factory hitch
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
factory hitch
I wasn't aware of a factory hitch (other than the rear bumper) being available....shows what I know. I know the tow package added all sorts of goodies in the way of suspension and fluid cooling but did not realize that a factory installed hitch was also available.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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factory hitch
Purchased my Bronco with the trailer package, but had to add my own hitch. Trailer package included tranny cooler, heavy duty battery/starter, heavy duty shocks and a wiring harness for plugging in your trailers lights. Perhaps a couple of other things, but the actual hitch was my responsibility. Mine is bolted to the actual frame with 3-4 bolts on each support frame. May want to consider having yours checked out at a place with a good reputation for installing hitches, before pulling too much. Good luck Bro.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Boston Mountains
factory hitch
Save yourself some time and grief..buy a 10,000 lbs receiver hitch that bolts from back to front on your frame (in numerous places). I tried to use my original hitch with a 400 lb tongue weight travel trailer, and it damn near tore my bumper completely off before I wised up.... most especially if you are going to tow long distance or on bumpy terrain. Probably will cost you about $175.00 for a real good one. My .02
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factory hitch
Chris,
Follow Seabisquit's advice. I did the same thing when I first bought my Bronco (10000# rated) Never a problem. Don't use the bumper for any serious trailering. Look around and you will see a lot of Bronco's with bumpers that hang down. My hitch cost me around the $175. mark and worth every cent. Good luck.
Follow Seabisquit's advice. I did the same thing when I first bought my Bronco (10000# rated) Never a problem. Don't use the bumper for any serious trailering. Look around and you will see a lot of Bronco's with bumpers that hang down. My hitch cost me around the $175. mark and worth every cent. Good luck.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Indiana
factory hitch
from what everyone has said it already has a reese type hicth.
i thought it was a factory one.there are no markings on it that i could see. the hitch is supposed to be bolted to the frame in 6 places 3 on each side.bolts are in the first one on each side the other four are welded not through the hole but on the outsides.
the hitch runs about 18-20 inchs down the frame so i don't know if its a class 3 or 4.so i was wanting to know if it,s a normal thing to weld the hicths on.are the welds in general strong the bolts.
by the way the welds look the be very good it had to be welded by a professional. on the outside of the hitch on the edges is where it is welded by where the four bolt holes are can't draw a picture on here so this is about what it would look like.
weld >[ hole ]<weld
in four places.
hey this post kind of makes me sound like a redneck.
i thought it was a factory one.there are no markings on it that i could see. the hitch is supposed to be bolted to the frame in 6 places 3 on each side.bolts are in the first one on each side the other four are welded not through the hole but on the outsides.
the hitch runs about 18-20 inchs down the frame so i don't know if its a class 3 or 4.so i was wanting to know if it,s a normal thing to weld the hicths on.are the welds in general strong the bolts.
by the way the welds look the be very good it had to be welded by a professional. on the outside of the hitch on the edges is where it is welded by where the four bolt holes are can't draw a picture on here so this is about what it would look like.
weld >[ hole ]<weld
in four places.
hey this post kind of makes me sound like a redneck.
Last edited by chris_ce; Jun 28, 2003 at 01:05 PM.
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Posting Guru
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From: Indiana
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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factory hitch
Chris_ce,
The trailer shop where I had mine installed had to drill two holes on each side for the bolts. Sounds like instead of drilling, they simply welded. That is not bad I suppose, if the weld was properly done. That I have no experience. 3500#'s doesn't seem like a lot, but remember, there is a lot going on with that weight when it is being towed down the road and on different elevations. For what it is worth, I would probably get it checked out at a reliable trailer shop. You don't want to have surprises at 70 mph. Injuries, insurance claims, those can be ugly. Good Luck.
The trailer shop where I had mine installed had to drill two holes on each side for the bolts. Sounds like instead of drilling, they simply welded. That is not bad I suppose, if the weld was properly done. That I have no experience. 3500#'s doesn't seem like a lot, but remember, there is a lot going on with that weight when it is being towed down the road and on different elevations. For what it is worth, I would probably get it checked out at a reliable trailer shop. You don't want to have surprises at 70 mph. Injuries, insurance claims, those can be ugly. Good Luck.
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