Reese hitch on an F-150

[Kira]

I installed a Reese Mod. Num.: 37042 onto my friend's '97 F-150.

Brief facts:
43 vehicle models are listed in the fitment list (9 Chevrolet, 7 Chrysler/Dodge, 6 Ford, 9 GMC, 1 Isuzu, 4 Jeep, 1 Mazda, 2 Nissan, 1 Plymouth, 2 Suzuki, 1 Toyota). There are too many subsets of each make/model to list here.

We used 56 of the 97 parts supplied. We needed to drill two holes in the frame

This thickly constructed assembly hangs from two thin extensions of the truck's frame.

I gotta say the construction of the Ford's frame was markedly inferior to that of my sister's '84 Toyota.

 

[dogememe]

ok and?

 

[jeepman3071]

That sounds like one of the "universal" models that fits many different vehicles, and was likely why the fitment wasn't ideal. When looking for a hitch for my Jeep, there were only 2 or 3 that fit correctly, and a bunch of "universal" hitches that claimed to fit but hung too low or needed adjustments to work.

 

[ammolab]

Just put a Curt hitch on my 1998 Cherokee today. Fit was perfect as have the other 4 or 5 Curt hitches I have installed.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by Kira


I gotta say the construction of the Ford's frame was markedly inferior to that of my sister's '84 Toyota.


Hey, at least the Ford still had its frame

 

[DuckRyder]

I recently put a Ford Accessories hitch on a Ranger.

Fit like it was made for it, no hole drilling at all, OEM quality hardware, excellent instructions. Head and toes above what is shown for aftermarket hitches on E-Trailer and not that much more expensive.

 

[Kira]

To dogememe: My post was merely a report on what I saw and did. Warning people here was also on my mind.

The 1/2" thick blocks of metal used to clear a rivet on the frame (2 on each side) was one glaring feature. It's a "hitch on high heels".
After the plunging brackets are in place the hitch's own side brackets are bolted to them using 3 "knurled" bolts (like wheel studs) per side....peppered with hardware

The next day we installed a one piece Curt (mod. 12318) onto my Volvo. That was nice.

Lesson learned with illustrations!

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Universal hitches worry me. I am not sure I'd feel comfortable drilling into a frame. For not much more money, you can get a hitch made for the vehicle from Amazon / etrailer. I guess in some cases, some vehicles never had mass produced hitches and it could work.

With that said, I have seen that Reese hitch a few times on vehicles actually towing. It does seem to work well .

 

[bullwinkle]

F-150? E4OD transmission? NEVER, EVER tow in O/D! Don't ask how I know...

 

[blupupher]

You used a universal hitch. You have to compromise with that.

You should have used a Reese 51020 Class III or even a Reese 51095 Class IV hitch (or similar Curt 13310 Class III or Curt 14001 Class IV).
All these models were made specifically for the F150.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Originally Posted by Kira


I gotta say the construction of the Ford's frame was markedly inferior to that of my sister's '84 Toyota.


Hey, at least the Ford still had its frame