Can Small Boat Trailer Be Towed By 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Using Bumper Mounted Trailer Ball

Question:

Hi! Thanks again for helping me out with my Honda Accord surf rack and cargo box question back in March. Yall were right in your advice and it all worked out perfectly. I am trying to keep my ford explorer sport trak to do my basic local boat towing to the launch ramp. My boat with trailer weighs about/just under 1250 pounds and the car says 3,500 is the max. Im in the clear : My question though is I see a small hole that appears to be for tow hitch ball at the center bottom of the rear license plate. Thats also where I read about the 3,500 pound towing capacity part on a sticker. Am I correct in understanding that I have a tow hitch receiver system already on the car and just need a ball and proper wiring and voila? OR Ive seen people install on Youtube or U-haul a new tow hitch receiver that fits perfectly and easily just under car. just like your Item # 75112. Whats the difference or obligation? thanks again you guys are awesome!!! Best, Nico

asked by: Nico

Expert Reply:

That's a great question. Your Explorer Sport Trac is equipped with a towing bumper, with a 3500 lb capacity. If the rear bumper height is such that it's pretty close to the height of your trailer's coupler when it's jacked up and level, then by all means get you a trailer ball with the proper diameter shank to fit the hole in the bumper (likely 1 inch) and ball size (likely 1-7/8) and tow that boat and trailer. If the hole diameter is 1 inch, you can use # 19260 for a 1-7/8 inch ball or # 63845 for a 2 inch.

However, if the heights are different enough that the trailer will tow so the frame's more than an inch or so above or below level, and you're towing at highway speeds you'll want to install a frame mounted receiver hitch like the Draw-Tite # 75112 and the proper ball mount so the trailer tows close to level.

Boat trailers can be susceptible to trailer sway because a lot of their weight is toward the back. Towing out of level with insufficient tongue weight can lead to trailer sway which isn't what I'd call a pleasant experience.

If you need to add a trailer connector, you can do so by using part # 118344. I've linked to an installation video for the hitch mentioned above.