Trailor hitch

[TMALEGA]

Ok i have what is probably a already discused and obvious answer. I am getting a tow hitch/receiver on my explorer tomorrow. My question is how does this improve towing? Does it relieve some of the stress from the trans due to weight distribution? It doesnt have a problem towing anything right now. However i am getting it so i can get off the bumper i have never been a fan of towing off them. In order to save some money however i tried towing my boat with it prior to actually buying the boat and i have absolutely no issues with towing on this.i have a 1500 gmc but due to gas prices for right now i am forced to drive my explorer if i want to go to the lake. Thanks for the answers. Sorry it was long winded.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trailor hitch

Doesn't do anything for your trans, just transfers the load to the frame instead of using your bumper. It also allows you to adjust your ball height.

Don't know about your GMC, but the bumper on my Ram is rated for 5K lbs and is tied to the frame the same way the receiver is. My bumper is way too high to tow with the tounge level so even if I wanted to use it for my boat I couldn't. The explorer bumper is not anywhere near as beefy so a receiver is a good idea even if the bumper is the right height.

Out of curiosity, what is your towing milage with the GMC and with the explorer. I'd be suprised if the explorer milage is better unless you have a very light little boat.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Trailor hitch

only allows you to tow heavier load whereas the bumber is light duty

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Trailor hitch

Everyone here is right on the money, I would also question your fuel mileage with the Explorer versus the GMC

 

[TMALEGA]

Re: Trailor hitch

well oldjeep on the gmc it is about 8-10 mpg while towing and with the explorer it is up around 15 or so. Not to mention the fact that I can put say 20 in gas into the explorer and get back and forth to the lake and still get to work about 20 miles away on monday. Where as my truck I am lucky to get back to the house after going to the lake. I had heard from somewhere and I couldnt remember who it was I had heard it from due to it coming off the frame it wasnt quite as stressfull for the trans, it sounded a little odd but I am new to this whole boating thing. As far as my boat I would say it weights roughly 800 pounds and add the motor , gas and batteries. and maybe 1500-1700 lbs. The guy I got it of towed it to me in a Tauras, so I figured I should be ok.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Trailor hitch

When towing the boat my Expedition blew away the mileage of my Explorer It's maybe a 2500lb load. If you haven't already bought the receiver check around on Craigslist, they show up pretty regularly and I found my last one for $40.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Trailor hitch

Whats the setup on the GMC? Motor/tranny year? And the Explorer?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trailor hitch

8-10 MPG towing 1700lbs? Might want to have that thing looked at. In any event 1700lbs you could tow with a subaru and get decent milage, not sure I'd bother with a receiver on the explorer for that kind of weight unless you need to do some height adjustment.

 

[TMALEGA]

Re: Trailor hitch

As far as setup is concerened the gmc is a 84 1500 with a 350 and i have no idea on any of the other stuff the truck was given to me from my wifes fathers tow service, i get about 15 when not towing however when i drop out of overdrive to tow is when it drops, and the explorer is a v6 96 model with 4x4, both have the same ratings on the bumper. The explorer does set at the correct height and tows fine, however the main reasons i am getting the hictch is or was the trans thing i had heard. Also it will set the boat off the back of the explorer more. I cant get into the back of my explorer currently with it hooked to the bumper. Also it is a rough ride when i hit any bump no matter how small i can feel the bumps and jiggles the trailor does. Same thing if i go to the bumper on my truck. Hook it to the hitch and all goes away. Thanks for the answers i am getting it through a supplier at my work he is going to install it out the door tax and all for 100 for the class 3 hitch.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Trailor hitch

That sounds about right. I'm sure everyone was assuming the GMC was newer. An 84, assuming original motor, would have a 2 bbl carbed 350, and either a turbo 350 or 700R4 trans. Neither state of the art. I'd say your mileage is pretty decent considering.

$100 for the hitch is a good deal. It will allow you to put a bigger load on, change the height of the ball, and use other reciever accessories if you ever decide to.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailor hitch

8-10 MPG towing 1700lbs? Might want to have that thing looked at. In any event 1700lbs you could tow with a subaru and get decent milage,

I wish! I get about 10-13 or so towing roughly 1700-2000 pounds with my subaru! I have no problem setting the cruise at 75mph and letting it go, the turbo just winds up a little more as the 67 gallon/per hour fuel pump dumps in more gas.

