VonoreTn Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 (edited) I just installed a class 1 etrailer hitch on my FFH. If anyone is interested, email me, I have installation pictures. It took me about 1 hour, and cost $141.47 including shipping. I installed it to mount a bicycle rack on the back. Per readers comments below, don't try to pull a trailer with it, the FFH Owners Manual forbids it. Edited October 15, 2010 by VonoreTn 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuze-ion Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Did you have to drill holes or did it attach to holes that already existed? I'll admit, I haven't really looked under the rear end of the vehicle, except at the Exhaust and muffler. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonoreTn Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 Did you have to drill holes or did it attach to holes that already existed? I'll admit, I haven't really looked under the rear end of the vehicle, except at the Exhaust and muffler. I did not have to drill any holes. It used existing holes. And the way you get the bolts and washers inside the closed channel is really clever. Both bolts on each side go through the larger of the two existing holes. They send you special wires that attach to the bolt thread to accomplish this. You can get the muffler out of the way pretty quickly, it is just supported by two rubber hangers. (actually I probably made that sound too easy since there is a trick to that). Now that I know all the tricks I bet I could do a second one in 20 minutes. And if I had some help, like someone to hold the hitch in place as I get the nuts started, 15 minutes. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbuck Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I just installed a class 1 etrailer hitch on my FFH. If anyone is interested, email me, I have installation pictures. It took me about 1 hour, and cost $141.47 including shipping. A class one is good for 2000 lbs, which would be a small trailer with a motorcycle, a small sailboat, etc. I mainly installed it to mount a bicycle rack on the back. Any trailer is going to mess up your fuel mileage, be careful there. I guess this hitch would fit any 2010 Fusion. Be aware that the Ford does NOT recommend towing a trailer with the FFH (see your owners manual). See also my post about this previously. My dealer said it was because of the CVT, not lack of power. I needed to tow a small trailer also, but I'll wait until my warranty is up, as they said towing could void the warranty if any tranny issues arise. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btygte Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Be aware that the Ford does NOT recommend towing a trailer with the FFH (see your owners manual). See also my post about this previously. My dealer said it was because of the CVT, not lack of power. I needed to tow a small trailer also, but I'll wait until my warranty is up, as they said towing could void the warranty if any tranny issues arise. I just use my hitch on my FFH for the bike rack and a spare luggage rack. Works very well for that... Brian 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfruth Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 (edited) I suspect if you go into a dealership for something unrelated they may note the hitch even though the weight of a couple bikes+the hitch+wind drag is less than that of a couple passengers, do they disallow carpooling ? Can't blame FoMoCo for trying to protect themselves. Edited October 15, 2010 by rfruth 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonoreTn Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Be aware that the Ford does NOT recommend towing a trailer with the FFH (see your owners manual). See also my post about this previously. My dealer said it was because of the CVT, not lack of power. I needed to tow a small trailer also, but I'll wait until my warranty is up, as they said towing could void the warranty if any tranny issues arise. Thanks for the heads up on the owner's manual warning. I kind of assumed that, and never had any intention of pulling a trailer. I have too many friends with pickups and trailers who owe me favors to ever consider using my FFH as a trailer hauler. I guess when I was describing the definition of a class one trailer hitch, I was thinking that other non-hybrid Fusion owners might benefit from my experience, and they might land at this topic in a general fordfusionforum search. Maybe this topic should be moved out of the hybrid section, I don't know how to do that at this point. The installation pictures are at: My link 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmech2k Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 I think they nixed towing for ALL Fusions. Though I still like the bike rack usage. Wonder what the dealer would say, in case of a transmission issue. Think I'll ask when I go in for my next service soon. I have an I4 bte, but still interested in this hitch. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonoreTn Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Yeah, these days if you have plans to tow a trailer, you should be thinking about buying a cross-over or an SUV. I think the Lincoln Towncar would still pull a class 3 trailer as late as 1997, when they went to electric radiator cooling fans in 1998, which are better for cooling the AC condenser at idle, but worse for pulling a heavy trailer at low speeds. Ford figured if you were serious about pulling a 6000 lb trailer, you should probably be looking at an Explorer, Expedition, F150, or an E250. I think they nixed towing for ALL Fusions. Though I still like the bike rack usage. Wonder what the dealer would say, in case of a transmission issue. Think I'll ask when I go in for my next service soon. I have an I4 bte, but still interested in this hitch. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbuck Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Yeah, these days if you have plans to tow a trailer, you should be thinking about buying a cross-over or an SUV. I think the Lincoln Towncar would still pull a class 3 trailer as late as 1997, when they went to electric radiator cooling fans in 1998, which are better for cooling the AC condenser at idle, but worse for pulling a heavy trailer at low speeds. Ford figured if you were serious about pulling a 6000 lb trailer, you should probably be looking at an Explorer, Expedition, F150, or an E250. I have a small 5'x9' trailer that I carry various items in (kayak, bags of dirt, junk,etc.); after I traded in my Accord for the FFH, I put a hitch on my Civic, which does fine pulling the trailer. Just think I should be able to pull it with the FFH without worries about my warranty. It was my bad anyway, as I never thought of asking the salesman about towing capacity before I purchased. