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OEM Hitch Installation w/ photos & foot activated lift gate works.


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I've looked at a lot of photos in this forum in trying to decide which hitch to install. I ended paying a little more (a lot more!) and getting the factory hitch installed. I'm 100% happy that I did. They really did a fantastic job. They had to cut the rear bumper cover and it while it could be straighter, I'm sure it's something I'll never notice. Plus, If I decide to get the wiring harness there's a place to mount that.

 

I purchased this used so I had a hard time finding one with a trailer hitch. Plus, I didn't the whole towing package. This is mainly for bikes/cargo carrier/jet ski occasionally.

 

I can also report that the foot activated lift gate works if you kick to the right of the hitch.


Super happy. Thanks for everyone that posted photos.

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  • 1 month later...

The only hitch I found for my 2017 Edge Titanium on Fordparts.com indicates that it cannot be used with the power lift gate. I would like to have the factory look if possible. This note now makes me wonder about the aftermarket hitches such as Curt or Drawtite. I don’t like the look of the Curt as you can see the cross tube under the rear fascia. The Drawtit hides the cross tube behind the fascia but drops the actual receiver under the fascia. I wonder now if these will work with the power lift gate or is it possible to relocate the lift gate sensor if the hitch does block it for some reason.

 

I wish that I could’ve found an Edge with the factory tow package but as I was buying a 2017 as they were clearing them out for the 2018s there weren’t many tow packages available. In fact my dealer checked his trade network of 300 dealers and found only one and by the time the dealer attempted to trade it was gone.

 

I have the 3.5 and want to tow about 2500 lbs with it (2000lbs travel trailer plus gear). I know that it’s Rated 2000lbs without tow package and 3500 with. My research found that the tow package for the 3.5 consists of the receiver hitch, wiring harness, enhanced cooling fans, a larger radiator and sway control. If I’m just going maybe 500 lbs over the rating I’ve wondered if the extra cooling is necessary? Then I’ve thought that a transmission cooler is an inexpensive add on - should I add one of those for the extra transmission cooling it provides?

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I went to the dealership and the parts catalog only showed two hitches for the 2017 Edge. The first hitch was $249 but said it was not for the Sport or Titanium or with the power lift gate (which I have). The other hitch listed at almost $600 but the parts guy could not find any information as to what it did or difference from the $249 hitch

 

I'm having the Drawtite #75234 installed tomorrow. The receiver is below the rear fascia but the cross tubes are hidden behind the fascia.

 

For those who have towed with the 3.5, what gear do you use? I would assume you use D until highway speeds and then shift to S and use 4th or 5th?

 

Philllip

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I've looked at a lot of photos in this forum in trying to decide which hitch to install. I ended paying a little more (a lot more!) and getting the factory hitch installed. I'm 100% happy that I did. They really did a fantastic job. They had to cut the rear bumper cover and it while it could be straighter, I'm sure it's something I'll never notice. Plus, If I decide to get the wiring harness there's a place to mount that.

 

I purchased this used so I had a hard time finding one with a trailer hitch. Plus, I didn't the whole towing package. This is mainly for bikes/cargo carrier/jet ski occasionally.

 

I can also report that the foot activated lift gate works if you kick to the right of the hitch.

 

 

Did you have to move kick sensors and any other parts needed other then the hitch?

Super happy. Thanks for everyone that posted photos.

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  • 2 months later...

My factory hitch did not come with new kick sensors. Talked to dealer who installed it yesterday and they said installation instructions said it would make the lift gate foot sensor not work. I'm going to dig under there this weekend and see if I can make it work.

There is an accessory for Ford Explorers to make the kick sensor work with hitch, but not for the Edge.

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