Who Has a 2" Front Receiver Hitch?

[privateer]

Originally Posted by mekkerlc

For those of you who have this front setup... Do you find the bikes are covered in bugs after a trip? Or, they are peppered with stones/dirt/sand from the road?
Lastly, are the headlights obstructed?
I'd like to do this to my 2013 Sierra 3500 Duramax.

I have a front 2" hitch on my Chevy 2500. I used mostly for moving my large sportfishing boat when i had to make a tight turn into my driveway. I modified the drive entrance and no longer need for that...

Note that for a front hitch/tow point, these are very low compared to the back of the truck and you will require a different receiver hitch with a rise compared to the rear hitch for the same trailer. More of an issue for multi-axle trailers as a single will just be at a low angle to the front hitch.

As for putting bikes up front. No way... My bikes don't even get wet unless my ass is in the saddle and I am getting wet too. Would not want the grim and stone chips from highway speeds either.

[ace911]

Not sure if anyone else here has had an issue with a front mounted bike rack.
In Cali you could get a ticket if: Its blocking your license plate from being seen.
If it blocks any of the lights from view.
I cant have a front mounted bike rack here in Ca because of these issues.

Swagman make several "RV Rated" bike racks for the rear of the trailer. I used the "safety struts" to help support the sewer hose carrier and attached the hitch to that. It works well with the platform type bike racks that hold the wheels and uses an arm that holds the frame or wheels. Not a fan of the ones you hang your bike from. Those types of racks beat the daylights out of the bike. Never again.

[Mountainvelo]

This is the system we use. Keeps the bikes visible and maintains ground clearance, cooling and headlights. We carry 2 bikes and a storage pod over the tonneau. In this configuration I have only had bugs on the handlebars, not the rest of the bike.

Edit: the last picture is how the bikes travel for long distance or inclement weather... Fork mounts attached to floor in place of dinette.

[Rebel1448]

I used a clamp on rack for two bikes. I have a gmc pickup. The rack clamps on the receiver and has two straps the secure it to the tailgate. This is the link. https://www.curtmfg.com/part/18013
If you are using a wdh the bikes might sit to low and come in contact in turns. I had that problem but solved it by a simple modification using the step bumper. This doesnt interfere with the air flow in the front, and doesnt block your visibility. You can also find it for about $90.

[Sobeit]

I have a Swagman that works great on my 2” receiver at rear of my motorhome. They have many different RV options and lots of support. Mine is for two bikes, but they have 4-bike options. I’ve had it for about 6 years and no problems. The bikes are attached tightly with no sway.

[Knottshore]

I used one on my previous F-150 4x4 and it worked well- I would recommend checking the install pictures as some brands seem to offer a bit more clearance and are essentially hidden in the existing air dam.

Another thing that I found helps (if you are using a rack that the bikes hang by the frame) reduce how much the bikes impact your visibility is by using the frame bar adapters - it helps quite a bit by dropping the bike 4-8” lower than supporting it by the frame itself. Below is an example of what I am talking about.

https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Sports-Tension-Bicycle-Cross-Bar/dp/B000ELSSZE

Below is a picture of my impression of the Beverly Hillbillies-

[ARICE]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

I'm looking at options for taking our bikes on our trips.

Trailer's bike rack:
My trailer came with what is advertised as a fold down "bike rack". I don't love the idea of our bikes hanging off the back of the trailer and frankly, it's platform has no tie down points or support to hold bikes.

Truck bed:
I have the bed of the truck; however, its usual packed with a propane tank, generator, 24" fire pit, deep cycle battery, firewood and other miscellaneous items. I can lay the bikes down but need to take the wheels off and it ends up being a mess of bike parts to dismantle.

Truck's 2" receiver hitch:
Out for the obvious reason that the trailer is connected.

Trailer tongue rack:9
Looking into this option, they seem ok but are expensive ($200+ just for the 2" mount) and only have a 100 lbs capacity. This won't work as our bikes + trailer hitch mount rack are about 125 lbs.

This has lead me to look into a 2" front receiver hitch for my truck. This is intriguing to me for the following reasons:
1. Our bike rack can easily slide in and pin in place.
2. It's a potential tow point.
3. I have a small boat that is parked in a very tight space. This would allow me to move it with the truck as oppose to muscle it around.

So my questions:
1. Who here has one of these hitches and do you like it?
2. Beyond the above 3 uses, what else can they be used for? My wife is on board with the idea but more uses would be better.

Here is the hitch I'm looking at:
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

And here's how it looks on a Super Duty:

I have the Curt front receiver and love mine. Have multiple "attachements" and it provides a ton of options.
Other than bikes you can do a cargo rack to carry your tote tank or coolers, portable winch setup, etc.

[ace911]

Originally Posted by Sobeit

but they have 4-bike options. I’ve had it for about 6 years and no problems. The bikes are attached tightly with no sway.

I dont think Swagman has a platform style rv rated bike carrier for 4 bikes.
I use this one and like it. I think it could hold 4 light bikes with a mod to the main arm. https://smile.amazon.com/Swagman-App...s%2C196&sr=8-2
They do offer a 4 bike that the bikes swing from. If you dont care too much about the bikes getting beat up, and its inexpensive.
https://smile.amazon.com/Swagman-App...s%2C196&sr=8-5

(Sorry if this is getting off topic here)

[cmysstailights]

I carry a golf cart in the bed. Main reason why i needed front receiver.

[jsorr]

It looks as if I would lose some ground clearance under my 2017 Ram 1500 4WD if I mounted one of these. Some places I go that might present a problem. Anyone able to estimate how much clearance I might lose?

[frankm]

Here's what two adult bikes mounted on a front hitch of an F150 look like from the driver seat. The bike rack is a Swagman Traveler XC2

[Billorp]

Perfect. I just ordered the same model for my F150.

[Knottshore]

I was concerned about the same thing but was able to look at a few different brands and pictures of them installed at the E trailer website, granted I’ve got a Ford but some of them reduced the ground clearance by an inch or so others were tucked neatly up inside and you simply needed to cut a hole in the front valance .

[aeblank]

Bikes are a PIA, no matter what and always.

I modded a bike bunk and swagman to get this. I could drop it like 8", but not sure what would hit when an adult bike is out front. I plan to extend my hitch too, but not sure how much I want to do yet. It'll be a balance of the two.

I know this wasn't the question, but every bike discussion turns into this...

https://i.imgur.com/amf0yhV.jpg

[gos5]

I have one on my Silverado Dually and use to haul bikes. No issues other then they sit a little high. I remove the quick realease seats to improve visibility. Does not affect cooling to engine or transmission.

[17 Oaks]

I have had a front receiver on several trucks and have hauled bicycles. I have also used it for tables for eating, tables for working, vise and all kind s of cool stuff. You have hang platform on and put a ice cooler on there, for daily use it's a license plate holder,

[Wa11y757]

I love my front hitch on my 05 f250.

[Billorp]

Installed mine yesterday. It will work great for my bikes.

[Billorp]

Installed mine yesterday. It will work great for my bikes.
sorry it's sideways

[wabakami]

We've had front receivers on our pick-ups for over 30 years, used them for winches, launching boats, spotting trailers. You can't go wrong with them.



Geoff & Francesca
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