Upgrading Factory Hitch

[Becky]

Has anyone upgraded their stock hitch?

I have a 2005 Ford Explorer XLT -automatic- that came with a class II hitch. I'd like to get it swapped out for class III. The towing capacity of the explorer itself is >5,000 lbs (so it says online) which makes it in the bracket of acceptability for the class III. It gets confusing to me from there, I tried looking it up online elsewhere and it talks about coolers and gear swaps and everything else >_< isn't there a simple way? The factory hitch receiver is installed under the bumper and it looks like the bumper would just have to be removed and some bolts etc. to install a new receiver in the same location.... but I just have a feeling it's not a simple plug-and-play swap. Any advice from someone whose done this would be appreciated 

-Added a pic of what the hitches look like in the bumper-

[firefighter4607]

First off I don't think your class II hitch came from the factory, it is probably an after market.

It is pretty simple, your need to go to an auto parts store/online and buy a class 3 hitch, you need your vehicle information to be able to buy the right one. Then it should be you remove a couple bolts from the old hitch and bolt in the new one. Here is a link for one from CarId:
 http://www.carid.com/2004-ford-explorer-trailer-hitches/draw-tite-rear-trailer-hitches-4028147.html

What are you going to be towing? Because now you also have to worry about correct trailer plugs, brake controller, anti-sway bars and tongue weight. Trans coolers and gear swaps you shouldn't have to worry about unless you are towing really heavy items.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Like said above, the hitch is an easy swap.

Id put a bigger tranny cooler on it at the very least. Its an auto after all and a weak one to boot.

Just because it says you can tow 5000 dosent mean you should or will it last towing to the max.
 
If you need a 7 way and controller for electric brakes it about 300 installed at Trailer Boss in Lacey.

You will eed some kind of trailer braking as your load will be close to your vehicle weight making a jack knife situation very, very likely especially on wet pavement.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Id trade that SUV in for a F-150 at the very least if your going to tow that kind of load much.

[Becky]

First off I don't think your class II hitch came from the factory, it is probably an after market.

Ooooh you're kinda right.. looked into this further after you said that, it IS a factory hitch, but it's standard and not considered "towing package" at all... stupid dealerships stating otherwise. From Ford website on the 2005 Explorers: "Towing capability comes built-in. The standard receiver hitch offers Class II towing capability. A towing package provides Class III/IV towing capability of up to 7,140 pounds when properly equipped."

It is pretty simple, your need to go to an auto parts store/online and buy a class 3 hitch, you need your vehicle information to be able to buy the right one. Then it should be you remove a couple bolts from the old hitch and bolt in the new one. Here is a link for one from CarId:
 http://www.carid.com/2004-ford-explorer-trailer-hitches/draw-tite-rear-trailer-hitches-4028147.html

What are you going to be towing? Because now you also have to worry about correct trailer plugs, brake controller, anti-sway bars and tongue weight. Trans coolers and gear swaps you shouldn't have to worry about unless you are towing really heavy items.

I was reading ford forums and they make it sound overly complicated with all the coolers/gear swaps/everything else (I know virtually nothing about vehicles) and I got overwhelmed pretty fast. Thanks for that link! Ummm so far not towing much weight, my family has a trailer that I want to use to haul my random crap/small boats/quads etc. but the ball diameter is 2 5/16" and it was getting ridiculous with all the downsizing extensions to make it fit into the 1 1/4" receiver. We also have a small camper trailer with 3,600 lbs (I think) tow weight so I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to use it.

[Becky]

Id trade that SUV in for a F-150 at the very least if your going to tow that kind of load much.

Believe me I would trade it if I could.. 

[wildmanoutdoors]

Actually you should be fine! 3600 is still under 4000 so you wont legally need trailer brakes.

Just put a class 3 on and your done. Id still add a bigger tranny cooler though. That is a weak auto in that beast. Girl at work has a 06 and just had to have the tranny rebuilt at 80,000 or so. Biggest killer is heat. And she dosent tow.

At the very least, get the tranny flushed and re filled every year.

[Smossy]

Actually you should be fine! 3600 is still under 4000 so you wont legally need trailer brakes.

