Recommended Trailer Hitch and Brake Controller for 2002 Ford Explorer

Published 02/15/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(103)

$444.24

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

(1798)

$21.97

Question:

Hello there I am shopping for a receiver hitch for my SUV. Here is the information I have on the vehicle: Year: 2002 Make: Ford Model: Explorer Version: XLT Engine: 4.0 V6 SOHC All Wheel Drive Full Size Spare Tire At the moment I am just shopping for the receiver hitch, but am also looking into electronic break controllers because I will need a trailer with breaks as my business grows. It is my understanding that there is already a factory harness for this that I just need to plug into, is there any way you can verify and relay to me the relevant information?

asked by: Christopher S

Expert Reply:

For your 2002 Ford Explorer XLT, I recommend the Curt Class III Round Tube Receiver Hitch # C13550. This Class III hitch is confirmed to fit your 4-door Explorer and will use existing holes in its frame for a no-drill installation. It features a 2 inch receiver opening and a 5,000 pound towing weight capacity. Keep in mind that the trailer hitches available for your Ford Explorer are designed to fit beneath the OEM/factory hitch. If your particular vehicle does not have the OEM hitch, this will still work without issue, but there will be a small gap under the rear bumper where the factory hitch would have been installed.

I have attached an installation video on the 2003 Ford Explorer that you can use for reference.

If your vehicle came equipped with the factory 7-Way installed at the rear, there is indeed a built-in brake controller port that makes for extremely simple installation of a trailer brake controller. For the brake controller itself, I highly recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller # 90885. This is a really nice, proportional controller that will activate the trailer brakes at the same time and with the same intensity that you apply to them in your vehicle. To install the controller, all you will need is the Plug-In Wiring Adapter # 3035-P. One end of the harness will connect to the brake controller itself and the other end will plug right into the factory port under the dash of the Explorer.

I have included the written installation instructions that you can take a look at.

expert reply by: Chris R