Can The Draw-Tite Hitch 75782 Be Installed Without Trimming The Heat Shield

Question:

I have watched a number of the install videos for the 2014 Ford Escape. In all of them, the heat shield is always cut away before mounting the hitch. I keep wondering that has a negative impact on the heat shield over time and if it wouldn’t be better to just cut holes for where the bolts go instead. Would that not be a better approach?

asked by: Dimitri

Helpful Expert Reply:

When installing a hitch, like the Draw-Tite # 75782, on your 2014 Ford Escape, you do have to trim the heat shield so the hitch brackets can make contact with the frame of the vehicle. This is to make sure there is no possibility of the hardware coming loose. Heat shields are a soft metal that is a little springy, for the lack of a better way to put it, so you will not be able to get the correct torque rating. Where this is being trimmed will not have any adverse affects though. The hitch will be sitting where this is trimmed and will basically become the heat shield. So there will be no way for your vehicle to be damaged by the exhaust heat.

With all that being said, if you are still having mixed feelings about trimming the heat shield, check out the Draw-Tite # 75758. This is also a Class III hitch and will fit your 2014 Escaper perfectly, but it will not require the trimming of the heat shield. It will need an access hole enlarged to get the hardware through, but that's it. If you are apprehensive about the trimming needed with other hitches, I recommend going with this one instead. I included an install video of this as well.

expert reply by: Lazer S