Remove Trailer Hitch Cover???

[CharPatton]

Any advice as to how to remove the plastic trailer hitch cover?

Likely my incompetence, but I'm afraid I'm gonna remove the entire plastic bumper rather than just the much smaller hitch cover the way that it is bending when I torque it.

I read the manual. I pulled upward and outward from the bottom of the cover. There is a finger grip recess so I know I was in the right place. I pulled super hard until the entire rear bumper cover started to flex outward.

Is there a trick?

Thanks!

2023 Timberline

PS Just sayin', but the mechanism seems very poorly engineered for a $90k truck

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

You're doing it correctly. Once the bottom tabs come loose the upper tabs will release as well. You're not going to pull the entire bumper cover off. Lucky for you that you do not have the kick-to-open lift gate because mine will open or close on me when I'm working with that cover...but rarely when I kick my foot underneath the hitch like it's designed to work.

 

[Wayfun]

I took my cover off for the first time a couple of days ago. What a PIA. There are a couple of tabs on the cover that engage on the bottom. I found it helped to deflect those tabs as I pulled on the cover. You need 3 hands.

 

[nationalgallery]

the mechanism seems very poorly engineered for a $90k truck

The Expedition trailer hitch cover was awarded the 'Excellence in Idiotic Product Design Award.'

 

[Machete]

Coat them with vaseline

 

[Yupster Dog]

Coat them with vaseline

Not a good idea for a painted item, plus it already is hard enough to grip without greasing it up.

 

[ATP7315]

Found the procedure demonstrated on You-Tube

 

[CharPatton]

Many thanks to all for commenting!

Here's a Ford video describing the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83YuRtOT7_Q

For me the key was pushing up on these two tabs (added yellow arrows) before trying the removal:



I liked the comment that read: "The Expedition trailer hitch cover was awarded the 'Excellence in Idiotic Product Design Award.'"

 

[CharPatton]

TBH, the best way for me to get this cover off is to lie on my back under the truck, insert a flat screwdriver blade at the inside edge of the two locking tabs, and pry gently.

No combination of pulling/lifting the cover works without this.

If anyone knows of a good mechanical engineer who has designed an easily workable replacement, please LMK and I'll buy it

 

[bjanfish]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a trailer hitch trim bezel? I like to keep the trailer hitch attached but, the exposed clip holes are very ugly.

 

[Andy B]

I used a plastic trim removal tool (a small plastic pry bar) between the cover and the bumper between the 2 tabs WHILE pulling. It seems to help.

Recently I sprayed a little silicone spray on the tabs and that seems to have helped a lot.

 

[duneslider]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a trailer hitch trim bezel? I like to keep the trailer hitch attached but, the exposed clip holes are very ugly.

Gonna have to make your own.

Still not sure why this is so difficult? I used to put on and take mine off all the time and don't remember it ever being hard to do. Now, I just don't ever put it back on but there is a bike rack or hitch in it about 9 months of the year.

 

[nationalgallery]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a trailer hitch trim bezel? I like to keep the trailer hitch attached but, the exposed clip holes are very ugly.

They're ridiculously ugly, they ruin the whole look of the rear of the truck. STUPID and unnecessary design choice.

 

[bjanfish]

Thank you for your reply. We thought about purchasing a new cover and have someone to cut into the cover so the hitch and light connections are exposed. Does anyone have an idea how to cut the cover?

 

[nationalgallery]

Does anyone have an idea how to cut the cover?

Carefully.....

 

[Hellwig]

TBH, the best way for me to get this cover off is to lie on my back under the truck, insert a flat screwdriver blade at the inside edge of the two locking tabs, and pry gently.

No combination of pulling/lifting the cover works without this.

If anyone knows of a good mechanical engineer who has designed an easily workable replacement, please LMK and I'll buy it

Thanks for your notes. I pushed the two buttons under the cover upward direction by my hands and then barely took the cover off. It shouldn't be designed to be that hard.

 

[hendricksen11]

Thank you for your reply. We thought about purchasing a new cover and have someone to cut into the cover so the hitch and light connections are exposed. Does anyone have an idea how to cut the cover?

I thought of this too, if I could get a replacement factory paint matched I'd give it a go..

 

[ccssid]

I have been taking off the hitch cover on a 2018 explorer for years....just pulled up and out and j*rked it off. The first time on 2021 expedition....pulled up and j*rked it off....although I had to put much more muscle into it. Replacing..just snapped back into place once lining the tabs up

 

[jjscsix]

It is always a pain to get off. I just look at the bright side. It’s not going to fall off on its own.

 

[lkTN]

I was having tons of trouble with the "Idiotic Design" too. I opted for a non-marring trim tool to assist when pressing on the designated places. It gets a little easier each time I do it now . .