Sponsored

Tow hitch onto Base model?

aplm7

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Nov 21, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
401
Reaction score
983
Location
Vacaville, CA
Vehicle(s)
Explorer 2015
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
Towing newb. I've seen some posts saying you can always add a tow hitch part onto vehicles from Amazon etc. or have a shop do it for under $500.

But is there a chance that welding would be required for base to add it? Or is it always self-installable add on once aftermarket catches up?
Sponsored

 

ZackDanger

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Z
Joined
Jul 8, 2020
Threads
23
Messages
6,451
Reaction score
28,975
Location
Massachusetts
Vehicle(s)
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
Towing newb. I've seen some posts saying you can always add a tow hitch part onto vehicles from Amazon etc. or have a shop do it for under $500.

But is there a chance that welding would be required for base to add it? Or is it always self-installable add on once aftermarket catches up?
Highly doubt welding will be required. OEM reciever bolts through cross member of the frame... basically all modern aftermarket receivers use the same mounting style.
 
Last edited:

Beef78

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Joshua
Joined
Jul 18, 2020
Threads
9
Messages
143
Reaction score
339
Location
Connecticut
Vehicle(s)
Focus and 71 bronco
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Towing newb. I've seen some posts saying you can always add a tow hitch part onto vehicles from Amazon etc. or have a shop do it for under $500.

But is there a chance that welding would be required for base to add it? Or is it always self-installable add on once aftermarket catches up?
There’s a chance, but unlikely. The one from the factory appears to install through holes that are probably pre-drilled into the frame. So, it is likely after market options will just be bolt on.
 

wavydave

Wildtrak
Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Threads
6
Messages
209
Reaction score
625
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
G8 GXP, 04 F150 FX4, Wildtrak 2DR, Badlands 4DR
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
Clubs
 
Highly doubt welding will be required. OEM reciever bolts through cross member of the frame... basically all modern aftermarket receivers use the same mounting points.
Offered by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch, Curt, Reese...

and can be installed from minutes to an afternoon. It all depending if any trim needs to be moved around.
 

Sponsored

Used2jeep

Banned
Black Diamond
Banned
Banned
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Threads
46
Messages
6,191
Reaction score
12,813
Location
Massachuvian
Vehicle(s)
2007 Crown Vic P71
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
Thanks all, one more reason to save money and stick with base!
Except that nobody knows if it will be available by the time we get our trucks. MY 2022 has a better chance but no way to know.
 
OP
OP
aplm7

aplm7

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Nov 21, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
401
Reaction score
983
Location
Vacaville, CA
Vehicle(s)
Explorer 2015
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
Except that nobody knows if it will be available by the time we get our trucks. MY 2022 has a better chance but no way to know.
True I can wait, not towing often I'll just rent till then. Squatch yes
 

Beach_Bum

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Aug 12, 2020
Threads
28
Messages
6,143
Reaction score
19,265
Location
St. Augustine, FL
Vehicle(s)
2022 Black Diamond Bronco, 2023 Outerbanks Bronco
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
Highly doubt welding will be required. OEM reciever bolts through cross member of the frame... basically all modern aftermarket receivers use the same mounting style.
Adding picture for reference
bronco_parts_03-jpg.jpg
 

Southside_Ray

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ray
Joined
Jul 21, 2020
Threads
2
Messages
471
Reaction score
927
Location
Iowa
Vehicle(s)
2014 Ford Fusion
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
Hell, when I put a hitch on my 14 fusion it took the place I had put it on about 15 minutes (I only did the hitch & no wiring) to put on. I believe the bronco will be just as easy for the actual hitch mounting.
 

Sponsored

BeerForMyHorses

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jared
Joined
Aug 3, 2020
Threads
22
Messages
792
Reaction score
2,119
Location
Idaho
Vehicle(s)
Tacoma TRD Offroad
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
Towing newb myself: if I understand the comments in this thread correctly, it shouldn't be an issue to install a hitch to the base aftermarket?

Follow up question: an aftermarket hitch won't stick down farther than the factory installed one will it? I'm mostly thinking about departure angles
 

The Pope

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
719
Reaction score
1,612
Location
NC
Vehicle(s)
1977 F250/2007 Mercury Mariner/2014 Infiniti Q60x/2011 Kawasaki C14
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Follow up question: an aftermarket hitch won't stick down farther than the factory installed one will it? I'm mostly thinking about departure angles
A WDH (Weight Distribution Hitch) will more than likely stick down further that the factory installed one.

With that said..... several Aftermarket Bumpers have the receiver incorporated within them and "might" even offer a better departure angle than the factory installed hitch.
 

Garemlin

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
Jan 28, 2020
Threads
128
Messages
2,269
Reaction score
5,581
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
---
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
The receiver hitch itself should be easy peasy. The thing I would be worried about is wiring for the lights. Hopefully there will be a pigtail on a harness that would allow a simple plug n play. Many manufacturers do this to streamline production. One master harness across the board and different models use specific pieces of it. My Wrangler didn't have towing but I added it myself for $50 and about an hour of my time. Used receiver hitch off of Craigslist and a plug n play wiring harness from Quadratec. If there is no such harness or pigtail from the factory, it will require running wires to the battery and some creative cutting and splicing.
 

BeerForMyHorses

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
Jared
Joined
Aug 3, 2020
Threads
22
Messages
792
Reaction score
2,119
Location
Idaho
Vehicle(s)
Tacoma TRD Offroad
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
The receiver hitch itself should be easy peasy. The thing I would be worried about is wiring for the lights. Hopefully there will be a pigtail on a harness that would allow a simple plug n play. Many manufacturers do this to streamline production. One master harness across the board and different models use specific pieces of it. My Wrangler didn't have towing but I added it myself for $50 and about an hour of my time. Used receiver hitch off of Craigslist and a plug n play wiring harness from Quadratec. If there is no such harness or pigtail from the factory, it will require running wires to the battery and some creative cutting and splicing.
How much do you see it costing in both scenarios?
 

The Pope

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
719
Reaction score
1,612
Location
NC
Vehicle(s)
1977 F250/2007 Mercury Mariner/2014 Infiniti Q60x/2011 Kawasaki C14
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
 


Top