Bought base model - need to install hitch - questions

[Fast Eddie]

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.

No one with a 25 has been able to do it without removing the bumper. I mean maybe if you bend the sh!t out of the bumper, but yeah, no.

Sponsored

 

[baseline mac]

Bringing this back up. Here’s the scenario. I could go factory hitch cause I want to tow and utikize the factory plug n play. What if I want to put a motorcycle on the back with just the ramp, no trailer ? Other threads I’ve seen say it’s too heavy and causes issues. We have done a lot of things differently in 2025 so want to make sure.

 

[box986]

Bringing this back up. Here’s the scenario. I could go factory hitch cause I want to tow and utikize the factory plug n play. What if I want to put a motorcycle on the back with just the ramp, no trailer ? Other threads I’ve seen say it’s too heavy and causes issues. We have done a lot of things differently in 2025 so want to make sure.

How heavy of a bike?

 

[baseline mac]

410-420

 

[TX-Dennis]

410-420

That's pretty sketchy. Maximum tongue weight is 350. You might get away with it, but you'll be squatting pretty badly with the weight of the bike plus the carrier.

 

[Fast Eddie]

That's pretty sketchy. Maximum tongue weight is 350. You might get away with it, but you'll be squatting pretty badly with the weight of the bike plus the carrier.

I think you are confusing total weight for tongue weight. There is almost no way a bike on a trailer can have 400lbs of tongue weight.

 

[MNBigfoot]

I think you are confusing total weight for tongue weight. There is almost no way a bike on a trailer can have 400lbs of tongue weight.

You had to follow along, but he was talking about motorcycle mounted on a receiver rack (no trailer).

 

[TX-Dennis]

You had to follow along, but he was talking about motorcycle mounted on a receiver rack (no trailer).

Yup. On a trailer it would be fine.

 

[Oilbrnr]

No way in hell I'd cantilever a 400lb bike on a factory style receiver with an extension that would be needed to clear the spare.

And I ain't no Safety Sally.

Side question, with the dealer installed factory hitch option, does anything need to be accessed for the wiring on the inside DS rear panel? I've had an in-op rear door proximity and the DS rear panel LED cargo light doesn't work. Thought I'd caught in another thread that some other guys had similar issues and it was due to a wiring harness not getting plugged back in during the hitch install.

 

[TX-Dennis]

No way in hell I'd cantilever a 400lb bike on a factory style receiver with an extension that would be needed to clear the spare.

And I ain't no Safety Sally.

Side question, with the dealer installed factory hitch option, does anything need to be accessed for the wiring on the inside DS rear panel? I've had an in-op rear door proximity and the DS rear panel LED cargo light doesn't work. Thought I'd caught in another thread that some other guys had similar issues and it was due to a wiring harness not getting plugged back in during the hitch install.

The answer to your question is yes and no. MY 21-24 they doing need too access that area. MY 25 and newer they don't..

 

[baseline mac]

If I just buy the factory one can I flash it with Forscan myself and not go to the dealer ?

 

[box986]

If I just buy the factory one can I flash it with Forscan myself and not go to the dealer ?

No need for any programming if you just need a 4-pin (no brakes) connection as long as you don't mind the reverse alerts when backing up with a trailer. $40 module from Amazon & I used a Curt receiver. But as far as Forscan goes, I do not believe you can do any programming if adding a factory plug.

 

[jcpyromechanic]

No need for any programming if you just need a 4-pin (no brakes) connection as long as you don't mind the reverse alerts when backing up with a trailer. $40 module from Amazon & I used a Curt receiver. But as far as Forscan goes, I do not believe you can do any programming if adding a factory plug.

Not 100% sure about 2025, but I purchased the Ford factory plug and used Forscan to get all the features working on mine like it came that way from the factory.
So, I'd bet there is a way to update in FORScan still to get all the screen features like trailer anti-sway to show up. However, should still make an educated decision call early on if you want to go Forscan route with approved obd-ii adapter versus the official Ford software and more expensive devices. I hear they don't always play nice if using both methods on the same vehicle. I went with the Forscan route but may have to readjust depending on what the stealership does during recall fixes and over the air updates that could wipe my settings. No offense @Ducati1098 but I live in Houston and the dealership services I've had done locally over the years are subpar unfortunately ;-) No issues so far, but haven't gone in for the rear camera replacement fix yet. The OTA updates are on and I got the last update for the screen issue without affecting my '22 year vehicle Forscan settings, fyi.

 

[Ducati1098]

Not 100% sure about 2025, but I purchased the Ford factory plug and used Forscan to get all the features working on mine like it came that way from the factory.
So, I'd bet there is a way to update in FORScan still to get all the screen features like trailer anti-sway to show up. However, should still make an educated decision call early on if you want to go Forscan route with approved obd-ii adapter versus the official Ford software and more expensive devices. I hear they don't always play nice if using both methods on the same vehicle. I went with the Forscan route but may have to readjust depending on what the stealership does during recall fixes and over the air updates that could wipe my settings. No offense @Ducati1098 but I live in Houston and the dealership services I've had done locally over the years are subpar unfortunately ;-) No issues so far, but haven't gone in for the rear camera replacement fix yet. The OTA updates are on and I got the last update for the screen issue without affecting my '22 year vehicle Forscan settings, fyi.

No offense taken. I know there’s plenty of shit dealerships and technicians out there lol

That’s why I do my best not to be one of them

 

[Montana Bronco]

If on the other hand, you only need a 4 flat, there are other less expensive options. I installed a Curt hitch and wiring harness. Took a little over an hour for everything and cost less than $200. Works perfectly with no programming needed.

I tow commercially with my 2023 Base Bronco for my fly fishing business. I did exactly ^^ what he did. ^^

Went to my local NAPA dealer and bought the Curt hitch and Curt wiring harness, cost around $150. Installed it myself, very easy, took about an hour.

I tow at least 200 days per year, so I now have over 600 days on this setup with zero problems.

Sponsored