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This fully welded trailer hitch receiver bolts onto your Ford Explorer's frame with no welding required. Matte black, powder coated steel is durable and corrosion resistant and creates a rugged look.
Features:
Specs:
The sturdy steel construction is protected with a matte black finish for added durability. This unique powder coating gives etrailer hitches a carbide-like appearance and a rugged look that sets them apart from traditional glossy hitches. In addition to being rust and corrosion resistant, the tough matte coating hides dirt, scuffs, and dings better than a glossy finish.
At etrailer we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
Tech Tip
Fascia trimming required for installation; special step in instructions for vehicles with kick sensor. No drilling through vehicle frame required for installation , Trimming or removal of underbody panel required for installation , Exhaust must be temporarily lowered for installation , Heat shield must be modified or trimmed for hitch installation
I have purchased and installed numerous hitches from etrailer over the years for various vehicles I have had. This hitch pertains to a 2023 Ford Explorer. Ordering and shipping went well as usual, I received the hitch in a timely manner. The box it came in was practically destroyed but the hitch was not damaged. As far as installation goes it does take a bit of prep work as described in the installation instructions. Take into strong consideration that as noted in the instructions, measurements are approximate, you do have to dry fit especially due to the fact that you have to make cuts in the (2) heat shields. Definitely watch the installation video on etrailer’s website for the installation on a 2022 Ford Explorer but keep in mind things do vary. In the case of my 2023 Ford Explorer The cut dimensions in the heat shields depicted in the instructions are definitely different than the cut dimensions needed to be done in order for me to fit the hitch.For me the long cut needed to be 9”, not 5” as stated. The 1.5” cut did suffice for my installation. 1 flange nut on each of the heat shields needed to be removed and not reinstalled in order for the hitch to mount flush to the cars frame as depicted in my included pictures. Also the rear bracket that needs to be removed in order to lower the exhaust uses a 13mm bolt, not a 10mm bolt as stated in the instructional video and installation instructions. Other than those things, the hitch does seem to be of good quality the welds all looked good, it had a nice finish and I’m sure I will have no issues with it. As I said, I have installed numerous hitches so I always expect to encounter certain issues, just take your time have patience and you’ll be able to get it done. I would recommend this hitch to others.
The hitch and wiring look to be well made and strong. Hitch was received with damage to the carton but nothing was missing. The install went well except that we had to eliminate one of the heat shield bolts on each side because the predrilled hole in the hitch did not match the bolt location. Otherwise hitch install was quite straightforward.
Hitch itself is great and has held up for over 2,000 miles of towing. Installation instructions were basically good. Exception to instructions pertains to the heat shield modification, could have given slightly better details regarding cut dimensions & locations. Overall an excellent kit & components.
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 hitch and the plug in wiring harness were great products and easy to install. The youtube videos were very helpful. The written directions not so much.
Good quality, easy to install, I wish I did better research to understand the cutting, but even that was super simple.
The trailer hitch was delivered in a timely manner and it fit the car as it should.
The package was beat to heck and there were scratches on the hitch.
Fortunately I'm not a twit and realize that you put all that weight from something that sturdy in a cardboard box and send it across the country the box is going to lose the fight. Soooooo, Since I said that the hitch is creat and hopefully I can get it on the lift this week or next and get it on. Your service is EXCELLENT and I appreciate the speed my hitch arrived.
I just bothered to put on my glasses because I was worried that h was a b and oops. SO, I also noticed this was for the wiring harness and dad gummit it arrived attached to the SOLID STEEL HITCH by a zip tie and WE all know that zip ties are like duct tape and that means it goes anywhere.
Yes, this is the same as the wiring harness I'm old and too damn lazy to write something new.
And no, this isn't sarcasm even though a lot of times it is sarcasm. etrailer.com KILLED it and I'm more than satisfied with my purchase.
This was very smooth installation. I would make 2 suggestions. Have all the necessary tools which we did have. Nothing was mentioned about needing a plastic pop rivet tool. Had to purchase it to complete the install. I used zip ties for the time being until the robot gun arrived.
Great product but installation instructions were not so good. Heat shield cuts were not detailed adequately.
Very quality product, but definitely not a "plug and play" hitch that my last vehicle took. This was over 2 hours of work, cutting and dropping to fit it in there. Last one took less than 30 minutes, everything (pre-drilled holes) lined up, quick bolt up job. Level of difficulty 7 out of 10 at minimum.
This is a tough review and I would have given it 5 stars however the instructions were a real pain. It took about 45 minutes for me to disassemble and cut the heat shields so super great up to that point. The sizes of sockets needed were wrong and to add insult to injury the holes cut for the heat shield bolts were off by about a 1/4 of an inch. I had to bend those welded bolts so the hitch could be bolted back in. It is a great hitch and we love it but wow, either map out the factory bolt placement better or give a huge warning that “some modifications may be needed”.
This is not the first hitch I've installed on my car. First one in the early 80s. This hitch is very solid. No question it can pull my loads. Trimming the heat shields was what I expected. Instructions are not very precise, so trim how you think it needs to be, expect to have to retrim to make the hitch fit. Installing the hitch took 3 people (with a floor jack). The main reason for the 2 stars is the holes for the two frame bolts did not line up properly. Had to use a 30" crow bar to get the hitch to align with the frame holes. This is a 1980s mfg error which we shouldn't see in 2024.
great product, need better layout for heat shield cuts
This hitch was easy to install. I just followed the instructions from the etrailer website and in less than 2 hours, the hitch was installed.
Always fast and high quality
Easy to order and arrived within a few days. All great
This rating is for etrailer as a company and not the product specifically.
The product is all still setting in the box. The vehicle was totaled before I installed it and etrailer wouldn’t accept the return
This company is awesome! They give out out tons of information on how to pick the right parts and install them and install them. Plus the prices are very fair and and delivery service was fas it was fast. My trailer hitch fit perfect and the wiring harness was easy to install thanks to the videos. I highly recommend etrailer and will definitely be using them again for all my automotive needs.
The trailer hitch fit like a glove. The quality of the product was amazing. The installation video made it so easy to do it without going to a mechanic shop for professional installation and over paying the labor costs.
I orderd a hitch for a 2011 Nissan Quest, but you sent a Hitch who fits Ford Explorer / Licoln Aviator. No way this hitch fit on the Nissan Quest.
Great service, fast shipping easy installation
Highly Recommend
Perfect fit, instructional videos made installation error proof.
Arrived on time and had no issues with installation.
Looks to be structurally strong. Although packaging was destroyed apon arrival looks to have all parts needed for installation.
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