2023 Ford Expedition Owners Manual - Installing a Hitch

Installing a Hitch

WARNING:  Do not cut, drill, weld or modify the trailer hitch. Modifying the trailer hitch could reduce the hitch rating.

Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the axle. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10-15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue. Do not exceed the tongue load rating indicated on the hitch receiver.

Trailer Hitch Cover

Your vehicle has a removable trailer hitch cover. To remove the trailer hitch cover:

1. Grab the trailer hitch cover at the bottom and pull towards the rear of the vehicle until the bottom of the trailer hitch cover unsnaps from the bumper.

1. Grab the trailer hitch cover at the edge and rotate until the top of the trailer hitch cover unsnaps from the bumper, then remove the trailer hitch cover.

To install the trailer hitch cover:

1. Line up the snaps on the trailer hitch cover to the holes on the bumper and push forward until it snaps into place.

Hooking Up a Trailer Using a Weight-Distributing Hitch

WARNING:  Do not adjust the spring bars so that your vehicle's rear bumper is higher than before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and could result in serious personal injury.

A weight-distributing hitch helps distribute tongue load to all towing vehicle and trailer wheels. For more information, visit the links in the following table.