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

[phidauex]

So, I bought the hitch. IT's $385 on the site, down from the mid $400s. IT took about 4 days to arrive after ordering. I'm in the SF Bay Area, and they are in Washington, so it didn't have that far to go. The box was a bit stressed on arrival, but the hitch was fine. It's a big honking piece of powder coated metal, so it is going to be fine.

I bought mine last week as well, though I still have about 6 weeks until I get my car... I saw the price drop and wasn't sure if it was a sale, and I was nervous about production delays. I shouldn't have been - it shipped immediately and got here this weekend! No issues with it, and it looks like it should install like the last few hitches I've installed.

Now getting a bike rack is a different story... Lots of models sold out and 1up (which is my preference) has moved to a waitlist model. Hoping to get a rack by mid-August for a trip!

Sponsored

 

[Dr Obnxs]

I'm also finding some stuff I think Ford could have done better:

The batting above the under body tray isn't real good. Looks like it will be a moisture trap and a place for mold to grow in the future.

And making it out of what feels like fuzzy cardboard grabs dust and debris. Should have been had plastic and no carpet pad-like stuff.

 

[Dr Obnxs]

Ran into another issue..... The hole that one feeds the carriage bolts through appears to not be the same size in all vehicles. On mine, the heads of the carriage bolts did NOT fit through the hole without grinding on the head of the carriage bolt. I'll post photos, but if you're installing yourself, check before you run into this problem. It's not a big deal, but it's a hassle to discover it part way through the install.

Ask me how I know!

 

[dtbaker61]

Ran into another issue..... The hole that one feeds the carriage bolts through appears to not be the same size in all vehicles. On mine, the heads of the carriage bolts did NOT fit through the hole without grinding on the head of the carriage bolt. I'll post photos, but if you're installing yourself, check before you run into this problem. It's not a big deal, but it's a hassle to discover it part way through the install.

Ask me how I know!

I would bet all the holes are the same on our vehicles. The head on the carriage Bolt is very difficult to finagle through if you put the thread end in first. Oddly easier if you put the head in first, or grind the head as I noted in the original DIY posting

 

[Dr Obnxs]

I would bet all the holes are the same on our vehicles. The head on the carriage Bolt is very difficult to finagle through if you put the thread end in first. Oddly easier if you put the head in first, or grind the head as I noted in the original DIY posting

Impossible is a better word.

 

[msugma]

If you are one of the many SE Michigan Mach E drivers, I highly recommend Hitch House USA in Livonia. They ordered me a hitch last Thursday, called me on Tuesday to say it's in, and had it installed in less than 2 hours. About $330 out the door. Just be prepared to have the "do you think that's a real Mustang" conversation.

Foot activate lift gate still works and now I can haul my bikes!

 

[OnceYouGo]

I installed the ecohitch at ABC MUFFLER & HITCH in Benicia, CA. It cost $250 (2 hours). I like those guys, very fair. He said the ecohitch was really nice and sturdy. I paid $1,000 over MSRP back on May 31st with the agreement that the dealer pays for the hitch plus install. They wouldn't give up getting something over MSRP and I got what I would have paid for anyways. Dealer was Marin Ford in Novato, CA.

I put on a Kuat Sherpa from my other car.

*Looks great
*Road Bike is close to the car but there is clearance without attachments. Pedals and handlebars don't hit.
*Folding up is close but doesn't touch by about .25 in
*I need to test my MTB on the hitch...coming soon.

(By the way, I put limo tint over factory tint on the rear)

 

[Nomation]

I completely agree the difference between the European and NA versions here is frustrating. (I don't care about towing, mind you, and I still find it frustrating!)

(also I thought DCFC wasn't working yet? [runs away])

Seems like no towing because the front end is too light?

 

[OnceYouGo]

I installed the ecohitch at ABC MUFFLER & HITCH in Benicia, CA. It cost $250 (2 hours). I like those guys, very fair. He said the ecohitch was really nice and sturdy. I paid $1,000 over MSRP back on May 31st with the agreement that the dealer pays for the hitch plus install. They wouldn't give up getting something over MSRP and I got what I would have paid for anyways. Dealer was Marin Ford in Novato, CA.

I put on a Kuat Sherpa from my other car.

*Looks great
*Road Bike is close to the car but there is clearance without attachments. Pedals and handlebars don't hit.
*Folding up is close but doesn't touch by about .25 in
*I need to test my MTB on the hitch...coming soon.

(By the way, I put limo tint over factory tint on the rear)

MTB fits fine. The pedals can't spin fully, unlike the road bike, as it hits the trunk. That isn't a problem because the pedals don't just spin once attached.

I could see someone with flat pedals (which are bigger than clips) needing to be a little more careful when mounting their bike to mind pedal position.

 

[mikeho]

@OnceYouGo thanks for this info, this is awesome!

 

[jdwagner888]

I installed this hitch a couple days ago. Its pretty straightforward.
I am going to tackle a wiring harness for trailer lights next.

theoretically, if the supply for turn signals and brakes is 12vdc, it should be quick and easy. I am a little nervous with the sequential turn signals though. I will report back once done.

 

[Rob FFE]

dtbaker61 said:
details?!


I can go into more detail, but for now:
1) Remove tail light assembly.
2) There is a grommet with nothing in it. Punch small hoes for the wires you need (tail, turn, stop).
3) You can take the tail light assembly to your work bench to spice wires (I soldered the spices) onto the corresponding existing wires and tape or shrink wrap the splices.
4) Run the new wires through the grommet and into the rear cargo area.
5) Connect those wires to the adapter which will have, as its output, the trailer connector.
6) Obtain power for the adapter from the wire on the back side of the 12V socket on the passenger side of the cargo area.
7) Get neg battery from any convenient bolt, etc.

This method assumes that you will stow the trailer connector and mount the adapter in the lower part of the cargo area and bring the trailer wires out under the tailgate when used.

This way the only disassembly is the tail light assembly and part of the cargo area trim panels.

 

[DJJeffT]

FWIW - the TorkLift EcoHitch is available for $381.64 right now. i jumped on one this weekend and my local shop will install for $155!

https://torkliftcentral.com/2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-trailer-hitch

 

[mkhuffman]

FWIW - the TorkLift EcoHitch is available for $381.64 right now. i jumped on one this weekend and my local shop will install for $155!

https://torkliftcentral.com/2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-trailer-hitch

Thanks Jeff for sharing this! I intended to buy it later, but this price break is too good to pass up! I ordered mine just a few minutes ago.

 

[Dr Obnxs]

My install. I have a small trailer and did a dump run. I don't have trailer lights figured out yet though.

Sponsored