I'm contemplating a front mounted hitch on my 06 F350. I can't stuff the bikes in the shortbed since I pull a fifth wheel trailer and don't like the idea of them bouncing around in the trailer. What are the pro's and con's of a front mounted hitch with bikes up there? Anything you would have bought or done differently? Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

I see a lot more people putting hitches on the rear of their 5th wheel or travel trailer for bike carriers than I do putting them on the front of the trucks. There is less likely to have the bikes full of bugs and less wind resistance on them from what have heard.

 

like stated above...why not just put a bike carrier on the back of the 5er like everybody else?

 

Well, a few reasons. First I don't have a rear bumper for that kind of mount and I have skid wheels welded to the frame where a rear hitch receiver would go. Second, I don't want the bikes back there bouncing around where I can't see them.

 

Kind of a big investment for bikes, but then again you'd be getting a hitch up front, which could come in handy. Etrailer has a bunch of options that look promising. Google images has some pics too.
2006 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty Bike Racks | etrailer.com

How many bikes are we talking? What about a roof rack for the truck?

 

I was going to suggest a roof rack also. Constantly see people around here with bikes on top of their SUVs. Buncha yuppies from Chicago(joking!)

 

Some do roof racks for the trucks, others improvise. You don't want bike on the back unless the 5er was made for it. Lots of accidents have been caused by the bouncing of the racks tearing them apart and falling onto the road. Here is an alternative. I see you have a short bed. You don't have to go with a platform rack, you can use a 'hanging' rack and strap the bikes back against the upright.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8512203096/http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8512203096/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/93261249@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8512203380/http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8512203380/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/93261249@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8512205794/http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8512205794/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/93261249@N04/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8511094199/http://www.flickr.com/photos/93261249@N04/8511094199/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/93261249@N04/, on Flickr

 

Here is what I did, bought the Ex and got this hitch right away, it had the highest tounge weight I could find and has been used once to park my TT (31.5ft) in a tight spot that made it real easy. I also bought this 5th wheel extension and extended it to have power and 7way upfront, I can draw from both front and rear at the same time, very handy. I didnt realize how tall my bike would be until I was loading it to go away for the weekend it was a bit sketchy with the view so I designed this one and made it out of aluminum and it is over 12" lower than the steel one pictured. I wouldnt hesitate to run this setup anytime, in the loaded picture I have 2 more bikes and the generator in the back. I wouldnt however use a hitch carrier without the vertical tube to have the extra anchor points for attaching straps and it acts as a vertical stop to pull the bike against, been running that one for over 10years on the rear of a bunch of vehicles.

 

Thanks Todd for the pics of the front install. Due to arthritis I'm limited in climbing around and hoisting bikes onto p\u roofs. The pics of the hitch tube(s) mounted on the pin box is intruiging, but then again the gymnastics of climbing and hoisting isn't too appealing to me or wifey. Does anyone make a front hitch that mounts to a Fisher Minute Mount plow frame?

 

We have ours on a rack on the back of the 5er. No extra drag and you don't have to stare are a bike for 500 miles

 

Here is a photo of mine. I had to improvise it a little to lower it. The original assembly rises up. I flipped it so it goes down. It is capable of holding 4 bikes. I only have the platform set up to hold 2. If I want 4, there is an extension to attach onto it. This folds up when not in use. This is like the bike racks in front of city buses. Is this what you're looking for?

 

I've seen a few custom's over on plowsite dot com. I don't know if anyone mass produces them (yet).

EDIT: Scroll down a bit.... http://www.plowsite.com/showthread.php?t=64944

EDIT: Here's another thread with the same build... http://astrosafarivans.org/bb2/viewt...hp?f=38&t=3055

 

I just fabbed up a trailer hitch receiver to my Fisher MM II plow frame. It came out real good and I'm thinking of mass producing these. I'll include some pics in the next few days. Mike

 

I'd love to see some pics. Keep us updated.