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonoreTn Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 I have a small 5'x9' trailer that I carry various items in (kayak, bags of dirt, junk,etc.); after I traded in my Accord for the FFH, I put a hitch on my Civic, which does fine pulling the trailer. Just think I should be able to pull it with the FFH without worries about my warranty. It was my bad anyway, as I never thought of asking the salesman about towing capacity before I purchased. Here's what it says in the FFH owners manual, page 205: TRAILER TOWING WARNING: Never tow a trailer with this vehicle. Your vehicle is not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available through an authorized dealer. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschool1962 Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 I suspect if you go into a dealership for something unrelated they may note the hitch even though the weight of a couple bikes+the hitch+wind drag is less than that of a couple passengers, do they disallow carpooling ? Can't blame FoMoCo for trying to protect themselves. I contacted my dealer and explained the use of the system. Mine was actually installed by U-Haul and I opted for the light kit incase I carry something on the luggage rack that blocks the tail lights. Turns out this was a smart move because the cargo carrier is actually wider than the vehicle and ....at least in Virginia.....I need lighted side markers for the carrier. I've had the car into another dealer while on a trip and they mentioned my home dealership made a notation about the use of the hitch. No problems. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lolder Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 I contacted my dealer and explained the use of the system. Mine was actually installed by U-Haul and I opted for the light kit incase I carry something on the luggage rack that blocks the tail lights. Turns out this was a smart move because the cargo carrier is actually wider than the vehicle and ....at least in Virginia.....I need lighted side markers for the carrier. I've had the car into another dealer while on a trip and they mentioned my home dealership made a notation about the use of the hitch. No problems. Oldschool, how's this car working? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschool1962 Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 Oldschool, how's this car working? Hey Lee, Not to hijack the thread but since you asked.....Not one single issue that presented itself in the last one has done so in this one. Just crossed over the 7000 mile threshold. Actualy we do get a BLIS error every now and then but it resets itself when I cycle the off and on after stops. Happens about every 2000 miles. I told the Service guys about it when I was in for the 5000 service so they know about it. I have been having more fun in this car. Airing it out so to speak every couple thousand miles. This one is far more responsive than the last. Mileage is holding in the high 30's to low 40's too...that is depending on my foot being leaded or not. Hehehe 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lolder Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 Hey Lee, Not to hijack the thread but since you asked.....Not one single issue that presented itself in the last one has done so in this one. Just crossed over the 7000 mile threshold. Actualy we do get a BLIS error every now and then but it resets itself when I cycle the off and on after stops. Happens about every 2000 miles. I told the Service guys about it when I was in for the 5000 service so they know about it. I have been having more fun in this car. Airing it out so to speak every couple thousand miles. This one is far more responsive than the last. Mileage is holding in the high 30's to low 40's too...that is depending on my foot being leaded or not. Hehehe Glad to hear that. I think some of the BLIS problems are an rf interference problem on perhaps a shared spectrum that is not a fault of the car and is probably unsolvable. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gl3 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I just installed a class 1 etrailer hitch on my FFH. If anyone is interested, email me, I have installation pictures. It took me about 1 hour, and cost $141.47 including shipping. I installed it to mount a bicycle rack on the back. Per readers comments below, don't try to pull a trailer with it, the FFH Owners Manual forbids it. What brand trailer hitch and is there a specific brand that fits the receiver or are they standardized? Leaning toward this option. Does it make the camera and proximity useless? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonoreTn Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 Yes, I know this thread kind of died a couple years ago.... I bought the cheap, steel rear luggage carrier from Walmart that fits in a 1.25" receiver box. But then I realized being 60 inches wide, it was just too wide. So I cut 11 inches off both sides, and now it is 38 inches wide, just right for this car. It doesn't seem to impact the mpg at all with a couple of suitcases on it. But it does make the rear view sensor audio warning come on continuously while in reverse. Since I don't spend much time in reverse, and I can still see what's behind me, I don't worry about that shortfall. I can put up a picture if anyone is interested. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twonder Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Yes, I know this thread kind of died a couple years ago.... I bought the cheap, steel rear luggage carrier from Walmart that fits in a 1.25" receiver box. But then I realized being 60 inches wide, it was just too wide. So I cut 11 inches off both sides, and now it is 38 inches wide, just right for this car. It doesn't seem to impact the mpg at all with a couple of suitcases on it. But it does make the rear view sensor audio warning come on continuously while in reverse. Since I don't spend much time in reverse, and I can still see what's behind me, I don't worry about that shortfall. I can put up a picture if anyone is interested. i know on the 2011 ffh there is an option to turn off the sensors so they wont beep constantly, it just thinks your about to hit something. on a more related note, i have recently found a youtube video with instructions on installing a tow mount... i do want to get one in the near future, i would like to tow a jetski 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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