OEM vs U-HAUL vs DrawTite Receiver Install

[TNFurb]

i know there are several threads on here on this general topic but most seem pretty old and I have not seen links to either of these videos. I bought a BS OB off the lot and therefore the factory tow package was not on it. most of my use case for a tow receiver would be to mount various things on it rather than to actually tow something. However I could see me wanting to tow a pop up camper at some point or even a small UHaul trailer occasionally. with that in mind I’ve been researching this forum to figure out what I want to do. I believe I want the actual Ford OEM receiver and wiring harness as well as the bumper cover that would normally come from the factory if the tow package was factory installed. Having said that, I can across the two videos (links below) on YouTube. My impression is that I don’t like either of these options but would like the opinions of the users on the forum. The U-Haul install seems particularly troublesome to me. They actually drill out the existing holes for the OEM receiver some which seems like an invitation for rust. eTrailer is essentially the same as U-Haul except he shows a way to fish the bolts without the need to drill out the holes in the frame. Anyway, will be interested to see everyone else’s opinions on these.

Draw-title

uhaul

eTrailer

Ford OEM

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[Wandering Pinto]

On a 2008 Escape I owned I put on a Curt Hitch and it came with fish wires to install the bolts, worked good,no drilling. I have the OEM tow package. You are correct you would need the receiver and bumper cover if you go the OEM route. I like the way the OEM looks, its tucked in and up as opposed to the aftermarket ones that hang lower.

 

[Orangejuice]

I initially ordered a oem hitch months ago from my local dealer, still no shipping date yet… So i had to improvise and bought the drawtite install wasn’t too bad. Works great with my cargo carrier

 

[TNFurb]

I initially ordered a oem hitch months ago from my local dealer, still no shipping date yet… So i had to improvise and bought the drawtite install wasn’t too bad. Works great with my cargo carrier

And so I assume you have no worries about the way it installs compared to the OEM version?

 

[Orangejuice]

Its as simple as unbolting and removing the factory bumper beam and using the same holes to bolt in the hitch. Cutting the plastic bumper isn’t too bad. I actually cut it smaller than the outline ford stamps in for the oem hitch cut out

 

[BourbonRunner]

Etrailer's hitches are decent quality and their installs are PDQ. I installed a receiver on our Crosstrek to use a hitch basket and bike rack. Very well made and very easy to put in.

Could be wrong but I thought the OEM tow package may have had some tweaks to the ECU? Might be wrong but it's been a long nite.

 

[Bucko]

Etrailer's hitches are decent quality and their installs are PDQ. I installed a receiver on our Crosstrek to use a hitch basket and bike rack. Very well made and very easy to put in.

Could be wrong but I thought the OEM tow package may have had some tweaks to the ECU? Might be wrong but it's been a long nite.

I also believe the factory tow package, along with the hitch, included a transmission cooler.

 

[TNFurb]

I also believe the factory tow package, along with the hitch, included a transmission cooler.

I believe that’s correct. So even if I go with the OEM Hitch I will still only have 1500 lb towing capacity.

 

[Chiefthepup]

I installed the Curt hitch here’s my recent post about it. Definitely recommend as far as it being the least invasive/complicated hitch of the bunch. No removal of trim or tail lights or anything.
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-bronco-sport-today.1762/post-168256

 

[Jparra830]

I had a curt hitch installed on my 2021 BS. The curt hitch bolts to the side rails through bolts. I was rear ended and the hitch didn’t bend but it bent the rear frame rails. When I had the truck repaired they had to cut out the rear of the frame rails and weld new pieces in. When the body shop replaced the trailer, they replaced it with an OEM. The body shop told me that the OEM mounts into the rails. They said I had the OEM the rails would probably not have been damaged.

 

[TNFurb]

I installed the Curt hitch here’s my recent post about it. Definitely recommend as far as it being the least invasive/complicated hitch of the bunch. No removal of trim or tail lights or anything.
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-bronco-sport-today.1762/post-168256

I saw in your original post where you asked Mark S his opinion on the way it mounts. Did you ever get an answer on that? That is my primary question between Draw-tire, Curt and the OEM receiver. Seems like the OEM receiver has the most solid mounting method but not sure if it’s really that much better to be worth the additional install hassle compared to the Curt.

 

[TNFurb]

I had a curt hitch installed on my 2021 BS. The curt hitch bolts to the side rails through bolts. I was rear ended and the hitch didn’t bend but it bent the rear frame rails. When I had the truck repaired they had to cut out the rear of the frame rails and weld new pieces in. When the body shop replaced the trailer, they replaced it with an OEM. The body shop told me that the OEM mounts into the rails. They said I had the OEM the rails would probably not have been damaged.

That is very good to know. Thank you.

 

[Bucko]

I believe that’s correct. So even if I go with the OEM Hitch I will still only have 1500 lb towing capacity.

Might want to check further that 1500 pound max might be with the trans cooler. Might be less if you don't have it.

 

[TNFurb]

Might want to check further that 1500 pound max might be with the trans cooler. Might be less if you don't have it.

Thanks. What I’ve read in several other posts is that with the factory installed package the tow rating is 2,000 lbs. otherwise it’s just 1,500.

 

[gatornek]

I posted this thread less than two months ago. I went with the Curt.

Best "NON-straight-from-the-factory" Hitch | 2021+ Ford Bronco Sport Forum - Broncosportforum.com

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