Just put a class 3 on and your done. Id still add a bigger tranny cooler though. That is a weak auto in that beast. Girl at work has a 06 and just had to have the tranny rebuilt at 80,000 or so. Biggest killer is heat. And she dosent tow.

At the very least, get the tranny flushed and re filled every year.

What does it cost to get a tranny cooler? Its at somewhere around 130k miles. So Im sure it could probably use one of those.

[Becky]

Actually you should be fine! 3600 is still under 4000 so you wont legally need trailer brakes.

Just put a class 3 on and your done. Id still add a bigger tranny cooler though. That is a weak auto in that beast. Girl at work has a 06 and just had to have the tranny rebuilt at 80,000 or so. Biggest killer is heat. And she dosent tow.

At the very least, get the tranny flushed and re filled every year.

Okay silly question.. what exactly are trailer brakes? It has wiring that hooks up already, is that different?

Yea I've had bad experiences with trannys in the past with used vehicles >_< ANYTHING that prolongs the life of a tranny I'll do it. Sounds like a good thing.

[Smossy]

Actually you should be fine! 3600 is still under 4000 so you wont legally need trailer brakes.

Just put a class 3 on and your done. Id still add a bigger tranny cooler though. That is a weak auto in that beast. Girl at work has a 06 and just had to have the tranny rebuilt at 80,000 or so. Biggest killer is heat. And she dosent tow.

At the very least, get the tranny flushed and re filled every year.

Okay silly question.. what exactly are trailer brakes? It has wiring that hooks up already, is that different?

Yea I've had bad experiences with trannys in the past with used vehicles >_< ANYTHING that prolongs the life of a tranny I'll do it. Sounds like a good thing.

They're brakes that are actually installed on the trailer itself silly Instead of all the stopping power being on just the Ford, There will be stopping power built into the trailer to.... I think... lol 

[92xj]

Actually you should be fine! 3600 is still under 4000 so you wont legally need trailer brakes.

Just put a class 3 on and your done. Id still add a bigger tranny cooler though. That is a weak auto in that beast. Girl at work has a 06 and just had to have the tranny rebuilt at 80,000 or so. Biggest killer is heat. And she dosent tow.

At the very least, get the tranny flushed and re filled every year.

Okay silly question.. what exactly are trailer brakes? It has wiring that hooks up already, is that different?

Yea I've had bad experiences with trannys in the past with used vehicles >_< ANYTHING that prolongs the life of a tranny I'll do it. Sounds like a good thing.

Brakes that slow the motion of the wheels/tires on the trailer. 
The wires you have are for the running/brake/turn lights on the trailer.
Easy way for you to tell if you have them, you will have a 7way circle plug where your trailer wires plug into your vehicle by the rear bumper.  Yours on your explorer are 4 wires in a flat line, a 4-way flat. Not wired for trailer brakes.

Bad experiences with trannys? prolong their life?
Keep the bag off their head.

Dont get them hot.  A tranny cooler will help.  Will cost a couple 100 bucks to get one installed.  I wouldnt worry about it.  Just tow easy and dont floor it shifting gears constantly.  Get a class III installed and roll with it as is.

[Smossy]

Actually you should be fine! 3600 is still under 4000 so you wont legally need trailer brakes.

Just put a class 3 on and your done. Id still add a bigger tranny cooler though. That is a weak auto in that beast. Girl at work has a 06 and just had to have the tranny rebuilt at 80,000 or so. Biggest killer is heat. And she dosent tow.

At the very least, get the tranny flushed and re filled every year.

Okay silly question.. what exactly are trailer brakes? It has wiring that hooks up already, is that different?

Yea I've had bad experiences with trannys in the past with used vehicles >_< ANYTHING that prolongs the life of a tranny I'll do it. Sounds like a good thing.

Brakes that slow the motion of the wheels/tires on the breaks. 
The wires you have are for the running/brake/turn lights on the trailer.

Bad experiences with trannys? prolong their life?
Keep the bag off their head.

Dont get them hot.  A tranny cooler will help.

Lmao.

