Front-Mount Hitch and Bike Rack for 2016 F-250 4x4

[itat]

For a while now I’ve been thinking that eventually I’d like to buy a roof rack for my F-250 so I don’t have to carry our 2 bikes in the truck bed and so I can use my tonneau cover to keep stuff in the bed dry. But several threads lately have me thinking about a front hitch mount instead. I have a bad back so being able to load the bikes on the ground sounds better than trying to put them up on the roof. (I was thinking roof rack because I already have a couple Yakima Raptor Aero bike mounts. My tonneau occupies too much room on the bed rails so an over-the-bed solution won’t work and DW says absolutely no to putting them in the TT.)

Searching online for front-mount hitches for my TV, I’ve only seen one by Draw-Tite and one by Curt. The Curt can be mounted at 2 heights; the lower height doesn’t require cutting the air dam.

So I have some questions for those who are using a front-mounted hitch and bike rack. If I were to go this route, my preference would be to use a platform style rack like the Kuat Sherpa 2.0.

Q#1: Does having the bikes there interfere with visibility of your headlights for other drivers (daytime running lights) or does it negatively affect the light output when driving at night?

Q#2: If you have the Curt hitch, would installing it in the lower position be high enough to prevent a 2-bike rack from touching the ground, and would it help with Q#1?

Q#3: Is it illegal anywhere to carry bikes on a front-mounted hitch?

[Jmkjr72]

Put your bikes centered on the truck and see if they will interfere with your lights

[frostriver]

I’ve read some threads where headlight beams were partially blocked. I don’t believe there would be any legal issue carrying bikes up front, but the light blocking could be called out as a safety concern perhaps.

I just ordered the Curt hitch for my 2500HD. I went with the lower hitch. I’ll still have to cut some facia and will be using a hanger rack for 4 bikes, because that’s what we already have. We don’t tow at night, and it seems like the best option for easy load/ unload while still keeping the bed covered.
I plan on having everything ready for our next trip in 3 weeks.

[grumpy0374]

I mounted a Curt front hitch on our Ford based Lexi class c. Have a Curt spare tire/rim carrier mounted with tire/rim. 3 years now, and no problems at all.
Can only answer your #3, and that is no it's not illegal to mount front hitch. Tire/rim assembly and hitch had no negative affects on cooling of coolant/trans temp...temps same as prior to install. It also added about 150 lbs to front end to offset the always present heavy rear overhang weight.
And, Curt stuff is top quality. Get it through ETrailer...best prices around and their service and knowledge is second to none.
Grumpy

[5er_tom]

I had a 2" receiver installed on the front of my F250, and used a platform to carry my bike and wife's trike. No issues at all. I could see the handle bars while traveling so I knew everything was secure. It is a good solution.

[uhduh camping]

I installed the Curt hitch high side up just to be sure of ground clearance. To that my bike rack can stick out almost 4' so my approach angle is compromised. Headlights are affected some but with fogs lights it's ok never had problem. Turn signals seem to always be in view for others to see.
Now if bikes have chrome on them it could reflect back at you. I have that issue with one bike but I don't normally take that bike. I am using Kuat NV 2.0 with add on.

[itat]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

If you have pictures, especially looking straight on from the front, that would be appreciated. Looking at uhduh camping's pic, it definitely looks like I'd want to mount the Curt in the higher position.

I understand that when using a Kuat platform bike rack you have to use a special adapter if the bike is 20" or 24"? I think my DW's bike may be 24" but I'm not sure.

[B and B]

I would use a Swagman (Canadian Engineered) RV Rated rack on the back of the trailer and buy a E Trailer Curt hitch and weld it to the frame. Put stiffer tires on the trailer and you are good to go!

[itat]

Originally Posted by B and B

I would use a Swagman (Canadian Engineered) RV Rated rack on the back of the trailer and buy a E Trailer Curt hitch and weld it to the frame. Put stiffer tires on the trailer and you are good to go!

Brian, I know some do that, but I won't be welding anything on my TT's frame. Besides, if I ever upgrade to a 5er, I can continue to use the front hitch.

I would consider a Swagman platform bike rack though if you can recommend a model.

[Rookiewood]

Not for a Ford but it works for me.
Curt hitch and Reese HD 4 bikes rack.

Originally Posted by itat

Thanks for all the replies so far.

If you have pictures, especially looking straight on from the front, that would be appreciated. Looking at uhduh camping's pic, it definitely looks like I'd want to mount the Curt in the higher position.

I understand that when using a Kuat platform bike rack you have to use a special adapter if the bike is 20" or 24"? I think my DW's bike may be 24" but I'm not sure.

[tande]

FWIW......I use This with a "Curt" front/mount......Toyota Tundra.....love being able to "See" the bikes at all times....YMMV

[frankm]

I have a 2016 F-150 and installed the Curt front hitch, however the bikes where too close to both the ground and the hood of the truck so I added a dual-hitch extender from Harbor Freight https://www.harborfreight.com/Dual-H...der-69881.html. You have an F-250 so you may be ok without it.

This is the bike rack, https://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross...1495366&sr=8-1

Here is the view from the inside of truck.

[uhduh camping]

Originally Posted by itat

Thanks for all the replies so far.

If you have pictures, especially looking straight on from the front, that would be appreciated. Looking at uhduh camping's pic, it definitely looks like I'd want to mount the Curt in the higher position.

