Tow Hitch Tweaked

[GoCougs]

I just bought a 2008 Expedition this last weekend and today I realized I missed something when I was originally looking at it, not sure how I missed it but I did. The tow hitch is tweaked! The receiver has been pushed in slightly and the and the main bar for the hitch is buckled. Everything else looks fine but I'm going to replace the hitch. How do I tell which class hitch it is and where is the best place to get a new one? Any brands I should steer clear of?

Thanks!

 

[07xln]

Sounds like it may have been rear ended. Doesn’t matter what class is on it now. What are you going to be towing will determin what you replace it with. I’d go with a class IV hitch honestly and wouldn’t go less than class III.

If you want to actually go and pick one up then find your local Uhaul and they’ll have them. If you want to find one online go to etrailer.com. You can shop by your year, make and model and they’ll have a bunch of hitches to choose from in different classes. IMO they’re all fine and none are really better than the other. After all it’s just welded steel.

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

Sounds like it may have been rear ended. Doesn’t matter what class is on it now. What are you going to be towing will determin what you replace it with. I’d go with a class IV hitch honestly and wouldn’t go less than class III.

If you want to actually go and pick one up then find your local Uhaul and they’ll have them. If you want to find one online go to etrailer.com. You can shop by your year, make and model and they’ll have a bunch of hitches to choose from in different classes. IMO they’re all fine and none are really better than the other. After all it’s just welded steel.

He nailed it, but I’d also suggest that even though everything looks fine, it probably wouldn’t hurt to have the rear frame rails checked to ensure they are straight. The amount of force it takes to buckle a hitch could easily bend them slightly.

 

[chuck s]

There really isn't a receiver. The whole back bumper (the real bumper, not the plastic cover) is one piece and bolted to the frame of the truck.

I'm sure Ford will sell you a new one but a "pre-owned" unit will serve just as well. Far as I can tell any year from 2007 up. Look for the one with the round electrical outlet on the right (starboard) side and the 4-pole boat trailer outlet on the left. This is the bumper furnished with the HD tow package.

-- Chuck

 

[GoCougs]

There really isn't a receiver. The whole back bumper (the real bumper, not the plastic cover) is one piece and bolted to the frame of the truck.

I'm sure Ford will sell you a new one but a "pre-owned" unit will serve just as well. Far as I can tell any year from 2007 up. Look for the one with the round electrical outlet on the right (starboard) side and the 4-pole boat trailer outlet on the left. This is the bumper furnished with the HD tow package.

-- Chuck

Thanks! I've been getting frustrated looking for a replacement hitch and was coming up with nothing until I read your post and started looking for it under different names. Found it called a impact bar and the part number from ford is 7L1Z-17906-C. Unfortunately since it is also used as the impact bumper the price is quite a bit higher than just a regular bolt in hitch.

 

[chuck s]

OEM part runs about $450. Local junque yard is sure to have several Expeditions in stock. This appears to just bolt on. Got a rattle gun?

There are two versions of this. The HD version is drilled for both connectors and has a Class IV receiver (vs Class III). Both those are 2". There's a sticker on the bottom showing the class and two holes are a good clue. The junque yard bar will probably be compete with the trailer electrical connectors.

-- Chuck