Recommended Complete Towing Setup for 2018 Ford Explorer XLT

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Question:

We are looking to prep our 2018 Explorer XLT for towing. The car has nothing on it now. We need a hitch, wiring, hitch ball and MAYBE a brake controller. We're looking at two small lightweight travel trailers. both are within the Explorer's towing capacity. one has electric brakes and one does not have any brakes. Can you get us set up for either one?

asked by: Edward

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Expert Reply:

The best hitch for towing with your 2018 Ford Explorer is the Draw-Tite # 76034 because it has the highest weight rating of all options but is just as simple to install. This hitch is rated for tongue weight (TW, which is down-force on the hitch) of up to 675-lbs and towing weight of up to 4500-lbs. Your Explorer can be rated from 2000 to 5000-lbs towing capacity depending on its factory equipment so this hitch will work great for your ultra-light travel trailer so long as it does not exceed the 4500-lb hitch rating.

Written installation instructions, a helpful article and a complete video showing a 2018 Explorer are linked to help you with the install. Please note that the tools needed are detailed in the written instructions from Draw-Tite. You can see the nice appearance of the installed hitch in the photo provided.

For a wiring harness you will definitely need a 4-pole kit no matter which trailer you end up choosing. Tekonsha kit # 118540 offers the easiest plug-in installation which is shown in the included video.

If you do select the trailer that has electric drum brakes you will then need to add a trailer brake controller and an installation kit for it. I recommend the proven Prodigy P3 controller # 90195. This item is simple to set up, intuitive in use and supremely reliable. It even lets you store specific braking power settings so you can call them up at any time. This is great if you will tow in the hills where you might like a certain mix of power and boost settings for those long downhill grades.

You'll wire this in using the all-inclusive kit # ETBC7. This kit both converts the 4-pole wiring to the 7-way format and allows complete installation of the P3. No other items are needed for the wiring and brake controller.

You will need a ball mount, hitch ball, hitch pin or lock and a set of towing mirrors to complete your setup. Since you're not sure which trailer you'll end up with I recommend the Ball Mount Kit # 989900 because it gives you 2 hitch ball sizes, 2 ball mounts and a basic hitch pin, all in a handy storage bag. I do suggest you add anti-rattle locking hitch pin # 63232 in place of the standard pin.

Towing mirrors # KS3990 from K-Source will install easily on your factory mirrors to provide you with a wider field of view behind you for the trailer and other motorists. Rubber pads protect your vehicle's mirror housing from scratches and the ratcheting mounting system securely tightens the mirrors to the car. No tools are needed to install them. A video is included on this item as well.

expert reply by: Adam R

0

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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

There is a trailer hitch receiver that fits your 2016 Ford Explorer which will still allow your Hands-Free liftgate to work, but you may have to kick to the side of the receiver, as opposed to the exact center where the receiver is. What you will…

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Answer 3

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 4

The Draw-Tite #76034, Curt #C13386 and etrailer.com #e98867 trailer hitch receivers that are designed for your 2018 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…

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Answer 5

None of the hitches we offer for the 2017 Ford Explorer would install so that the receiver tube extends through the bumper like the factory hitch would. The hitches offered by our suppliers would install so that the receiver tube would sit directly…

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Answer 6

You can determine if you have a tow package by reaching out to a Ford dealer or by checking the undercarriage of Explorer. If it does have the tow package there will be a trailer hitch receiver and either a 4-pole or 7-way wiring harness visible as…

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Answer 7

No modification of the rear bumper is needed when installing the Curt #C13386 or Draw-Tite #76034 hitch receiver on your 2017 Ford Explorer. Both trailer hitch receiver options will sit below the rear bumper so they will be visible at all times as…

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Answer 8

For your 2018 Ford Explorer the trailer hitch I recommend is the etrailer.com part #e98867 because it's made in the USA, has a 2 inch opening, has plenty of towing capacity, and allows the hands free liftgate to still work as long as you kick to…

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Answer 9

With the installation of a trailer hitch on your 2016 Ford Explorer like the part #C13386 that you referenced you will still be able to use the hands free liftgate option, but you will need to kick your foot to the sides of the trailer hitch between…

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Answer 10

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13386 replaced C13100 due to a slight design change between the 2017 and 2018 Ford Explorer models. Curt trailer hitch #C13386 is supposed to rest just below the rear fascia on your 2017 Ford Explorer meaning that it…

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Answer 11

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 12

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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Recommended Complete Towing Setup for 2018 Ford Explorer XLT

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