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