Front Mount Reciever Hitch

T

ToolmanJohn

New member
Searched and searched, and have only found the one from CBI Offroad ($280). I am getting a bit desperate. I cannot lift bikes onto the roof of the 4runner, and I can't mount my bike carrier to the rear hitch (towing a camper). I have rotator cuff problems.

The camper is NOT capable of having a receiver put on it's 4" square bumper, it would break the welds, and reinforcing it would void the camper frame warranty. I also can't easily put a tray mount on the A-frame of the camper, it would again be too high to lift bikes.

I have contacted a couple of hitch manufacturers but no luck (or any love for 2003-2006)...

Sort of having one made $$$$, any options out there???? Most front mount hitchs run $100-$150... The CBI unit is overbuilt for winches, and requires taking apart the front end to mount it. All I need to do is caryy ~70 lbs of bikes and rack.
 
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Yeah, the Curt receiver looked pretty easy to install and cheap if I remember correctly. It decreases the approach angle a bit, but if you're not concerned with off roading that shouldn't matter.

I can't remember the details or model number, but I remember they were available from etrailer.com for around $125-130.
 
jamess.sullivan said:
It decreases the approach angle a bit, but if you're not concerned with off roading that shouldn't matter.
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I also have a small lift. You wll lose about an inch of clearence in the front.
 
Does the camper have a spare tire mounted to the rear? If so, you can get a rack that mounts to the tire and carries the bikes on that..
 
Haven't Seen that before

Stockwell45 said:
Have you considered a dual hitch extension? bottom hitch for trailer, top for bike rack.

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I have never seen that before. WHy the hell hasn't anyone at the RV dealership ever mentioned that? I need to take some measurements, to see if my bike rack will fit ( folding tray mount rack). The bike rack would have to clear the trailer toungue jack handle when the rack is down with bikes on it.

Thanks for the idea!! It looks cheap too!!
 
ToolmanJohn said:
I have never seen that before. WHy the hell hasn't anyone at the RV dealership ever mentioned that? I need to take some measurements, to see if my bike rack will fit ( folding tray mount rack). The bike rack would have to clear the trailer toungue jack handle when the rack is down with bikes on it.

Thanks for the idea!! It looks cheap too!!
Click to expand...

Check to make sure this unit is rated for carrying the camper load you are hauling. And, if you need a W/D hitch system, this unit will not work.
 
Won't fit

The rack won't clear the trailer during a hard turn with bike on it (folded down) bummer..... This is why I couldn't mount a tray rack on the A-Frame close to the front of the trailer.

I must either go with a custom welded mount (and risk the 2 year trailer frame warranty being void), or have someone make a front reciever that can carry 500lbs, so it's not excessively overbuilt...

I don't want wet, muddy bikes in the trailer or the truck, and can't abide them on a roof rack.. I wish the small travel trailer manufacturers would desing a more robust rear bumber. I have contacted them about this.

Thanks to everyone for the good ideas though.
 
Front carrier for scooter needed.

Hi, I just joined and I don't think I can start a new thread yet. I am looking for feedback on installing a front carrier for my scooter. Scooter weighs 155lbs. The T4R is a 1995. The truck as many new parts and upgrades, but this is my first and I don't know if what is currently under the bumper is stock, needs to be removed for a receiver hitch to be added, or if there are other front end options for carrying the scooter. The back end is not available, as its already pulling a camper. I took pictures of what is there now, a tow hook on the passenger side, and a D ring (I think that's what they're called... ug, sorry) on the drivers side. Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you!
 
2003 4Runner Front Hitch Install

I just finished the install of the Curt 31367 front hitch on my 2003 4Runner. I did what one other poster suggested and found a local welder who cut the gussets out of the 45 degree tow hook braces, bent them to 90 degrees and then added new gussets. My welder actually just cut the braces off with a grinder and then rewelded them at 90 degrees with 2 new gussets. He charged me $80 which was more than fair since he provided beer and it took a couple of hours. Once the tow hook braces were on at 90 degrees it fit like a glove on my 4Runner with the 90 degree tow hooks. If you're looking for an excuse to buy that breaker bar you've always dreamed of owning, this is it because those nuts were on there like nobodies business. The only bits of advice I would provide are that it seemed like the right thing to do was to tighten up the tow hook bolts first and then the nuts holding the hitch to the frame, but the correct order is to tighten the frame nuts first and then the tow hook bolts. The other thing worth mentioning is that once that hitch is on there the amount of room to maneuver your sockets and breaker bar is seriously impaired so you'll need extra time and patience to really tighten everything up. I'll put up some pics in a little while, but right now it's Miller time!
 
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