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: Trailor hitch

As far as setup is concerened the gmc is a 84 1500 with a 350. i get about 15 when not towing however when i drop out of overdrive to tow is when it drops, and the explorer is a v6 96 model with 4x4, both have the same ratings on the bumper.

Really? Why not use overdrive? If road conditions are right, I'll switch to overdrive towing my 5500 lb camper with my truck, (5.4L.) You have to get a feel for it. You should be fine as long as it doesn't downshift a lot.

There are pros and cons you should consider to using the Explorer:
PRO: Assuming the truck is 2 wheel, using the explorer would give you an advantage with the 4x4. It should help give you added traction pulling out of launches.
CON: Your Explorer didn't come with a tow package. It lacks upgrades like an extra transmission cooler and a larger radiator. You have to make sure the max tow rating is correct.

You can figure out how much your boat weighs at http://www.iboats.com/b/

Good luck

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailor hitch

A receiver hitch is a chunk of metal that can and will not do a darned thing for lessening stress on a tranny. Whoever gave you that line is a -- well I won't go there. A receiver hitch also does not raise the maximum tow rating for the vehicle. If tongue weight is an issue, then the spring bars and related ball mount turn the entire thing into an equalizing hitch. And then there are two styles of receivers. One simply bolts under the bumper and is of little more value than a ball mounted on the bumper. If the receiver is mounted to the frame, then you have the makings for an equalizer system.

 

[TMALEGA]

Re: Trailor hitch

Well capt i was always taught that no matter what you are towing i should never be in overdrive. I was taught it was worse for your trans, that was what my father taught me. Also silvertip i have plans for putting a trans cooler in this weekend. The explorer doesnt even remotley get on the hot side of my gauge for the 35 min drive to the lake. The truck doesnt either, just as i just stated i was always taught to be out of overdrive for towing i will however this weekend try taking it out and see how they drive with the boat back there. Thanks for the advice.

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: Trailor hitch

Well capt i was always taught that no matter what you are towing i should never be in overdrive. I was taught it was worse for your trans, that was what my father taught me. Also silvertip i have plans for putting a trans cooler in this weekend. The explorer doesnt even remotley get on the hot side of my gauge for the 35 min drive to the lake. The truck doesnt either, just as i just stated i was always taught to be out of overdrive for towing i will however this weekend try taking it out and see how they drive with the boat back there. Thanks for the advice.

Sure. I switch over to overdrive around 55-60MPH assuming it's not very hilly. If I switch over around 45-50MPH my transmission will keep shifting in and out of overdrive, which isn't good for it. If it's shifting a lot, keep it in drive.

Did you look up the weight of your boat per the link I sent you? I figure my camper weighs in at 6000 with all the junk my wife packs in there. The tow rating for my Ford Expedition is 8700lbs, so that's about 69% of max tow rating.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailor hitch

A receiver hitch also does not raise the maximum tow rating for the vehicle.

When a vehicle comes out of the factory with just a bumper hitch, it is usually rated for LESS because of that. When giving a towing rating, you don't specify each individual part, you list the tow rating based on the weakest part in the entire system. Adding a frame mounted receiver hitch will increase the tow rating of the entire system.

 

[TMALEGA]

Re: Trailor hitch

Yes capt i did look it up and from what i found since i dont know which exactly my boat is "the title simply says america 16 starcraft" i didnt realize there were so many options for that boat depending on what the designation. Anyways it can weigh anywhere from 820 - 1405 lbs and the motor weighs 250. So i figure with gas and all i am towing between 1100 to 1700 lbs. Depending on how much fuel actually weighs for 12 gallons and 2 batteries. My calculations i figured roughly 50 lbs for it all. That is all i put in the boat during towing. Maybe the fishing poles and my tackle box depending on how far i am driving. Everything else is in the back of the truck/explorer. I know i can pick up the tounge of the trailor with just one hand and move it wherever i need to with very little effort. I will try the over drive thing later this weekend.