Tow hitch on 2025 MME for bike rack - anyone go there?

[EruptionGreen5000]

I made an appointment with U-Haul to get a hitch put on and they called me to let me know that the back panel fascia would have to be cut. I went and looked at the car and I’m not sure exactly where that would be. Has anyone had the hitch installed and made this cut? Would love to see what it looks like.

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[TheRock]

Look up on YouTube. Plenty of videos with different hitch with different cut !

 

[EruptionGreen5000]

Cool thanks. So this is a frame grab from a video that says it’s for 2021-2024 models - no difference for 2025 model?

 

[TheRock]

Cool thanks. So this is a frame grab from a video that says it’s for 2021-2024 models - no difference for 2025 model?

AFAIK, same car.

 

[dan_meh]

If you want to hide the cut, you can go with a hidden hitch. Different prices and different ease of use, so everyone’s mileage varies. But you should know it’s an option.



At least one member didn’t like the stealth hitch, but that was a towing use case.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...-not-recommend-–-do-not-buy.35514/post-792280

 

[Ford_orr]

There's a gazillion posts on here if you do a search regarding tow hitches. And yes, they all require cutting the fascia.

 

[SteveMach-ee]

The Torklift EchoHitch requires minimal cutting and the receiver is stainless steel. They specify 2021-2024 so you should ask them about fit before buying. I'll bet the 2025 has the same bolt holes for the hitch.

As I wrote in this post: https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/tow-hitch-wiring-harness-for-dummies-me.45514/#post-955618 the included cutting instructions and some of the forum posts make the cuts unnecessarily long and wide.
"Only the two side cuts on the bumper and on the dirt shield are needed. Don't make a third cut across. Just bend the bumper and shield back as needed. This allows you to trim the side cuts to closely fit the receiver. "

For using bike racks (like the 1-UP Equi'D) with the EchoHitch and some of the other hitches you need to watch the the horizontal spacing from the receiver to bumper. You may need a small extension if you want to store the rack in the full vertical position. I think the 1-UP can only store at an angle.

 

[Todd Dulawan]

I made an appointment with U-Haul to get a hitch put on and they called me to let me know that the back panel fascia would have to be cut. I went and looked at the car and I’m not sure exactly where that would be. Has anyone had the hitch installed and made this cut? Would love to see what it looks like.

I had one installed it’s flawless

 

[stoopid]

If it's just for one bike (not a lot of weight) I would just do a hanging trunk mount rack. We hardly ever use the hitch on our second car (CX-5). We would also never consider leaving the hitch rack on, so the convenience (of leaving the rack on) is lost since we'd be removing either style rack when done. The only reason we did the hitch was for a cargo carrier for longer outdoorsy trips, and for the dual bike rack we use. But in two+ years the hitch hasn't been used once, and we have done a few longer trips (but no biking).

Everyone's needs are different, but figure I'd toss out the minority / second opinion.

 

[Herbknowsit]

2024 same color as yours. Did home install with Curt hitch and yes, a cut is necessary for most hitches but won't show at all. Actually of far greater importance is that U-Haul dudes get the Xmas tree push retainers back in all the locations solidly for the panels they'll remove to bolt in the hitch. It's common when taking them out to ruin them but pro's likely have plenty around for that reason. Hitch rack for bikes is THE way to go versus any strap on rack. I have many years of bike rack experience. Don't think you posted why you want a hitch but if it's for biking, I'm partial to Thule since they carry spare parts and do serious testing of their products.

 

[Nikos]

I made an appointment with U-Haul to get a hitch put on and they called me to let me know that the back panel fascia would have to be cut. I went and looked at the car and I’m not sure exactly where that would be. Has anyone had the hitch installed and made this cut? Would love to see what it looks like.

Look into the TorqueLift Eco hitch. The receiver is stainless to minimize corrosion. I have it installed on my 2021 Job 1 Mach E. I installed it myself and it is a fairly straight forward project.
Get someone to help you. The only thing to cut is a section of the underbody cover. The TorqueLift hitch comes with plenty of instructions to do it yourself. Also there is a post I made back in 2021 with plenty of pictures.
Plenty of choices to decide.

 

[Silver MTB]

I have an Eco Hitch on my 23 GTP. It's solid as a rock with a 50 pound rack and 2 nearly 50 pound e bikes. We routinely take it on unpaved access roads. Torklift hasn't certified it on a 25 yet, but I see no reason why it won't work. I plan to install it on mine when it arrives, certified or not. The Eco has a third attachment point near the receiver. I'm not aware of anyone else doing that. That makes all the difference with hitch bike racks. If the rack is mounted solely at the 4 bolt holes, the unsupported cantilevered load is immense.

 

[Nikos]

I have an Eco Hitch on my 23 GTP. It's solid as a rock with a 50 pound rack and 2 nearly 50 pound e bikes. We routinely take it on unpaved access roads. Torklift hasn't certified it on a 25 yet, but I see no reason why it won't work. I plan to install it on mine when it arrives, certified or not. The Eco has a third attachment point near the receiver. I'm not aware of anyone else doing that. That makes all the difference with hitch bike racks. If the rack is mounted solely at the 4 bolt holes, the unsupported cantilevered load is immense.

Agree.!!!
I have installed one myself on my 2021 Job 1 premium MME. It has 10 attachment points. When you start to put this hitch together, keep all the bolts loose. It is a tight fit but it is very solid. I carry 2 70lbs e-bikes with my hitch.

 

[Silver MTB]

It's rock solid. I'm simplifying the attachment point analysis to 3 "zones". You are correct in your 10 point description. Stainless steel receiver is also a nice touch!

 

[kas22]

Look into the TorqueLift Eco hitch. The receiver is stainless to minimize corrosion. I have it installed on my 2021 Job 1 Mach E. I installed it myself and it is a fairly straight forward project.
Get someone to help you. The only thing to cut is a section of the underbody cover. The TorqueLift hitch comes with plenty of instructions to do it yourself. Also there is a post I made back in 2021 with plenty of pictures.
Plenty of choices to decide.

Nikos, what did you use around the cut? What is the black plastic that goes along the edges where the cut was made? I'd like to use whatever it is when I cut mine out.

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