Detailed Tow hitch/ Hitch receiver info for Ford Edge

[CliffsEdge]

I had the Curt hitch installed Saturday. I first went to a muffler shop, which I usually do. This guy was high on crack. I’d never been there before. The guy came unglued when he saw the Edge and said no way it could be done without removing the bumper, which led to removing the tail lights.

 

I’m thinking… “hmmm, Curt manufactured the hitch and the instructions. It says NOTHING about removing ANYHTHING…”

 

Then he said it would take half a day.

 

Then he said he could saw through the back floor, inside the cargo area, access the bolts and then duct tape the holes… I’m not shitting you.

 

I went to another place that he himself recommended, behind Costa Mesa Ford. This guy whips out, says “no problem,” and 45 minutes later I’m on my way home, minus $80.

 

He did it with no lift, laying on the ground. By himself.

 

1. Lower exhaust off the hangers

2. Line up the hitch where you want it, mark and drill the holes. He did it with a 14 volt cordless, and a nice sharp new bit. It went through the frame like butter. In the back of my brain I said “that ain’t good…”

3. Use the wire supplied with the hitch hardware; pull the wire through the supplied mounting bracket. Get ready to crawl around a bit under the car.

4. Go around, through the inside of the bumper cover and fish the unit through the holes you drilled. Back to front.

5. Mount the hitch up.

6. Tighten the bolts. Tighten until you lift yourself off the ground. You might want lock tight for heavy hitch use or if you live in a bumpy area.

7. Re-hang the exhaust. The hanger boots are tough. You may be required to use the “F” word.

 

Drive away happy. It took him 45 minutes. Realistically it would take the average shmoe about 1 hour, to 1 ½ hours. An impatient cuss a-lot, like me, 2 hours and bleeding knuckles, red face, pissed off neighbors holding their children in fear…. It wasn’t worth it to me. I hate that type of stuff. I’m glad I paid to have it done.

 

The Correct hitch is Part # CU-13060

 

I bought it today for $140 at RealTruck.com

 

I have bought Hidden-Hitch products in the past and their fit and finish, such as paint, is horrendous in comparison to Curt. I mean total crap. No primer under the paint, and one coat of spray can quality semi gloss. Drawtite I heard is also not exactly the pretty item.

 

I believe Curt makes Hidden-Hitch, but they ship to them unfinished. The Hidden-Hitch from eTrailer sucked. The Curt products that I bought for other vehicles were top of the line.

 

I ordered this one for our 07' Edge based on past Curt experience.

 

See my gallery for photos. In particular

 

[Lex Talionis]

thanks for this... I am going to go this exact route - but install myself as I am pretty handy and I have - as Spicole said - 'an awesome set of tools'

 

few quick questions not totally clear nor on their website:

 

1. did it come with the mounting nuts/washers/bolts as well, or did the guy provide them?

2. did that hitch come with a cover/plug?

3. are you saying it came with a wiring harness that you just plug into the factory wiring plug already there but just hidden/pushed up under the car waiting to be used? (steps 3-4 I am not visually following)

4. is that round or square tubing?

Edited January 9, 2008 by Lex Talionis

[iceman33]

For those who have the factory Towing Package, does anyone know where the wiring harness is located on the Vehicle (Pictures)? Is there one? or does one have to start "splicing" wires?

 

If there is a wiring harness, is it a standard harness OR does it require some extra hardware to render it universal?

[carbonedge+]

For those who have the factory Towing Package, does anyone know where the wiring harness is located on the Vehicle (Pictures)? Is there one? or does one have to start "splicing" wires?

 

If there is a wiring harness, is it a standard harness OR does it require some extra hardware to render it universal?

I know this doesn't help tremendously, but...from the manual (2007):

 

Do not splice into the vehicle lamp wiring for trailer lamps. Your

vehicle uses an advanced electronic module to control and

monitor your vehicle lamps. Splicing into the wiring or attaching

wiring to the vehicle bulb. may DISABLE the rear vehicle lamps

or cause them not to function properly. Your lamp outage feature

may also be disabled or provide incorrect information.

