Hitch cover replacement

sjwhiteley said:

Who is gonna be the first to do it so we have a pattern?

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^^^^^^^^ This!! Lol

Maybe the door edge guard that slips over the edge

sjwhiteley said:

To me, it looks like that hitch on the overland concept has been just cut for a photoshoot to look clean. As noted, from and actual practical standpoint, cutting a bit more clearance would be likely the bet path. Of course, if you’re cutting your cover, cut small first, and enlarge until it works…

Who is gonna be the first to do it so we have a pattern?

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It almost looks photo shopped.Don't know what they were hooked up to but that's an awfully high drawbar

sjwhiteley said:

To me, it looks like that hitch on the overland concept has been just cut for a photoshoot to look clean. As noted, from and actual practical standpoint, cutting a bit more clearance would be likely the bet path. Of course, if you’re cutting your cover, cut small first, and enlarge until it works…

Who is gonna be the first to do it so we have a pattern?

Click to expand...

That would be me. I’ve got a replacement cover ordered to cut on and plan to start with small openings and enlarge as necessary, then I’ll paint to match.
Keeping the factory one stock in case I ruin the replacement one.

Following.

I plan to use a hitch mounted doggy step when the pups go in the back, which is once or twice a week. The hitch cover was very difficult to get off, and I expect something will break eventually.

I could just leave it off, but it looks broken/unfinished with the hitch cover removed. I’m very curious to see how your project goes.

My spare cover has finally shipped, so I’ll be trimming and adjusting this week. I’ll post up results later this week unless it’s a complete disaster.

Have to agree with OP. Just picked up my 2023 Expedition with tow package. Couldn't remove the hitch cover plate for fear of breaking it. The dealer removed it. I will leave a hitch in the receiver, but this really looks terrible. Unfinished, just like parts are broken or missing. Why wouldn't they have had at least a rectangular trim ring to cover the holes for the tabs. Very disappointed.

Did they change the cover? The one on my 2019 comes off easily.

I had a tough time getting mine off the 22 the first time. Much harder time than I remember with my 2019. After a few times it seems the tabs have been worked in a little and it comes off easier. I find it easiest to grab it from he bottom first.

Just looking at the example, wouldn't you need to install the hitch and then pin it to the receiver inside the cover or are you thinking of sliding the cover onto the hitch tube, installing and pinning the hitch and then pushing the cover forward into place?

If installing the hitch with the cover in place, there does not appear to be sufficient space to install the pin unless the bottom of the cover is wide open allowing access to the pin from below, which is not visible from the picture.

Also, the trailer electrical connector example shows an opening with a bushing that is large enough to pass the cable through but not the connector itself, unless possibly a 4 pin. The opening would need to be large enough to pass the connector itself through the cover, or possibly a slot cut from the bottom of the cover up to the cable hole in order to pass the cable up to the hole with the connector already on the vehicle side of the cover. This method would also require a split circular grommet to allow the cable to enter the grommet, protecting the cable from chafing on the cover edges.

I use the WeatherTech bump step on both my Expys when not towing. It hides most of the ugliness of the trailer connections while protecting the bumper cover from idiots behind me and in parking lots not paying attention to driving.

In any case, I would love to see how the finished product turns out.