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Your Ford is made for rugged roads and heavy lifting, so why not put it into action? Make the most of your travels by adding tow hitch accessories to your truck! When you give your vehicle the ability to tow, you greatly expand your Ford vehicle’s possibilities. From boats to trailers and even RVs, your Ford can haul all types of cargo when it is equipped with the proper hitch. Considering hitches have no universal fit, finding the best trailer towing accessories can be difficult to achieve. To make your search a little bit easier, we’ve put together a guide for navigating the most common types of towing accessories!
Trailer Hitch Receiver
To start towing, a trailer hitch receiver may be necessary to attach other tow hitch accessories to your truck. A hitch receiver is a tube that is bolted to the frame of your Ford to enable the connection of towing accessories, bike racks and ball mount hitches. Specifically, Ford hitch receivers are corrosion-resistant and require no additional drilling since they attach to existing holes in your vehicle! Finding the right hitch receiver for your vehicle is no hassle since Ford receivers are tailored to each model. If your vehicle doesn’t have a tow package or a hitch receiver installed, this is a great place to start for future towing endeavors!
Trailer Hitch Ball Mount And Shank
Equip your truck to tow trailers and campers with a hitch ball mount and shank. Each type of ball hitch is sized to support different ranges of gross trailer weight or the total weight of your trailer and cargo. Ford offers ball mounts from 1 ⅞” to 2 5/16” in diameter. There is no universal fit for ball hitches, so be sure to purchase the correct ball size that fits your hitch and meets the requirements of your cargo! Refer to the following measurements to determine the best ball mount size for your trailer:
- 1 ⅞” Ball Hitch - This ball hitch is best for light-duty towing up to 2,000 lb. Light cargo-like small trailers and compact SUVs are ideal for this smaller ball hitch.
- 2” Ball Hitch - A 2” trailer hitch ball is most commonly used for Class III ball mounts. This size ball hitch carries loads up to 6,000 lb, such as SUVs, boat trailers, and campers.
- 2 5/16” Ball Hitch - This ball hitch is your best option for heavy-duty towing. With the ability to carry up to 25,000 lb, a 2 5/16” ball hitch manages most large pickup trucks, commercial trailers and 5th-wheel campers.
5th Wheel Hitch Kit
A 5th-wheel hitch is the perfect towing accessory for trucks and recreational vehicles. If you’re bringing an RV, camper, or travel trailer along for the ride, this hitch helps to ensure more stability than a traditional ball hitch. Fifth-wheel hitches are also easier to maneuver, given the bed placement of the hitch. Depending on the hitch model, Ford 5th-wheel hitch kits carry weights from 19,000 to 25,000 lb, along with ten-degree front-to-back pivots and four-degree side-to-side pivots.
Gooseneck Hitch Kit
On the other hand, gooseneck hitches are perfect for commercial towing. If you have livestock trailers, horse trailers, or equipment haulers, a gooseneck hitch will be the best fit for your trailer. Unlike a 5th wheel hitch, a gooseneck hitch is made up of a ball mount and coupler, rather than a head plate and kingpin. Specifically, Ford gooseneck hitch kits are capable of towing maximum trailer weights of 40,000 lb. when properly equipped and include a 2-5/16” hitch ball, a 3” hitch ball, safety chain tie-down bars, and a blow-molded storage case.
5th Wheel Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package
Now that you know their requirements and needs, you may be ready to set up your 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch kit! To add one of these kits, a 5th wheel gooseneck hitch prep package is required for your Ford truck bed. This product is an under-the-bed, cross-member package that includes inner and outer frame L-brackets, a 7-pin wire harness, a trim kit, and more added hardware. Needless to say, this package trains your Ford for the roads ahead.
Trailer Tow Wiring Kits
To activate your trailer’s signal lights, a wiring harness needs to be connected to your vehicle’s electrical system and trailer. The two most common types of wiring for trailers are 4-pin and 7-pin connectors. Both wiring connectors activate brake lights, turn signals, and emergency lights, but a 7-pin harness also includes a 12-volt circuit, electrical input for trailer brakes, and backup lights. Typically, you’ll want to use a 7-pin harness for larger trailers with electric brakes, gooseneck trailers, and 5th-wheel trailers. Unless you’re experienced in tow package installation, professional installation is also recommended for wiring your hitch. If you need help with wiring, be sure to add Ford professional installation with the purchase of your wire kit!
Trailer Brake Controller
Remain confident while towing heavy loads by equipping your vehicle with a trailer brake controller! To put it simply, a brake controller connects your trailer’s brakes to your vehicle's brakes so when you press on the brakes in your vehicle, your trailer’s brakes are also activated. If your trailer has electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes specifically, a trailer brake controller is a must. To prepare for your next load, be sure to anticipate longer stopping distances and adjust your braking intensity according to the weight of your cargo, trailer size, and the conditions of your travels.
Truck Bed Storage Box
Where should you keep all of your tools and towing accessories when they’re not in use? A truck bed storage box is an excellent option for securing all of your tools in one place while driving! Built specifically to fit your Ford, storage boxes stay attached to your vehicle so all of your equipment remains secure on the road. One great option is a pivot storage box which is mounted between the wheel well and the back of the truck bed to provide a weather-resistant spot for your tools. To carry and organize larger pieces of equipment, invest in a decked drawer system that carries over 200 lb. in each drawer.
Backup Cameras
Parking with a hefty pickup truck is hard enough, but adding a trailer to the mix makes parking even more daunting. Increase your vehicle’s visibility with a trailer-mounted backup camera to assist with parking and traffic. Explore all of our backup cameras fit for vehicles with and without Pro Trailer Backup Assist™!
