I have heard a few things about using the factory towing package section of the bumper to tow with on my 99/00 Ford Expedition. There was a recal on its integrety but I checked the VIN w/ Ford and nothing came up recall wise. Im towing an old 65 Aristocrat with no electric breaks. Its not heavy really but I am unsure about just attaching the ball to the bumper as apposed to a whole new tow system. Please excuse my lack of jargon used in regards to towing. Any suggestions? Should I get a whole new towing package or can I trust the area on which the ball mounts to.

Hi Lance, in the old days back twenty years ago, bumpers were made heavier and you could tow with them. Now they are just steps. You really need a reciever hitch bolted to the frame. This is the framework with a 2" square tube underneath the rear bumper. If your Expedition has a factory tow package, it will have the class 3 reciever, transmission external cooler and the wiring harness for the trailer and brake controller. Do you know how much the trailer weighs?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrTruck,

MrTruck,

The trailer is a '65 Aristocrat. Not weighing more than 4k, more like 2-3k really.

I'd still get a class 3 reciever hitch and trailer brakes and controller. In Colorado a trailer over 3000#'s is required to have trailer brakes and I'm sure it very similar nationally.

Thanks so much, I'll head your advice. The breaks on the old trailer, do you know what the average cost would be to install them?

In addition I did see the wiring harness which appears stock. So does this mean that the hitch section which is actually part of the bumper assembly is a class three then from what you said?

If you have a factory tow package, it will have a class III reciever hitch. The wiring harness thats part of the factory tow package would be a 7 pin RV plug not just the 4 pin flat plug. The reciever will have a label which will say Class III and it will tell you maximum tongue weight, trailer weight with a "weight bearing" rating or "weight distributing".

Lance,
Your Expedition should have a factory class 3 reciever hitch already, especially if the wiring is there. It will look like a square, black hole directly below the bumper. The recall your describing was to replace the mounting bolts and plates for the factory hitch. If you have this hitch, you should be fine. I would have one added though if it's not already there. I would have brakes added to the trailer also if it's something you're going to keep. 4000 pounds can take you for a ride if you're not careful.

Thanks so much for all your help. I had u-haul install a more heavy duty hitch that will get me up to 4k. This should cover all the needs I may have.