Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

Adding a Towing Package

HookEmHard84
 Share

Recommended Posts

HookEmHard84 Enthusiast

HookEmHard84

Posted
Posted

I've got a 2000 Ford Explorer XL (6 cylinder, 4.0L), it doesn't have a towing package and I'm thinking of adding one to tow my boat. Anyone ever done something similar before?

From looking online I have found a few "towing bar" kits, where you essentially bolt the bar on to the frame. Anyone have any experience with these?

My boat is 18.6' I figured if the thing is completely loaded down with gear it would weigh somewhere in the 2500-3000lb range including the trailer. The manual for the Explorer says its rated up to about 4700lbs, does that sound about right? Think I'll be able to get the thing up the boat ramps?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Scott K Grand Master

Scott K

Posted
Posted

These guy s both touched on the biggest thing. First and formost, make sure that the brakes are up to par. Most explorers came with the same brakes with or without the towing package, but if someone did brakes on it, and installed the $19.99 pads, and $20 rotors, I would look into replacing them with the better quality pads and rotors. The tranny cooler would be next. If it didnt have a towing package, it more then likely doesnt have a tranny cooler on it, I would install the tranny cooler before making any trips with it more then 25 miles. Then get yourself a class 3 or 4 hitch, that bolts to the frame, and not just to the bumper.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Walleyehooker Veteran

Walleyehooker

Posted
Posted

Some places that sell hitches also install them for very cheap. If you dont have the tools it can be well worth the money. They usually do wireing harnesses and trany coolers to.

Some trailers have surge brakes on them which helps a lot.

If your truck has a tranny cooler it should be attached to the radiator and you can see it threw the grill

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now ↓↓↓ or ask your question and then register. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • rundrave
      Problems with Yetti

      By rundrave · Posted

      got this tackled today took about 3 hours to get both sides done. Didnt even get to use a torch....   Thought I was golden with just jacking it up and I could get to everything but no luck. Had to remove the entire axle hub and brake assembly to get to what I needed. Was a pain but still better then taking off the entire pivot arm.    Axle bearings were already greased and in great shape thankfully. Got both leaf springs installed and its ready for the road again.   Probably going to have my electric brakes checked, I am not touching anything with the brake drums. Based on what I saw it doesn't look like my electric brakes have been working anyway. Brakes are nice to have if its slippery out
    • Macgyver55
      Random Daily Pics

      By Macgyver55 · Posted

    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      By The way that didn't work either!! Screw it I'll just use the cellular. 
    • Wanderer
      Just Food and Drink

      By Wanderer · Posted

      It’s done automatically.  You might need an actual person to clear that log in stuff up.   Trash your laptop history if you haven’t tried that already.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      😂 yea pretty amazing how b o o b i e s gets flagged, but they can't respond or tell me why I  can't get logged in here on my laptop but I can on my cellular  😪
    • Mike89
      Just Food and Drink

      By Mike89 · Posted

      I grilled some brats yesterday, maybe next weekend will the next round...  
    • Wanderer
      Just Food and Drink

      By Wanderer · Posted

      You got word censored cuz you said        B o o b ies….. haha.   Yeah, no… grilling is on hiatus for a bit.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      Chicken mine,  melded in Mccormick poultry seasoning for 24 hours.  Grill will get a break till the frigid temps go away!
    • Mike89
      Problems with Yetti

      By Mike89 · Posted

      good luck!!!   
    • rundrave
      Problems with Yetti

      By rundrave · Posted

      we had some nice weather yesterday and this conundrum was driving me crazy  so I drove up to the house to take another look. I got a bunch of goodies via ups yesterday (cables,  winch ratchet parts, handles, leaf springs etc).   I wanted to make sure the new leaf springs I got fit. I got everything laid out and ready to go. Will be busy this weekend with kids stuff and too cold to fish anyway, but I will try to get back up there again next weekend and get it done. I don't think it will be bad once I get it lifted up.    For anyone in the google verse, the leaf springs are 4 leafs and measure 25 1/4" eye  to eye per Yetti. I didnt want to pay their markup so just got something else comparable rated for the same weight.   I am a first time wheel house owner, this is all new to me. My house didn't come with any handles for the rear cables? I was told this week by someone in the industry that cordless drills do not have enough brake to lower it slow enough and it can damage the cables and the ratchets in the winches.  I put on a handle last night and it is 100% better than using a drill, unfortatenly I found out the hard way lol and will only use the ICNutz to raise the house now.

  • Topics

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept