Bought base model - need to install hitch - questions

[Fast Eddie]

I guess 5/10 successful Starship launches ain't bad...

As to saving money, that remains to be seen. SpaceX has $20 billion something in government contracts. The estimated cost of the SLS program through 2028 is somewhere around $40 billion. The difference is WE own it... The big question: Once we spend all this money helping SpaceX through the initial development stages, how much are they going to squeeze us for once they get really good at it?

Look, I get it. You hate him and you hope he fails. Is it ridiculously dumb opinion, yep. But it's the internet. You can freely type with the rest of us. But you don't have any idea of what this subject is, you hear it costs 97% less and you say savings remain to be seen. Uh huh. Sure your 87hp Yugo can certainly take that ZR1X on track. The man has made more advancements for humanity that you would in 100,000 lifetimes. You had no idea of this but we go into space more than once a week now because of Space X. Not the every few years nail biting event NASA used to showcase. He turned SPACE into the same frame of mind as international travel in the 30's. Doable, attainable and at a palatable price and damn safe too. And development stages? It's commercial now.

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[DALOLA]

I just bought a Curt off Etrailer, for ~$100. I got it for a bike rack, I don't plan on towing anything, so no need for any wiring. I chose the Curt because it's a short neck, the receiver opening is actually inset slightly from the bumper. Install was easy, just have to loosen the bumper to gain access to the bolt locations. This one is a good choice if you don't want the hitch to protrude out from the bumper. I'll post up a picture for you tomorrow.

 

[DALOLA]

Here you go... The end of the receiver is inset about 1" from the face of the bumper.

 

[Valhalla]

If you Fab, I bought a unit from northern tool, bought a winch plate, had some steel at the house, I made a winch bumper with receiver that is tied more solidly to the frame than stock is.

 

[KevinInChicago]

I have a 2025 base 7 speed. I installed the Ford hitch myself and was not hard to do. I just had to take it to my dealer to program the module which they did for me free. All is working fine. I got an extended ball mount to clear the spare. I went to U-Haul just to make sure everything worked by hooking up a 5x8. The end gate opens and clears fine. I could probably do another 2 more inches of drop than what I have but can't find the extended ball mount to do that yet.

 

[box986]

Curt hitch $100, module (for a 4-pin setup) $45. No splicing, basically plug & play. But the 2 bolts have to come off, either by cutting them or removing the bumper

 

[TX-Dennis]

Curt hitch $100, module (for a 4-pin setup) $45. No splicing, basically plug & play. But the 2 bolts have to come off, either by cutting them or removing the bumper

Perhaps the 25 is different, but I didn’t need to remove the bumper nor cut any bolts.

 

[DALOLA]

Perhaps the 25 is different, but I didn’t need to remove the bumper nor cut any bolts.

It's not. Rear bumper just needs loosened enough to lift up a little to gain clearance for the long hitch bolts. Sure, you can take it clear off, but it's not necessary.

 

[MNBigfoot]

It's not. Rear bumper just needs loosened enough to lift up a little to gain clearance for the long hitch bolts. Sure, you can take it clear off, but it's not necessary.

For MY21-23, loosening the bumper wasn't necessary (with the Curt hitch not the OEM), it was a 3 minute install if you inserted the bolts from the muffler side.

 

[Roger123]

'25's come with a plug to plug in the factory hitch wiring and Ford bolted a giant cover over it with bolts that are about 3" too long to get out.

 

[kimmiemom64]

^^^ What he said!! I followed his video and advise and have had no issues. Just make sure you get the correct wiring harness for your Bronco!

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

My OEM tow kit was a “dealer installed option” on the sticker when I bought my HE off the lot . It was in a box when I got the truck and I went back for an install. I was surprised that it didn’t happen in the dealer shop. They had a contracted guy who showed up in his own car and installed it in a back section of the parking lot by himself, setting my new powder coated rear bumper down on the asphalt. I think he was sitting in his car watching an install video before doing it. He used an electric drill/wrench for the bolts, which is fine, but that’s all he used and it left me wondering if I need to go back and check the torque on the mounting bolts before actually towing. He also didn’t get an interior cargo area side panel fully reinstalled properly and I had to go back to get it clipped in right. They claimed the guy had tons of experience and used to work at a dealer, but I didn’t get a great feeling about the whole thing.

My advice: ask some questions about who will do the install and where before opting for a “dealer install”.

 

[jcpyromechanic]

Howdy, I added the trailer hitch and towing module to my '22 WildTrak before complete kits were available from Ford. I've towed a trailer with BBQ pit and gear from Texas to New Hampshire three times so far, and it works great with trailer anti sway feature like it was ordered with trailer package from the factory.
My friend was able to help with the Forscan updates and remove double honk and a few other annoying things while at it. Tested it between Houston and San Antonio before the long haul. It detected trailer sway with a cross wind gust and automatically adjusted speed before I could tap the breaks to get off cruise control. I recommend the full version if actually towing long distance, highways, etc. and should be easier to do with 2025. (I had to run additional wires myself through the interior paneling).
I also added the trailer brake while at it since there's a few smaller teardrop trailers and what not that can utilize that and still be just under the weight capacity. Haven't used the trailer brake or 7 pin connection yet though.

 

[Fast Eddie]

It's not. Rear bumper just needs loosened enough to lift up a little to gain clearance for the long hitch bolts. Sure, you can take it clear off, but it's not necessary.

Incorrect. They changed it for 2025, now the bumper needs to be removed to take out the 5" bolts.I don't know why people keep misstating this, removing the bumper is a very easy process.

 

[DALOLA]

Incorrect. They changed it for 2025, now the bumper needs to be removed to take out the 5" bolts.I don't know why people keep misstating this, removing the bumper is a very easy process.

Not so fast, Eddie. '24's also have the 5" bolts to remove, and you do not need to remove the bumper to do it. Ask me how I know.

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