1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

[Mscanon99]

Hi All,

I have a 18' Sea Ray which is about 2700-3000 lbs depending on the load....Gas/Gear and so forth.

I have been towing with a 1994 Chevy S10 / 4.3 v6 / 4x4 / 5 speed manual. Its OK, however I want more passanger room. I put a Class III hitch on this rig as the bumper hitch was rated at 200/2000.

I am looking at a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT with the SOHC 210 hp and a 5 speed auto. The bumper lists the towing capacity at 350/3500. The Ford has 93K on it, its clean and only towed a pop up camper during its previous run.

Would you use the Ford and would you trust the standard bumper hitch? I can pick the Ford up for about 4500.00.

Thanks for any advice

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

Hi All,

I have a 18' Sea Ray which is about 2700-3000 lbs depending on the load....Gas/Gear and so forth.

I have been towing with a 1994 Chevy S10 / 4.3 v6 / 4x4 / 5 speed manual. Its OK, however I want more passanger room. I put a Class III hitch on this rig as the bumper hitch was rated at 200/2000.

I am looking at a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT with the SOHC 210 hp and a 5 speed auto. The bumper lists the towing capacity at 350/3500. The Ford has 93K on it, its clean and only towed a pop up camper during its previous run.

Would you use the Ford and would you trust the standard bumper hitch? I can pick the Ford up for about 4500.00.

Thanks for any advice

No matter what else you decide. I would put a real hitch on it even if the bumper is rated for 3,500 lb

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

you need a reciever hitch, rated for your load. also need trailer brakes, or you will get the 'tail wagging the dog' syndrone. explorers are short wheel base.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

I would guess also that using the bumper hitch the tongue would be quite high which creates a foul handling situation as well. You might also want to know that until Ford changed the front suspension away from the swing axle design, heavily loaded Explorers had some trailer handling difficulties. I've been behind two of them that lost control and rolled and there wasn't another vehicle, other than mine, in sight. You also said the boat weighs 2700 - 3000#. If that includes the trailer, you don't need brakes legally, but if it does not include the trailer, brakes are required in most states and highly recommended even if it's not required.

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

Agree on the need for a good receiver hitch, not much more money and you can get the trailer level which is not always true with a bumper hitch. It has to be close to level for stability and for surge brakes to work right.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

I had two Explorers one of them a 99 and never had a problem with the bumper hitch towing my 18ft Searay. The lake I usually went to is 75 miles away, but towed farther several times.

 

[moterboat]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

Hi All,

I have a 18' Sea Ray which is about 2700-3000 lbs depending on the load....Gas/Gear and so forth.

I have been towing with a 1994 Chevy S10 / 4.3 v6 / 4x4 / 5 speed manual. Its OK, however I want more passanger room. I put a Class III hitch on this rig as the bumper hitch was rated at 200/2000.

I am looking at a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT with the SOHC 210 hp and a 5 speed auto. The bumper lists the towing capacity at 350/3500. The Ford has 93K on it, its clean and only towed a pop up camper during its previous run.

Would you use the Ford and would you trust the standard bumper hitch? I can pick the Ford up for about 4500.00.

Thanks for any advice

I tow with the early 91 explorer,I would trust the fac. hitch,and the truck will pull your boat great.. the explorers were no good for pulling from 1991 to 1994with out modification's.. in 1995 they changed the transmission,and the rear gear, the 1999 will pull great..

 

[mchin]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

I have a 98 xlt, and have a hitch mount and would recommend the same, handling has never been a problem, but maybe that's because I use the hitch and not the bumper. I would recommend getting brakes as the brakes on the truck are not as strong as I think they should be. They fade too fast and on your load, they will wear too quickly. Lastly, have a qualified mech check the tranny, as this too is a weak area. I have babied my truck and don't tow near the max load, but my truck is starting to stutter and shudder around 40 mph, so I know I am in for a rebuild.
Lastly, there have been a few recalls on the speed control and a few others, so make sure your truck is current on all this stuff.


just my 2 cents and experience with this vehicle

 

[moterboat]

Re: 1999 Ford Explorer bumper hitch?

I have a 98 xlt, and have a hitch mount and would recommend the same, handling has never been a problem, but maybe that's because I use the hitch and not the bumper. I would recommend getting brakes as the brakes on the truck are not as strong as I think they should be. They fade too fast and on your load, they will wear too quickly. Lastly, have a qualified mech check the tranny, as this too is a weak area. I have babied my truck and don't tow near the max load, but my truck is starting to stutter and shudder around 40 mph, so I know I am in for a rebuild.
Lastly, there have been a few recalls on the speed control and a few others, so make sure your truck is current on all this stuff.


just my 2 cents and experience with this vehicle

Im a ex ford tech myself,ford has a pretty good transmission they started useing in 1995,you may have to go to a lower rear gear.. and do you have 4 wheel disc brakes?how much does your boat weigh?do you tow in overdrive??