Preping Ford Explorer

[SkaterRace]

I recently got a 2013 Ford Explorer, I am going to have a hitch installed next weekend along with trailer light wiring. The SUV already has the tow button/package and larger engine so all good there. I am looking to buy a new bowrider boat in the 17-19' range in the coming weeks (once I find the right one). What things can/should I do to make this better for towing? I already have a multi ball hitch that I plan to use.

For wiring the place I am going only has 4pin wiring, I found a 4 and 7 pin one on Amazon. Should I ask them if they will use my wiring?

 

[tpenfield]

Does the 2013 w/ towing package NOT already have the trailer hitch/receiver under a removable cover behind the rear bumper ?

My 2017 Explorer w/ towing has the hitch already installed. I think the towing limit is 5K lbs. on the Uni-body Explorers, so nothing fancy really needed, and the boats that you are considering should be fine.

Most come with the 7-pin round connector and then you go with a 4-pin or 5-pin adapter as needed.

 

[89retta]

It should already have a hitch like tpen said. If it doesn't and you are taking it to a reputable hitch shop they should have no problem installing a 7 pin round connector. As for them saying they only have 4 pin that is just being lazy and poor workmanship. 4 is easier to install then 7

 

[porscheguy]

if Vehicle is factory wired for a plug and play 7 pin, go for that and just buy the appropriate adapter. All explorers should be able to accept a plug and play 4 pin. What you need to be mindful of is what kind of boat you buy. A 17’ will likely not have trailer brakes. A 19’ is 50/50 on trailer brakes. If it has brakes and they’re discs, you’ll need a 5 pin. Whatever you do, don’t let them install a universal plug that requires splicing and crimping.

get a hitch that allows the trailer to ride straight and level.

Make sure the trailer is the proper size for the boat and make sure the trailer is properly adjusted. A properly sized and adjusted trailer will tow easily, back up easily, and make launch and recovery a breeze on most ramps.

It’s not about going crazy, and buying this or that. 90% of towing is getting everything adjusted right.

you want the center of gravity as low as possible, but high enough to maintain adequate clearance.

 

[tpenfield]

The 2013 Explorer with towing package should have the hitch already installed, looking something like this . . .


Just have to remove the bumper cover. No need to spend a dime, except for the 7-pin to 4/5 pin adapter ($10) :thumb:

 

[SkaterRace]

Does the 2013 w/ towing package NOT already have the trailer hitch/receiver under a removable cover behind the rear bumper ?

My 2017 Explorer w/ towing has the hitch already installed. I think the towing limit is 5K lbs. on the Uni-body Explorers, so nothing fancy really needed, and the boats that you are considering should be fine.

Most come with the 7-pin round connector and then you go with a 4-pin or 5-pin adapter as needed.

I don't think it has any remove-able plate on the bumper I will check tonight after work. It does have sensors back there but that is all I know of with the bumper.

Yeah the towing limit is 5k lbs which is one of the reasons I bought it and replaced my Escape. I wasn't sure if I should have a brake controller installed or not for boats of that size, I have went to look at 3 boats now and 1 had brakes and two didn't. Is it common for boats of this size to have brakes for the trailer?

 

[tpenfield]

It should have the tow hitch if it has the towing package. I think there is also a button on the instrument panel (somewhere) to enable the trailer towing anti-sway feature.

 

[SkaterRace]

It should have the tow hitch if it has the towing package. I think there is also a button on the instrument panel (somewhere) to enable the trailer towing anti-sway feature.

Sounds like mine has it then, it has the button for the tow anti-sway on the left of the dash. Also has the fuel mode for towing too. Hoping to see it there after work and save myself some money to put towards boat. Budget might have gone up by $500

 

[SkaterRace]

Thanks everyone, found out it does have a hitch already. Great news boat budget got increased. Now to get that damm cover off, Ford really makes them feel like you are going to break it removing it.

 

[fishrdan]

Ford really makes them feel like you are going to break it removing it.

LOL, I worked on my truck last night and had to "yank" a dash part off, so I know what you mean. Didn't break anything, but it felt like it was going to.

Once you get the boat attached to the vehicle, make sure the trailer is sitting level. The multi ball hitch may not work properly to get the trailer level, and you may need to use a drop/raise tow bar.

 

[tpenfield]

I tried to pull the cover off of the trailer hitch on my 2017 Explorer . . . got the bottom off no problem, but couldn't get the top part off. Didn't want to break it. There must be a trick to it.

