Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

by: Mkiester07/26/2020

Tow Vehicle Front Mounted Generator
September 10, 2019

Short version:

I mounted a 2750 watt Arksen generator on a front mounted hitch on my 2010 six cylinder Ford Explorer. The generator interference with the air flow to radiator did not seem to unduly overload the cooling system even on the two mountain passes approaching Death Valley from the West up long 6% grades in 115 degree temperatures. I did have to turn off the air conditioner once and the cooling fan did engage. This climb was at the end of an 8000 mile trip from Oklahoma to Michigan to Washington State, down US 395 to Death Valley. My normal cruising speed was 60 mph pulling a 17 foot Casita. The generator was about 15 inches in front of my bumper. It reduced the approach angle but pulling a Casita was never an issue. I weighed and the front axle was still under max load. Sound readings at 23 feet were 66-68 dB and 56 dB at rear of trailer. It was inaudible in the trailer over the noise of the AC, there was a small amount of vibration. I am quite pleased with the installation and would recommend it.

2017 17’ Spirit Deluxe

Longer version:

I bought a 2750 watt Asksen generator for my 2017 17 foot Spirit Casita. I chose it because it had a 124 cc engine and 171 % more wattage than the full load of the air conditioner (ac). Coleman recommends 150% to start an air conditioner.
I have a 6 cylinder 2010 Ford Explor(d)er SUV and did not want to either carry the genset in the back nor load and unload it. I opted to mount the genset on the front of the Tow Vehicle (TV) using a front hitch..

I had concerns about:

Over loading the front axles
Reducing cooling air flow and over heating
Reduced approach angle
Extending too far forward
Security
Voltage drop to rear of vehicle.
Unacceptable noise level

None of these concerns were found to be a problem.

I easily installed a 2 inch front mounted hitch, and then built a carrier for the generator similar to a luggage carrier. I raised the carrier platform 5 inches above the hitch tube, permanently mounted the genset to the platform crossways to reduce the increased forward clearance about 5 inches ahead of the bumper. This added about 120 lb to the front axle although the genset only weight 67 lb.


I ran 10 gage wire from the genset to the rear bumper along the frame terminating in a 20 amp water resistant outside receptacle eliminated significant voltage drop. I chose a 20 amp receptacle because it has both 15 and 20 amp pins and can be used for other application than the 30 amp Casita without an adaptor. Surge output of the genset is about 23 amps. Running is about 16 amps.



The platform was 1’x1’x1/8 angle iron the sized slightly more of the exterior (21.4” x 11.4” x 17.7”) of the genset. I wielded expanded metal to the frame then cut to fit a piece of 3/8’ plywood. The plywood was to protect the open bottom of the genset from water and road debris. I then removed the bolts that secured the genset ‘feet’ to the frame of genset and replaced them with bolts that were long enough to attach the genest to the plywood, motor mounts and expanded metal. I fashioned motor mounts for the underside of the plywood from a tube of silicon calk that had set in the tube by cutting ½” slices on a table saw. I left the plastic tube around the silicon mount but think this is not necessary. I used the proper size fender washers and tightened the bolt just enough to start deforming the silicon.


As a safety precaution, I ratchet strapped the genset to the platform. I wielded 1” square tubing
on the front of the platform high enough so I could see about an inch above the hood to remind me I had the genset on and how far forward it was.

I mounted the control side of the genset toward the vehicle and fashioned a cover for it which I bungee corded at the bottom of the genset. The 5” distance is just enough to see and manipulate the controls


.
I have put over 8000 miles on the TV with the genset in this configuration. It has not caused any cooling problems. The cooling fan does start in some conditions but the radiator still had the capacity to cool keeping the coolant temperature in the middle of the range. Climbing over the 8200’ passes into Death Valley in 115 degrees at 45 mph the only action I had to take was once turning off the air conditioner.

Decibel readings were taken at 23 feet at the front of the TV and proved to be:

To the Right 68 dB
In front 67 dB
To the Lert 66 dB
Rear of trailer 56 dB

Inside the trailer the AC covered any genset noise.

The approach angle was reduced but when pulling the Casita I do not need that much approach angle. Mount is higher than curbs so angle parking or against a curb is not an issue.

I have not found it extends too far forward, ie, I have not bumped anything…. yet

The security issue is the theft of the whole carrier, or removing the genset. The cover reduces its visibility. The four bolts through the platform to the genset make unbolting it unappealing. The ratchet strap is a deterrent. I used a self locking nut to secure the bolt through the carrier and hitch tube. A castinated nut might add some more deterrent. I secured the platform to the frame of the hitch with a locking cable, making sure the lock in is a hard to get to place. A determined thief can steal anything, but an opportunist thief may not take the time.

Future project will be to figure a way to extend the run time. The genset has an automotive type filler cap. I have modified a filler cap so a hose run through it and into the gas tank from a 2 gallon gasoline can. My idea is, as the fuel tank empties, it will pull fuel from the gas can.

I would also like a way to remotely turn off the genset, perhaps a Bluetooth activated switch.

So far with only a few hours running the genset I am pleased with the installation and performance.

2017 Casita 17 Spirit
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Once again, dealing with etrailer has been a pleasure. The hitch fit perfectly and I could not be happier. The quality is excellent and the price was great. The shipping service was also outstanding. Thanks so much.441362

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Package arrived on time, but damaged. Hitch was all scuffed up. Installation was a little difficult, definitely need an extra set of hands. The fish wire is difficult to line up on some holes. Once completed it tucks up to the front air dam nicely. 690529

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by: Adrian Drenalin 09/14/2016

2008 Ford Explorer

I drive a 2008 Ford Explorer sports Trac with the adrenalin package. the 2 inch hitch mounted perfectly under the front chassis although I had to do a slight modification to the front body due to the adrenalin package. The front hitch is to utilize a snow plowing package that I have in which part of the snow plowing package goes into the 2 inch receiver mounted in the front of the truck so now I have a 2 inch receiver in front and in back. All in all I'm very happy with this 2 inch front mounted receiver and it will give me years of favorable work.294595

by: Denny S04/02/2020

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

I installed the front hitch on a 2018 Chevy 1500. I use it to hook to my pontoon boat and trailer then I’m able to see clearly to the front when I put it in my garage. No looking in mirrors, no looking backwards. Work great for my use!773533

Item looks great,. Shipped fast. Good price. Now I have to figure out how to mount it to my brush guard. That uses the same holes in the frame and the bottom bar is in the perfect spot where a 2" receiver could go.612880

Excellent service and product. 1053070

by: Anthony11/16/2018

No problems what so ever
Easy install and has work flawlessly for my front rack system583234

This was the perfect product for the solution I needed! It works great!!64629

by: Edward 03/27/2021

995916