Front hitch on tv?

[Spinonedad]

Anyone have one on a Tundra?
Anywhere to connect in the front ?

[m.hony]

Look 2-3 posts up to post #19 and prior.
Several front hitches on Tundras described in great detail.

[RobH41]

Yes, had to have my first model custom built, but now they are getting pretty common as a "store bought" item. You can carry bikes there and we also use it to park both boats and an RV trailer in tight spots, as it puts the steering wheels closer to the moved load...and much easier for the driver to see. Of course, not as much load capacity, but for light loads and for precision maneuvering into tight spots, they are worth having on your TV.

[Iansk]

Originally Posted by Spinonedad

Anyone have one on a Tundra?
Anywhere to connect in the front ?

Mine is on a '14 tundra.
Bought it direct from Curt.
The bolts and hole are already there underneath, so it's pretty much plug and play.

It is a bit tucked under, but I have a 13" ball hitch that I use with my utility trailers on the back so I can open my tailgate and that works fine.
I use that when precision parking with the front hitch.
An extension is useful too.

[willapus]

Originally Posted by leif9016

Does anybody out there in Airstreamland have a front hitch on their tow vehicle? I have a brand new tow vehicle and I'm seriously thinking about adding one. I want to use it for bike racks and also for a kayak rack over the front with a Yakima hitch mount rack, usually used on the back of the truck with a single roof bar. I also think it would help manuevering the trailer in tight places.
Anybody have experience with one?

I had one on my old '02 Sequoia and installed it myself. I had to drill a couple of holes and fish the bolts to the holes but it is a lot easier than it sounds. I had thought I would use it to maneuver my camper, which was a pop up at the time, into tight spaces but without a spotter I found it easier just to back it in traditionally. I can only imagine that with the Airstream or bigger trailer it would be like positioning it blindfolded. I have thought about getting a another one for my current '05 Sequoia because it would be useful to carry the generator or some firewood to the campsites. I also mocked-up u having bikes in the front and I just didn't like the way it looked from the driver's seat. So my feelings are that it's not a crazy idea, and it may be useful, but I'm not completely sold on the idea either. I had the front receiver on for a year or so before buying my current Sequoia.

[malinois38]

Originally Posted by Spinonedad

Anyone have one on a Tundra?
Anywhere to connect in the front ?

Quick tip for while mounting a front hitch on a Tundra. If your Tundra has a front skid plate, you may want to cut a hole in it to gain access to your oil filter. Otherwise, you will have to remove your hitch/skid plate every time you change your oil. Here is a picture of my skid plate with oil filter access.
I use my hitch for bikes only so far & it has worked out well.

[Iansk]

What year Tundra? No issues on my '14 with access to oil filter.

[m.hony]

I have never noticed the engine or transmission running any hotter with the bikes in front of the radiator.
I also can't tell that the light from the headlights is diminished much. The headlights shine right through the bicycle wheel spokes.

[AtomicNo13]

I use the DrawTite on my Excursion.
Carry a 300 pound onan genset.
Can't tell it's up there.
One hour install...

[Tater]

I thought I read on this or another forum that obstructing headlights could be an infraction. Might neck to be sure. I would think it should be no different than cattle guards but might want to check.

[m.hony]

As I said a post or 2 above, the headlight beams don't seemed to be diminished at all shining through the bicycle wheel spokes.
If you remove the front wheels, the rest of the bikes might fit between the headlights.
A generator fits between the headlights.
We don't drive much at night anyway.

[openroad118]

I installed a Curt receiver on the front of my f150, to carry a motorcycle. Receiver rated for 500# and the bike and carrier are 400#.
I will be close to the gvwr of the truck with the AS hooked up.
I'm full-time, so it is what it is.

[BARNEYCONE]

You can thread a neddle with the trailer, some practice required !!!

[StreamDog]

Put on a 2" receiver. Use it for bicycles, motor scooter, firewood, coolers, hay bale placer, etc. Just keep in mind the weight you put in front tends to counter the hitch weight which needs to stay between 15 and 20% of your trailer weight.

[guskmg]

;I installed a Curt on the front of my '07 GMC 3/4T Duramax. I did it to position a fishing boat. If I were to need it for the A/S 34 footer I would probably have to beef it up. The best way to check a truck's extra front end capacity would be to check the manufacturer's snow plow rating. I would not overload the front end very much because of possible damage to suspension and steering components.
guskmg

[hahnstead]

I installed a front hitch receiver on my Tundra several years ago to carry one or two bikes. Works great! I place the bikes so that the handlebars are on the passenger side and I remove the seats so that I have minimal visible obstruction while driving. Airstream warns against adding weight to the rear end of their trailers, so this is an excellent solution for hauling bikes. And if, like me, you have more than one Airstream, you only need one front hitch receiver rather than a bike rack on the back on each of your trailers.

[Hoagie]

For those of you doing this to carry your bikes, small motorcycle, etc., please be advised that if you travel to California you may be pulled over and ticketed.
California law prohibits anything being placed in front of the headlights. It doesn't matter if the headlights can still project through the bicycle spokes, or if you are never going to drive at night. If you're from out of state you might avoid the ticket if the officer allows you to move the bikes, but where would you move them to?
Yeah. Just another example of how California law makers can come up with a law to cover just about anything.

[rmkrum]

Yeah, and they also prohibit attaching anything to the windshield, like a GPS on-glass mount. Even if it’s out of your login of sight. Even stickers have to be far down in the corners, or above the mirror mount. Can’t hardly move in the Golden State without getting busted...

[Al and Missy]

I had a front hitch on my F-150 and put one on my Ram 2500. Regarding the tongue weight issue, I got a caster wheel tongue jack foot from Harbor Freight but they don't carry it any more. Northern Tool has one:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...1784_200631784

I would back my trailer into rough position, put on the caster foot, disconnect, turn the truck around and re-hitch. Then I would raise the foot to put some of the load on the truck and put the trailer in final position.

Al

[switz]

Installed a Curt receiver on the front of my 2012 Ram 2500HD after driving off the dealers lot "just in case" along with the Curt 15069 receiver rated 2,550 pounds tongue weight and 17,000 pound trailer.