Front hitch
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Front hitch
Did you ever see "The Shining"? In the movie, there was a hedge maze that was the setting for a dramatic ending. I have that sort of thing in my driveway, but add a very steep incline, stone walls, and a telephone pole just to make it interesting. I can back trailers in OK, but my new bigger and heavier boat makes for too many blind spots. In order to prevent a dramatic ending to my marriage in our stone maze, I'm looking for a front 2" receiver and there are some good products out there, but I have a few questions:
Has anybody here done this? Do you have a product you recommend? Does it interfere with the air flow through any of the cooling grilles?
It's about now that I'm really glad I installed the X code springs.
Has anybody here done this? Do you have a product you recommend? Does it interfere with the air flow through any of the cooling grilles?
It's about now that I'm really glad I installed the X code springs.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,647
Likes: 891
From: north of Minneapolis, MN
Back in the day, I had one on a '71 F250 that I had a 10.5 foot slide in on. I once launched the boat using the front hitch down a steep ramp....couldn't back up the ramp.
But it made moving the boat around much easier.
But it made moving the boat around much easier.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
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From: North of Greenville
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...og-lights.html
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,787
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From: Northern Illinois
NEW Front Mount Trailer Receiver Hitch for 99-07 Ford F-250/350 Super Duty | eBay
This is the one I have. I can take a picture of it installed. Very solid build. Much heavier built than I expected.
This is the one I have. I can take a picture of it installed. Very solid build. Much heavier built than I expected.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,263
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From: In the field...
NEW Front Mount Trailer Receiver Hitch for 99-07 Ford F-250/350 Super Duty | eBay
This is the one I have. I can take a picture of it installed. Very solid build. Much heavier built than I expected.
This is the one I have. I can take a picture of it installed. Very solid build. Much heavier built than I expected.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 596
Likes: 11
NEW Front Mount Trailer Receiver Hitch for 99-07 Ford F-250/350 Super Duty | eBay
This is the one I have. I can take a picture of it installed. Very solid build. Much heavier built than I expected.
This is the one I have. I can take a picture of it installed. Very solid build. Much heavier built than I expected.
I put it on with the same issues that you discuss Rich. I have a pad behind a pole barn for some hay equipment and my BP trailer. Much easier to drive in straight forward that back around some corners.
Here are pics of mine. I have not noticed any increased trans temps after installing it, even when pulling my 4 horse gooseneck.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North of Greenville
That configuration does create some air blockage for the coolers, but I'm not sure how much of an impact it would really make. On the plus side, though, it also places the receiver at a higher elevation which may be better suited for Rich's situation.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Puget Sound
The Curts I looked at have a 5000 pound capacity. The boat alone weighs more than that, without so much as a trailer, the fuel, or some swimming noodles on board. The Drawtite in ZachinCO's picture looks like the call - unless somebody knows something not yet revealed here.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 10
From: Minnesota
I'm sure it's not a real option. But I'm a big fan of ball mounted on skid steer forks. Then since you'll have a skid steer you can do the dirt work to make a roundabout drive way, and you can pull in forward.
I'm sure that's just what you want. One more big time consuming purchase / project to get between you and the water.
Good luck with the real options. I have nothing to add for them.
Edit:
Would a camera on the back of the boat help, maybe?
I'm sure that's just what you want. One more big time consuming purchase / project to get between you and the water.
Good luck with the real options. I have nothing to add for them.
Edit:
Would a camera on the back of the boat help, maybe?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Puget Sound
Yes. I'll work that out, but first I have to get the rig here to install it. I'm thinking wireless IP and link that to the tablet I use for OBDII gauges, that way I can use the boat power for the camera. This keeps the truck backup camera available on the dash - useful for maneuvering in tight spots when the boat is on the front hitch, or for backing any other time.
I found a wireless Flir color/IR IP 1080P camera with wide angle viewing and its own battery, or it can use a USB plug for juice (which I will have plenty of on the boat) - about $120. Pop that on the radar arch overlooking the back of the boat and talk about a marriage saver....
By the time I get this boat rigged the way I like, I'll have an answer to those Capitol One commercials that ask "What's in your wallet?":
Lint.
I found a wireless Flir color/IR IP 1080P camera with wide angle viewing and its own battery, or it can use a USB plug for juice (which I will have plenty of on the boat) - about $120. Pop that on the radar arch overlooking the back of the boat and talk about a marriage saver....
By the time I get this boat rigged the way I like, I'll have an answer to those Capitol One commercials that ask "What's in your wallet?":
Lint.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
The Curts I looked at have a 5000 pound capacity. The boat alone weighs more than that, without so much as a trailer, the fuel, or some swimming noodles on board. The Drawtite in ZachinCO's picture looks like the call - unless somebody knows something not yet revealed here.
I would verify the tongue weight loading stats before finalizing a purchase. For vertical (shear) loading, I'm not sure what the 8 bolts are capable of sustaining in shear force, nor the capability of the flat mounting plates to avoid twisting. Also, on the Drawtite, I would have someone weld in some reinforcements on the bent over top and bottom caps on each side, thoroughly attaching those bendovers to the front-to-back interior side plates to convert the folded boxes into fully welded boxes on each end.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Puget Sound
It says 500 pound tongue weight - I should be good there. Boats have a lighter tongue weight than bumper-pull campers - remember the beam, fuel, water and holding tanks, and engine room are behind the trailer axles. I have actually experienced tongue hop when climbing on the back of some trailered boats while loading gear.
Besides, I wouldn't even try this if the tongue weight was that much of a concern at parking speeds - the front spring capacity would come into question.
Besides, I wouldn't even try this if the tongue weight was that much of a concern at parking speeds - the front spring capacity would come into question.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 10
From: Minnesota
That sounds camera pretty sweet. You should link it if you get a chance. Unless it's on flea bay and your looking to keep it on the DL. I would love to set up a wireless camera that I could drop on the top of my dad's trailers to help him stop backing into things. Maybe even a mobile mount so it can go trailer to trailer and dismount for highways.
Heck I like the idea so much I'd consider it for myself! Oh boy, my cost of dreams to actual money ratio just went a little further away from balanced.
Heck I like the idea so much I'd consider it for myself! Oh boy, my cost of dreams to actual money ratio just went a little further away from balanced.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Puget Sound
Here is one to consider: [
]
Now... it's an indoor camera, so you can use it temporarily in the driveway on a nice day, but I wouldn't drive down the road with it exposed to road speeds jamming the rain up its butt, nor would I leave it in the weather for a long duration without some kind of cover. If you want something to leave out in the weather and driving rain, you'll need to spend a little more money on something like this: [ ]
Now... it's an indoor camera, so you can use it temporarily in the driveway on a nice day, but I wouldn't drive down the road with it exposed to road speeds jamming the rain up its butt, nor would I leave it in the weather for a long duration without some kind of cover. If you want something to leave out in the weather and driving rain, you'll need to spend a little more money on something like this: [ ]