Tow hitch Installed

[romcjr]

Got a tow hitch for wifes truck for Christmas . Hard to believe these trucks don't come with one unless you get tow package ! Took 20 minutes to install and I put the hitch cover off my truck on it .

 

[Josh B]

Cool!
Is that a Ford part? How does that stack up to having it done factory?
Simply being curious sir, tho it may help others considering tow packages

 

[sgtsandman]

Nice! As a side note, I find that the hitch tube holds up better if it isn't capped with a cover. The moisture dries out faster and minimizes the rust. If you use it on a regular basis, it's not so much of an issue. If it's only a few times a year, it makes a big difference. Especially as the vehicle gets older.

 

[romcjr]

Cool!
Is that a Ford part? How does that stack up to having it done factory?
Simply being curious sir, tho it may help others considering tow packages

No , not a Ford part . Ford was $343 , this is a Curt I got on Amazon for $128 delivered next day . We now have three trucks and if we need to tow we would use my super duty . I like knowing if we need to use her truck to tow , we have what we need .

 

[romcjr]

Nice! As a side note, I find that the hitch tube holds up better if it isn't capped with a cover. The moisture dries out faster and minimizes the rust. If you use it on a regular basis, it's not so much of an issue. If it's only a few times a year, it makes a big difference. Especially as the vehicle gets older.

I should have been more clear , the hitch tube is not capped , the receiver is open on the back side . I put a polished stainless steel Texas emblem that I made when I still welding . The wife wants me to make her a butterfly to put in there , we'll see how that goes .

 

[Uncle Gump]

Happy wife... happy life. Just saying

 

[HenryMac]

Cool!
Is that a Ford part? How does that stack up to having it done factory?
Simply being curious sir, tho it may help others considering tow packages

And that's a great question. Most folks don't realize that when you get a factory hitch it's more than just the hitch.

The center of the bumper is different which allows the hitch to tuck up higher. You also get the trailer electrical plugs built into the bumper beside the license plate.

 

[Bgunner]

No , not a Ford part . Ford was $343 , this is a Curt I got on Amazon for $128 delivered next day . We now have three trucks and if we need to tow we would use my super duty . I like knowing if we need to use her truck to tow , we have what we need .

I don't know about you but I also consider the rear end collision into mix with my 4x4 models. With a hitch there is a stronger structural point in the center of the bumper area to help prevent further damage.

As an example of a past accident I was involved in: I was 16, and soon after I got my licence, and had a 83 Chevy S-10 with a built 2.8, 3" body lift, 32- 11.50 tires but had the hitch under the bumper. One night I was out with a friend and traffic stopped so I did also but the lady behind me didn't. She happened to have a ford escort, red, and slammed into the rear of my truck. She didn't hit the breaks and hit me with the foot on the gas mind you. Well because of the height of my rear bumper it pushed the hood on her car up but left the indentation of my hitch in her upper bumper. If it wasn't for my hitch she would have lifted the rear of my truck right up and as the saying goes "Pray as you go under" would have happen.

A hitch is good for many things other than just towing in my experience, she took out my bumper, a shock mount and my exhaust form the in front of the muffler back. would have been springs and more even totaled if not for the hitch.

 

[HenryMac]

I don't know about you but I also consider the rear end collision into mix with my 4x4 models. With a hitch there is a stronger structural point in the center of the bumper area to help prevent further damage.

Good point. Worth noting: The 2019/2020 Rangers are still pretty strong, even without the hitch. They have a structural steel tube that supports the rear step bumper and adds rigidity at the ball mount. Check out the photos below. I was impressed with how Ford engineered this.

 

[Bgunner]

Nice! I like that. Most trucks in the pas it was the bumper that closed in the frames in the rear.

 

[HenryMac]

Got a tow hitch for wifes truck for Christmas . Hard to believe these trucks don't come with one unless you get tow package ! Took 20 minutes to install and I put the hitch cover off my truck on it .
View attachment 35026

Curious.... Did the installation of your aftermarket hitch require removing the existing factory steel crossmember that is shown in the photo's above in post #9?

 

[HenryMac]

Nice! I like that. Most trucks in the pas it was the bumper that closed in the frames in the rear.

So true. I remember my Dad's brand new '72 C20 had a pretty aluminum diamond plate step bumper on it. First time we hooked up the tandem axle trailer to it it turned into a drop bumper. Dealer refunded the money for the bumper and Dad made one out of a piece of 10" c-channel.

 

[romcjr]

Curious.... Did the installation of your aftermarket hitch require removing the existing factory steel crossmember that is shown in the photo's above in post #9?

No , all I had to do was clamp the bumper on both sides with those tabs that stick out , remove the two bolts on each side , lift the hitch into place with a floor jack and use the same bolts to install . 20 minutes , easy peasy !!

 

[HenryMac]

No , all I had to do was clamp the bumper on both sides with those tabs that stick out , remove the two bolts on each side , lift the hitch into place with a floor jack and use the same bolts to install . 20 minutes , easy peasy !!

Nice. so you get the strength of the factory set-up & the strength of the aftermarket Curt hitch.

What did you do in regard to wiring for the trailer?

Here's a nice write up on updating to the Factory set-up: Trucks w/o Tow Package?

 

[Josh B]

Nice. so you get the strength of the factory set-up & the strength of the aftermarket Curt hitch.

What did you do in regard to wiring for the trailer?

Here's a nice write up on updating to the Factory set-up: Trucks w/o Tow Package?

That's an extensive write up there Henry, I'm not even looking at 2019s hahaha and read 3 or 4 pages of it