[Becky]

They're brakes that are actually installed on the trailer itself silly Instead of all the stopping power being on just the Ford, There will be stopping power built into the trailer to.... I think... lol 

lol you hush... this is my "I KNOW NOTHING" thread..

I figure I got stuck with this damn EXPLODER I might as well try to make it worthwhile somehow.

Brakes that slow the motion of the wheels/tires on the breaks. 
The wires you have are for the running/brake/turn lights on the trailer.

Bad experiences with trannys? prolong their life?
Keep the bag off their head.

Dont get them hot.  A tranny cooler will help.

!!!! OMG hahaha 

[92xj]

They're brakes that are actually installed on the trailer itself silly Instead of all the stopping power being on just the Ford, There will be stopping power built into the trailer to.... I think... lol 

lol you hush... this is my "I KNOW NOTHING" thread..

I figure I got stuck with this damn EXPLODER I might as well try to make it worthwhile somehow.

Brakes that slow the motion of the wheels/tires on the breaks. 
The wires you have are for the running/brake/turn lights on the trailer.

Bad experiences with trannys? prolong their life?
Keep the bag off their head.

Dont get them hot.  A tranny cooler will help.

!!!! OMG hahaha 

I have corrected some of the grammar mistakes in that post, also added some more info.  Take a look.....

[kckrawler]

If you end up buying one online, don't forget about Amazon. They have quite the selection and most are free shipping

[wildmanoutdoors]

First off get the tranny service done. Change that fluid every year and if you can afford it, use synthetic fluid.

Tranny coolers are anywere from 45 bucks to 300 depending on what you get. there easy to install also. You dont need a 300 dollar one. I see good kits for 50 bucks. Just stop in a auto parts store.
Your Explorer already has one. Its just small. You need a larger capicty one.

Trailer brakes are actual brakes built on the trailer axles. They are either opperated with a master cylinder built into the tounge of the trailer (This is a surge brake) or electronicaly.

Your Ford likely has a flat 4 way plug? Thats just for lighting and not brakes. Electric brakes require a 7 way round plug.

[firefighter4607]

As the others has stated you should have no problems towing what you have listed. As far as the 7 way, 4 way flat plugs go here is a diagram so you can see what we are talking about:
 http://www.rvupgradestore.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/1wiring.jpg

Depending on how big/old your travel trailer is it might not even have electrical brakes. I am sure if you ask nice enough someone on here that is close to where you live would be willing to install the items for you. If you and Smossy where around here I would help you guys out.

[Becky]

Thanks everyone definitely know a lot more now..

-Get compatible class III hitch
-Transmission flush w/synthetic fluids
-Larger transmission cooler
-Trailer breaks, gear swap etc are not needed for what I want
-Beg, plead, and bat eyelashes for someone local with tools and previous know-how to possibly help 

[wildmanoutdoors]

-Beg, plead, and bat eyelashes for someone local with tools and previous know-how to possibly help 

Lol, Smossy, If your woman dosent find ya handy, she better find ya handsome!

[Becky]

-Beg, plead, and bat eyelashes for someone local with tools and previous know-how to possibly help 

Lol, Smossy, If your woman dosent find ya handy, she better find ya handsome!

RED GREEN!
lol he's both ... just not mechanically inclined as he'd like to be, no experience with something like this. He probably could do it though if we had the right tools etc.

[Alchase]

-Beg, plead, and bat eyelashes for someone local with tools and previous know-how to possibly help 

Lol, Smossy, If your woman dosent find ya handy, she better find ya handsome!

RED GREEN!
lol he's both ... just not mechanically inclined as he'd like to be, no experience with something like this. He probably could do it though if we had the right tools etc.

OH NO!
You just broke the Man rule No.1 (for women) Never, ever, imply, hint, or even  insinuate that you man is not "Mechanically Inclined"

That would be compared to a man saying:
 "That woman can't cook"
Or
"she can whine with the best of them"
or God forbid "don't you have enough shoes?"

See every man is taught from birth, to never admit you can't fix something (when a woman is within ear shot) and if she is, and you can't, just grab a big tool, lift the hood on it, touch a few things so your hands get real dirty while saying a bunch of highly technical terms, act all mad and shut the hood saying it is beyond help, take it to the dealer!

