Aftermarket hitch install DIY video

[AutobahnSHO]

The hith rating has nothing to do with the towing capacity of the truck. The hitch rating is given so the buyer knows the maximum weight the hitch and only the hitch will handle. The 4k towing capacity for the truck requires that the truck be AWD to distribute the load to four drive shafts instead of two drive shafts. (The load on FWD 2K trailer is 1k per drive axle and on AWD 4K trailer is 1k per drive axle). Other things are also required to handle the additional heat, etc needed for 4k.

Yup the tow capacity is what the vehicle manufacturer determines the vehicle can handle.

My FWD 2012 Honda Odyssey is rated at 3500lbs.

For info- when you go to reserve a trailer with Uhaul they match the expected weight with the vehicle. When I wanted to tow a car, they even had me enter the type of car (Miata).

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[jesemd]

On modern vehicles, the hitch must be designed to tie into the stronger points of the unibody structure. If you just bolt something on you risk bending the frame of the vehicle. That's an expensive mistake to save a few dollars on a hitch.

Etrailer has the Curt for under $300 - about as cheap as a hitch gets today. And they also have a plug in wiring kit that doesn't require any splicing at the taillights for under $100.

 

[ViperAir]

I am so glad, I ordered the factory for $100....this is a lot of work.....

 

[Pickles]

How do these posts always devolve into arguements over whether or not something will work lol just shut up and let the poor guy be happy he found something useful for the forum . Sheesh. Tough crowd

 

[ViperAir]

How do these posts always devolve into arguements over whether or not something will work lol just shut up and let the poor guy be happy he found something useful for the forum . Sheesh. Tough crowd

It starts with a reply like this??? LOL....

 

[xiaowei]

I am so glad, I ordered the factory for $100....this is a lot of work.....

If I knew the hitch needs so much work, I would have ordered the hitch and the electrical connectors.

 

[Ron Neal]

On modern vehicles, the hitch must be designed to tie into the stronger points of the unibody structure. If you just bolt something on you risk bending the frame of the vehicle. That's an expensive mistake to save a few dollars on a hitch.

Etrailer has the Curt for under $300 - about as cheap as a hitch gets today. And they also have a plug in wiring kit that doesn't require any splicing at the taillights for under $100.

Looking at the Curt website the trailer wiring kit for the Maverick looks like a tad more than plug and play and T connectors are pretty much the same as splicing only cleaner but it should get the job done.

 

[Walter56]

Bike rack I guess

 

[jesemd]

Looking at the Curt website the trailer wiring kit for the Maverick looks like a tad more than plug and play and T connectors are pretty much the same as splicing only cleaner but it should get the job done.

No, quick splice connectors are not the same quality as the factory OEM plugs shown here. The OEM plugs are waterproof and will not void your warranty on the wiring like splicing will. You simply unplug the taillights, plug in the trailer harness and plug the taillights into the trailer harness. The trailer harness passes the taillight signal straight through. Yes, you still need to run a wire to the battery, but if you really wanted to be lazy, you could utilize the aux power at the tailgate for this. If you did you would not modify the factory wiring at all.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit...averick/2022/C59DR.html?VehicleID=20226005566

 

[AutobahnSHO]

On modern vehicles, the hitch must be designed to tie into the stronger points of the unibody structure. If you just bolt something on you risk bending the frame of the vehicle. That's an expensive mistake to save a few dollars on a hitch.

YUP.
I mounted a hitch on a 1999 Dodge minivan- required removing bumper cover and bumper, drilling holes in the frame that the bumper mounted into, and I believe 6 bolts.

In my 2004 Toyota and 2003 and 2012 Honda minivans- the manufacturer put 6 threaded holes in the right spots for a hitch to be bolted to.

 

[FromAway]

It's $100. I don't even know why Ford is making it an option. Just put them on every vehicle. It's just steel. With aftermarket cost + labor it's a no brainer. Splicing wiring and dealing with weight ratings for legal and insurance reasons isn't worth the hassle. The brake controller on the 4k tow package and upgraded cooling to me are well worth the price as well. I like having that piece of mind with a max payload on hills and I know locally I could easily push it to 5k without worry.

 

[NebraskaMan]

On modern vehicles, the hitch must be designed to tie into the stronger points of the unibody structure. If you just bolt something on you risk bending the frame of the vehicle. That's an expensive mistake to save a few dollars on a hitch.

Etrailer has the Curt for under $300 - about as cheap as a hitch gets today. And they also have a plug in wiring kit that doesn't require any splicing at the taillights for under $100.

https://www.napaonline.com/accessories/curt-receiver-hitch?set-vehicle=1

I bought this, got it in two days, your welcome

 

[NebraskaMan]

This is a smoking deal

Napa online. $198.00 free shipping

https://www.napaonline.com/accessories/curt-receiver-hitch?set-vehicle=1

 

[jesemd]

I've put a hitch on 4 vehicles over the years and it is always painful. Either in my back or my wallet.

I'm so glad my 2039 Maverick will have the factory hitch.

 

[Ron Neal]

No, quick splice connectors are not the same quality as the factory OEM plugs shown here. The OEM plugs are waterproof and will not void your warranty on the wiring like splicing will. You simply unplug the taillights, plug in the trailer harness and plug the taillights into the trailer harness. The trailer harness passes the taillight signal straight through. Yes, you still need to run a wire to the battery, but if you really wanted to be lazy, you could utilize the aux power at the tailgate for this. If you did you would not modify the factory wiring at all.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit...averick/2022/C59DR.html?VehicleID=20226005566

You are correct and just happy I bought all of my Mavericks with the tow package so no additional wiring harness, brake controller or receiver needed.

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