Carrying Wheel Chair Using Hitch on 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Published 08/14/2015

Question:

Ive heard that the 2001 Sport Trac cannot pull anything. Something to do with the transmission?. I am only interested in using the hitch to mount a wheelchair carrier. I just dont want to purchase another transmission.

asked by: Frank H

Expert Reply:

I looked through the owner's manual for your 2001 Explorer Sport Trac and found nothing stating that the vehicle couldn't be used for towing, although the capacity varies according to the engine and transmission used on your vehicle. Consult your owner's manual for more specifics.

When you're carrying a hitch mounted accessory, the Tongue Weight Capacity comes into play, not the Towing Capacity. The Towing Capacity concerns how much rolling load the vehicle can safely pull, while the Tongue Weight Capacity indicates how much weight can be suspended from the hitch without damaging the hitch or its attachment points to the vehicle.

The tongue weight capacity should be listed on the capacity sticker affixed to your hitch. If you're speaking of the Curt Class III hitch you referenced, part # 13407, the tongue weight capacity is 500 lbs.

As long as the weight of the carrier and the wheelchair doesn't exceed the tongue weight capacity of the hitch, you should be just fine.

expert reply by: Mike L