Trailering my new 190 Sport - Should I upgrade tow bar?

Well, at least you heard the answer directly from Curt -- "right from the horse's mouth" so to say.

That's good to hear about the comparison of the II vs III, but it raises the question of... If the hitches are the same dimensionally, why wouldn't a III bolt right up? Maybe I'm missing something, though.
 
I guess it will, problem is have to order the whole part which is 1,000 bucks...
 
I was thinking more of the aftermarket guys - if they make a class II, why couldn't they make a class III, you know?

just be sure the plate thickness of the rest of the hitch is the same. Other than that, as long as it's a competent welder, I don't see any problem with your idea. After all, someone would have welded it to start with.
 
Will do , thanks. Apparently there is not much demand for a class III for a 2010 Sport Trac, at least not enough for the aftermarket guys to develop it I guess. Ford apparently changed the tow package for the Sport Trac in it's later years ( Gen2), and I guess were just not all that many done. They offered it with a Class II on the V6, and Class III on the V8. Why in the world they did not just make them all Class III's....

I will let you know how it goes, I won't be able to get it done before picking the boat up Saturday anyway, but will try and get it done before I start making trips to the lake in the spring.

Flying to Miami in the morning, for the Miami Boat Show - I will be there Thursday and Friday, I work in the marine industry...
 
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dburne said:
Apparently there is not much demand for a class III for a 2010 Sport Trac, at least not enough for the aftermarket guys to develop it I guess.
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I bet you're right - it makes as much sense as anything else.

If you don't mind me asking - what work do you do?
 
Lazy Daze said:
I bet you're right - it makes as much sense as anything else.

If you don't mind me asking - what work do you do?
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Don't mind at all, I work for a plastics company, in the marine division, I call on and work with boat builders and boat fabricators in several states, mainly in the SE.
 
I have a 2007 Sport Trac V8 4X4. It has a facotry class III hitch. It is actually part of the frame. That is why it is so tough. Also the transmission has HD cooler, and brakes to go with it. I have towed 6000# trailer with brakes behind it. Only complaint is that the hitch is so low. It tows my SeaDoo easily also.
Good luck, just make sure to keep in mind the transmission and rest of the drive train in mind when towing.
 
Will do thanks !
From the research I have done, it seems my V6 also has the transmission cooler as well already, I will double check it though.
I know what you mean about the hitch being low.
 
dburne said:
Will do thanks !
From the research I have done, it seems my V6 also has the transmission cooler as well already, I will double check it though.
I know what you mean about the hitch being low.
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The hitch is only 15 inches above the road. I have a reciever that i use to raise it to 18" for towing. Not a big issue but something to think about. Othewise it is a great vehicle.
 
Definitely get a draw bar with a lift. You'll want the center of the ball to be between 18"-20" so that the trailer is level - which will allow the brakes to work their best.
 
snap8424.jpgsnap8425.jpg
This should be the same for you 2010.
 
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jxg said:
does this not fit your truck? the ad says 2010 Explorer, and the pictures show it as a sport trac:

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...tml?feed=npn&gclid=CKG_36vLx7wCFYVZ7Aod5wsAfA
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Thanks for the link , I notice it states it fits 2001-2005 Sport Trac.
I understand the design was changed on later models, like my 2010 which is why there are none that will fit it other than the Ford part itself.

Picking the new boat up later today, will see how it does. Think I am still going to go with the new weld of a class III receiver tube.

66pony - thanks for the info, yes that is the same that it shows on my 2010. No problem with the rating on my truck, it is just the Class II hitch that is little borderline...
 
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Update:

Just got home with the new boat. I swear the truck handled this boat better than the old boat, it was a real pleasure to tow.
The surge disc brakes are really nice to have.
When towing the old 180 BR, whenever I would hit a small bump in the road I would feel the boat lurching the truck forward and backward, hitting bumps with this new one, I never even hardly knew I was hitting a bump.
I of course always tow the OD off as well, on my Sport Trac.

The particular hitch that was installed in the receiver, was pretty low - had a 3.5" drop, however it was the type that could be turned over, and give me a 2.25"rise - so they flipped it for me. The dealer says I will be just fine with the Class II receiver, but I think I will still get a good welder to put me a class III receiver on there for me before boating season starts...
 
Another thing to keep the lurching, make sure the hitch is secure in the reciever and not a lot of play. That will keep some of the lurching from happening. All recievers are not the same. Spend the extra to get a sturdy one.
 
And now the waiting game begins huh? To run the new boat. But at least you can look at it. That would be driving me nuts!
 
jitts3 said:
And now the waiting game begins huh? To run the new boat. But at least you can look at it. That would be driving me nuts!
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Lol yeah we just got it covered up and put away, will be couple more months or so augh!

Hey, what kind of lock do I need to get to fit these new trailers? I don't see how a regular padlock like I had can lock it?
 
The best I think is a chain thru the rims spokes and around the frame. I have seen trailers towed by their safety chains.
 
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