See your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper

instructions and equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.

 

I know for mine (aftermarket) they ran at least one wire to the front to the battery for power. When I inquired with the dealer about it, they too said they did not have a harness at that time for the Edge (July 2007) and they would have to manually wire it.

[Lex Talionis]

For those who have the factory Towing Package, does anyone know where the wiring harness is located on the Vehicle (Pictures)? Is there one? or does one have to start "splicing" wires?

 

If there is a wiring harness, is it a standard harness OR does it require some extra hardware to render it universal?

 

I would highly 'suspect' that on the car somewhere is a factory plug that you can tap a harness into without cutting a single wire. especially after reading the above post and just thinking logically. for those that get cars with the hitch setup, it is not like someone at the factory is sitting and splicing them into the existing wires to make it work 1-by-1, they undoubtedly see the order and plug in a harness to the existing plug located somewhere on that car. they would try to make this stuff as plug and play and as modular as possible to quickly slap on if ordered.

 

the question is, as you say, where is the plug and are these after market harnesses (I have read a couple references to them) plugging into that plug and extending out to the hitch or what? having to run a wire to the battery implies it needs power... but if it plugged into the factory plug hidden somewhere, it should draw power from that. so not sure what what the story is.

[sengland]

thanks for this... I am going to go this exact route - but install myself as I am pretty handy and I have - as Spicole said - 'an awesome set of tools'

 

few quick questions not totally clear nor on their website:

 

1. did it come with the mounting nuts/washers/bolts as well, or did the guy provide them?

2. did that hitch come with a cover/plug?

3. are you saying it came with a wiring harness that you just plug into the factory wiring plug already there but just hidden/pushed up under the car waiting to be used? (steps 3-4 I am not visually following)

4. is that round or square tubing?

 

Yeah but Spicole's Dad was a TV Repair Man. And I have always wondered what are Tasty Waves? Must be some Good Surfing Waves, I always thought they were something you eat. But then again being from MO we don't get many waves. All we get is Poison Ivy and lots of Humidity. :stats:

 

Phoebe Cates married Kevin Kline and he is from St Louis. Went to Clayton High School actually. Occasionally they come to town. Man was she beautiful when she got out of that pool exposing her ...........Lovely Face.................What does this have to do with Trailer Hitches. I'll shut up now!!

 

 

Spicole..............LMAO

Edited January 9, 2008 by sengland

[Hardhawk]

For those who have the factory Towing Package, does anyone know where the wiring harness is located on the Vehicle (Pictures)? Is there one? or does one have to start "splicing" wires?

 

If there is a wiring harness, is it a standard harness OR does it require some extra hardware to render it universal?

I have a 2008 Edge with the factory tow package. There is a female plug for a four wire flat plug in for trailer lights located to the left of the hitch receiver. It is behind the plastic bumper cover and is higher than the receiver and faces down towards the ground. It has a cover that you can pop off to insert the male four wire trailer light plug. I have not towed my utility trailer yet as the manual says to wait until you have 1000 miles to tow anything. I am between 800 and 900 miles at this point.

[Lex Talionis]

I have a 2008 Edge with the factory tow package. There is a female plug for a four wire flat plug in for trailer lights located to the left of the hitch receiver. It is behind the plastic bumper cover and is higher than the receiver and faces down towards the ground. It has a cover that you can pop off to insert the male four wire trailer light plug. I have not towed my utility trailer yet as the manual says to wait until you have 1000 miles to tow anything. I am between 800 and 900 miles at this point.

 

now the question is... is that plug you reference at the end of an extension of the harness - say a 1 foot cable extension - added at the factory that is actually plugged into a harder to access plug farther up the line and is just added to make the plug closer to the hitch and accessible.. or is that accessible plug up there and on every 2008 just waiting to get used IF you have a tow package added?

