Will Handsfree Liftgate Sensors Work When Hitch Is Installed on 2016 Ford Explorer

Question

Question:

I have a 2016 Ford Explorer Limited with a hands free liftgate and rear bumper sensors. I want to make sure that I purchase the correct hitch and wiring harness for my vehicle that will allow the liftgate and all sensors to work properly. I will need a 4-pin or 7-pin wiring harness. I can use either one. I will probably also need a hitch riser to tow the trailer level. Can you recommend the correct part numbers?

asked by: Robert H

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The trailer hitch I recommend for your 2016 Explorer is the Draw-Tite # 76034. This is a Class lll hitch and it has a 2-inch receiver opening. The hands-free liftgate option will still work. You just need to run your foot under either side of the hitch. I have attached a link to an installation video for this hitch on a 2016 Explorer you can check out.

If you plan on doing some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not include a ball mount with the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, check out the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

The trailer wiring harness I recommend is part # 118540. This harness simply plugs into the vehicle wiring under the rear of your vehicle on the passenger side.

If you need a 7-way because the trailer has brakes, I recommend part # ETBC7. This plugs into the 4-way connector and with additional wiring as shown in the attached drawing will give you a working 4-way and 7-way trailer connector.

For a brake controller I recommend part # 90195. This is a proportional brake controller that applies the brakes on the trailer with the same braking action as the vehicle.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

1

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Answer 1

Both the Draw-Tite #76034 and Curt #C13386 trailer hitch receivers that are designed for your 2017 Ford Explorer will allow the hands free lift gate sensor to work. However, you will need to activate it by putting your foot to the side of the hitch…

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Answer 2

Installing a hitch, like #76034, on a 2017 Ford Explorer will still allow you to use your auto lift gate. The hitch will only block some of the sensors that are used in the auto lift system. We have installed hitches on Explorers with this option and…

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Answer 3

Since you are wanting a 5 bike rack there are only a few options that can carry that many bikes. Unfortunately, none of them will tilt with the bikes loaded. It is just too much weight and the rack could fail with that leverage on them. Of the 5-bike…

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Answer 4

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 5

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 6

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 7

Yes, we do. To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C26VV. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a…

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Answer 8

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 9

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Answer 10

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 11

To replace your NOK AD2527E seal you can use #168233. It has an inner diameter of 1.688 inches and an outer diameter of 2.332 inches. Based on what I could find on the NOK AD2527E the inner diameter is the same and the outer diameter is 2.328 inches.…

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Answer 12

The best hitch for a 2024 Hyundai Tucson is the etrailer Hitch item #e38KR. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Tucson with included hardware. It is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver, that has a 3,500 lbs towing capacity and a 525 lbs…

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