Towing capacity?

[Kamuelaflyer]

Someone will make an aftermarket hitch for attaching a bike rack...that will not be an issue. I have a stealth hitch on my BMW and it is great.

Indeed they will. But there’s a better than 75% chance it won’t be available ... here.

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[malba2366]

Indeed they will. But there’s a better than 75% chance it won’t be available ... here.

Why would it be available here?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Why would it be available here?

Because a couple of companies have indicated a willingness to make an aftermarket hitch for the MME. They simply need an actual car to see how to do it. That includes Torklift and Eurotowbars as I recall. Both are 48 located within the 48 contiguous United States.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Because a couple of companies have indicated a willingness to make an aftermarket hitch for the MME. They simply need an actual car to see how to do it. That includes Torklift and Eurotowbars as I recall. Both are 48 located within the 48 contiguous United States.

They will ship it to you for you to install yourself. Some of the Torklift self-install videos don't look bad if you have access to a rack.

 

[supertramp]

Again, I am sorry for being a complete noob, but could some please explain what is the problem for Ford not to allow MME to be a towing vehicle? Anything specific to EV that is not applied to ICE? Thank you!

 

[ChasingCoral]

I might be splitting hairs here and someone else might have typed it but - Owners Manual says not to tow a trailer, I don't think it said not to install a hitch. Like the rest of us, I will wait until my FE arrives in probably early Jan. but I still plan to take it to Invisihitch and have them measure and 'officially' tell us what they can do. FYI - from experience with F-Pace, they did have to cut plastic and they do ship install kits, probably just US. Unless, you are laying on the ground, you cannot see the mounting hardware, only hitch when locked in.

No, that's not splitting hairs at all. Towing influences driving dynamics. That's very different from installing a hitch to carry bikes.

Fortunately, it looks easy to lock out the power liftgate when bikes are in place:

Switching the Power Liftgate On or Off
You can switch the power liftgate on or off through the vehicle settings on your touchscreen.
When switched off, the liftgate only unlatches and will not power open or close.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Again, I am sorry for being a complete noob, but could some please explain what is the problem for Ford not to allow MME to be a towing vehicle? Anything specific to EV that is not applied to ICE? Thank you!

Many of us are wondering the same thing. Ford hasn't told us why they won't allow towing in the US when they do allow it in EU/UK.

 

[kdryden99]

Many of us are wondering the same thing. Ford hasn't told us why they won't allow towing in the US when they do allow it in EU/UK.

I was just about to ask the same thing. Wad hoping i could pull a small trailer for a seadoo or light loads

 

[buffasnow]

Many of us are wondering the same thing. Ford hasn't told us why they won't allow towing in the US when they do allow it in EU/UK.

OK, so I know many of us have stated a wish for a hitch, whether for light towing or just bike/ski/cargo platform. I recall that long ago, a Ford exec/rep indicated that Ford did not necessarily see a demand in the US as they did in Europe.

Sorry to prevail on the insiders again, but is there a constructive way for us here to show someone with clout at Ford that there is a sizeable group here that definitely want this (petition)? I'd like to think that they are just not aware rather than knowing it's an issue for many and just ignoring it.

Even if the answer is no, at least we would have a foundation upon which to make further decisions (i.e. aftermarket).

 

[trutolife27]

I think the main reason the mache didn't have tow capacity is one reason.
Most Americans are overweight so I guess they thought we were doing enough towing already.

 

[generaltso]

is there a constructive way for us here to show someone with clout at Ford that there is a sizeable group here that definitely want this (petition)?

It wouldn't matter at this point. That ship has sailed. There may have been a chance earlier in the design process, but the vehicle is already being released with a zero tow rating in North America. They're not going to change that. Even if they decide to offer a tow rating on future model years, the 2021 model will never get a retroactive tow rating.

That doesn't mean that aftermarket hitches won't be available. There are plenty available now for vehicles that specifically say not to tow in their owner's manuals.

 

[guyofthesky]

I'm reading this thread with great interest because I need a tow hitch on my Mach E to carry bicycles on a bike carrier. I reserved a Mach E, but am considering cancelling it after reading the last question of the Q&A session the Mach E Forum had with Ford Managers on Nov. 25.

Question: Will there be a trailer hitch available?
Answer: Not for the U.S.

Why is everyone discussing towing capacity when there isn't going to be a trailer hitch. When you look at photos of the rear underbody, I don't even see how a third party could put a hitch on it due to the casing covering the battery, etc. for aerodynamics.

Am I missing something? I'm in the U.S. and need a 2-inch receiver hitch on my Mach E.

On the Chevy Bolt, there is an aftermarket kit which costs maybe $400 which allows you to put a trailer hitch on it. Takes a couple of hours. Works fine for bike racks and light towing.

I have no idea if that will be available for the Mach E, but it seems likely...?

 

[mattbostonmache]

@guyofthesky i put an aftermarket hitch on my current SUV. But there were mounting points. I had to cut a small corner of plastic covering, but overall it was a simple job (with a couple tools bought or borrowed from friends).

My concern with the MME is that the bottom is all flush and covered.

I'd be curious if we can order the European hitch. Or even see what the European Hutch's installation instructions look like.

Here's the underside from the back:

 

[ChasingCoral]

@guyofthesky i put an aftermarket hitch on my current SUV. But there were mounting points. I had to cut a small corner of plastic covering, but overall it was a simple job (with a couple tools bought or borrowed from friends).

My concern with the MME is that the bottom is all flush and covered.

I'd be curious if we can order the European hitch. Or even see what the European Hutch's installation instructions look like.

Here's the underside from the back:

That would be nice. The European system looks like it would do fine for a bike rack. You would just need a receiver to click into the place where their ball hitch goes.

 

[mattbostonmache]

@ChasingCoral this is great!

So instead of #2, you'd just need a tow hitch socket piece that's inserted into the receptical above #2? Maybe there is a Ford part just for this? ?

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