How to Determine if 2017 Lincoln Navigator is Equipped With Heavy Duty Tow Package
Published 05/07/2021
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Question:
I cannot find information online for a heavy duty tow package for a 2017 Navigator. Do you have any info where I can get one and what’s included with the package ? How can I tell if my vehicle has a heavy or standard duty package already?
asked by: Pat R
Expert Reply:
I'll start with your last question first. If you call your Ford Dealer, and provide them with your VIN, they should be able to explain exactly how your vehicle is equipped. The brochure for your vehicle states that the HD tow package includes 'Brake module wiring; frame-mounted, heavy-duty 2" hitch receiver with 4-/7-pin wiring connectors; heavy-duty flasher and transmission cooler and trailer sway control'.
The trouble with the term 'Tow Package' is that it's a useless descriptor. There's no consistency about what the term means among different vehicle manufacturers, and even among different vehicles from the same manufacturer. At a minimum, a tow package would include a hitch and basic trailer wiring, ranging all the way up to a vehicle equipped with a higher capacity hitch, beefed up suspension, heavy duty radiator or secondary transmission cooler.
The figure I saw online for a 2017 Navigator is a 8600-9000 lb towing capacity, the capacity of 4WD models will be lower. Your vehicle has a factory hitch and would almost certainly have the factory 4 pole/7-way trailer connector at the rear bumper.
To further equip your Navigator, I'd recommend a installing a brake controller like the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty, part # RED24FR and the # 331-TPH-007 brake controller wiring harness. The Tow-Pro Liberty is a remote mount brake controller. The primary control box mounts under the dash, out of sight while the control knob is mounted within the driver's reach. This provides a much cleaner, factory-appearing install.
To protect the transmission I'd also recommend installing a secondary transmission cooler if it doesn't have one or isn't included in the tow package your vehicle is equipped with. From what I read online, your vehicle was equipped with the 6-speed transmission, so you can install a supplemental transmission cooler. I'd recommend the # D13502 from Derale which would install inline with the return line from the radiator to the transmission.
I'll link to some helpful articles about transmission coolers as well as to a video explaining how the brake controller I recommended works.
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