UPDATE new Drawtite extended hitch now available. Aftermarket trailer hitch, Curt CRT-13493, arrived. No drilling required

[Lilj4425]

Thanks for this. I deleted the tow package thinking it was a constraint. Looks like I will save money though by buying the Curt one over the Ford one so a win-win.

Sponsored

 

[bcb1]

I'm beginning my "If Ford won't build it I will" Bronco build

I received my after market hitch today, Curt 13493, 350/3500 lb, same design, layout and capacity as Ford Factory hitch. This hitch will be great for those wanting to carry a cargo/bike hauler, add a recovery point or tow a light trailer. It's for those who didn't order the factory set up because you couldn't with your trim, thought $600 was too much or forgot and will be happy with Ford's 3500# tow limit. I will add a 4 pin wiring set up when flip, Curt or etrailer figure it out.

How to get it:

Short version: I ordered from Real Truck (Curt #13493) for $111 last Thursday, shipped from Curt Friday arrived Colorado Monday.

Long Version: Stumbled upon it at etrailer for $245, which is as much as the Ford version. Checked Curt Website for $147, but sold out. Checked Curt's dealer network one at a time finally found Real Truck @$111. (Odd it shipped from Curt even though they showed sold out)

I've always liked Curt's quality and this is the same, good design, good welds, good paint. Side note this one will be easier to install than the Ford one because you don't have to remove the bumper facia, bolts are installed from the front (muffler side).

Looks almost exactly like the hitch I put on our 18 Wrangler JL. Like a dumbass I ordered it without a hitch and figured I’d just do it myself, easy peasy. Well the hitch itself was super easy. But the trailer wiring harness install was a huge pain in the ass, it took at least 3 hours and if I wouldn’t have had a fish tape to get it through the frame rail to the front it would have been worse. I learned a lesson that day lol. Never order a truck or SUV without a trailer hitch. That $550 option on the Bronco is cheap compared to spending a half day rolling around the floor of my garage inventing new curse words.

 

[dgorsett]

Looks almost exactly like the hitch I put on our 18 Wrangler JL. Like a dumbass I ordered it without a hitch and figured I’d just do it myself, easy peasy. Well the hitch itself was super easy. But the trailer wiring harness install was a huge pain in the ass, it took at least 3 hours and if I wouldn’t have had a fish tape to get it through the frame rail to the front it would have been worse. I learned a lesson that day lol. Never order a truck or SUV without a trailer hitch. That $550 option on the Bronco is cheap compared to spending a half day rolling around the floor of my garage inventing new curse words.

I agree. I've put hitches and wiring on a 2002 F250 and 2005 Wrangler, so I thought easy peasy and didn't order towing on my Bronco. Now with the wiring set up, of course, I wish I would have. This Curt hitch is a start making up for my short sightedness.

 

[Parker]

I knew Curt would come through, great design and quality and finish. Front receiver is the cheapest way to protect the radiator/ shock pump on a Jeep Grand Cherokee and many others.

 

[Scottswanny]

Thanks for sharing this. I originally ordered the tow package but dropped it due to the supposed constraints on it. I was able to order the hitch on realtruck.com for $111.

 

[mC.242]

I figure at $111, even if Ford charges me $300 to install the wiring harness I still saved $100 and my Bronco is currently sitting in my driveway. I'll pay for it with Fordpass points anyway. All good.

 

[Mattwings]

Just my take after looking at the Curt installed. I would (and did) pony up the $260 for the factory hitch and pull the bumper. The bolts were galvanized and they thread into factory bolts. It's cleaner looking and less susceptible to corrosion ( I am in MI, salt kills everything). The 4 pin mount is also very nice and looks 100% factory. If I was in AZ, probably wouldn't matter. Use the Flip wiring harness and it's not bad, other than panel removal. Plug and play wiring, with a module to deal with PWM won't work, but I can see how you could possibly build one that would. It would still require panel removal and wire routing, there is no RH wire on the left side to tap.

 

[thenewjs]

Great vid that discusses the complexities of adding a hitch.

 

[Biggwrm]

I ordered from realtruck, they are telling me shipping end of oct/ early nov . May be a high estimate, but ill be lucky if it makes it off the mountain before then anyways.
But forum pricing they gave to me for 95$ plus tax no shipping. 103 and change to door. Always had good luck with them

 

[Boxer4]

I ordered from realtruck, they are telling me shipping end of oct/ early nov . May be a high estimate, but ill be lucky if it makes it off the mountain before then anyways.
But forum pricing they gave to me for 95$ plus tax no shipping. 103 and change to door. Always had good luck with them

Add $290 for Ford online purchased 4 pin harness & install and you have a hitch setup for under $400

 

[Biggwrm]

Add $290 for Ford online purchased 4 pin harness & install and you have a hitch setup for under $400

I’ll likely install wiring myself, Im an electrician should be cake lol. Likely will never tow with it, have other trucks for that. But this will work for a bike rack.

 

[Capt steve]

I got the draw tite

hitch in 6 days. Now all I need is a bronco!

 

[sjbronco21]

Did anyone find that the 4.5" bolts that came with the Curt Hitch are too long to work with an Outer Banks Bronco? They interfere with the back of the rear bumper and would push into it if I were to tighten. Contacting Curt, just thought if anyone had same problem or if they started shipping 4" bolts at some point.

 

[Bdockins]

Thanks for this. I deleted the tow package thinking it was a constraint. Looks like I will save money though by buying the Curt one over the Ford one so a win-win.

You go this route on the hitch? Thoughts.
(Maybe you already shared this)
thanks though.

 

[kahunabob]

Did anyone find that the 4.5" bolts that came with the Curt Hitch are too long to work with an Outer Banks Bronco? They interfere with the back of the rear bumper and would push into it if I were to tighten. Contacting Curt, just thought if anyone had same problem or if they started shipping 4" bolts at some point.

I bought the CURT for $90 (with discount coupon) from:

https://liftkits4less.com/catalog/p...powder-coat-2-class-3-trailer-hitch-receiver/

I added lock washers on the side of the gas tank. No interference with anything....great fit. I have a 4 door Basquatch for reference.

Sponsored