I understand that when using a Kuat platform bike rack you have to use a special adapter if the bike is 20" or 24"? I think my DW's bike may be 24" but I'm not sure.

I have the adapters for the small wheel bikes. I found you don't need them for 24" bikes. Don't buy the adapters Kuat will send them to you if you send email asking for them with the serial number of rack.
Cutting a square hole in air dam was pretty easy.

[doc73]

I can only speak to pa but nothing can obstruct the headlights or turn signals at any time, even during the day. Nothing can be on front of the drivers vision area that can obstruct your view forward. Nothing can also project past the front bumper more than 3'.

[HESN22]

Ironically have been checking this out ourselves ...
This is one option that we found

Arvika 5th Wheel XL Bracket - https://www.racksforcars.com/2253/Ar...el-XL-Bracket/

Arvika 2 Bike Attachment - https://www.racksforcars.com/2255/Ar...ke-Attachment/

You can also add a support arm which attaches to the front of the king pin and to the front of the bike rack for additional support. This part is not required on a 2 Bike System. I have linked to this product below.

https://www.racksforcars.com/17128/A...acket-BR-5WXL/

They also have a 4 bike rack if you need more than 2.

Good luck

[itat]

Originally Posted by HESN22

Ironically have been checking this out ourselves ...
This is one option that we found

Arvika 5th Wheel XL Bracket - https://www.racksforcars.com/2253/Ar...el-XL-Bracket/

Arvika 2 Bike Attachment - https://www.racksforcars.com/2255/Ar...ke-Attachment/

You can also add a support arm which attaches to the front of the king pin and to the front of the bike rack for additional support. This part is not required on a 2 Bike System. I have linked to this product below.

https://www.racksforcars.com/17128/A...acket-BR-5WXL/

They also have a 4 bike rack if you need more than 2.

Good luck

I guess I didn’t mention it earlier but my TT is stored away from my house so I’m looking for a solution that lets me load the bikes on the truck at home. If it’s raining when we leave the house to go get the trailer, I don’t want to have to have the tonneau open until I get to the trailer. That defeats the purpose.

[tuckerdog1]

Have a 2" Draw-Tite hitch, and use a Swagman XTC2 rack. From the factory, the "dogleg" that fits the hitch has an upward swing. This caused the bikes to be pretty high above the hood ( 1st pic ). Cannot just flip the dogleg. Had to drill a new hole. Not a big deal. Help a lot to drop the height of the bikes ( 2nd pic ). Side shot of the setup with dogleg swinging downward ( 4th pic ). And a head on shot ( 3rd pic ) so you can see how much the headlights are blocked. The rack is pretty stable. However, I cinch things up with some ropes & it's really solid.

Tuckerdog1

[itat]

Well, I ended up buying the Reese Draw-Tite 65049 Front-Mount Hitch Receiver and a Kuat Transfer 2-Bike rack.

The Reese Draw-Tite looks like it will be a bit farther forward compared to the Curt and its $35 cheaper. They have the same weight ratings but the Draw-Tite is 20# lighter. You need to cut the air dam no matter which one you use.

I really like the Kuat Sherpa bike rack but it's twice the cost of the Transfer and I just can't justify the extra cost for all we'll use it. The Transfer seems like it'll be more solid than a Swagman XTC and it has independent ratchet arms for each bike.

So my only question now is how do you secure the bikes to the rack and the truck? On longer trips we would be going into a restaurant for about an hour so I'd want to secure the bikes somehow. Kuat sells a cable kit but its CDN$50 for 2 rather thin cables. I'm thinking about a Kryptonite cable (or 2) secured to the tow hooks on the front of the truck.

Anyone have any ideas? Our bikes are not high end but they're worth about $300-$400 apiece and I'd be ticked if we came out to find them gone.

[Capt. Mike]

Take a look at a cable like this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We use them on our bikes on the rack on the back of our fifth wheel.

[tuckerdog1]

Originally Posted by itat

Well, I ended up buying the Reese Draw-Tite 65049 Front-Mount Hitch Receiver and a Kuat Transfer 2-Bike rack.

The Reese Draw-Tite looks like it will be a bit farther forward compared to the Curt and its $35 cheaper. They have the same weight ratings but the Draw-Tite is 20# lighter. You need to cut the air dam no matter which one you use.

I really like the Kuat Sherpa bike rack but it's twice the cost of the Transfer and I just can't justify the extra cost for all we'll use it. The Transfer seems like it'll be more solid than a Swagman XTC and it has independent ratchet arms for each bike.

So my only question now is how do you secure the bikes to the rack and the truck? On longer trips we would be going into a restaurant for about an hour so I'd want to secure the bikes somehow. Kuat sells a cable kit but its CDN$50 for 2 rather thin cables. I'm thinking about a Kryptonite cable (or 2) secured to the tow hooks on the front of the truck.

Anyone have any ideas? Our bikes are not high end but they're worth about $300-$400 apiece and I'd be ticked if we came out to find them gone.

I usually make my own cables. That way, the length is just right. Not very expensive at Home Depot ( is HD in Canada? ). No need for overkill. If a thief has the right tools ( cable cutters for cable, or bolt cutters for chain ), they're going to get the bikes. Just something to keep the "opportunity presented itself" thief from just doing a grab and go.

Tuckerdog1