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Trailer Hitch: Service and Repair




Trailer Hitch





Removal and Installation

NOTE: The factory rear trailer hitch crossmember is welded to the frame. The service replacement rear trailer hitch crossmember will be bolted to the frame.

All vehicles

1. Remove the spare tire.

2. Remove the rear bumper cover. For additional information, refer to Bumper.

3. Disconnect the trailer wiring harness.

Explorer/Mountaineer

4. Cut the rear rails vertically at least 10-18 mm (0.39-0.70 in) behind the rear body/box mount leg.
- Use Explorer/Mountaineer template No. 1. Refer to the trailer hitch procedure on the PTS website.

5. Drill 18 mm (0.688 in) diameter holes for the inboard and outboard attachments to each frame rail.
- For the inboard side use Explorer/Mountaineer template No. 2. Refer to the trailer hitch procedure on the PTS website.

- For the outboard side use Explorer/Mountaineer template No. 3. Refer to the trailer hitch procedure on the PTS website.

Explorer Sport Trac

6. Cut the rear rails vertically at least 10-18 mm (0.39-0.70 in) behind the rear body/box mount leg.
- Use Sport Trac template No. 1. Refer to the trailer hitch procedure on the PTS website.

7. Drill 18 mm (0.688 in) diameter holes for the inboard and outboard attachments to each frame rail.
- Use Sport Trac Template No. 2. Refer to the trailer hitch procedure on the PTS website.

- Use Sport Trac template No. 3. Refer to the trailer hitch procedure on the PTS website.

All vehicles

8. Deburr the cut edges of the frame rail and the drilled holes.

9. Clean the inner and outer surfaces of the frame rails, making sure all mating surfaces are free of foreign material.

10. Apply 3 even coats of the specified anti-corrosion coating onto the inner and outer surfaces of the frame rails where bare metal is present.

11. NOTE: It may be necessary to spread apart or pull together the frame rails slightly to get the brackets to fit.

Insert the new trailer hitch crossmember assembly into the frame.





12. Hand-start all 8 bolts into the weld nuts in the hitch brackets.

13. Tighten the inboard bolts.
- Tighten to 235 Nm (174 lb-ft).





14. Tighten the outboard bolts.
- Tighten to 235 Nm (174 lb-ft).





15. Install the trailer wiring harness.

16. Install the rear bumper cover. For additional information, refer to Bumper.

17. Install the spare tire.

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