I'm considering rigging up my 2000 Ford Explorer to tow a friend's older 17' Alumaweld style driftboat. The vehicle specs indicate that I can attach directly to the bumper and be well within limits. What has been your experience?
In the past I had a 3/4 ton Chevy 4X4 to do the job, but it met an untimely end in an accident.

Also, does anyone have any wiring tips or know where I can get a good kit?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I have always just used the flat style connector from Napa. They are cheap and all my friends use the same style so you can swap trailers or tow vehicles.

If you are looking for a higher quality connector these are good

http://www.jetconnex.com/

It'll be fine. I've towed my 2500lb sled from the bumper.

You should have a 4 wire flat connecter,that will connect under the bumper. I had a 98 Ranger that had that style connector, factory from Ford. The only issue you may have is that the bumper on the Explorer may be to high. I towed my boat off the Ranger's bumper once and the boat trailer was all over the road,the tounge of the trailer was too high. After I put a receiver hitch on my truck it towed like a champ.

Your EXP should tow it just fine,as for the wiring part go to Schucks and get a adapter plug it will fit where the wires from each side meet back by your bumper unplug them add the adapter plug in your 4 flat and your done it will only take 5 to 10 minutes max to put together!!!

for $120 you can buy a bolt up reciever style hitch. Or for $200 pay someone else to do it.

Many of the wiring kits available today plug into the existing wiring harness. no need to splice any wires at all. go with the 4 prong flat. they're sealed water tight no need to worry about corrosion.

I did it myself on an 88 S10 Blazer all for under 175 bucks. now I have a heavy duty hitch that will tow just about anything.

Thanks all. I'm considering the receiver route, but thought it would be nice to have the ability to remove the hitch and have a cleaner look most of the time.

BTW, am I supposed to belive that a wiring job is going to take 10 mins when it comes from a guy with a monniker "Fishtale"? LOL

Thanks again all, looking forward to running the sticks again on a regular basis.

One thing to add with the reciever style...

I carry two recievers one with 1 7/8 ball and one 2". I can tow just about anyones boat no matter what the setup.

with the receiver style your ball is a little farther back and dropped. You will be able to jacknife a little more without the chance of hitting your rig on the bow of the boat or winch because your trailer is back further...

good luck!

I plug my reciever when not used with a harley bar and shield... looks cool

Towing with your Explorer is no problem. I have a 2000 XLT and have towed many times from my bumper.

The wiring depends on whether the harness was a factory installed option or not. Mine was not. I went to Schucks and picked up a complete harnes set with interchangable flat plug or round plug connectors. This set-up connects via your taillights. You remove the tailight assembly and plug this unit into the tailights and the light wires per color and mount the black box in the tailight opening and put it all back together. When complete, you have a clean install with no wiring exposed and can easily switch connector styles. It is all pretty straight foward.

If you need to go this way, shoot me an email and I can help you out if needed.

Scott

It sounds like Ford has stopped putting the wire harness on all their trucks. On my 98 Ranger I didn't get the tow package because it was way cheaper to do it myself,even without the tow package it still had the wire harness in the glove box. It took less than 30sec. to wire to a 4 wire connector.

On both receiver hitches I've installed they were class 3 hitches that were $99 ea at central 4 wheel drive. If you buy a rec. hitch made for your vehicle it should'nt be real obvious. The one for my ranger and my wifes Blazer both were tucked under the bumper and are barely noticeable.

Well, I checked under the bumper for wires last night- none to be seen. Looks like I'll go the route Scott suggested and tap in from the tailight assemblies.
Scott thanks for the offer of more help. I'll do the dissassembly this weekend and shoot you an email if things don't look obvious. My currnt thoughts are how to route from the tailight assembly down to the bumper area. I suspect when I open it up there will be a hole somewhere.
Thanks again to all.

Go to Shucks and check out the book they have on all the different wiring setups that are available. The book will tell you if it is a plug in type or splice type for any type of vehicle. On the blazer the plug was behind the interior panel in the rear. There was no wiring exterior on the vehicle. I'm guessing the explorer is probably the same. This might save some time and headache.

good luck

I try to give good info but get bashed for my name Fishtale that is the name of my boat also
go ahead and splice your wires you will be sorry in the long run!!I have had 3 drift boats over a 25yr span and a sled and also a bay boat so Im no rookie:) Im just trying to save you time in the long run,turn signals wont work ,got 1 running light,oops no brake lights!!

Fishtale- the comment about your monniker was in jest only- hence the smiley face. I do appreciate the advice, and based on my experience, also for an extended period of time with drift boats, sleds, and salt water boats, I agree totally that splicing is not the way to go.
I don't have any experience with these mini SUVs, which is why I have asked the question, and I appreciate all replies and all options.

Feedback on my decision and results:
Finding a wiring kit wasn't that easy. I finally got a DRAW TITE product from 6 Robbles in South Seattle (Boeing Field area) for about $50. The installation required tailight assembly removal and modification, but it went smoothly and the instructions were almost perfect. The whole thing took about 1 hr 45 mins, at a liesurely pace.
It tested out great. I'm happy with the installation and am looking forward to flailing away on the oars.