First Hitch Installed on a Mach-E (Torklift EcoHitch)

[Spooky]

The tongue weight is zero, because tow hitches are not approved by Ford.

Ford doesn’t have to approve tow hitches, just like they don’t need to approve other accessories, so that doesn’t make the tongue weight zero.

I know what you are getting at, Ford has in the manual that the MME (in the US anyway) is not approved for trailer towing. Yet that doesn’t mean it isn’t approved for a tow hitch to attach a bike rack, cargo hauler platform, tow hitch to put a little spinny windmill on it because you like that look, etc. etc.

I do agree though that with how the hitches attach and the US and UK MMEs being similar that the US models likely have the same tongue wait capacity …. Though Ford hasn’t said one way or the other.

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[mkhuffman]

Ford doesn’t have to approve tow hitches, just like they don’t need to approve other accessories, so that doesn’t make the tongue weight zero.

I know what you are getting at, Ford has in the manual that the MME (in the US anyway) is not approved for trailer towing. Yet that doesn’t mean it isn’t approved for a tow hitch to attach a bike rack, cargo hauler platform, tow hitch to put a little spinny windmill on it because you like that look, etc. etc.

I do agree though that with how the hitches attach and the US and UK MMEs being similar that the US models likely have the same tongue wait capacity …. Though Ford hasn’t said one way or the other.

The guy was asking for the car's tongue weight. I don't know how you can answer with anything other than zero when Ford does not include tow hitch capability in North America.

I put this hitch on my car and it can definitely hold 4 bikes. But that is just my opinion.

This tow hitch doesn't install like the Ford EU version does. Therefore the EU hitch ratings are irrelevant.

 

[Spooky]

The guy was asking for the car's tongue weight. I don't know how you can answer with anything other than zero when Ford does not include tow hitch capability in North America.

I put this hitch on my car and it can definitely hold 4 bikes. But that is just my opinion.

This tow hitch doesn't install like the Ford EU version does. Therefore the EU hitch ratings are irrelevant.

The better answer than 0 is in the US Ford doesn’t list tongue weight so nobody knows for sure what It would be….specifying any number, including 0, is just a wild guess.

Ford says towing a trailer is not approved, not that one can’t use the existing bolt holes for a hitch at all and that there is no tongue weight capacity. They don’t list other weight capacity of other elements of the car either and they are not 0.

And come on, I need my little swirly fan that spins around back there, it is only a few ounces. Can’t I have that? Or a glow light that lights up FORD??

I didn’t realize the Ford EU tow bar used something other than the bolt holes to attach. By the looks of it on https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/mustang-mach-e-detachable-tow-bar-09-2020 it uses 4 as well,, though that tow bar looks funky.

Edit: And yeah I know it is funky so they don’t have to cut the bumper fascia, neat idea but looks like it likely reduces weight capacity quite a bit. So I should have said similar before and not same, but at least it is a starting point.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Hi - I have been trying to understand one thing...

I know that this hitch has a high enough tongue weight to support my bike rack and 4 bikes, but everything I check says that if the car's tongue weight is lower, it doesnt matter what the hitch tongue weight is...it wont be safe to exceed the car tongue weight.

I have not been able to find information anywhere about the US Mach-e tongue weight and whether I can rely on the hitch tongue weight, or whether the car tongue weight is too low to support those bikes?

Thanks

In Europe the vertical load limit is 75 kg / 165 lb. That's what I would go with for a bike rack limit. Similar on Teslas.

 

[dtbaker61]

I didn’t realize the Ford EU tow bar used something other than the bolt holes to attach. By the looks of it on https://shop.ford.co.uk/products/mustang-mach-e-detachable-tow-bar-09-2020 it uses 4 as well,, though that tow bar looks funky.

Edit: And yeah I know it is funky so they don’t have to cut the bumper fascia, neat idea but looks like it likely reduces weight capacity quite a bit. So I should have said similar before and not same, but at least it is a starting point.

looks like it uses the same bolts to chassis locations.... but the drop down to below the facia reduces the clearance more than I would like. Also, having a ball hitch only rather than an easy 2" receiver makes it harder to slip in a bike rack.

I'm very happy with the Torklift installation and weight capacity, and don't need the electrical kit for the bike rack.

 

[Spooky]

.

I'm very happy with the Torklift installation and weight capacity, and don't need the electrical kit for the bike rack.

Yeah, I think current solutions like the Torklift or Curt would work for us as well, though planning on waiting to see how well Stealth Hitches new model holds up. The ability to remove the 2 inch receiver is nice, and I do wonder/hope if the vertical part of it hangs down far enough to avoid cutting the bumper fascia, but I’m guessing not. Though as you mention, ground clearance will need to be considered as well. https://stealthhitches.com/products...rd~md_mustang-mach-e#installationandoperation

 

[dtbaker61]

Yeah, I think current solutions like the Torklift or Curt would work for us as well, though planning on waiting to see how well Stealth Hitches new model holds up. The ability to remove the 2 inch receiver is nice, and I do wonder/hope if the vertical part of it hangs down far enough to avoid cutting the bumper fascia, but I’m guessing not. Though as you mention, ground clearance will need to be considered as well. https://stealthhitches.com/products...rd~md_mustang-mach-e#installationandoperation

cutting a slot in the bumper facia is super easy and the hitch receiver give opportunities for fun covers....

 

[Avelli]

cutting a slot in the bumper facia is super easy and the hitch receiver give opportunities for fun covers....

Just need someone to make a hitch receiver that looks like an exhaust tip

 

[dtbaker61]

Just need someone to make a hitch receiver that looks like an exhaust tip

yeah, and then put a speaker in the tip with the 'sampled' exhaust notes of your choice.... ohhhhh and tied to the motor RPM or torque sensors!

 

[dram]

I managed to install the eco hitch on my Mach E without lifting the car. I cut the bumper using a Dremel. The four bolts threaded through head first using the wire. Lifting the hitch with my floor jack worked pretty well.

 

[Speedwagon]

Has anyone done a ground clearance measurement of the Ecohitch? The Draw-tite max shows 11.25 inches according to eTrailer. The pictures seem to show the Ecohitch tucked up a little higher, and was wondering if anyone could verify this?

 

[AndyR]

Has anyone done a ground clearance measurement of the Ecohitch? The Draw-tite max shows 11.25 inches according to eTrailer. The pictures seem to show the Ecohitch tucked up a little higher, and was wondering if anyone could verify this?

I can take a measurement on mine as I leave work within the next couple hours.

 

[dtbaker61]

Has anyone done a ground clearance measurement of the Ecohitch? The Draw-tite max shows 11.25 inches according to eTrailer. The pictures seem to show the Ecohitch tucked up a little higher, and was wondering if anyone could verify this?

bottom of receiver about 10.5", which is higher than bellypan.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/attachments/090-final-clearance-jpg.25391/

 

[Speedwagon]

Hmm.. Your measurement is closer to the ground than what eTrailer has for the Drawtite max. But this picture looks lower on the car then your picture:

I'm more interested in the departure angle it gives the car really. They are all above the bottom plastic, but they extend out below the bumper which alters the departure angle over bumps. I also think the higher it is (closer to the backup lights) the cleaner it looks.

The Ecohitch is also about twice the cost of the Drawtite.

Edit- I just watched a Uhaul video where they install a Uhaul branded Drawtite Max. They show a measurement of 11 inches to the TOP of the receiver, while the bottom of the Ecohitch was measured at 10.5. Now I think I'm all set. That's 1-1.5inches higher on the Ecohitch then.

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