Best 2017 Ford Explorer Trailer Hitches

Due to the sales rep not ordering my wife's 2017 ford explorer with the tow package (always inspect what you expect) I was forced to search for a hitch. Initially etrailer offered it at $160 which was more than I was willing to pay. After waiting a couple months the price dropped to a comfortable level. The package arrived in good shape (my e-150 hitch had chipped paint due to the shipper's carelessness). The hitch bolted up quite seemlessly, though being a mortal, it took me 2:24 (more than the :45 suggested). The bolt leader for feeding the hardware was an awesome addition to the installation and the wiring harness I also ordered was a breeze especially with the instructional video. I would place the wiring harness between the frame and the hitch. I didn't and you can see the missed opportunity in my pic. Also, the carriage bolt shoulder IS too small and needs to be standard length. In hind sight, I'd buy a standard carriage bolt like suggested in another review, but made it work with a crowbar. Having ordered the 4-way harness, I realize that it doesn't include a reverse wire, so be aware of that. Also, you will want a deep well socket for the new bushing carriage bolts. Not knowing this hitch came with a mounting bracket I also bought the 4-way plug bracket. The 4-way plug bracket was also an awesome addition. Buy some vinyl tube for the outside carriage bolt on this bracket (for sound dampening) and you'll be a happy camper.

First off let me give the hitch a solid 5 star. It is solid and fits with no modifications involved. I used a little dish soap on the hangers and they slid right off my brand new 2017 Explorer. It looks good but does hang lower then the hidden OEM hitch but doesn't stick out as a sore thumb, so I consider this hitch to be well worth the money and would buy again and recommend it to others just read on for my complaint. I also used the CURT Manufacturing 56306 Custom Wiring Harness which was painless install except don't use the enclosed diagram of the plug connections as they don't match the plug color code they have on the plug, the color code works fine just follow the wire color and wire location. I added a 4 wire flat connector to the plug also and used wire ring lugs just in case the wires might vibrate loose. I also used the CURT 58000 Easy-Mount Electrical Bracket to mount the plug assembly which was also painless. I did the install alone and didn't have any problems installing it except for the below. It may help if you have a helping hand to lift and hold the hitch when the time comes to raise it but I had no problems by myself. Now the reason for the 2 stars I gave it. The bolt package is mostly good but the carriage bolts for the muffler brackets are a joke. The nuts are a locking type so they don't work off from vibration. That is well and good but the carriage bolts have a short shoulder, at least on the one's I got so when you try to tighten the nut it doesn't grab the square hole enough to let you tighten it. Hence the carriage bolt turns, I tried everything short of welding the bolt in place and gave up as I didn't have a welder. By this time the truck was torn apart and I had to find a store to get new bolts. Closest store to me, I live in a rural area, was about 1 hour away. Of course try to find a 7/16 carriage bolt, HD doesn't carry them. Next stop Farm Store, no luck there either. So instead of wasting any more time I just bought two 7/16 bolts. They did work in my case as there was clearance between the frame and mounting bracket and I could get a wrench on both sides to tighten to where it needed to be with the supplied nuts, if you go this route take the nuts with you to make sure you get the correct size bolt and the carriage bolt for length. So after a couple hours looking for bolts it took me quite awhile to install because of this. If the carriage bolts supplied would have worked I could have installed it in about 1/2 hour as I had the tools and place to install it. I WOULD ADVISE BEFORE YOU START ESPICALLY IF THIS IS YOU ONLY VEHICLE TO BUY THE BOLTS BEFORE YOU START. YOU WILL NOT KNOW IF THE CARRAGE BOLTS WILL WORK UNTIL YOU TRY TO INSTALL THE RUBBER MUFFLER ISOLATORS/HANGERS. Your vehicle is apart at this stage If the supplied bolts had worked and I didn't have to spend so much time looking for replacement bolts this job could have been done in less time that was stated for installation which is 45 minutes. Like I said a solid 5 stars for the hitch and 1 star for the hardware.

Got it for a bike rack for my mini bike came with everything I needed and instructions way better than I expected and a great price would buy again 10000%

Came with everything I needed. Great installation video on product page. Game with paper instructions as well. Had a hard time fishing a bolt through the frame, but ended up getting it after about 20 minutes. Product looks great and fit great. Looking forward to using it.

Hitch arrived very fast and fit perfect on my 1999 Ford Explorer...very satisfied!

