Will Installing a Trailer Hitch on a 2016 Ford Edge Cause Hands-Free Liftgate to Open Randomly

Question

Question:

Good Morning, I would like to install a hitch on my 2016 Ford Edge Titanium with the rear cargo door foot sensor. How do I go about installing a hitch that would not enable to sensor to open the rear door randomly? The dealer says that I cannot install a hitch because of this? I do not want to have a bike rack that hooks onto the edge of the door because it will cause paint chips. So I would like to be able to use my trailer hitch bike rack. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Scott G

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The dealer is wrong. The way the rear sensors work on the 2016 Ford Edge is a little more complicated then just a sensor underneath. In fact there are sensors both underneath pointed down and some in the rear bumper that point straight back. To trip the sensors to open the rear hatch both of these sensors have to sense your foot and leg moving in front of them at the same time. The presence of a trailer hitch therefore would not open the rear hatch on the vehicle.

Now with that said it is possible that the trailer hitch will partially block the bottom sensors and limit the area the sensors can see to a spot that is about in the middle between the hitch receiver and the exhaust tips at the back. Some people have trouble and others do not so it would seem that the sensors are not uniformly positioned on all of the vehicles.

The most popular hitch for your 2016 Ford Edge is # 75234. This is a Class III trailer hitch with a 2 inch receiver. I have included a link to a video showing an example installation of this hitch for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

1

Answer 1

With our Etrailer #e36RR, Curt #C78KR and Draw-Tite #75234 receivers which fit your 2018 Lincoln MKX Reserve they all have a similar build. When we installed the Curt on a 2017 MKX it had a ground clearance at the chain hooks of 8" from the…

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Answer 2

The most concealed hitch for your 2023 Ford Edge is going to be the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch item #75234. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Ford with included hardware. I really like the Draw-Tite hitch because it installs just below your…

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Answer 3

I definitely understand being a bit overwhelmed by the amount of options in front of you, however I can definitely help with differentiating the trailer hitches for your 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon along with explaining my personal recommendation,…

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Answer 4

For your 2018 Ford Edge (Sport or non-Sport) the best hitch based on what you want is the Draw Tite part #75234. This hitch has a concealed crosstube which means only the hitch opening would hang down below the rear bumper. Check out the picture I…

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Answer 5

The hidden crosstubes are definitely the way to go as they offer the best aesthetic for your 2021 Ford Edge, and between the Curt Trailer #C78KR, etrailer #e36RR, and Draw-Tite #75234, the best option is the latter: - Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer…

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Answer 6

Hey Paul, this a great question but the bleeder location on the DeeMax caliper part #DE83YR wouldn't be an issue for use on either side of the trailer. It will still bleed the air out and you wouldn't have to worry about the air not wanting…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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