What is the deal with my rear bumper cover?

[parker_lansing]

This rear bumper cover was cracked when I bought the vehicle (03 Sport Trac XLT).

I have had this question turning around in my head for months: What went wrong here?

I mean, clearly, the bumper cover isn't supported by anything, someone stepped on it or dropped a hitch on it, and it cracked because it's just a piece of plastic.

Is this an aftermarket towing package or is it factory?
Is this a common problem? A design flaw?
Is there supposed to be something else supporting the plastic?
What were the options back here that resulted in this mess?
What is the best way forward to replace/repair this?

 

[dvdswan]

My guess would be that flat bar for the ball is rusting out. A person stepped on it and crack the cover. #8 below.

 

[Todd Z]

years of sun on it, plastic degrades, Its that simple.

 

[parker_lansing]

I posted some new photos from underneath the bumper. There is literally nothing supporting the cover in that area.

Am I missing a part under there?

Also, just to note: the 01-03 model year rear bumpers are incompatible with parts from 04-05.

My guess would be that flat bar for the ball is rusting out. A person stepped on it and crack the cover. #8 below.

 

[dvdswan]

In this image of yours, you're missing the flat bar for sure.

 

[parker_lansing]

In this image of yours, you're missing the flat bar for sure.

Thanks for confirming that. I poked through the manual, and found that it is called the "rear bumper hitch plate."
I tracked down the part number:

Ford 1L5Z-17D826-AA Kit - Stabilizer - Trailer Hitch
2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Criminy. $400 - $500. This just turned into a $1,000 problem, but there is no way I'm letting this go.

I can't imagine why someone would have removed something like that.
My current theories are:
- they overloaded it, and it bent the bar / cracked the plastic
- the previous owner backed into something that damaged the bar
- they removed it because it was in the way of the towing package

Does this look like a stock towing package, or is this aftermarket?

 

[dvdswan]

I would search the local wrecking yards and craigslist for parting out STs. If you have the outer brackets, it could be as simple as going to the local steel yard and getting a1/4" plate and fabbing it.

 

[curtis james]

My guess it was bent from trying to tow over the limit, the bumpers are not meant for a load, where a class 2 or 3 hitch to frame can handle load on tongue, looks like a newer hitch and i have not seen a trac with a factory class 2 or 3 hitch. i added mine. do not remember any of my rangers having one either. my gen 2 with v8 had one in 07.

 

[parker_lansing]

Update (June 11, 2024).

I sourced a NOS hitch plate (not cheap), and found that the aftermarket towing package was in the way (even with a 2" suspension lift and 3" body lift), so that is the reason the previous owner removed it. The bumper cover was broken after that, presumably because someone stepped on it, and there was no support underneath. I had a local shop modify the hitch plate, and they were able to get it installed without too much hassle. Main problem solved! Now to repair the bumper cover...