The hitch and wiring harness were very quick and easy to install. The design allowed the full size spare wheel/tire to be kept in the original location. Shipped the hitch and wiring harness in the same box and it got here fast. Very happy with the purchase.

My entire experience with etrailer.com was outstanding. This Receiver was exactly as advertised and fit beautifully. The website is fantastic and easy to navigate. The customer service is superb! When the product arrived, it was packaged expertly and easy to handle. The product was great, but it is everything else that will keep me coming back for all my trailer needs. I can't recommend etrailer.com highly enough. Stop looking everywhere else because etrailer is the only site you need!!

read instructions !

Very easy to install it, fits perfect and made very strong. Someone really used his head when he designed it. Only one thing- bolts don’t fit they are little smaller but I used the original so all good. Thank you etrailer

etrailer is AWESOME!!!! Super fast delivery! The hitch fit perfectly. Just as easy to put on as the install video. Very nice hitch. My factory 1 1/4 hitch was rotted as you can see in my pic. The new one is way better and the 2 inch is a sweet upgrade!!! Increasing my towing capacity is great too!!

Awesome low profile hitch. It looks great on my Ford Explorer! The installation was super easy. I got it installed in about 30 minutes. The only issue I ran into was removing the exhaust brackets from the factory. They were pretty tough to remove. Had to use a cheater bar to get them off. Other than that, the install was super easy. Everything fit perfectly! The install video was dead on. Watched it a couple of times and knew exactly what to do. Again, awesome hitch!

Really like the way the Curt trailer hitch receiver looks on my 2017 Explorer. Class III receiver should be adequate for my 19’ center console boat. Thanks.

Great customer care and service from Chris and the Etrailer employee's. Got back to me to let me know of a item was back ordered from a manufacturer, didn't try to over sell me on products, asked what I'd like to do. Helped me make changes to my purchase that I needed right away. Two days later they now have my business shopping loyalty from here on out. I can't thank you guys enough.

Ordered it at 9:30 A.M on Tuesday was sitting on my front step the next evening. Am thoroughly impressed with the delivery. Installed it on Thursday evening. took about an hour, fit and finish are excellent and I didn't drop the bumper on my self. Thanks

I was pleased with both the price and the packaging, as well as the product. Unlike some other vendors, the hitch receiver was properly boxed. Installed on 2022 Explorer, used video from 2023 Explorer. Installed it by myself with little difficulty. Quite happy with fit and finish.

Hitch seems good enough quality. Instructions failed to mention the slit you need to cut in the exhaust heat shields for the vertical portions of the mounting brackets. Instructions also suggested using a 21mm socket on a bolt with a 13/16" head. Don't do that, you'll round it off.

This hitch did not fit as delivered. The spacing between the vertical mounting ears was too narrow to embrace the vehicle's frame rails by 5/8 inch! As the original owner of my 1996 Ford Explorer, I attest to its integrity and history of no damage and no abuse. I am a professional mechanic and was comfortable with, and capable of, spreading the attaching flange, "ears" gap a bit wider to fit the car's frame rails. It was much more of a chore to install than expected. All is OK now. It was disturbing to view the fine print at the top of the instruction page, 757230, which states, " Will not fit with full size spare tire". That contradicts your web page's guidelines and applications charts.. This hitch, in fact, does accommodate the full size spare on my vehicle. The quality of constriction is good and the powdercoat finish is good The packaging was good. The hardware kit and diagrams are good. The free freight is remarkable and the two-days delivery time was astonishing!

The hitch itself is well constructed but does not fit the Explorer without modification to make it wider to fit over the framerails. I had to take it to my mechanic to be altered to fit.

2021 Ford Explorer. Perfect fit! My concern was delivery time, spoke to Lori at etrailer, she assured me that the order would be processed and shipped in a timely manner as my hitch was “in stock”. She was right on the money. The instructions were simple and easy to follow. I installed the hitch in a parking lot with no problems. Thank you etrailer and Lori for a personalized experience as a consumer; something that is far too rare these days. HIGHLY RECOMMEND etrailer!!!

I had a little trouble starting out buy the etrailer team was patience and assured me that the trailer hitch fit my 22 explorer. To be honest I found a video for the installation and it showed the the couple pulling down the plastic trim and sliding hitch up into cavity above the trim cover.

Easy installation and looks factory great! Everything fit very well with no mods needed and only tow small holes needed in heat shield for bolt access. Highly recommended.

