Let's talk Fiesta ST hitches

[Cneu]

Napa has the curt hitch for $190 so I snagged it. Install took about 30-35 minutes. It's simple. The curt instructions were adequate.

Get exhaust out of the way(remove hangers), remove heat shield, trim heat shield with tin snips, install trimmed heat shield, fish bolts/plates thru and into position, lift hitch into place, secure with nuts/bolts. Done.

I did it alone. Insert the hitch from behind the car, not from below, and then "hang" it off the exhaust to put the driver side into place. Then go finish up on the passenger side.

The worst part was the 8 or 10mm heat shield fasteners. They're annoying for whatever reason. Also I had like 40lbs of dirt that fell onto me so be aware of that maybe.

 

[Downsy]

Pretty low profile too.

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

My car had one installed when I bought it. No plans to use it but left it on.

 

[Downsy]

Mine will eventually wind up with one. I've got a few smaller trailers that a Fiesta would be perfectly capable of towing with a light load. Something like tools and tires for a track/autocross day.

 

[Intuit]

My last Ford that lived in the rust belt, where they use copious amounts of salt (like here), rusted out ass-first. Rust is what took it off the road.

For those whom this will apply, remember to use some extra rust "proofing" on the frame where you're mounting the hardware.

It's inconsequential but my bumper, beneath the bumper cover has more rust than paint at this point.

 

[Cneu]

My car had one installed when I bought it. No plans to use it but left it on.

Right now it's purpose is for this platform storage option. I have my rear seats taken out for storage as well, along with a roof top box I can utilize. I do a lot of backcountry/outdoor stuff and having more storage is super nice.

I'm ~220lbs and it takes my bouncing weight just fine, so I'd consider it a decent hitch so far. I think the capacity is like 500lbs or something.

The only modification I had to do was to the platform itself, so nothing to do with the hitch. I used a 1 1/2 to 2 inch riser extension which put the platform hitch pretty high and it bumped my rear bumper, so I had to lop off a few inches of the 2" square tubing.

 

[Scotman2]

I have zero regrets about installing a Curt hitch on my 2016 ST. It has made the car more usable and versatile. I have towed a small trailer with no problems. I also made a adapter for a cargo tray that hauls my camping gear and a small tent. Adding a hitch greatly expands the potential usability of the Fiesta.

 

[Snrub]

I have towed a small trailer with no problems. I also made a adapter for a cargo tray that hauls my camping gear and a small tent. Adding a hitch greatly expands the potential usability of the Fiesta.

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

 

[Cneu]

I have zero regrets about installing a Curt hitch on my 2016 ST. It has made the car more usable and versatile. I have towed a small trailer with no problems. I also made a adapter for a cargo tray that hauls my camping gear and a small tent. Adding a hitch greatly expands the potential usability of the Fiesta.

This is awesome Lol. That's so huge. Great setup.

I wanna get a small pit style e-bike and throw it on there.

 

[Overland History]

These cars were never meant to be towed with.....its a performance vehicle. There is no good way to Cool the Transmission fluid either since it's not a Automatic Trans.....Food for thought.

Well, speaking from A LOT of experience towing with my Fiesta, my 5x8 utility trailer has spent at least 8K miles behind my car towing, including a 2,500 mile trip last July from Arizona to Virginia in 104* Heat.

I will say, the trailer and hitch were a bit overloaded during that trip, but it made the 2,500mile trip with ZERO issues and my car and clutch are still in excellent working order. Albeit, I didn't abuse the vehicle when I was towing and drove it responsibly, however I think many of you underestimate the abilities of the Fiesta. It's stout and is up to the task of towing. I just changed my gearbox oil the other day with BG Synchro Shift II from Whoosh and the fluid still looked great after my last change interval of 20K miles ago.

And now, pics for proof:




My Fiesta does more pickup truck things than most pickup trucks do!
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[TyphoonFiST]

Well, speaking from A LOT of experience towing with my Fiesta, my 5x8 utility trailer has spent at least 8K miles behind my car towing, including a 2,500 mile trip last July from Arizona to Virginia in 104* Heat.

I will say, the trailer and hitch were a bit overloaded during that trip, but it made the 2,500mile trip with ZERO issues and my car and clutch are still in excellent working order. Albeit, I didn't abuse the vehicle when I was towing and drove it responsibly, however I think many of you underestimate the abilities of the Fiesta. It's stout and is up to the task of towing. I just changed my gearbox oil the other day with BG Synchro Shift II from Whoosh and the fluid still looked great after my last change interval of 20K miles ago.

And now, pics for proof:
View attachment 66125
View attachment 66126


My Fiesta does more pickup truck things than most pickup trucks do!
View attachment 66130
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View attachment 66132

What were the MPGs?

 

[Overland History]

What were the MPGs?

During the 2,500mile trip across the country towing that heavy load, I saw 20mpg average on 91/93 octane.

 

[Snrub]

My Fiesta does more pickup truck things than most pickup trucks do!

Nice! Any sense of the weight you've put on the trailer (including trailer)? How does it drive when heavily laden.

 

[Overland History]

Nice! Any sense of the weight you've put on the trailer (including trailer)? How does it drive when heavily laden.

If I had to guess with the heaviest load you see in the pics, I probably had 1500lbs on the trailer and the trailer itself weighs 500lbs, so around 2,000lbs give or take behind the car for 2,500miles across the country.

The car drove fine, however you need to be careful about getting off the line with how much you slip the clutch so it doesn't get hot. I let it slip the most minimal amount to get the car moving, was very soft with my shifts, but once I was up to speed I could cruise 70mph no problem, even passing some cars at 80mph at times. The car felt stable and I remained very alert to make sure I had plenty of distance for braking because I could definitely feel the weight behind the car. The weight didn't push the car around at speed, surprisingly and like I said the car felt stable and tracked great. I really think you get the best results by driving it like a vehicle that is towing weight and not a sports car, otherwise you're setting yourself up for a lot of potential issues and as always, your mileage may vary.