Factory Tow hitch, install after purchase....Any one?

[imaynzr]

Did your dealer do the install for just $200? The dealer I bought my BS from was telling me they would charge close to $1500-$1600. That included the wiring. They said if they do it they have to do it the exact way Ford does it at the factory. Soooo for that price I figured I might attempt it myself. I need to get a quote from another dealer in my area though just to be sure. Because I agree with you, if the dealer will do it for just $200-$400 in labor then I would gladly pay them to do it.

At the same time I bought the BSBB I bought the receiver, wiring and install labor for $790 total. They didn't break out parts and labor. Took a month to get everything in. Originally, they said 4 hours for install but ended up taking closer to 8. I dropped it off, they installed and everything works. They take off the original metal bumper brace and the receiver hardware takes it's place. I took the original bumper brace. The receiver is in the factory position at the bumper and the cut is relatively small in the bumper. I wasn't that pleased that the image online doesn't match the final install but I figured it wouldn't. I also did not receive the full size spare. Sway control is already in place and you can turn on or off.

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[TNFurb]

At the same time I bought the BSBB I bought the receiver, wiring and install labor for $790 total.…..

That is good info, thanks. Based on the cost of the parts, it seems they charged roughly $400 for labor.

 

[gatornek]

That's a d@mn nice job! Better than mine.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I do not understand for the life of me why Ford doesn't make a 2" receiver and flat four standard across the line or at least as a dealer installed option that doesn't require hacking the bumper. You'd think the target demo these are aimed at is more likely to have hitch mounted bike racks, cargo baskets, etc.

For the two of us and the dog to go to the lake for a week we used our hitch basket for the cooler and firewood and loaded down the cargo area with the rest of our stuff. Kayak went on the roof with the fishing rods and paddle and off we went.

Guess we're the target demo?

 

[imaynzr]

That is good info, thanks. Based on the cost of the parts, it seems they charged roughly $400 for labor.

Yeah that's close...online it says the hitch receiver install adds 240 so a hundred or so for the wiring install i suspect...all in all, i know i would messed something up myself

 

[Dude]

Do you have a picture of your factory install?

Factory install is this as posted earlier.. very clean install from the factory

 

[Summit]

You can only hope you get that clean of an install.
All depends on the installer and materials they have to work with.

 

[SLJ]

Our BS/BB did not come with the tow package which we added. We got the Ford hitch, & wiring, new & bought the rear bumper used & used our Ford points towards the install at our local Ford dealer.

You didn't add the tow package as it also involves a larger transmission cooler installed at the factory for higher towing capacity. You added a hitch and 4 pin wiring which still limits you to 1,500 pounds max.

 

[Robins21]

You didn't add the tow package as it also involves a larger transmission cooler installed at the factory for higher towing capacity. You added a hitch and 4 pin wiring which still limits you to 1,500 pounds max.

OK, so I worded it wrong. The only thing we would be towing is my wife's Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle which it did without any problem.

 

[Ironman482]

I've had my BS , BB 3 weeks and need the hitch, after reading this thread ,looks like the Curt is the best option for a DIY , I have a lift in my home shop so install should be easy, after my stock tires need replacing I'll probably add a 1-1/2 inch lift and next larger size tires, has anyone researched if adding larger tires affects the speedo or wheel well clearance?

 

[cprcubed]

Just one data point: When I went from stock 225/65-17 to 235/65-17 the speedometer was off 1-2 mph at 70 mph (at least per WAZE). Cheers!

 

[mtbronco]

I installed the factory hitch on 12/9/23 and followed a youtube video of a different hitch install that required the same procedure. Only thing, I had also ordered the Ford Factory wiring harness, but you have to splice into wires with the OEM wiring. I actually bought a Tekonsha T-One plug and play wiring harness. Only thing I had to do was run the power wire from the rear to the front under the suv. Was really easy. The picture you have there is what you would have gotten if you ordered it with the factory hitch. The bumper can be bought, if it's in stock or buy used. I opted to just cut out for the hitch itself and leave the wiring harness part behind the bumper.

 

[mtbronco]

You didn't add the tow package as it also involves a larger transmission cooler installed at the factory for higher towing capacity. You added a hitch and 4 pin wiring which still limits you to 1,500 pounds max.

I've already checked on this. Even though you don't have the transmission cooler, that doesn't limit the towing capacity. If you install the factory hitch, you have 2000 lb capacity with the 1.5L and 2200 lb with the 2.0. Having or not having the cooler doesn't limit it, but if you're going up the mountains towing 2000/2200 lbs, then I'd want to have the cooler installed. The way that the hitch is made, it inserts into the frame rails and gets 3 points secured on each end. This is the reason it can tow 2000/2200 with the factory hitch.

 

[Mark S.]

I've already checked on this. Even though you don't have the transmission cooler, that doesn't limit the towing capacity.

Please share the source of your data.

 

[mtbronco]

Please share the source of your data.

Please see attached. This is Ford OEM information. Trailer Tow Package doesn't specify Transmission Cooler. Shows everything that is included in the package. Plus, the trailer sway control is already a vehicle setting that can be turned on or off, even on models without the trailer package. If you don't have the factory trailer package, then you're limit is 1500 lbs.

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