 

it would be cool if someone with a 2008 and NO tow package looked around under this general area to see if they could see said plug.

[AK-Kayaker]

now the question is... is that plug you reference at the end of an extension of the harness - say a 1 foot cable extension - added at the factory that is actually plugged into a harder to access plug farther up the line and is just added to make the plug closer to the hitch and accessible.. or is that accessible plug up there and on every 2008 just waiting to get used IF you have a tow package added?

 

it would be cool if someone with a 2008 and NO tow package looked around under this general area to see if they could see said plug.

 

Wow this is just incredible, if you have not ordered yet, heck even if you have you can change it, just get the factory tow package.

At $395.00 it is a bargain, you get "Class II Trailer Tow Package: Class II receiver hitch, engine oil cooler, larger radiator, upgraded battery and cooling fans, wiring harness and 4-pin connector", and it does not hang down below the rear valance, like aftermarket ones do.

Even if you never tow, the oil cooler is still working for you, not to mention resale appeal.

You are going to spend around $33,000, don't cheap out over a few hundred.

[Mtn1Runner]

now the question is... is that plug you reference at the end of an extension of the harness - say a 1 foot cable extension - added at the factory that is actually plugged into a harder to access plug farther up the line and is just added to make the plug closer to the hitch and accessible.. or is that accessible plug up there and on every 2008 just waiting to get used IF you have a tow package added?

 

it would be cool if someone with a 2008 and NO tow package looked around under this general area to see if they could see said plug.

 

I purchased an MKX off the showroom floor that had everything I wanted except the factory tow package. I ordered the tow package from Lincoln Accessories and am awaiting its arrival. I would like to know where the flat plug harness plugs into the main harness. The dealer had installed one of these hitches on an '07 Edge and had to run the wires up to a junction box in the engine compartment. I hope this has changed for '08. Any one with a factory installed package that can shed some light on this?

[Lex Talionis]

I purchased an MKX off the showroom floor that had everything I wanted except the factory tow package. I ordered the tow package from Lincoln Accessories and am awaiting its arrival. I would like to know where the flat plug harness plugs into the main harness. The dealer had installed one of these hitches on an '07 Edge and had to run the wires up to a junction box in the engine compartment. I hope this has changed for '08. Any one with a factory installed package that can shed some light on this?

 

so wait.. the true 'tow package' is much more than just a hitch... so they are going to pull out & swap your radiator, exchange batteries, exchange fans, add the oil cooler, add the wiring kit and put the hitch on aftermarket?? how much is this going to cost?

 

OR.. are they just going to add an after-market simple hitch system like many of us are going to do, wanting to do, or like CliffsEdge - did do. If that is what you are doing, you could save some coin and either DIY or go to a tow type shop and have it done versus dealer.

Edited January 10, 2008 by Lex Talionis

[Mtn1Runner]

so wait.. the true 'tow package' is much more than just a hitch... so they are going to pull out & swap your radiator, exchange batteries, exchange fans, add the oil cooler, add the wiring kit and put the hitch on aftermarket?? how much is this going to cost?

 

OR.. are they just going to add an after-market simple hitch system like many of us are going to do, wanting to do, or like CliffsEdge - did do. If that is what you are doing, you could save some coin and either DIY or go to a tow type shop and have it done versus dealer.

 

 

Sorry, I did not make myself clear. The dealer threw in the Class II hitch and wiring kit from the Lincoln Accessories web site. I will be installing it myself. I will not have the upgraded battery, oil cooler, larger radiator and fans. My towing capacity will be limited, as stated in the owner's manual. No problem for what I will be towing.

 

The hitch and wiring kit arrived Friday with no instructions. There was a reference to a dealer-only web site for installation instructions on the wiring box. The parts man printed those out for me. Problem: He ordered the correct wiring kit, but had only ordered the replacement bumper/hitch unit rather than the hitch kit. He claimed it was correct, but the part number said otherwise. The salesperson took care of the problem and the hitch kit has been ordered. It includes the bumper/hitch and appropriate fasteners/hardware.

