Front receiver hitch on F-150

[GPintheMitten]

My vote would be only for ascetics...asthetics. ..looks.

 

[BukitCase]

GP, ya got it the THIRD time - I've done a ton of editing/re-write, and AFAIK the two possible correct choices for #1 and #2 are esthetics or aesthetics - but "looks" is not only easier to spell, it's more recognizable :thumbsup:

Sodo, that 16" is a bit close - on mine, they were lined up with the frame rails which put them about 28" apart - what I found is that if I offset toward the passenger side, it was better for visibility when trying to put the trailer into a LEFT turn situation - but it was CRAP if I was trying to stuff it into a tight place to the RIGHT.

If it's REALLY tight, having TWO spotters (preferably neither one your WIFE :laughing is a good plan. During my "over the bridge/sharp left or die" episode, we had one spotter at each CORNER of the trailer - fortunately the trailer was tandem, because at one point one or the other tire on the inside of the corner was in MID-AIR over the 20 foot drop

Prob'ly didn't make it easier that I was BACKING UP at the time... Steve

 

[TMGT]

Found my notes, not able to scan it but can send you all the dimensions

 

[skyhook]

I like your "mock up " pics in post #1,...personally, I would prefer to have it "centered" I would think maneuvering would be much easier.
You could always have one of those "flip down " license plates " and have the hitch concealed behind the plate and add your extended hitch into it. Just a thought.

 

[franklin2]

Watch out were you mount it up front on the frame. Take a survey and see what the factory did to the frame, they put "crumple zones" in the frames now and you don't want to negate the job they do. Also keep a look out for air bag sensors.

 

[Renze]

Has anybody seen a good way to do this on an F-150? Any other comments about front-mounted receivers?

I see a front mounted coupler ball (ISO B50X is standard in Europe) on Toyota Landcruisers of market salesmen to manoeuver their marketwagon (turntable steered 1+2 axle) into their place on an outdoor market. Because it is for manoeuvering only, they mount it off center right on the left chassis rail so forces are lead directly into the chassis.

I have no idea if this is legal, because the ball hitch sticking out of the vehicle contour would alter the vehicles crash safety. The advantage of a receiver hitch is that you can take the drawbar off so the receiver stays within the existing vehicle contour.

 

[Sodo]

My vote would be only for ascetics?

ascetic |əˈsetik| adjective
characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons: an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and manual labor
| a narrow, humorless, ascetic face.

Bukitcase - this is how they wiped a grin off before modern surgery :laughing:
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I don't think I'll use it much. Maybe winch a little, or put a vise in it, front carrier around my woods? And it's in place, ready for a lumber rack support for long lumber. Offset a little on the drivers side almost seems "better". For such usage I think easier construction is better.

To really "hide" it (flush with the license plate), I have to open the hood to insert the pin. Now thinking about ways to complicate it,,,,,, maybe a long pin from the left side of the license plate.

 

[beeforty]

Watch out were you mount it up front on the frame. Take a survey and see what the factory did to the frame, they put "crumple zones" in the frames now and you don't want to negate the job they do. Also keep a look out for air bag sensors.

I have a 2015 F-150 and the rear factory receiver bolts across both of the frame ends, with the bumper mounted on brackets to the receiver hitch. Maybe you can copy that idea from Ford.

 

[skyhook]

Couldn't you insert a pin from underneath, as opposed to on top.

 

[TMGT]

Couldn't you insert a pin from underneath, as opposed to on top.

On the one I was working on it would have been very difficult to reach around from the underside of the bumper.
The other option for the front plate might be to get a mount from a ecoboost model, they put the plate off to the side for airflow reasons ( also why the front receivers on the market are below the bumper).