Factory Install or UHaul?

[Samiii]

 

I have a Ford Edge 2015 SEL 2.0 model - I want to tow a small trailer from UHaul for about 600 miles from US to Canada.

Should I get this installation done or go through UHaul which would cost around $400 - any benefits of going through the dealership in terms of capacity etc?

 

Also how much would I be able to tow?

I have never towed so these questions might be very basic.

[dabangsta]

Without the factory tow package, your vehicle can pull a max of 1500 pounds. The smallest enclosed UHaul trailer is 850 pounds (4x8) so that means 650 pounds properly packed cargo (so that you have ~150 pound tongue weight). The smallest 4x7 utility trailer weighs 630 pounds, so 870 pounds load.

 

Dealer installing it doesn't make it have tow package. Looking at the price it is likely the hitch that requires trimming of the rear fascia, but it also won't hang down lower than the bumper for a cleaner look. I don't think any aftermarket ones do that.

 

Seems pricy to me, but I would do the work myself (I haven't installed a hitch yet on my 2019, but I have installed them on my Escape and Grand Marquis in the past) and possibly would spring for the through rear fascia one to look a little cleaner. Much cheaper ones are available aftermarket, and saving $750 by going with a different brand and installer seems like a no brainer, They install a lot of hitches, I guess you could get a bad installer, but these are all no drill, drop the fascia and muffler installs, less than an hour.

[Samiii]

Those are such valuable suggestions. I appreciate you responding to this post. I would probably be contacting some companies tomorrow to see what kind of rates they do give 

 

In one other comment, you mentioned that if I do an aftermarket installation, it would be 1,500 lb Max. In a case that I do go with factory installation, how much more weight can I carry? 

 

As for the self installation, I am kind of a DIY kind of a guy but the problem is that I have very limited time remaining and I need to move from Virginia to Ontario and I would rather pay someone to get the job done. Also, if I do the job I might do a much poorer job than some professional doing it. 

[FX3]

Legal Towing capacity is 1500lb no matter what brand or who installs it. 

 

Only way to legally increase capacity is to buy a different Edge that came from the factory with tow package. 

[Samiii]

Yeah I have to stick with the current edge for now.

[Wubster100]

The factory tow package includes a trailer tow module for trailer sway control.

[Samiii]

6 minutes ago, Wubster100 said:

The factory tow package includes a trailer tow module for trailer sway control.

Yeah but if I get the tow package right. The normal non tow wouldn't get it even if I get it from the dealer. 

[dabangsta]

The dealer would only be installing the hitch and lighting adapter, and your published tow limit is 1500 pounds.

 

You say getting "Factory Install" in your title but you would be getting a dealer install of some OEM parts like the hitch and light wiring adapter, but it isn't the tow package, which in addition to sway control also has better/different cooling (at least the radiator fans and controller). The swap control is what increases the towing limit, it has to pass certain tests before it can be rated, time to speed from stop, time to stop from a speed, and handling when stopping, which the sway control does.

[Samiii]

10 minutes ago, dabangsta said:

The dealer would only be installing the hitch and lighting adapter, and your published tow limit is 1500 pounds.

 

You say getting "Factory Install" in your title but you would be getting a dealer install of some OEM parts like the hitch and light wiring adapter, but it isn't the tow package, which in addition to sway control also has better/different cooling (at least the radiator fans and controller). The swap control is what increases the towing limit, it has to pass certain tests before it can be rated, time to speed from stop, time to stop from a speed, and handling when stopping, which the sway control does.

 

Thank you for sharing - I agree the wording might be a little messed up.

 

So 1500 total - you are an experienced tower (if thats a word) - would you do it on my edge - which is 130k miles - transmission fluid  etc changed recently and regular oil changes - have to drive from VA to Toronto - so almost 800 miles.

I was planning to get the small trailer  - fit my very light sofa - bed frames - tv - mattress and clothes/kitchen utensils.