Front Reciver Hitch questions?

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I want to install a front reciever hitch on my 01, for many reasons; I have a 29' pull behind that I move around on occasion and it sucks having to back it in (not much room) also want it for a "tow hook application" along with the ability to use it for a bike rack and so on. My question is I spoke with a hutch company the other day who cautioned me on doing this for the trailer manuvering application as he said there is a good chance that I could crack the frame, this sound right? I could understand it if I wanted to pull it at 60 but I am only talking maybe 50 feet at most at about 2 miles an hour; anyone think I should not do this? Thanks for your guys help as always.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed. Line-X bed-liner. DTT's TC & VB, Pac Brake, Power Edge, Edge EZ, Grover Air Horns

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz.com

Add on's to come: any other Ram Runner required modifications...

 

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doesn't sound any more severe than those guys who hang a snow plow on the front end.

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'99 24V 3500 QC, 4X2, 4. 10 LSD Dana 80

 

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I have had one on my 98. 5 and have used it to move around my 24' TT. I find the only problem so far is the weight compressing the front suspension. I've only done it on concrete and used the caster wheel on the tongue to take the weight off the front of the truck. I'm eventually moving to a new home and will have an asphalt drive and the above mentioned method may not work.
It's great for moving around my short-coupled atv trailer. As for all other applications, it's a great add-on item. I think mine was $143 vs. the cost of Mopar tow hooks. For the little increase in cost the versatility is worth it in my view. Maybe the concern for cracked frame may come from fully compressing the front suspension.

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

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Think about the front end loading that results from inertia as you hit dips, bumps, and potholes at highway speeds with the truck alone. Does the snowplow package come with any restrictions on highway driving with a plow mounted? What kind of tongue weight are you working with?

I have a front receiver that I put 600 pounds of trailer tongue weight on while I drive in 4-low — real slow for a few hundred feet (and not very often). I can't imagine any problems if the weight were doubled.

 

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I too want a front receiver, and wonder if the load equalizing hitch (EZ lift and others) wouldn't work the same on the front as on the rear of the vehicle, thus eliminating the stress on the front suspension??

My driveway has a good incline and levels out on top..... If I can BACK it in ok, then I should be able to PUSH it in okay without hurting the truck, right?

I have a small boat trailer that is insignifigant, and my Travel Trailer is 9,000#.

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2001. 5 2500 SLT+, QC/LB 4x4, ETH, 6spd, 3:54 LSD, camper/tow equip. , NV241HD, Bright Silver, Snug Top, Ispro w/3 pod pillar w/tweeter, Pyro, Boost & Mag Hytec cover w/temp guage, "Plain Wrap" (no decals or emblems)

 

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The trailer t-weight is about 1,000 at most, it also has the load leveling equalizer hitch. Good point on the snow plow they can't be lite especially when pushing snow.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed. Line-X bed-liner. DTT's TC & VB, Pac Brake, Power Edge, Edge EZ, Grover Air Horns

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz.com

Add on's to come: any other Ram Runner required modifications...

 

[Archive]

Just a bit of info on the weight of the snowplow.

A 7 1/2 blade, all necessary brackets, and pump weighs around 650lbs.

 

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A front receiver hitch is a very bad idea. This is no less akin to putting the prop in front of the boat! #ad
I'm sure there is a local ordinance against it. I suggest consulting with OSHA and the national safety borard #ad

 

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I have use a front receiver on my 93 for over zix years, I mainly use it for spotting my 9200 pound boat/trailer combo and go very slowly for short distances . I see no evidence of any stress yet and will continue to use it the same way. A clubcab long bed is mighty long and it sure is a lot easier to watch through the windshield and follow the trailer. Just my 2 cents worth.

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'93 D-250 Club Cab, Emerald Green & Gold, 5-speed w Gear Vendors OD, 77K , ASC Sun Roof, Horton Fan, Transfer-Flo 45 gal tank/toolbox combo,PIAA Pro 90 Driving lites, 16cm turbo housing, fuel pressure adjusted by James Ray, '96 chrome wheels, Hella headlights Pre-luber, Fuel filter relocated, Chrome kit
May Madness registration committee 97,98,99,TDR ; December Dieselfest winner, 98;
Nationals 99

 

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Although I have a Warn front receiver, I never use it as such. I put it on because it's such a great place to position a Highlift Jack when you've gone just a little too far into the soft stuff. Just jack it up out the hole and push it off sideways onto some boards or boulders. Works a treat. I've also used it for a central tow point for the truck and trailer when I've got a hard point forward. ie when you really want to get to the otherside of whatever you got stuck in the first place.

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98 QC 2WD 5 Sp 3. 54 with "stuff from the elves at BD"

 

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Some of the front receivers I've seen look like they hang a little low. Saw one on a Chev a few years ago that was way down there but don't know what brand it was. But I saw one about a month ago on an F550 that was made by Hidden Hitch, I think, that was tucked up pretty good. I have a 4X4 and am concerned about the clearance. I just got receiver winch mount and would like to be able to use it in the front but not at the expense of clearance. Anybody got any pics of theirs they could post along with the mfg? Never thought of using a front hitch in place of front tow hooks, makes $$ justification that much easier. Would probably get hooks anyway, they look kinda cool.

