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.