Front receiver hitch on F-150

[zing]

I have one on the front of my 2011 F-250. I bought a class 3 hitch (500 lb tongue weight) used that had come off of a Ford Explorer and was still mint condition. It comes out under the bumper and just the 2" receiver slot comes about an inch or so through the plastic cowling below the bumper. To insert the pin I reach under the plastic cowling. I put a chrome cover on it and it looks factory. I don't use it a lot, but I sometimes use it to carry my bike rack when the gooseneck horse trailer is attached. I have also used it to move a large full hay wagon into an indoor arena a couple of times so it could be unloaded. If you have ever tried to back a wagon you realize that it is a very different animal from backing a trailer. I never would have been able to do it with the rear hitch, but the front hitch let me put in through the arena door with only 6 inches of clearance on each side.

I just drilled up into the frame and bolted it in place. Having it where I put it blocks the mount points for a plow, which is not a factor for me but would be a deal killer for a lot of people up here. It also had the unexpected benefit of adding significant support to the front plastic cowling and is probably the only reaason that I haven't ripped that off already while busting through snow banks and unplowed roads.

Not great shots, but you can see it here with the chrome cover on, and with the cover off. Either way it blends in pretty well and does not stand out as an ugly addition.

 

[mikefromnh]

Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2" Draw-Tite Front Hitch 65028

 

[Sodo]

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.

Thx for that tip. Will avoid stiffening Ford frame with my hitch. Dont see any wires/sensors.

You guys suggesting Ecoboost lic plt mount - thats a great idea. Ecoboost fellas gonna ask "how'd you get your truck to sound like a real truck?" :laughing:

Mike that drawtite hitch looks about as low as the CURT unit maybe 10"" above ground.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Ha ha. I like my eco

 

[Sodo]

Thanks for all the help, including some tips I did not use because I'm impatient. I was hung up trying to think of the strongest way to do it, then finally realized this hitch is for moving trailers around. It's not for towing 9,000 lbs on the freeway. The only thing that I can think of, that might tax it is using a winch on it.

Build thread here..

 

[GPintheMitten]

Good for you. You will know the limits. Just let next owner about the limits. I checked the build thread and like it.

 

[Burkawitz]

I built one for a customer about a year ago for his '14 F150 with the 5.0L . It came out where you want but centered, I should have the dimensions and pictures somewhere at the shop.

Wanna make another?

 

[Renze]

A front trailer hitch is pretty common for market salesmen who go around markets and fairs, to push their haywagon style sales trailers to the desired spot, here in Holland. Though you dont see as many Nissan Patrols with front hitch anymore, because many have an electric trailer mover, with friction rolls pushing on the trailer wheels to push it into place