 

[Becky]

-Beg, plead, and bat eyelashes for someone local with tools and previous know-how to possibly help 

Lol, Smossy, If your woman dosent find ya handy, she better find ya handsome!

RED GREEN!
lol he's both ... just not mechanically inclined as he'd like to be, no experience with something like this. He probably could do it though if we had the right tools etc.

OH NO!
You just broke the Man rule No.1 (for women) Never, ever, imply, hint, or even  insinuate that you man is not "Mechanically Inclined"

That would be compared to a man saying:
 "That woman can't cook"
Or
"she can whine with the best of them"
or God forbid "don't you have enough shoes?"

See every man is taught from birth, to never admit you can't fix something (when a woman is within ear shot) and if she is, and you can't, just grab a big tool, lift the hood on it, touch a few things so your hands get real dirty while saying a bunch of highly technical terms, act all mad and shut the hood saying it is beyond help, take it to the dealer!

 

I think I can get away with it, he tells EVERYONE I can't cook    ... I just said he's not as capable as he'd LIKE to be?? That's gotta pass, every man always strives for better right?

HAHA this whole thing is awesome.

[Alchase]

Got me on a technicality 


 

[Smossy]

-Beg, plead, and bat eyelashes for someone local with tools and previous know-how to possibly help 

Lol, Smossy, If your woman dosent find ya handy, she better find ya handsome!

RED GREEN!
lol he's both ... just not mechanically inclined as he'd like to be, no experience with something like this. He probably could do it though if we had the right tools etc.

OH NO!
You just broke the Man rule No.1 (for women) Never, ever, imply, hint, or even  insinuate that you man is not "Mechanically Inclined"

That would be compared to a man saying:
 "That woman can't cook"
Or
"she can whine with the best of them"
or God forbid "don't you have enough shoes?"

See every man is taught from birth, to never admit you can't fix something (when a woman is within ear shot) and if she is, and you can't, just grab a big tool, lift the hood on it, touch a few things so your hands get real dirty while saying a bunch of highly technical terms, act all mad and shut the hood saying it is beyond help, take it to the dealer!

 

Not me, I cant fix squat when it comes to car, I barely know how to check the oil.
Sure as heck dont know how to do an oil chance or tranny flush... And my girl sure dont know how to cook.
But when she attempts to, its usually tastey.

[wildmanoutdoors]

To get the fluid out of the tranny completely you really need to have a shop do it. Its not that expensive. When you just drain it and pull the pan, all your doing is getting rid of about half the fluid. The converter and such still have the old fluid in them.

You want all new fresh fluid! Even a jiffy lube can do this...

[TheHunt]

If it has been over 100K in miles and you have not ever flushed it.  You are gambling...  The flush uses pressure to push it all out which will churn a lot of crap that has been in the bottom.  If you car/truck has more than normal trany issues you might want to consider if that is a good idea.

I did this with an old Camry and it messed up the trany.  I flush the Toyota Pickup and the Ford.  BUT I do not flush the Lexus as it has a documented issue with that year.  I drain it, run it for a week, then drain it again.  As long the fluid is red and not black it is good.

[NRA4LIFE]

If you are anywhere near Kent, WA take it to Tork Lift and have them install it.  And if you are going to hook up to electric brakes you'll need an electric brake controller installed somewhere near the drivers seat.  If the truck came with the harness and a towing package, it's a piece of cake to install one.  If not, then it could be a large problem.

[Becky]

If it has been over 100K in miles and you have not ever flushed it.  You are gambling...  The flush uses pressure to push it all out which will churn a lot of crap that has been in the bottom.  If you car/truck has more than normal trany issues you might want to consider if that is a good idea.

I did this with an old Camry and it messed up the trany.  I flush the Toyota Pickup and the Ford.  BUT I do not flush the Lexus as it has a documented issue with that year.  I drain it, run it for a week, then drain it again.  As long the fluid is red and not black it is good.

