Front mounted Tow Hitch
- weekender
- Seasoned Traveler
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- Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:00 am
- B190 Year: 1993
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- Location: Northampton MA
Front mounted Tow Hitch
Has anyone done it? Any drawbacks? I would like one for a cargo carrier. I like my bike rack on the rear because it does not require any modifications for clearance. The cargo carrier on the back can frequently drag if I'm not paying attention on driveways. I expect I would have less clearance issues with the cargo carrier on the front.
Thanks for any thoughts
Thanks for any thoughts
- Alaskan
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Its not a bad idea actually.
If I were going to do that, rather than having a single on-center mount like a rear trailer hitch has I'd make a mount bolted to the bottom of both frame ends, therefore having a pair of square tubes supporting it, next size smaller that a hitch, which is 2 inch.....so I'd use 1 1/2" square tube
The alternative of course might be to use a rear hitch and do whatever kind of modifications it might take to install it on the front.
I'll take a look, stay tuned
If I were going to do that, rather than having a single on-center mount like a rear trailer hitch has I'd make a mount bolted to the bottom of both frame ends, therefore having a pair of square tubes supporting it, next size smaller that a hitch, which is 2 inch.....so I'd use 1 1/2" square tube
The alternative of course might be to use a rear hitch and do whatever kind of modifications it might take to install it on the front.
I'll take a look, stay tuned
- weekender
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I've been in touch with our local U Haul dealer-- they have a good reputation here. They have done a front hitch on the Ford E350 before-- there is a standard hitch that is listed in their "fit software". I'm having it done this Friday, $250 installed, 2" receiver. I'll let all know when it is done, and post some pix.
Also having my electrical connection converted to a twist connect by the dealer--about $175 for the parts and install
Steve
Also having my electrical connection converted to a twist connect by the dealer--about $175 for the parts and install
Steve
- Alaskan
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Steve....I put one of those big ole rear carriers on a friends rig, one of the things I didn't like was it moved up/down at the outer edges quite a lot due the the receiver not being a very tight fit
I corrected that by drilling a 9/16" hole centered on the bottom and tig welded a 1/2"-13 nut over that hole...that way I could run a short 1/2-13 bolt in to pinch the receiver tube therefore taking all the slack out.....which made the entire carrier much more stable.
Being out it the front you are going to see all that movement...
I corrected that by drilling a 9/16" hole centered on the bottom and tig welded a 1/2"-13 nut over that hole...that way I could run a short 1/2-13 bolt in to pinch the receiver tube therefore taking all the slack out.....which made the entire carrier much more stable.
Being out it the front you are going to see all that movement...
- skater
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Is this for the 120 volt connection? I've wanted to do that but never got around to it. It'd definitely be a good upgrade, though.weekender wrote:Also having my electrical connection converted to a twist connect by the dealer--about $175 for the parts and install
1991 Airstream B190 - bought, 2005; sold, 2011; bought 2017
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer
WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
- weekender
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Hey Skater,
Yes, that is the 120 connection-- The original port cover broke--dealt with it for a couple of years. Finally last year looked into the replacement port-- only in white-- painted it silver to match-- cover broke with just a couple of uses. The twist connect port is much better, heavier construction, though still white only. I mostly use the electric hookup at home, most camping I do is boondocking. I have never enjoyed feeding or pulling the cable thru the port, so I suspect I will like this option much better. Pix will follow once I get it done.
Steve
Yes, that is the 120 connection-- The original port cover broke--dealt with it for a couple of years. Finally last year looked into the replacement port-- only in white-- painted it silver to match-- cover broke with just a couple of uses. The twist connect port is much better, heavier construction, though still white only. I mostly use the electric hookup at home, most camping I do is boondocking. I have never enjoyed feeding or pulling the cable thru the port, so I suspect I will like this option much better. Pix will follow once I get it done.
Steve
- weekender
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So I did end up having a front hitch installed, and used it for a recent 2 week trip. I have a "Hitch Haul" with a plastic box on the front. I found it was a great place to store items I did not want or have room for inside the van-- leveling ramps, a camp stove, camp grill, life jackets and paddles for kayaks-- Outdoor storage is all that is missing from our units.
Turns out, you cannot even see the rack or box from the drivers seat-- not an issue as long as you remember it is there in traffic!
PS, I used the rear hitch for a bike rack and 2 bikes-- the bikes work well on the back, as there are no clearance issues.
Turns out, you cannot even see the rack or box from the drivers seat-- not an issue as long as you remember it is there in traffic!
PS, I used the rear hitch for a bike rack and 2 bikes-- the bikes work well on the back, as there are no clearance issues.
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Re: Front mounted Tow Hitch
I'm glad I found this thread. I just bought a B190 with a class III tow hitch receiver in the front. I had absolutely no idea what it was for. I imagined somebody flat-towing this tiny motorhome behind some gigantic much-bigger motorhome.