 

The wiring kit is spliced into the wiring harness at several places inside the cargo area. There is one power wire which must be run to the main electrical distribution box in the engine compartment.

[Lex Talionis]

The wiring kit is spliced into the wiring harness at several places inside the cargo area. There is one power wire which must be run to the main electrical distribution box in the engine compartment.

 

 

so you will be cutting factory wires and tying into them it seems... no fun... along with the hot wire to jump power from the battery

[Lex Talionis]

FWIW.. someone is selling Curt hitches on eBay pretty cheap!! 109-113 (buy now price) + 34 ship. I think the other sites - like real truck - start at 140 for the hitch plus about 17 ship. so a little savings... so the eBay guy is high on ship to make up for low on price and still is about $10 cheaper in the end...

Edited January 15, 2008 by Lex Talionis

[RADical]

I am considering buying the Curt Hitch from Realtruck.com.

 

I too, bought my Edge used and did not have an option to the OEM towing package.

 

Looking at the pictures of the MKX, is it the pix or does the valance panel seemed to be bent upward over the receiver??

 

How was the wiring connector attached??

 

Spliced in?

 

Hardwired to front?

 

I plan to tow a 3200 lb boat. Is the GVW and capabilities within my Edge specs?

[edgeboy]

Where did anybody get the harness? Directly from Ford, or an aftermarket. Thanks.

[carbonedge+]

Where did anybody get the harness? Directly from Ford, or an aftermarket. Thanks.

aftermarket - look up Pat Rogers Hitches in Marietta, Ga if you can't find one locally. I do know they got it directly from draw-tite.

[Lex Talionis]

how about this??

 

click here scroll down to Draw tite Modulite Wiring Kits

 

 

Modulite® Protector, with Its Integrated Circuit Protection Safeguards Itself and the Tow Vehicle Against Harmful Electrical Shorts and Mis-wire Situations. Recommended on all vehicles that do no have a T-One Kit (which it seems the Ford Edge does not).

 

-Isolates Trailer Light Operation From Tow Vehicles Electrical System.

-Necessary For Today's Vehicles With Computerized Operating Systems.

-Will Not Interfere with Tow Vehicle Computer Systems And Anti-Lock Brake Systems.

-Works with 2 Or 3 Wire Lighting Systems.

-$40

-has a very detailed wiring diagram, so not plug-n-play and have to splice into Edge wires, but directions look very complete

-claims less than 1 hour install

Edited January 26, 2008 by Lex Talionis

[edgeboy]

Thanks for that. But I am going to avoid any splicing. I have seen a few different kits that are plug in, but they all require running a wire to the battery, which is what I really want to avoid.

 

The question is whether Ford does the wiring entirely different when they install a tow hitch package with the wiring harness. Or, is there simply a plug somewhere in or under the car that accepts the Ford brand wire harness. No one seems to know at any dealer.

[Lex Talionis]

I am going to avoid any splicing. I have seen a few different kits that are plug in, but they all require running a wire to the battery, which is what I really want to avoid.

 

where have you seen the 'kits' that 'plug in' (implying no splicing as you say) - post up links for others as others are not so averse to running a battery power line or splicing to get what what they need - and doesn't this find contradict the next statement?

 

Or, is there simply a plug somewhere in or under the car that accepts the Ford brand wire harness. No one seems to know at any dealer.

 

doesn't what you claim to have found above imply there is a plug just waiting to be accessed and said kits plug into that and then run a power line?? or is something lost in the explanation?

 

The question is whether Ford does the wiring entirely different when they install a tow hitch package with the wiring harness.

 

irrespective of this post, post #4 and post #12 (all we really have to go on thus far) imply any after-market hitch setups (those not ordered & installed from factory with hitch in place) are wired different and we do have to manually splice in. As well, the only kits I have seen (like what I posted) are the electronic ones that do require splice and power line.

