Removal of Middle Heat Shield Panel When Installing Curt C78KR on 2020 Ford Edge

Updated 03/10/2021 | Published 03/07/2021

Question:

When I installed this Curt Hitch Receiver C78KR on my 2020 Ford Edge the instructions said NOT to reinstall the center panel. Without this center panel my lower bumper facia is really really flimsy and not really secure! I followed the instructions but are they really correct?

asked by: Vince P

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact in the technical service department at Curt, who confirms that the installation procedure mentioned in the instructions is indeed correct. Removal of that center section really is necessary in order to tuck the hitch back up behind the bumper.

I'm told that it might be possible to trim the center panel/heat shield so that it fits around the hitch, but once that's done very little of the panel would actually remain. The primary function of this panel is the heat shielding that protects the rear bumper fascia from the heat of the muffler, which the hitch will actually do once it's installed.

expert reply by: Mike L