I want to add a front hitch receiver and rack to my F350, in order to transport a cooler, while I'm pulling a 5th wheel RV. I live in a state (Va.) that requires two plates. Do I need to transplant that front plate to in front of the rack every time I use it? Any one do this, or have a better way?

Thanks, John

 

Any reason you can't put a rack on the rear bumper of your fifth wheel? I am in the process of doing this myself, welding a type of shelf together that is removable that can hold my generator and a cooler, maybe a water tank too if it is not too heavy which could upset the towing characteristics.

 

I don't know how big the cooler is,but it may block air to radiator etc. cause a run hot situation. especially towing heavy 5th wheel.

 

Thanks guys. Installing a hitch on the back of the RV would be plan B, but I have to watch my weight there, plus more of a custom job. The RV manufacturer offers a 1 1/4" hitch for a bike rack, states that anything more than that would overload the frame. I'll figure it out eventually

 

I would take the easiest way and put the cooler in the fiver

 

No room in the pickup bed?

 

A cooler on the front rack, is this redneck trucking?

I would think the plate has to be visible, I agree with Slider, it might block the rad

 

Yeah, I stored two small coolers in the rv on the last trip. The 5er is an Open Range, and the steps out of it are up there. Could put them in the bed, but have other stuff in there too, which would have to go somewhere else.

Really trying to keep as much out of the RV as possible, that has to be toted in and out. So when we setup/break down camp, I'm want to be out of you-know-who's way when she's doing her thing. Plus I won't be tripping over the dog.

The cooler is the heaviest item I have to unpack/setup outside the camper, just the thought of it being only a few feet off the ground, with maybe some wheels attached to boot, would be very much appreciated by my 50+ y.o. back.

Didn't know this was a redneck thing, now my bucket light, yeah, that's redneck

Not into surf fishing, but these racks are big time popular down in NC's Outer Banks. Of course North Carolina doesn't have the two license plate rule. Anyway, pulled this pic off the net...maybe a little over kill? I see the plates were relocated here. I'm thinking of something much smaller, minimum sized.

 

I still think it will block the lower & upper grille openings on the highway, once you're parked I dont see a problem, happy camping, gigs
I dont think you should allow your kids to ride up there.........J/K

 

If you could keep it down low and not disturb the airflow above the bumper I think you may be alright. I would try to rig it so there is still some airflow through the bumper opening if possible, but a front tag already blocks 30% of that plus it seriously disrupts the airflow to the remaining opening. I guess you won't really know until you try it. Everybody tows in different conditions and what works for a guy in Kansas may not work for a guy in Colorado or Arkansas.

It is certainly easy enough to just mount the tag on the front of the rack when it's in use. Just 2 screws to switch it back and forth if your rack is detachable.

 

A simple fix for this if you decide to go ahead and mount the rack up front would be to get a generic license plate bracket and mount it to the front of the basket. It only takes a couple of minutes to switch the plate from the front of the truck to the front of the rack. Even quicker if you've got a cordless drill with a screwdriver bit.

That said, it all depends upon how OCD the officers in your area are about this. I will tell you though that it's really low on my list of things I'll write a ticket for.