Front bike rack

[Searun]

I tow a 2020 E-Pro 19FD with a 2017 Silverado 1500. Because there's no rear bumper I cannot add a bike rack to the back of the trailer. The truck has a canopy on it and I've been told the "Jack It" tongue mounted bike rack that many dealers install will not work with a canopy. The wife and I both want to take our bikes with us and although I could store them in the bed of the truck, I prefer not to 'cuz of a 68-year old achy back. I'm looking at getting a front hitch installed so I can mount a bike rack on the front of the truck. For those who've done this, how do you like it? Does it interfere with your forward vision or the beams of the headlamps? Is it easy to get the bikes off or on? Any firsthand information is appreciated!

[Mrprovy]

Curious to know the same...no room between my TT and G-Pro for a tongue mount rack (not to mention the heavy tongue weight).

[bikendan]

Of all the posts on front bumper bike mounts, I've never seen one where the owner disliked it so much, they took it off.
I will say that most are on 3/4 or 1 ton truck's. Few are on 1/2 ton.

[uhduh camping]

Driving at night you will lose a bit of light. Also shiny bike parts may reflect back at you.
Intersections that require you to creep as far forward as possible to see on coming traffic can difficult.
Often times you need to drop bikes before backing into sites due to tight campground roads.
Our bikes do not really obstruct vision but I have a 3/4 ton truck with large frontal area.
There was one really great feature of the rack being on front. It saved my truck from damage from hitting a traffic barrel. Tractor trailer hit the barrel it spun into my lane, bike rack and derailleur hanger on bike were damaged.
Kuat bike rack company replaced parts under warranty knowing exactly what happened, local bike shop fixed hanger free of charge. Easily saved a thousand plus dollars in damage to truck.
Pictures shows the add on 4 bike rack normally only use main 2 bike rack. The 4 bike rack technically is illegal (too long, allowed only 30" forward of bumper) mounted on front but never questioned about it.

[Searun]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I will say that most are on 3/4 or 1 ton truck's. Few are on 1/2 ton.

Hmmmm......wonder why that is?

[AceCombat]

Wow that does stick out far! What about a rear rack that has straps and use it on the hood and bumper. Ive done it with mine. Its never moved and i can put 4 bikes on it and it only sticks out maybe a 24inches. Easy on and off too.

[Sfgoble]

I had one on my last rig . 3/4 ton ford and tt . I installed a front reciver hitch and used a bike rack I bought at harbor freight. It worked ok with 2 bikes . It didn’t obstruct my view but it did stick out far enough to get in the way getting in tight spots but not a big problem. The thing I didn’t like about it was it moved around a lot , to much play in the reciver. I you decide to go that route I’d recommend not getting a cheap bike rack like I did . It’s a little expensive also the front reciver was around 200$ and still had to buy the bike rack . Like every thing it has positives and negatives.

[Searun]

You know, for now I don't think I'm gonna worry about it. We're leaving in February for a 3 month trip from the PNW to Florida and back and considered taking the bikes. But with the hassle and expense of installing a front receiver and buying a decent rack we've decided to leave the bikes at home, at least for this trip. I might revisit the issue once we're back.

[jackhartjr]

I had one on a Silverado 1500, loved it!
Loved that I could put a trailer in front and get in tight places easier.
The only negative was that once the temperature went up a little high going up a Mountain. I attributed that to the disruption of air flow.

[Boomerweps]

If the bikes are just for cruising around the town and campground, vice trails, how about a couple folding frame bikes? eBay and Amazon have the Chinese ones for under $300 each.

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by Searun

... we've decided to leave the bikes at home, at least for this trip. I might revisit the issue once we're back.

Rent 'em when you get there.
Or you can be really decadent and go to WallyWorld, spend $300 on two Huffy bikes, use them, then donate them to charity before you head home.

[Billorp]

I have a double bike rack on the front of my F150. No issues at all. I have yet to travel at night so I cannot comment on that aspect but I would not hesitate to do so.

[Billorp]

Here is a better picture. Hopefully it won’t post sideways

[itat]

I use the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 on the front of my 2016 F-250. Works great but I have never used it after dark so I can’t comment on whether it reduces light on the road. I definitely recommend the platform style rack rather than the type where the bikes hang from the top tube of the frame.

Before investing in the front receiver and bike rack rack, make sure your Silverado is no where near its front axle’s GAWR and the truck’s GVWR. You’re probably fine with an E-Pro but there is such a wide variation in half tons it would be good to know how much capacity you have left when hooked up. It should be easy to calculate the weight of the receiver, rack and bikes.

[Searun]

Lots of good info here and I very much appreciate all the responses. As I said earlier, I don't think we're going to take the bikes on our long trip but once we get back I may go for a front hitch.