Darren


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2001. 5 2500 4X4 SLT, ETH/DEE, Amsoil Bypass Filtration, Mag-Hytec w/Amsoil, Walker 21468, Passenger Side Grab Handle That DC No Longer Installs as of 7-00, 9K@121100

[This message has been edited by Hyde (edited 12-15-2000). ]

 

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Darren,

No pictures.

I have a DrawTite 6003 on the front of my 2000 Ram 2500 4X4. It is specific to our trucks and is an easy six bolt—no drill installation. It does require that you cut a hole in the air dam if so equipped.

Yow will lose a few degrees on your angle of approach. Other than that, the receiver is about as high as is possible. The two-inch draw bar clears the bottom of the factory front license plate holder by one-eighth inch and the front end of the receiver is flush with the rear of the frame on the factory front license plate holder.

 

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I also have the Draw-Tite Front Mount and the instructions say to cut the front air dam (which I don't have) so it can't hang very much lower than that.

BTW - The vertical load is now listed at 300# but I think mine is rated at 500# which is just right for my 23' travel trailer.

Here is the link to Draw-Tite Product

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'99, 2500, QC, SLT, LWB, 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 3. 5xlsd, tow pac, HD tcase, tow mirrors, camper pac.

Alias: Martin Allen Bursell (posted per guidlines)

 

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I think one of my co-workers has the Draw-tite but I'm not sure. We carried out to our trucks to sorta hold it in place to see how it would fit. Couldn't tell much, got heavy kinda quick and neither of us were dressed to wrestle with it. Thomas, you mention 6 bolt install. The one I saw that I think was a Draw-tite has 4 bolts that go between the frame and sway bar mount. Is yours like this and I just missed the other 2? Let me know. I think there should be a requirement to own a digital camera or scanner to post on TDR so that you people with cool stuff can share it with the rest of us. I have a digital camera, now if I just had some cool stuff.

Darren


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2001. 5 2500 4X4 SLT, ETH/DEE, Amsoil Bypass Filtration, Mag-Hytec w/Amsoil, Walker 21468, Passenger Side Grab Handle That DC No Longer Installs as of 7-00, 9K@121100

 

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My truck is dirty and the lighting is bad but will have to do for now. Mine is a Draw-tite and installs as stated by Darren. Install was pretty easy even doing it alone. My measurement shows maybe a loss of an inch in front clearance. Never had the Mopar hooks installed but can't be much worse than having those installed. If more/better pics needed let me know. I'll need to clean it up and get to better lighting.
#ad

#ad


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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

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Darren,

You missed the two bolts with the square washers that go through existing holes in the vertical surface of the frame—rotohead's photographs also show the tow hooks (loops?) that are a part of the receiver. On my install I did not cut the air dam for the hooks. I was able to tuck them up inside the lip at the bottom of the receiver without distorting the air dam.

I have no idea how DrawTite came up with their ratings of 9000 pounds horizontal and 300 pounds vertical. The vertical load rating seems real conservative to me.

 

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I have some pictures of the Warn Transformer front receiver on my old truck at http://www.dodge-diesel.com/static/warn.html

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'01 ETH/DEE 4x4 QC SLT 3500 4. 10

 

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Thanks for all the info guys, great pics and all. I think my mind is made up that I am going with the drawtite, are the tow loops on all of thier front recivers? That is kind of cool to have both.

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TAZ... 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto ETC Cummins, LSD 3. 54,Quad Cab, Long Bed, Agate Leather, White/Driftwood Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group, Cab clearance lights,SPA-Technique Digital Dual Gauges (Pyro/Boost, Trans pressure/temp) Aux. Backup lamps. BNM 5th Wheel Hitch, Additional Body Molding on Bed. Line-X bed-liner. DTT's TC & VB, Pac Brake, Power Edge, Edge EZ, Grover Air Horns

2000 32' Aljo Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

http://www.ramtaz.com

Add on's to come: any other Ram Runner required modifications...

 

[Archive]

Rotohead, thanks for the pics and by no means should you wash your truck on my account. I wash mine twice a year whether it needs it or not. That's a joke in spite of what anyone that claims to know me says. I think I'm sold, unless anyone can give me a horror story about too little ground clearance. Guess I'll bail on the hooks and get the fron rec. Thanks for all the info!

Darren


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2001. 5 2500 4X4 SLT, ETH/DEE, Amsoil Bypass Filtration, Mag-Hytec w/Amsoil, Walker 21468, Passenger Side Grab Handle That DC No Longer Installs as of 7-00, 9K@121100

[This message has been edited by Hyde (edited 12-15-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

I've had front receivers on several trucks including imports with IFS with no problems. For yucks I asked a MA State Trooper friend- there's no restriction unless you had something installed while driving that violated NHTSA vehicle profile regulations. They're also great for manuvering boats on ramps (in 4WD!!!). If you have a front winch its a help to be able to load the boat in rough weather. I just put one on a Pro-Zap bumper, stuck a Carr folding step in it, great way to get to the engine!