we were closed, I say karma got em. Don't tow it. Either buy something that can be towed or just buy one of the car trailors that you drive up on and pray you don't end up on a dead end road, stuck someplace you can't turn around.