F-53 Front 2" Receiver Hitch

[max49]

I found an old 2017 thread but couldnt reply to it.

Does any one know if I can buy a bolt on Front hitch for the 2017 F-53 chassis?

I see them for all the F-15 through F-550 chassis. I hope some one makes one. MUch easier than fabricating from scratch.

Want to carry a couple of bikes up front because the back hitch is spoken for.

Thanks, Max

[US1]

Have you considered a dual hitch? I just got mine from Roadmaster a day ago. Allows me to use my bike rack in the upper tube, and tow my vehicle on the lower.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Get a toad rated rack and put the bikes on the back of the toad. That way you can take them with you if you want when you go exploring.

[HighDesert]

From what I recall on the Open Road I had, there is not much real estate in the front to attach a notch mount to. Better off, like others said, working from the back end to take bikes with you.

[max49]

Originally Posted by US1

Have you considered a dual hitch? I just got mine from Roadmaster a day ago. Allows me to use my bike rack in the upper tube, and tow my vehicle on the lower.

I thought about doing just this. But, my towbar and my bike carrier is about the same length. I thought the bikes and the front of my Jeep would very close if not touching, Then when I turned ,I thought something would get smushed.
Has this been a problem? Could you post a pic of your towed and bike carrier and bikes hooked up to your MH?
Thanks

[max49]

I already carry the bikes behind the Jeep road, but want to carry a small dual sport motorcycle there but also want to bring the bicycles.

[GypsyR]

I sure like the idea but the only way I can think to do this on a coach similar to mine would be to cut two largish holes through the fiberglass bumper to attach to the frame, something like a tow bar. Though my coach is fairly elderly and hardly pristine, the idea doesn't thrill me at all.

My lame solution to the same situation was folding bikes that can be stowed inside. A pretty lame substitute for a favorite ride, especially if you're into MTB or something. But on the bright side, you get to go bike shopping.

I'm all ears for better solutions myself.

[US1]

Originally Posted by max49

I thought about doing just this. But, my towbar and my bike carrier is about the same length. I thought the bikes and the front of my Jeep would very close if not touching, Then when I turned ,I thought something would get smushed.
Has this been a problem? Could you post a pic of your towed and bike carrier and bikes hooked up to your MH?
Thanks

No pics. I just got this 2 days ago. I’ll be using mine with a U Haul tow dolly. The tongue on the dolly is long enough that in a turn, my vehicle will swing in an radius large enough to miss the bike rack.

[max49]

Originally Posted by US1

No pics. I just got this 2 days ago. I’ll be using mine with a U Haul tow dolly. The tongue on the dolly is long enough that in a turn, my vehicle will swing in an radius large enough to miss the bike rack.

That may be a little different, I'd still like to see a picture when you get it hooked with the bikes, if you would.

If I could get bikes higher than the hood of the Jeep, that'd be ok; but that's a big if

[twinboat]

2 years ago i I mounted my 2 Ebikes on a carrier mounted to my tow dolly tongue. Spacing was critical because I have a north/south rear slide and didnt want to move the bikes for quick overnights. The taller bike handle bar sat over the hood of my toad. They didn't hit towing but when backing the empty dolly I had to be carefull.

Biggest issue was that it made it difficult to load the toad for travel. The bikes were in the way.

I have a E450 chassis with front hitchs available so this summer I installed a front hitch and an aluminum cargo carrier to carry the bikes. We pop off the front tires so they don't block the lights and cover them when overnighting.

If you can do it, you won't regret it.

[US1]

Something to consider. Are your bikes close to the RV when the bike rack is used alone or is there a fair amount of space that would allow the rack to be slid forward against the RV more? And with the dual hitch, your tow bar will be further away from the RV than normal. That would allow you to slide the bike rack forward more than normal. So your ‘same as’ distance will actually change to your advantage. I could cut my bike rack a good 10” shorter for additional clearance, but then id always have to use the dual hitch, which I prefer not to.

[GypsyR]

I have one of the "doubled" hitches where I can carry the bike rack and still tow something but I don't care to pull the toad that way. A lighter utility/motorcycle trailer I have no worries about though. Neither the doubler nor just the bike rack reach under my bulbous bumper so I have to use an extension. Between it and the doubler that's just one too many things for me to be pulling much weight. I cut and custom fit the extension to fit as short and snug as possible but still...

[Sweetbriar]

When I was taking bikes along for the trip I used a duel hitch on the coach but I also cut back the length of the rack tube and drilled a new pin hole to ensure the rack was clear of the tow bar vertical movement. This pushed the bikes closer to the rear cap of the coach which wasn't a problem. Probably cut off 4 or 5 inches. The bars are usually very long to make room to open a rear door without removing the rack.

This was back when I tow a late model Honda Accord Coupe that I didn't want to add a hitch receiver to it. Replaced the Accord with a CRV and move the bikes/rack to the back it. Then I replace the bikes with mini Segway(s) and gave away the bikes/rack.

[max49]

Thanks for posting Sweetbriar. I might could try that. It look pretty much out of the question to put a hitch on the front of my F-53

I pull a Wrangler with a hitch but I'm trying to get greedy and wants the bikes, but also a small dual sport motorcycle.