2017 Lincoln MKX (FWD)

1237dmctlc · 07-15-2020, 07:39 PM

Hi all I've recently retired this and January and my DW and I live in Port Charlotte Florida. We also decided to get a newer MKX to replace my DWs 2008 MKX AWD. Problem is when we bought hthe 2008 car and set it up for 4 down towing we were still living in Massachusetts. So I had my son, a very smart mechanic, helped me take off the front of the car and install the base plate and wiring. Fast forward to today i don't have that luxury plus being 1500 miles south, in the midst of a pandemic and I'm not so sure I want to do it on my own. Phew sorry for the long story..so the real question does anyone know of a place, RV shop, etc. within say 40-50 miles of the Port Charlotte area they could recommend to do this work at a reasonable price other than a large RV dealerships which, I'm sure you can imagine, are giving prices that was almost as much as triple the price of the parts. Thanks for any suggestions.

Wayne M · 07-18-2020, 10:12 AM

I have a 2013 MKX. I personally would call the base-plate manufacturer and get recommendations from them. I did that and the mechanic shop they sent me to was able to order all the parts necessary including AF1 and installed them.

Sometimes the base-plate manufactures will have a list of authorized dealers on their web site.

Here is Blue Ox's Dealer List for one of Port Charlotte's zip codes.
Give it a try.

Morich · 07-18-2020, 10:45 AM

The rpoblem with the prices is partly due to the better design of newer cars as they have added more "crumple zone and less actual steel frame. The front crumples up to absorb the hit, rather than throwing you around so hard! But that makes finding solid points to connect to being much like rebuilding the car!
I looked it over on a 2015 focus and backed off on doing it as it was way more than I wanted. But I found going with the trailer hitch installers was the best pricing as they were involved with selling the hitches, brake setups as well as the towing baseplates.
Expensive to get all the parts for all those systems but they did know what was needed and did it with reasonable results.
Move away from specialty shops like Rv and look more to places who install for farm or industry as better pricing.