Best front mount hitch receiver?
06-23-2009, 10:54 AM
#17
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Here's the pictures. The first one shows the hitch cut up into three pieces. The second is a pic of the end of the frame with the spacer pushed up out of the way to access the hitch bolts, much easier than drilling an 1 1/2 inch hole in the side of the frame to "fish" the bolts through. And the last picture is of the hitch installed on the truck and finished. It's pulled up to a curb/sidewalk were I work. This is the same spot were I was 1/4inch from scraping with the hitch unmodified.
Regarding the front end "slamming" to the ground. Are you kidding me! Compared to the weight of the Cummins engine my camper (see sig ~700lbs hitch weight) should be a walk in the park. I just stepped out of an '06 Tundra DoubleCab that I also had a front hitch installed on to move this same camper. I'd like to think that if that truck handled it just fine... so will this one.
The front axle rating is like 4750lbs.... what do the front of these things weigh empty?
Regarding the front end "slamming" to the ground. Are you kidding me! Compared to the weight of the Cummins engine my camper (see sig ~700lbs hitch weight) should be a walk in the park. I just stepped out of an '06 Tundra DoubleCab that I also had a front hitch installed on to move this same camper. I'd like to think that if that truck handled it just fine... so will this one.
The front axle rating is like 4750lbs.... what do the front of these things weigh empty?
The 2wd's have very soft front suspensions. Many trucks had to go back to the dealer to have stiffer springs put on them because they were bottoming out under normal unloaded conditions. So the reason I brought it up, is that a lot of guys raise the front of the 2wd trucks so the front is more useable. The 2wd's are made to handle weight in the back, but not so much in the front. You won't be driving around with any weight up there, but just watch out for how low the tounge and jack assembly might be when you drop it down on the hitch. I'm also thinking with all of that weight up there, you may have a little trouble with traction while backing up. Maybe Timbren makes a spring for 2X's that would help.
06-23-2009, 03:31 PM
#18
Just a plain ole guy
He is going to back it into his driveway, set it down, then turn around and move it about 15 more feet into it's place. It'll be the opposite getting it back out. No fast driving, no bumps or curbs.
In this case, the front hitch option is there to keep his truck out of the neighbors yard. It's amazing how easy it is to move things around with a hitch on front. You can put some trailer into some awful tight places.
If need be, we can build some special removable bump stops to be used only for this short task to keep from squashing the springs.
In this case, the front hitch option is there to keep his truck out of the neighbors yard. It's amazing how easy it is to move things around with a hitch on front. You can put some trailer into some awful tight places.
If need be, we can build some special removable bump stops to be used only for this short task to keep from squashing the springs.
06-27-2009, 12:23 AM
#19
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I have a Front Hitch it's a 5020 Hidden hitch,10.000 LB Love it and HAVE pulled a Manny a ford out with it on the beach.No need for bump stops I put a 28' camper in the back yard with it no problems.
06-29-2009, 09:50 PM
#20
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Anyone have a Bodiak? https://bodiaknet.powweb.com/store/catalog/
I just ordered one of these to carry bikes on the front of my Dodge.
I just ordered one of these to carry bikes on the front of my Dodge.
07-02-2009, 08:46 AM
#21
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Pulled the camper out last night with my modified draw-tite hitch. Worked great and gave me plenty of ground clearance with the foot still connected to the jack.
The front bump stop is just starting to touch, you could slide a piece of paper through but that's it!
I've got pictures but the upload isn't working right now.
The front bump stop is just starting to touch, you could slide a piece of paper through but that's it!
I've got pictures but the upload isn't working right now.
07-02-2009, 09:09 AM
#22
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The 2wd's have very soft front suspensions. Many trucks had to go back to the dealer to have stiffer springs put on them because they were bottoming out under normal unloaded conditions. So the reason I brought it up, is that a lot of guys raise the front of the 2wd trucks so the front is more useable.
07-02-2009, 02:42 PM
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I'm glad to know you're not bottomed out, and that it worked for you. That's good news.
I doubt the springs are different.
But you could put Timbrens in place of the bump stops.
That tow hook set up is slick!
I doubt the springs are different.
But you could put Timbrens in place of the bump stops.
That tow hook set up is slick!
07-12-2009, 08:31 AM
#28
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I don't need anything like that, but I really like the looks and functionality of the Bodiak receiver. Put a front license plate on it and you can hardly see it.
07-15-2009, 04:48 PM
#29
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Installed my Bodiak last week and used it for the first time this past weekend. It worked great to put my bikes on the front of the truck. I did have to modify my bike holder to drop it down a little, but the Bodiak is well made and easy to install front hitch. I was very happy with the product.
07-16-2009, 12:39 PM
#30
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I have a Curt on my truck and I managed to get it stuck pulling a gooseneck trailer grossing around 32,000lbs this spring and we pulled it out using the front hitch. It took two tries to get it pulled out with a 24,000lb 4wd tractor and I was expecting the hitch to be bent when we got it out but the hitch is still straight as it was new. I think the Hidden Hitch brand has a little more ground clearance than the Curt but after seeing what the Curt will hold up to I'm pretty impressed with it.
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