Trailer Hitch Installation - 2005 Ford Escape

Installation of a Trailer Hitch on a 2005 Ford Escape

Today on this 2005 Ford Escape we are going to install part number 87585. This will also apply to part number 75693. First we will show you where the hitch is going to mount up to the vehicle. It is going to use this existing hole right here and these two holes in the side of the frame. We are looking at the driver side of the vehicle and it is going to be identical on the passenger side of the vehicle. Lets start installing the hardware, install it to this part of the frame right here and we will use this as our access hole and we are going to use this wire pull to pull the bolt through and this does come with the kit, it is pretty simple to use. Run it through the hole we are going to use and then out the access hole. We have got the wire pull and we are going to slide our block into the frame on the wire and then thread in the bolt. Then put it head first, a little easier to work into the frame to pull it out the hole. Then we will do the same thing back over on the passenger side. 01:09

Now that we have got our hardware installed we are going to lift the hitch up in position and then it would be a good idea to have an extra set of hands to do that. We are going to use a conical tooth washer and a nut. Once we have got the hitch in position lets tighten down the hardware about finger tight but still leave it enough where we can move it up and down so you can still get the hitch in alignment with the holes in the frame so we can pull the bolts through. Lets fish wire the bolts through. Again just like before we will take our bolt leader and put it through the hole in the side of the frame and then out the access hole. We will install the block, push it into the frame, and then thread on the bolt. Push that into the frame and pull it out the side. We will take off the bolt leader and then we will install a conical tooth washer and nut. There is one more hole that is closer to the bumper and then we will repeat the same process back over on the passenger side. 02:47

The reason why we left the hitch loose is so we can move it up and down so we can get proper alignment with the frame. Now that we have got all of the hardware installed and still loose we can still move the hitch around. We are going to tighten down the bolts. You will notice between this side of the hitch and the frame is a pretty good gap between there and that is not a big deal and what happens is when you tighten down the bolts the hitch is going to spread out as it needs to to meet up to the frame. It is a good idea to do the side ones first and then we will do the bottom ones. Also when you tighten it down check the center line of the hitch. If it moved over to one side or the other you may have to loosen it up and then tighten down the other side to keep it straight. With the hardware tightened down lets torque them down as specified in the instructions. Now we have got the vehicle off the lift. We will give you a couple of measurements to help you in ing some accessories such as a ball mount, bicycle rack, or even a cargo carrier. From the top of the receiver opening down to the ground is going to be about 15-1/ 2 inches. Then from the center of the hitch pin hole to the outside edge of the bumper is going to be about 2-1/ 2 inches. There you have it for part number 87585 from Hidden Hitch on the 2005 Ford Escape.