Factory Hitch Install

[Harrys]

Hello Everyone,

I just picked up a used 2015 TC LWB Wagon this evening. I am already thinking of putting on some accessories to make it better suited for my family needs. First on the list is a tow hitch. I know it will be way harder and more expensive to install the Ford OEM hitch and wiring harness but I still want to try it. The price difference wont be that bad (about $65 more) but taking off the rear bumper and finding the factory wiring harness connections I am sure will be hard. Has anyone ever had any luck installing the factory towing bits? Any tips?

[DonShockley]

I had the dealer include the Ford hitch add on as part of my purchase deal. I saw the work they did when I was adding my own accessory fuse box. The only tough part is getting to the recommended tie in point at the high current junction box in the engine compartment. It's a simple bolt on addition but access is very limited and likely involved removing the air cleaner box at a minimum. The instructions were pretty clear and just a couple taps into the rear tailight wiring.

Here's the dealer installation instructions: (of course the Ford sites didn't provide them, but an online parts supplier did)
http://www.partscheap.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/instructions/ford/escape/2015_escape_Trailer_Wiring_SKFT1J_15A416_AC.pdf
It covers a couple different vehicles so scroll down to the middle of the pdf for the Transit Connect specifics.

You can see the tow wire box in this photo from my thread about the work I did.

UPDATE: Noticed that earlier link was dead, here's a copy of it that I saved and uploaded.

Factory Trailer Wiring Kit - Installation Instructions

Edited October 6, 2016 by DonShockley

[mrtn]

My dealer told me that the factory tow bar also enables the trailer stability control. Not sure if it's some resistor in the wiring or does it have to be enabled in the ECU.

[DonShockley]

Here's some more pix: The arrow points to the supply tap at the engine junction box. And there's some better pix of the towing module.

[Harrys]

Thanks Don, your pictures and information are extremely helpful. I was hoping there was going to be a an empty plug some where in the back already but I don't mind splicing into the wiring harness.

I have have also read somewhere that by using the factory trailer wiring that the car would somehow know to activate sway control. I will have to figure out a way to check if sway control is activated.

[DonShockley]

That's just the install per the instructions. If you want to deviate, you can always just tap on of the unused circuits on the rear aux junction box. That's what I did to supply power to my accessory box. Even though it was closer to the battery, it was easier to run wires from the rear. IIRC the fuse for the tow box was only 15A so it's not like you're going to overload the rear fuse box. If I were going to do it myself instead of letting the dealer do all the work, I would tap the power at the rear.

Here's the taps and fuse holder I installed. If you want to duplicate this setup, I can hook you up with a set of the parts fro $20 shipped.

[Osco]

I picked up my hitch at the dealer and It looks nothing like the after market ones,,,

It replaces my steel bumper behind the valence...

[Fifty150]

https://images.etrailer.com/static/images/video/install-trailer-hitch-2014-ford-transit-connect-c13167.webm