Forum Discussion

tackhammer's avatar
tackhammer
Explorer
May 07, 2014

Anyone towing with a 2008 Ford Sport Trac 4.0

We have a ultralight TT 462 lb. tongue weight, loaded 3515 lbs. we also have a 2008 Ford Sport Trac with only 20k miles on it. It came with a factory 1 1/4 hitch with 350 tongue weight, 3500 tow weight. It has been impossible to find a 2" for it anywhere. The vehicle is is rated for 500 tongue and 5500 tow with a 2" hitch. It came from the factory wired for 7 pole connector, and I added a brake controller. Hitches are welded on at the factory. I have found a hitch guy that has measured the factory hitches 2" and 1 1/4" and found that the tubing is the same the receiver size is all that is deferent. He has offered me two options.
1. cut out the 1 1/4" and weld in a 2" receiver tube. $350.00
2. use the 1 1/4" receiver that is on it, and build a ball mount that has a solid 1 1/4 bar with a wide plate 1" hole for the 2 5/16's ball with a sway control ball off to the side. $85.00. I have been towing this trailer with a 2006 express 2500 van. So I don't even know the TT is back there. Does anyone know how the Sport Trac's tow? Just wandering before I spend any money. Thanks.
Tow Vehicles
  • Fordlover's avatar
    Fordlover
    Explorer
    May 08, 2014
    tackhammer wrote:
    We have a ultralight TT 462 lb. tongue weight, loaded 3515 lbs. we also have a 2008 Ford Sport Trac with only 20k miles on it. It came with a factory 1 1/4 hitch with 350 tongue weight, 3500 tow weight. It has been impossible to find a 2" for it anywhere. The vehicle is is rated for 500 tongue and 5500 tow with a 2" hitch. It came from the factory wired for 7 pole connector, and I added a brake controller. Hitches are welded on at the factory. I have found a hitch guy that has measured the factory hitches 2" and 1 1/4" and found that the tubing is the same the receiver size is all that is deferent. He has offered me two options.
    1. cut out the 1 1/4" and weld in a 2" receiver tube. $350.00
    2. use the 1 1/4" receiver that is on it, and build a ball mount that has a solid 1 1/4 bar with a wide plate 1" hole for the 2 5/16's ball with a sway control ball off to the side. $85.00. I have been towing this trailer with a 2006 express 2500 van. So I don't even know the TT is back there. Does anyone know how the Sport Trac's tow? Just wandering before I spend any money. Thanks.


    I personally wouldn't do either. I'd be uncomfortable unless I really trusted the welder and his competencies. I've known too many people load something up and say "that should make it" or "that might hold for a while". Not good enough for my loved ones. Best of luck to you.

    FYI:
    The 2008 Sport trac (according to the Ford towing guide) is rated for a max of 5,260 4x2 or 5,090 4x4 with the V6.

    Link page 23.
  • tackhammer's avatar
    tackhammer
    Explorer
    May 08, 2014
    Thanks for the input. We are going to keep towing with our Express 2500. The wife don't want to part with the sport trac so I guess it will go back into the garage and keep gathering dust instead of miles.
  • RWDIII's avatar
    RWDIII
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    Trade it in and get a nice F150
    Back when I had a FF189,I camped next to a guy with one being towsd by a sportrac,AWD and V8.Had a WD hitch and every time a truck passed he said it was a handful.
    towing his milage was no better than my F150
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    tackhammer wrote:
    OM states with 1 1/4 350 tongue weight, 3500 tow
    OM states with 2" 500 tongue weight, 5500 tow


    You might want to dig a bit deeper. It's not just the hitch that determines tow capacity. Increased tow capacity is usually tied to other factory options, things like auxiliary trans cooler and taller gears.
  • wpredock's avatar
    wpredock
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    i pulled a flagstaff 21fbrs with my 2011 supercab 4.0 ranger. from iowa to missouri almost 300 miles. no problem. trailer dry weight is 3700 with 300 lb tongue weight. it has tow package and 2" factory bolt on hitch. get that crappy little hitch cut off and see if a ranger hitch will fit. probably the same frames. you will also need a good equalizer hitch and stablizer. trucks will suck you all over the road with out it. i have an 800lb reese. it works great. i have since moved up to a new f150 to get a bigger foot print on the road. power wise, the 4.0 has plenty. the wind really drags it down.
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    Not enough info. The tow data base asks if 4wd or 2 wheel drive. additionally is it a 4.0 or 4.6 liter engine..

    Regardless each lists 5000 ibs and 7000 ibs tow rating respectfully...

    http://www.campinglife.com/tow-ratings-database/

    Last you best get the biggest trans cooler you can fit in that veihicle IMO...

    Next all documents show your vehicle comes factory installed with a 2" receiver hitch from what I read..

    http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DigitalTLTowGuide0801u-1.jpg

    Every sport trac I see has 2" hitch.

  • tackhammer's avatar
    tackhammer
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    OM states with 1 1/4 350 tongue weight, 3500 tow
    OM states with 2" 500 tongue weight, 5500 tow
    From what two Ford dealers have told me standard hitch for the model years 08 to 10 when they stopped making Sport Tracs was 1 1/4 so they could boost the sales of Ford trucks and keep the truck sales on top. 07 sport tracs came close to out selling the f150 trucks.
    Ford dealership also said that Ford welded on the hitches 08 Explorers, Excursions, and Sport Tracs.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    Hi,

    The guidelines for 1.25" hitch receivers is maximum 3,500 pounds and limited to something like 350 pounds of hitch weight. That would be the limits on a 1-1/14" hitch, so I would not be towing more than that with that hitch.

    I am really surprised that the hitch is actually welded to the frame, very unlike Ford to do something like that. Most manufactures bolt them on so they can be changed after a accident or if damaged by towing. Also the frame is likely heat treated, and welding to a heat treated frame is going to change it's weight rating because it tends to crystallize the metal.

    So I would be double checking to see if under all that body work, the cross member is actually bolted to the frame someplace. That still leaves you looking for a 5,500 pound rated hitch.

    My neighbor tows a small boat with his Sport Trac. I can check and see how much he tows, but probably is less than 3,500 pounds, and the hitch weight on most boats is less than 100 pounds.

    Fred.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    If its rated at 5500 why would they weld on an 1 1/4 and say 350 tongue, 3500 tow. Where does it say 5500? Is it on the door or in the manual. If it was me I would be nervous as all to go and cut the hitch and weld on it. I surprised that someone is willing to do it.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,027 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 05, 2025