Maybe google it :noidea:

 

[SkaterRace]

I tried to pull the cover off of the trailer hitch on my 2017 Explorer . . . got the bottom off no problem, but couldn't get the top part off. Didn't want to break it. There must be a trick to it.

Maybe google it :noidea:

There are some twist clips on mine, I got them right away the rest was just pull the bottom out a bit then pull hard in the top. Hitch is in mint condition, I am not sure the previous owners even used it much for towing.

 

[SkaterRace]

LOL, I worked on my truck last night and had to "yank" a dash part off, so I know what you mean. Didn't break anything, but it felt like it was going to.

Once you get the boat attached to the vehicle, make sure the trailer is sitting level. The multi ball hitch may not work properly to get the trailer level, and you may need to use a drop/raise tow bar.

I got the cover off after a good while laying under it making sure there were nothing to break. Maybe not the best idea when wearing dress clothes :facepalm:

I'm not sure I will need a drop down hitch, well I have never needed it for any boat before and I think my hitch is only 2-3 inches above what my car had. I will check when I get a new boat though. The multi-ball hitch is really nice to have so I am hoping that the boat will sit level without it.

 

[porscheguy]

Yeah the towing limit is 5k lbs which is one of the reasons I bought it and replaced my Escape. I wasn't sure if I should have a brake controller installed or not for boats of that size, I have went to look at 3 boats now and 1 had brakes and two didn't. Is it common for boats of this size to have brakes for the trailer?

virtually every state mandates brakes on towed vehicles exceeding 3000lbs. You generally don’t need a brake controller because 99% of boat trailers with brakes use surge brakes. Before you ask, yes you really should have working brakes if your trailer exceeds 3000lbs. They do help with stopping distances. And more importantly, they help keep tvectrailer stable under hard braking.

 

[SkaterRace]

virtually every state mandates brakes on towed vehicles exceeding 3000lbs. You generally don’t need a brake controller because 99% of boat trailers with brakes use surge brakes. Before you ask, yes you really should have working brakes if your trailer exceeds 3000lbs. They do help with stopping distances. And more importantly, they help keep tvectrailer stable under hard braking.

Looks like that is about the limit in Canada too. Of course brakes will help with stopping, there was a reason I nearly put them on a 15' boat trailer.

How do they keep the trailer stable during hard breaking?

I have had more than my fair share of close calls with hard braking and I never felt enough trailer sway to worry me. Worst was a Ford Escape towing at it's limit or slightly above in a rain storm. That was the worst drive I have ever done, it scared the crap out of me but I needed to get the boat home because I needed it for a family thing the next day. Went well under the speed limit that day. So yes I am well aware that trailer brakes are needed for heavy loads.

 

[porscheguy]

They keep it stable by slowing the trailer at a similar rate to the tow vehicle slowing.

 

[444]

Brake requirements depends on your jurisdiction. Here in Manitoba trailer brakes are required for any trailer with a GVW of 2000lbs or more. Ontario requires a break-away unit on any trailers with trailer brakes although I don't recall what their weight restriction is for no brakes.

 

[sportsman47]

Just let me say this. Then you can do what you want. Being a retired truck driver, I have many times seen the result of towing too much with too small a vehicle. And the Explorer is not a large vehicle.Don't even think about not having trailer brakes.

 

[SkaterRace]

Brake requirements depends on your jurisdiction. Here in Manitoba trailer brakes are required for any trailer with a GVW of 2000lbs or more. Ontario requires a break-away unit on any trailers with trailer brakes although I don't recall what their weight restriction is for no brakes.

Ontario it is 3000lbs I think either way I think I will have to get trailer brakes on what ever boat I buy. Still haven't found the right one yet..

 

[SkaterRace]

Just let me say this. Then you can do what you want. Being a retired truck driver, I have many times seen the result of towing too much with too small a vehicle. And the Explorer is not a large vehicle.Don't even think about not having trailer brakes.

Explorer is a decent sized SUV with a good tow capacity, sure it can't down like an F-150 but it tows just fine. I am not buying huge boats like many here, I am stopping at 19' max. Whole setup will be well under 3500 lbs. I am confident the Explorer will tow what I need it too since I know I have towed with an old dying escape that towed it without much issue. Pushed the limits of the Escape but won't with the explorer.