I haven't had it very long, maybe only put 100 miles on it myself. I honestly have no clue what's been done and hasn't.. but I'm planning on a tranny flush at the least. It IS acting up when in reverse so that's kind of bothering me... >_<

Wait so a tranny flush messed up your vehicle??

[Skillet]

Wait so a tranny flush messed up your vehicle??

Yeah, that does occasionally happen.  It is one of those services that really sounds like a good idea, but in the real world it a hit/miss proposition with bad consequences if your trans doesn't like it.  I really like the drain/fill, run hard for a week or so, then drain and fill again method.  Or I used to, before I had to start putting the $7+/quart synthetic fluid in my TorqueShift trans... I just change the filter, drain and replace in that one.  Still shifts like new.

[Becky]

Wait so a tranny flush messed up your vehicle??

Yeah, that does occasionally happen.  It is one of those services that really sounds like a good idea, but in the real world it a hit/miss proposition with bad consequences if your trans doesn't like it.  I really like the drain/fill, run hard for a week or so, then drain and fill again method.  Or I used to, before I had to start putting the $7+/quart synthetic fluid in my TorqueShift trans... I just change the filter, drain and replace in that one.  Still shifts like new.

... ugh. I'm so overwhelmed with this dumb exploder already lol.

[Skillet]

lol, just wait 'till somebody tells you about Bridgestone tires!  No worries, you'll get it figured out.  Thankfully, you have a rig that has millions of parts out there available, and lots of info on the net (good and bad...).

I bet you that if you do a simple trans fluid change first - no flush, you'll notice it shifts a lot better.  They're pretty tough tranny's for what they are - it should be fine to tow a smaller trailer.

Did you get your hitch yet?  If not, check out Etrailer.com.  That's where I got my Curt hitch.  Cheaper than most places, and free shipping.  That ain't no small think on a hitch.  Any welding shop, U-haul guy, or friend with an air compressor should be able to swap that sucker out pretty fast for you.

*modified to add:  Just read through and saw you're towing a trailer with a 2-5/16" ball... and sometimes a 3200# camper... I second the idea of a  tranny cooler to take the stress off of it.  Good tranny's, but they build heat with heavy loads fast when you're pulling a hill at freeway speeds.

[Alchase]

I second the Tork Lift idea,
http://torkliftcentral.com/

[jackmaster]

oh and you will want to change the windshield wiper batteries and the brake light fluid  J/K, ma'am i am right there with your man, i cant even change my damn oil, i can pretty much do anything except work on vehicles, hell i can rebuild any small gas engine, but noooooo vehicles  my advice is hopefully someone will hook you guys up or save the money to have it done 100% correct or it will end up lettin you down at the worst possible time.... good luck

[biggfish]

I used to work as a trailer mechanic if you can get the parts I'd be willing to work on it.

[Becky]

lol, just wait 'till somebody tells you about Bridgestone tires!  No worries, you'll get it figured out.  Thankfully, you have a rig that has millions of parts out there available, and lots of info on the net (good and bad...).

I bet you that if you do a simple trans fluid change first - no flush, you'll notice it shifts a lot better.  They're pretty tough tranny's for what they are - it should be fine to tow a smaller trailer.

Did you get your hitch yet?  If not, check out Etrailer.com.  That's where I got my Curt hitch.  Cheaper than most places, and free shipping.  That ain't no small think on a hitch.  Any welding shop, U-haul guy, or friend with an air compressor should be able to swap that sucker out pretty fast for you.

*modified to add:  Just read through and saw you're towing a trailer with a 2-5/16" ball... and sometimes a 3200# camper... I second the idea of a  tranny cooler to take the stress off of it.  Good tranny's, but they build heat with heavy loads fast when you're pulling a hill at freeway speeds.

Oh tires are definitely on the to-buy list! New rims most likely as well.. right now it has some lo-profiles on chrome haha, definitely NOT something to take off into the woods. No I haven't gotten the hitch yet, I actually WAS looking at getting one from that website. Been looking at the torklift too.

I used to work as a trailer mechanic if you can get the parts I'd be willing to work on it.

Oh my, that'd be awesome! We're your neighbors basically (he lives in Spanaway, me Roy).