Parts Needed to Tow a Trailer with a 2017 Ford Explorer with 2.3L Eco-Boost Engine  

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I'll start out by saying that you're always limited by the lowest rated component in your towing setup, even if certain components are rated for higher weights; I believe the "Class II Trailer Tow Package" refers to factory installed towing components that likely include a transmission cooler (and possibly other parts), and not the Class rating of the hitch. It should also be noted that the available hitches for the 2017 Ford Explorer are all Class III hitches, which technically are rated higher than Class II hitches so the issue isn't the actual hitch as much as it is the additional components that Ford has added to the vehicle to increase the safe towing capacity. Since this package is something that comes from the factory, you won't be able to add it to your vehicle as an aftermarket solution. This will likely limit you to towing 2000-lbs, but you can confirm that you can't just add a transmission cooler or suspension enhancement to gain the 3000-lbs towing capacity you're looking for.

With all of that said, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C13386 is a great solution for your 2017 Ford Explorer and it would allow you to use all 2,000-lbs (or 3,000-lbs if additional components can be added) of the towing capacity of your vehicle. Curt hitches have a thicker powder coating than some other hitches, which will help prolong the life of the hitch.

The other components you'll definitely need to tow a trailer are a wiring harness, ball mount, hitch ball, hitch pin and clip. For the wiring harness I recommend using the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # 118540 because of the reliability of Tekonsha wiring and converter boxes. This will give you a 4 way trailer plug that allows you to power the lights on your trailer.

To complete your setup you can use a ball mount kit like the etrailer Ball Mount Kit - Super Extra-Long - 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop - 6,000 lbs # EBMK2EL to give you all the parts you need in a package including 1-7/8" and 2" hitch balls, hitch pin and clip, plus a handy carrying/storage bag. You'll want to measure the distance from the bottom of the trailer's coupler to the ground, and then subtract that from the distance from the top of the hitch receiver to the ground; this will tell you how much of a rise or drop you require to tow the trailer level. This ball mount kit can be used in a 2 inch drop or 3/4 inch rise orientation.

One optional piece of equipment that will be helpful in taking some of the stress off your 2017 Explorer while towing is a transmission cooler; I recommend using the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class II - Efficient # D13501. The plate-fin design helps disperse heat better than a tube-fin cooler and these coolers are often found as part of towing packages that vehicle manufacturers add to their vehicles; this may have been one of the add-ons in the Class II trailer tow package you mentioned and would be a good call to help prolong the life of your vehicle. This is a confirmed fit on the 2017 Explorer with the 2.3L Eco-Boost engine.

I've linked some review and installation videos of these parts for you to check out.

expert reply by: Erik B

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