What are these front receiver hitches for?

[samsquantch]

Hi all,
Wondering if anyone recognizes these front receiver hitches. PO says they weren't for a plow, but might be. Maybe to pull behind an RV? What is the capacity? Do you think I could use as a winch/tow point?
Thanks!

 

[2014 Warthog]

Cant really tow a 4runner like that (unless you detach the rear drive shaft).

They are frequently used to maneuver trailers in tight spaces, yards, boat ramps etc. Can also be used with a receiver winch or as a recovery point with a D-Ring receiver (Or just a receiver pin)

Could also be used to hold bikes or even a motorcycle up front if the rear hitch was in use.

Lots of uses!

Edit (Though that doesn't look super sturdy so whatever use it had would have to be somewhat light duty)

 

[Billxdm]

There is also two of them and neither seems to be centered on the vehicle.

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

My guess is they had some sort of home brewed bike or cargo carrier, maybe even a small motorcycle carrier.

 

[zcruiser]

I guess none of you have ever been fishing on the coast.

 

[HiLife]

Maybe those are made for a more sturdier cargo carrier rack that uses 2 receiver hitches? The more common ones only require one receiver hitch.

Or it could be used for a quick bullet shield/battering ram install? :spy:

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

I guess none of you have ever been fishing on the coast.

Only from Baja up to Alaska. Is there another coast somewhere :loco:

 

[samsquantch]

Thanks for the guesses guys. My photos don't show it well, but they are pretty symmetric/centered. Truck came from SW CO, so maybe something cattle or farm related I guess? I don't think it was surf fishing, but who knows?

 

[Rancho5]

Consider yourself lucky and put them to good use. I'd love to have a front hitch on my rig as I have a 300 ft narrow side road to get back to my yard. Loved it on my F250. Fab a rack and enjoy it.

 

[badattitude]

East coast guys have rod holders in the front

 

[Reinout]

Motorcycle mount. But all the possibilities of crap you can make and mount on there is endless!!! Just don't stop the airflow to the radiator

 

[3bears]

im leaning toward a tow set up....like behind an rv

 

[rideexileex]

Homebrew for sure - could have been for a canoe or hang glider rack, etc

 

[Rockdawg84]

if it came from CO I am guessing that they were installed so that the Runner could be a small plow truck. Definitely not from the factory. That is my guess. :yo: