Does anyone make a front recovery point(s) for the E Series front end?

[rang-a-stang]

My last road trip I drove my RV down some pretty snowey and slightly muddy roads. I always carry a tow strap with me when I hit these kinds of roads but it got me thinking: I have no convenient front recovery points. Looking at the front of my RV it looks like these little panels could be removed for a recovery point and I wonder if Ford every made any? Or any other manufacturers did.

I don't see anything on the interwebz. I also do not see any front mount hitch receivers for this rig. I am not going off roading or anything but it sure would be nice to have some sort of secure hooks here. Anyone know of any? My RV's dry weight is only 9400 pounds and again, I am not talking about pulling me up a rocky trail; More like pulling me out of a snowey burm. Those cast iron bolt-on hooks at harbor freight are rated for 10k pounds each so I have to imagine a well built recovery hook would be more than capable of safely pulling my beast and it would be a lot cheaper than a tow truck!

Thoughts?

 

[Tex94]

Unfortunately, the E-series cutaways are only available in two wheel drive, and ford has decided that if you have a two wheel drive you must never need front tow points. There likely isn’t a place to bolt on any tow hooks without drilling into the frame.

I’d suggest buying a yankum soft shackle and if you ever need to be pulled from the front, fasten that to the A arm. Most common recovery point for non tow hook havin vehicles.

 

[Cost4133]

drawtite 65053 is a front mount hitch for an e series cut away e350/450

 

[brucemc]

The E350/450 chassis frontend is still based on the ancient twin I-beam technology; there are no A-arms.
I needed a gentle pull (provided by an old Toyota Tacoma) when I dropped my rear wheels of our 2000 Four Winds on E350 in a ditch in Utah; the only place I could find was to hook onto the back side of the crossbeams supporting the I-beams.
As Cost4133 mentioned, a front-mount hitch would provide a respectable pull point. The hitch could then be used for a bike rack mount, etc.

 

[rang-a-stang]

Unfortunately, the E-series cutaways are only available in two wheel drive, and ford has decided that if you have a two wheel drive you must never need front tow points. There likely isn’t a place to bolt on any tow hooks without drilling into the frame.

I’d suggest buying a yankum soft shackle and if you ever need to be pulled from the front, fasten that to the A arm. Most common recovery point for non tow hook havin vehicles.

That makes sense. Kinda. Thanks Ford. (roll eyes) I even checked Quigly 4x4 but they don't offer anything either.

I do have a soft shackle and could use it but if I am stuck (mud or snow) this means, I am on my back in that mud/snow to install that shackle. That's one of the big things I am trying to avoid.

drawtite 65053 is a front mount hitch for an e series cut away e350/450

Perfect! I saw that one but it was listed only to fit up to 2017. Now, after you posted this, and looking at the reviews, I see there are a few folks that have installed it on rigs up to 2023 so I think this may be my answer! I found a new one, in the box, with "water damage" for less than $100 so it's on order. Wooo Hooo!

The E350/450 chassis frontend is still based on the ancient twin I-beam technology; there are no A-arms.
I needed a gentle pull (provided by an old Toyota Tacoma) when I dropped my rear wheels of our 2000 Four Winds on E350 in a ditch in Utah; the only place I could find was to hook onto the back side of the crossbeams supporting the I-beams.
As Cost4133 mentioned, a front-mount hitch would provide a respectable pull point. The hitch could then be used for a bike rack mount, etc.

Copy that. I wanted a front hitch anyway, but I assumed recovery points would be cheaper and easier to install. I guess not! HAHAHAHA!!!

Front receiver in route! I'll post up once it's installed.

 

[Cost4133]

Perfect! I saw that one but it was listed only to fit up to 2017. Now, after you posted this, and looking at the reviews, I see there are a few folks that have installed it on rigs up to 2023 so I think this may be my answer! I found a new one, in the box, with "water damage" for less than $100 so it's on order. Wooo Hooo!

Etrailer shows it as direct bolt in through 2021

 

[NCWanderers]

drawtite 65053 is a front mount hitch for an e series cut away e350/450

I have that on my short list of improvements.

 

[miataroadster]

drawtite 65053 is a front mount hitch for an e series cut away e350/450

Thank you for the info! This draw-tite 65053 will definitely fit my 2023 even with its higher cost than Curt's. It looks like installation will also be much easier than curt 33055, which requires some drilling.

Both reviews can be found on Amazon.

I had the Curt front hitch in my older E450. It was very useful- bike rack or cargo carrier, or the OPs purpose.

Added to my Amazon wish list.

 

[Kholder]

I added the drawtite to my 2023. Took me about 2hours to install by myself. I use it for bike rack instead of one on my toad. I’m probably one of the reviews verifying it does fit on a 2023 E450.

You’ll need to drill out two square exciting holes in the frame (one on each side of the frame) to make the hole a bit bigger for the bolts. You’ll also need to mostly remove the bumper but that’s easy. If I remember there a video on the install which I recommend watching first.

I attached a picture of the hitch installed on my rig.

 

[miataroadster]

I added the drawtite to my 2023. Took me about 2hours to install by myself. I use it for bike rack instead of one on my toad. I’m probably one of the reviews verifying it does fit on a 2023 E450.

You’ll need to drill out two square exciting holes in the frame (one on each side of the frame) to make the hole a bit bigger for the bolts. You’ll also need to mostly remove the bumper but that’s easy. If I remember there a video on the install which I recommend watching first.

I attached a picture of the hitch installed on my rig.

Thanks for reconfirming the fit!

I was able to order the REESE 65053, sister company of Draw-Tite, from Tractor Supply for $152.99 plus $5.99 shipping and sales tax.

 

[rang-a-stang]

Just finished my install (Draw-Tite 65053), too. It went super easy. Just follow the instructions (and the install video on eTrailer). I thought my RV looked awesome with no bumper.

I did take my whole bumper off because I was also installing some driving lights in the bumper. I found having the whole bumper off made it REALLY easy and if I was doing it again, I would pull the bumper off again, too.

The only other difference, from the instructions is there is an air dam that is right next to the frame horns behind the bumper on both side and is held in place by 2 Christmas tree pins. When you install the hitch, you use one of the holes for the pins and therefore you have to trim the air dam a little. Here is how I trimmed it.

I found once that piece was trimmed and pushed back into place, there is a hole on the other flange already so I just used the trimmed off piece as a big washer and stuck it in the second hole. (here's the second hole)

Other than that, it was just like the instructions and video. Here it is all done!

AAAaaand with my winch installed.

No more getting stuck in my dude!!

 

[miataroadster]

Wow, looks great! I like your square led lights better than LED light bar ones I've seen.

What's next? A lift and bigger tires? Yeah!