Edited January 26, 2008 by Lex Talionis

[carbonedge+]

When I was looking around for my install, I contacted the dealer first and they stated they would have to manually wire it in as they did not yet have a kit (that was 7 months ago). The aftermarket installer I ended up going with installed the hitch and about 4 weeks later, draw tite came out with this kit.

 

There may be something out there now, so good luck in your search.

[Lex Talionis]

Wow this is just incredible, if you have not ordered yet, heck even if you have you can change it, just get the factory tow package.

At $395.00 it is a bargain, you get "Class II Trailer Tow Package: Class II receiver hitch, engine oil cooler, larger radiator, upgraded battery and cooling fans, wiring harness and 4-pin connector", and it does not hang down below the rear valance, like aftermarket ones do.

Even if you never tow, the oil cooler is still working for you, not to mention resale appeal.

You are going to spend around $33,000, don't cheap out over a few hundred.

 

ya know... this has been gnawing at me for a bit now and I have to admit I regret no doing it from the start. your right.. it is chump change in the scheme of things.. and I wish I had in retrospect just gone factory on it... As a matter of fact, I even recently called my dealer to see if there was any way to get that added or if it was too late... he tried and said too late given it is in line to be built. I will save a few bucks doing it myself & get the larger class III 2" size for more all around utility, but I now see my error as the money saved is not worth what else I would get had I spent the money. my bad.

Edited January 26, 2008 by Lex Talionis

[Lex Talionis]

When I was looking around for my install, I contacted the dealer first and they stated they would have to manually wire it in as they did not yet have a kit (that was 7 months ago). The aftermarket installer I ended up going with installed the hitch and about 4 weeks later, draw tite came out with this kit.

 

 

in doing a little research... I believe this is the kit you refer to...

 

 

-T-One connectors (so it appears there is a T One kit) require no splicing of wires. Simply locate your vehicle's wiring harness connector, unplug the connection and insert the T-One Connector into the vehicle's harness. No special tools required. Many units now include circuit protection for your safety.

-super full and complete directions WITH PICTURES!!

-DOES require running wire to battery

-30-45 minute install time claimed

-$49.95

-2007-2008 Edge and MKX

-118430 part #

 

UPDATE: I have seen these now cropping up on ebay a little cheaper in price. seems to be the only option on eBay - so maybe it is the one of choice for hitch sellers.

Edited January 29, 2008 by Lex Talionis

[edgeboy]

in doing a little research... I believe this is the kit you refer to...

 

 

-T-One connectors (so it appears there is a T One kit) require no splicing of wires. Simply locate your vehicle's wiring harness connector, unplug the connection and insert the T-One Connector into the vehicle's harness. No special tools required. Many units now include circuit protection for your safety.

-super full and complete directions WITH PICTURES!!

-DOES require running wire to battery

-10-30 minute install time claimed

-$49.95

-2007-2008 Edge and MKX

 

 

This looks like a good one. Definitely no splicing. And, after looking for a couple of weeks, everything I saw requires running a wire to the battery. I am assuming the wiring/fuses/bulbs are so sensitive that this is required. Thanks for nailing this down.

[Lex Talionis]

I am assuming the wiring/fuses/bulbs are so sensitive that this is required. Thanks for nailing this down.

 

I believe it is more that this is the actual power source to run the/a trailers lights (when activated by the brake pedal or park/reverse) and that is where the power source is drawn from... the tying into each actual lamp (left, right, signals, brakes) and what not is to just get the cars signal to the actual matching bulb on the trailer.. so they line up and left turn gets left turn on trailer... but the power line you must run will actually supply the power to run/power the electronic unit and supply power from that hitch plug on back as there is just not enough power to run the electronic unit & relay it out to the hitch lights/signals by just trying to draw it from the cars wiring system.

 

boring.. but....

 

if you get this unit, versus that other one, post up results and actual install effort. I will be doing one of these 2.. unless someone finds and posts up something even easier - which i doubt is available for after-market