Rear bumper hitch

[tmas]

Has anyone added a frame mounted receiver hitch? If so what did you install?

I want to install a hitch so I can carry bikes, but I don't want to mount it to the existing bumper.

[Poppy94]

Look at my album. I had a custom one built for one of my trailers. Square tubing with receiver hitch bolted to rv frame, pulled 3000 lbs no problem

[techntrek]

I've been looking into this. You are right not to mount anything to the bumper. I found multiple options on etrailer that can be welded right to the frame rails which is what I'll do in the spring.

[rockfordroo]

You may find you're opening a can of worms, as this subject tends to polarize the membership. Many folks say don't do it; a lot of us have had no issues.

That being said, here's pics of mine. Dealer installed. Had to wait to pick it up 2 weeks so a certified welder could add it. I've been hauling my bikes 3 seasons. Remember that beefier is better. Don't bolt something to the bumper.

[techntrek]

Yes, yours is welded to the frame rails, it is only attached to the bumper as a secondary stabilization point. Primarily the weight is being held by the frame rails. Basically I'm going to do the same thing.

[Stormrider151]

I tried to get my dealer to attach a frame mounted hitch but they wouldn't do it. They said the frame was too light weight. I just gave up on the idea. I've seen many who have the hitch's with no problems at all. Lippert tries to make there frames as light weight as possible in their effort to keep trailers as light weight as possible.

[BigJohnD]

We've done it on a few other rigs, but they had sufficient structural steel frames to weld to. Fortunately, our new SOB came with a 2" receiver hitch welded / bolted to the frame with a capacity of 300 Lbs. Perfect for a bike rack, which was what I wanted it for. It actually looks half way decent, but I'd love to do a shade more welding on the mounts. It's made by Lippert, on a Lippert frame. I don't like Lippert, but, they made the frame and the hitch, so I don't have to deal with Lippert saying "can't do that" or "voids warranty". Far better than what the Silverback had with the puny 1-1/4" hitch that barely held the bike rack itself.

My 2 cents: If you have a structural I-beam frame, or box tube frame, and don't mind voiding the warranty, go for it. We did before. If it's the manufactured I-beam frame where 3 pieces are welded together, I would not recommend it.

[Rockwoodjoe]

My Rockwood 2703ws is heavy enough as it is with opposing slides on the tail end. I just received a Curt front mounted hitch for my f-150. A little more weight on the front of the truck should level things out a bit. Has anyone else made this mod to their truck? Saw a video on you tube of installation.

[BigJohnD]

Seen several of those somewhere here on the forum. Several people have done the rack on the front of the truck with the front receiver hitch. I'll be looking at that as a possible option later, when the kids bikes get bigger. We haul 2 on the back, but that's it. For now the small ones go in the back of the truck. A 4-bike rack would seem a little much on the rear for me.

[BigJohnD]

Here's thread that might interest you. Plenty of ideas for bike racks. You have to get several pages into it before you get to plenty of pictures. Front of trailer, front of truck, on top of bed cover etc etc.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ack-55961.html

And here's a link to just one of the front hitch manf.
Bodiak Hitches

[garbonz]

Front hitch's are easy to install and are very useful. ETrailer is a good place to get them as is Amazon. Takes about an hour to install on that Chevy of yours

[techntrek]

I've had a receiver hitch on the front of my 'burban for 2 years now. I keep my generator up there, inside a box that keeps it out of the rain but I can open the sides while running. The truck blocks the noise and dampens all of the vibrations. Since that is already up front that's why I want to add one to the rear of the camper for bikes. I might try the genset back there but I don't think I'll like it between the noise and vibration.