Best Tow Hitch for '21 - Using for Beach

[awhitebronco]

Hey all,

Been taking Juice (my white Bronco Sport) out on Assateague Island in OCMD for two years. This year I plan to go out on my own, I usually head out with my Step Dad who has a place down there, but this year I'm planning to take some friends out.

Going to need to install the tow hitch. I have a lot of the Ford Reward Points saved up, so I'm definitely partial to their hitch, but wanted to know if it was worth getting another brand or model.

Also looking for recommendations on cargo carriers for said hitch. I'm sure any run of the mill one will do, but definitely looking for some recommendations if anyone has them.

Thanks!

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[Bucko]

I'd stick with the Ford branded hitch. Use the Ford reward points, and it feels like you get it for free, or close to it depending on the amount of points you have.

Do a Google search on installing a hitch on a Bronco Sport. There are some good YouTube vids that walk you through it. Don't forget the wiring harness too.

Also pay attention to the max towing rate as described in the owners manual; there are threads on this site that go into detail on this as well. Search the site.

 

[dh3117]

If you don't mind paying the premium (goes for about $850). I 100% recommend the Pakmule Scout. Its all aluminum so it won't rust and it's lightweight at 37lbs. It also has a 500lb weight rating. I've used it for camping quite a bit and a cross country move from California to Missouri.

 

[awhitebronco]

If you don't mind paying the premium (goes for about $850). I 100% recommend the Pakmule Scout. Its all aluminum so it won't rust and it's lightweight at 37lbs. It also has a 500lb weight rating. I've used it for camping quite a bit and a cross country move from California to Missouri.

Looks awesome! Don’t mind paying a premium but might try something cheaper til I can justify something more expensive. Not sure if I’ll use it enough for $850.

 

[Poolmanz Sport Bronco]

Juice - meet Bronco JR.- Bronco JR - Juice.
Maybe I should shorten it to just BJ....like BJ and the Bear.
Anyway.....had the "tow package" on my FE- but I have added hitches to my other work trucks.
CURT has been a solid brand for me. Just remember we have a hitch weight limit 200-220lbs.
I still have not towed anything yet- I do have a HD bike rack for my 80lb cargo e-bike.
However, I am thinking of going to HF and get their cheep (budget freely) hitch rack (a few options) and then put about 200lbs of gear on it for camping.- No e-bike on this trip.
Will post back here of my results.
The other option I saw at Overland Expo was the THULE cargo box- $1,400!!!
43lbs dry weight- can do 110# cargo. = 153# on the hitch weight.

 

[JohnSilver]

If you don't mind paying the premium (goes for about $850). I 100% recommend the Pakmule Scout. Its all aluminum so it won't rust and it's lightweight at 37lbs. It also has a 500lb weight rating. I've used it for camping quite a bit and a cross country move from California to Missouri.

$850 for that? Criminal

 

[jkeaton]

I got a foldable cargo carrier off the marketplace for $50. It works great. (sold new from Tractor Supply $179). Then got a weatherproof cargo bag that fits on the carrier perfectly from harbor freight. The combo works great. We have the factory tow hitch. Ordered it that way. Keep an eye on the marketplace, seems there are lots on there.

 

[gatornek]

I unfortunately did not get the tow hitch from the factory.

while we’re on this subject, would love to know which hitch, between the Ford website one and the Curt one, you think is a more solid connection?

They both are installed very differently. My money is in the Curt. I’m thinking the leverage of sleeving the hitch into the frame wells and then bolting it vertically with 6 bolts SLIGHTLY beats the horizontal bolt torque on the 8 bolts with the For OEM. But I’m just spitballing.

what do you guys think? ? would love to hear opinions on this

 

[wireman]

I got a foldable cargo carrier off the marketplace for $50. It works great. (sold new from Tractor Supply $179). Then got a weatherproof cargo bag that fits on the carrier perfectly from harbor freight. The combo works great. We have the factory tow hitch. Ordered it that way. Keep an eye on the marketplace, seems there are lots on there.

Do you know how much cargo weight you have loaded on the carrier?

That carrier extends quite a distance from the hitch which will cause a lot more stress on the hitch components, especially as it bounces going down the road.

 

[CrashBend]

Hey all,

Been taking Juice (my white Bronco Sport) out on Assateague Island in OCMD for two years. This year I plan to go out on my own, I usually head out with my Step Dad who has a place down there, but this year I'm planning to take some friends out.

Going to need to install the tow hitch. I have a lot of the Ford Reward Points saved up, so I'm definitely partial to their hitch, but wanted to know if it was worth getting another brand or model.

Also looking for recommendations on cargo carriers for said hitch. I'm sure any run of the mill one will do, but definitely looking for some recommendations if anyone has them.

Thanks!

My local Ford dealer could not order a hitch in '21 when I bought our OB. I went to U-Haul and they installed a Curt brand hitch. Their installer made it look like factory.

 

[awhitebronco]

My local Ford dealer could not order a hitch in '21 when I bought our OB. I went to U-Haul and they installed a Curt brand hitch. Their installer made it look like factory.

Luckily, the hitch can be delivered next week, and that's according to my dealer. I didn't realize U-Haul would do something like that but that's nice to know and have in the back pocket. Thanks!

 

[awhitebronco]

I got a foldable cargo carrier off the marketplace for $50. It works great. (sold new from Tractor Supply $179). Then got a weatherproof cargo bag that fits on the carrier perfectly from harbor freight. The combo works great. We have the factory tow hitch. Ordered it that way. Keep an eye on the marketplace, seems there are lots on there.

Great looking setup here!

 

[jkeaton]

Do you know how much cargo weight you have loaded on the carrier?

That carrier extends quite a distance from the hitch which will cause a lot more stress on the hitch components, especially as it bounces going down the road.

3 beach chairs, 2 beach umbrellas, a stroller for a 2 year old and a bag of plastic beach toys. Maybe 50 lbs. The carrier was on the closest setting. It needs room to fold up when not in use so it can't be too close and also to be able to open the hatch with it in the down position. I tend to not overthink things like that. It did just fine. No stress fractures, no undue bouncing, it's a solid setup.

 

[Jparra830]

I unfortunately did not get the tow hitch from the factory.

while we’re on this subject, would love to know which hitch, between the Ford website one and the Curt one, you think is a more solid connection?

They both are installed very differently. My money is in the Curt. I’m thinking the leverage of sleeving the hitch into the frame wells and then bolting it vertically with 6 bolts SLIGHTLY beats the horizontal bolt torque on the 8 bolts with the For OEM. But I’m just spitballing.

what do you guys think? ? would love to hear opinions on this

I had the curt hitch installed. The hitch attaches to the frame rails. I was rear ended and the hitch was pushed down and bent the frame rails down. They had to be replaced. The body shop ordered the ford hitch and the way it mounts would not do that. Just something to consider

 

[gatornek]

I had the curt hitch installed. The hitch attaches to the frame rails. I was rear ended and the hitch was pushed down and bent the frame rails down. They had to be replaced. The body shop ordered the ford hitch and the way it mounts would not do that. Just something to consider

Awesome! This was the kind of insight I was looking for.

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