The trailer hitch was delivered in a timely manner and it fit the car as it should.

Quality hitch and fair price

Well built hitch and easy to install. 2010 F150.

Great hidden trailer hitch for my 2020 Ford Explorer at the best price I could find.

This was perfect. Everything I needed and how to install. GREAT PRODUCT and COMPANY!!

I have been dealing with etrailer for many years and have never had a problem. I just ordered a hitch for my Lincoln, and it didn't fit. I called on a Sunday and talked with Diana. Diana said there were were two different hitches for my car that year. She said no problem, she sent the correct one out that day and gave me a prepaid tag to return the wrong one, no questions asked. They are a great company that stand behind there products if there's ever a problem. Great people to buy from. Thank you Diana for the quick turn around, you folks have my vote and my business!

2013 Ford Edge Sport Pro Tip: There are two (2) carriage bolts that are longer than the other four (4). The instructions indicate to use these for the holes that you will drill though I’m not entirely sure it matters. Still, if you want to do it by the book, double check your bolts before installing. Otherwise a straightforward and easy install.

Robust construction, nearly perfect fit. Installation was straightforward.

I received this hitch with some chips down to the metal. So I repaired these. Alll holes lined up except one. The hitch was bent 1/2 inch on one side. So with a steel rod, wood blocks, and a pump jack, I bent the hitch into place. All the extra work is why I gave this hitch a 3 star rating. I now have a 5 star hitch that works great with my Thule bike rack.

This Hitch Reciever fit my '89 Ford Ranger perfectly. Had it installed in less than 30 minutes. Heavy duty design. I've had it over a year now and it has held up great. A huge improvement from the original ball in bumper design.

Fits right. Had to cut the corner at a 45 on one of the square shim washers due to a lip on the frame rail at the spare tire. Wouldn’t sit flat. Other than that, about 30 minutes from start to finish.

This was my first order to etrailer and I am so pleased! I ordered a Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver for my 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. I had it shipped to a friend and it arrived in three days. I really believe we could have installed the hitch in 30 minutes. However, the truck was rear-ended last year and I did not realize that the bumper had been pushed forward. Never-the-less, we loosed the bumper bolts, pulled it back out and quickly installed the hitch. Even with the additional adjustment required, we had the hitch fully mounted and ready to go in less than an hour. Thanks Etrailer for a super product and swift delivery.

Well made, well finished and heavy duty product! If you are even halfway handy, you can install this yourself. Like anything, fitting is exact.

Product was all there but arrived with shipping damage. Might want to think about how to keep the heavy items from moving in the shipping carton or protect the outside edges with cardboard or something. I'll touch up the paint but wanted to give some feedback, you guys seem pretty receptive to input. Other than that there was good communication through the whole process. Fast service. Thank you.

It's a perfect addition to my son's PT cruiser. Now with the retro look of the PT cruiser he can tow his 1980 smoker craft boat with the antique outboard motor. Thanks again E trailer for great products and my fifth hitch I purchased from you.

Great product, installation was easy and instructions very good. I didn't use any power tools and had to jack up the car put it on safety stands and use a creeper and it only took me one hr. I removed the spare tire and removed both brackets from the frame for the muffler. The T-one wiring harness yellow wire could have been about two or three inchs longer but I made it work.

It came within a few days of ordering. Packaged well, no shipping damage. Installation took an hour only because I had to cut the bolts to the bumper mounted hitch that was already installed. I also had to drill two holes due to my Ranger being the older model. After that it bolted right up with no issues. All the necessary hardware to install the hitch was included. Oh, yeah, it came with instructions, but who reads those!

This is the third time we have purchased a hitch from etrailer along with other products. Every time we have purchased from them we have been very happy. We really appreciate the helpful videos that show step by step how to install the products we have purchased. We also appreciate that they care enough to follow up and see how things are going. We bought this to replace a Hidden Hitch that had been damaged due to and accident. The original had been on the truck for many year and served us well. We were glad to find this hitch and that it is exactly like the original. We like that, other than the receiver, the entire assembly hides up behind the bumper making for a very clean install. It is on a 2001 Ford Ranger with the Edge package. The truck has a full size spare and the hitch does fit well even with the full size spare. When you install the hitch removing the spare makes for a much easier install. The spare fits right back in place when you are done. The hitch has been on the truck for about a year now. The finish has held up well and it does exactly what we need it to do.