Front mounted receiver on Truck

[Aucoot]

I have become very concerned regarding my bike rack mounted on the rear bumper of our 25 ft. Mini Lite. I know it can be an issue regarding weight and stress. I have been considering a front mounted receiver on my 2017 RAM 1500 to connect the bike rack onto. Has anyone had any experience with doing this. I am concerned that it would block the headlights even though I would not drive at night with it. Would it be considered illegal? I also wonder if anyone has had any luck getting the rear bumper re-welded to strengthen it.

Thank you
AUCOOT

[Billorp]

I have one mounted on the front of my 2014 F150. No issue with headlights but I also don’t travel at night. Even if I did, I don’t think there would be any issue. I carry 2 bikes.

[5er_tom]

I did that for the same reason. Had a receiver installed on the front of my truck and used a platform to carry the bikes. No headlight interference. I drove all over the country for 5 months for three summers and never had an issue
It is a great solution.

[dustman_stx]

Had one on a 2015 F250. Carried 2 bikes. No issues with using headlights.

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by Aucoot

I have become very concerned regarding my bike rack mounted on the rear bumper of our 25 ft. Mini Lite. I know it can be an issue regarding weight and stress. I have been considering a front mounted receiver on my 2017 RAM 1500 to connect the bike rack onto. Has anyone had any experience with doing this. I am concerned that it would block the headlights even though I would not drive at night with it. Would it be considered illegal? I also wonder if anyone has had any luck getting the rear bumper re-welded to strengthen it.

Thank you
AUCOOT

etrailer.com has a number of different brands of front-mounted receivers that require no drilling.

[azfansinnc]

I have a front receiver mounted on our 2015 Yukon XL for this purpose. I have used it once and unfortunately the bikes blocked the headlights and I got caught out after dark (an hour). It was slow going to make the final destination.

I bought a Curt unit off Amazon and it was an easy install on my truck. Cost was under $150 and took an hour for me to install.

As for the aforementioned situation, I need to get or build a platform style fork mount setup to get the bikes between the headlights and keep them out of my line of sight.

No issues with overheating or the law but it did cost me another 1MPG vs putting the bikes in the trailer. Doesn't sound like much except I'm already at around 8.5MPG.

[rockfordroo]

You might consider installing a beefed up receiver welded to the frame rather than a bumper mount. I had this done on both my Roo and my Mini Lite. See Post #2 for my Roo and Post #12 for my Mini Lite here:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...oo-107358.html

I've got over 5 yrs on my Mini Lite.

[aircommuter]

I think the biggest problem with front mounted is bugs.

[just aj]

X2, bugs & dirt. That's why I got rid of mine. I put them in either the truck or the trailer. Less chance of them getting stolen also.

[PhillipT]

I had a Curt receiver installed on the front of my F-250. I found that the bicycle seats and handlebars obstructed my view so I purchased a Blue Ox drop receiver which made a huge improvement. We take our bikes everywhere and on the rare occasions we travel at night you do have some headlight impairment. Our biggest problem has been bugs and road dirt when traveling in foul weather. My wife made frame covers with velcro for the bike in the front position which really helps especially when used with seat covers. I had to go this route since I am pulling a fifth wheel and I see too many bikes bouncing wildly on other campers.

[Chuck_Terry]

I have wanted a front receiver for my motorhome but as of yet, I have not found one. but I did see one on a motorhome like mine I have attached its pic.

[SniperDroid]

Here's what I'm looking at for this season...


https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MYRM7...v_ov_lig_dp_it


Looks like it might just work for me....

[shadows4]

We have a front mounted reciever on our 2003 F350. No problems. Another option would be to mount them on the tounge of the trailer. I have seen this several times. Not sure if the racks were homemade or store bought.

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by aircommuter

I think the biggest problem with front mounted is bugs.

On my truck it would've been oil changes. The receiver had to come off to remove the skid plate for access to the oil filter.

[markb422]

The fold up ones that are made for trunk mounting or hanging on the back door of vans can be used on the front of most trucks and vans. On our class c ford chassis the bottom bar sits right on the top of the front bumper and the top bar fits right into the grill. You can hook the straps either on the back edge of the hood or under the hood on the back side of the grill. the best thing is they are only 30 or 40 bucks. I would mount ours and take a photo but it is in storage and covered.

[jimmoore13]

Comments:

1. The front receiver will work well for bikes, but it will interfere somewhat with headlights, and that might get you a ticket from an particularly ornery cop. Probably not, but the cop would have grounds.

2. I know you want a place for bikes, but bear in mind that you'll be hard pressed to find a front mounted receiver that can handle (tow/push) more than 5000 pounds. Just in case you're tempted in the future to use it for maneuvering your rig into tight spaces. Be aware of your weights.

3. Forest River and others make some awesome bike racks that ride "above" the tongue and propane tanks. That location provides a very smooth ride, and the bikes are up out of the blow-back from the TV. This walkthu gives you a good look at the rack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svtJt3_wh4Q

I believe these are actually aftermarket racks badge engineered by Forest River, so you might find something similar from Thule or Yakima. Probably less costly than a front receiver, and the thing can stay put on your rig...so less hassle. Since you already have a hitch-mount bike rack, you can save that for times you're not towing.

[jimmoore13]

Check this out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vq1WXrVUxY

Might be gawdawful expensive, but it's pretty awesome.

Meanwhile: go crazy
https://www.google.com/search?q=rv+t...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[Perkd]

I have a Yakima rack on the front of my 2015 Silverado. I don't have a significant issue with the bikes blocking the headlights. I suspect this issue will be truck specific.

I like having them in front of me. Someone mentioned theft. I keep the rack secured with a locking pin to the front receiver and the bikes locked with the Yakima supplied cables.

[Dakota EV]

I have a standard 2" bolt on receiver on the front of my 03 Ram 2500. I have carried everything from bikes to generators on it so far. Now I am using it for a 12,000 lb winch. We bought some fold-up bikes so I can carry them in the bed of the truck now.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Dakota EV

I have a standard 2" bolt on receiver on the front of my 03 Ram 2500. I have carried everything from bikes to generators on it so far. Now I am using it for a 12,000 lb winch. We bought some fold-up bikes so I can carry them in the bed of the truck now.

Do you really need a 12,000 lb winch on what's probably a 5,000 lb hitch?

Might be a recipe for disaster.