Best 2005 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty Front Receiver Hitches

Added to use with a front winch. The install was not too difficult and the included instructions were spot-on. On my F250, the front tow hooks add to the strength of holding the hitch to the frame. On the F250 you do lose the OEM fog light location, but I used the wiring to add/relocate after-market fog lights. The set up has already proven helpful, pulling me out of a snow back while plowing. Just what I needed for some summer off road camping as well.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I chose this product because it was among the more inexpensive front hitches I could find. I plan to build a t-bar for it and use it in conjunction with a homemade headache rack to carry 16 foot garage doors. Like other reviews and vids I have found, the bolt up is hard. I reversed the bolts and use the new ones on the outside, as well as removing my grill. My truck is a 2003 - so not much room like the 2008 and newer trucks.

Click to Enlarge

I buy practically all my towing accessories from etrailer. One of the reasons why is that you can tell that they take the feedback of their customers seriously. I read a lot about previously shipped products having fell out of the box in certain areas. etrailer heard that feedback and my shipping box was reinforced in just the right areas that were talked about getting punched through in shipping. The tech notes video on the 2012 F-250 applied exactly on my 2016 F-250. All the measurement specifications were correct as well. This is a job that can be done by one person, albeit you'll have to be careful. Your second set of hands can be jack stands, as it was in my case. If you take your time in positioning everything - installation will be a breeze. I do agree with previous reviews - it would be nice to have a second fishing wire as it does get stretched out when pulling the first bolt through. That, or a heavier duty gauged wire - that's just a small detail however. If you're really concerned about it, you can buy a secondary fishing wire at around 5 bucks. I spent more time taking out and putting back in body clips than I did with the install of the hitch receiver hardware. I really like the way it looks and I'm excited to use it.

Click to Enlarge

I plan on installing it tomorrow, however first impressions are not good. The box it item was shipped in was extremely damaged. Torn, ripped and taped up on all sides. The delivery person said that due to the sharp edges and the face it wasn't secured in the box (lose) led to the damage. It appears the item was not packaged properly. I just hope all the parts are there. More to follow.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I went with this hitch since I have an after market front bumper. I wasn’t sure if it was going to fit but since this hitch was a bolted connection it gave me 2 options to have a chance it would fit. One I received the package the box was damaged but all the hardware had been taken to the hitch, so everything was there. I installed the hitch by myself and took me about 2 hours but that was due to the aftermarket bumper and dealing with that hardware at the same time otherwise the install went smooth. Tha last phot is to show this hitch worked with this bumper.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Mounted this hitch about a year ago and really like it. We pull a fifth wheel camper so this affords us the ability to haul our bikes or kayaks(tall T stand) up front. Was easy to install and looks good to boot.

Click to Enlarge

Works good with my snow plows.

I just had a chance to finally get it mounted to my truck. The fit is perfect. I have never had any issues with anything that I’ve ever gotten from etrailer.

Unfortunately the item I wanted wasn't in stock at etrailer, but I had time before I wanted to install the item, a front mount hitch. The vendor was on time with supplying the hitch and etrailer shipped the hitch in a timely manner. It arrived yesterday evening and I installed it today. I've installed three front hitches, all from etrailer Curt and Draw-Tite I believe over the past few years. Two this year. The first picture is the front hitch on a 1998 E-450 class C motor home, the second picture is on a 2002 Ford F-350 pickup truck.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

The video explaining the install was very helpful, thank you! One additional step, which I had to do, REMOVE the front bumper. Four bolts, and it is off. This makes the removal of the front leaf spring nut MUCH easier, esp. if working alone. Now the disappointing part. My winch, which is a Re-Con, Brute force (17,500 lb rating) was half a hole short from being able to pin. I removed the winch carrying handles and the front licence plate. This allowed the stinger to slide forward in the receiver the extra little bit. It now fits fine. I have other vehicles the winch mounts on, so I elected to go this route and it will be fine. It is a bit of a pain, but only will have to deal with it once or twice per year. I just threw the plate in the front window in case I get pulled over. My truck has towing loops which extend through the bumper, so I can not slide the plate to the side of the winch.

Great customer service and product.

The quality and fit is exceptional. So much so that this is the third hitch assembly I've purchased and installed. This one was for my brother in-laws 1999 F350. I also put a 10k winch on a slider that works perfectly with this assembly. Other vehicles I purchased and installed assemblies on are a 2011 F350 and a 2016 Class C motorhome. Very happy.

Let me start by saying this is not the first front receiver I've purchased from etrailer all my trucks get front receivers for winches. This time though the box shows up on time but the corner is blown open and the receiver is hanging out. Also the bag of bolts has been ripped open and half the bolts are loose in the open box but to my surprise after counting everything, they were all there.spray foam packing would have mitigated all that. Moving on. Went to install the receiver and the end mounting plates are 1/4 inch too tight. Won't fit the frame rails. Had to spread each side 1/8 out with a Hydraulic bottle jack. Apparently using a jig during the manufacturing process is optional these days. After all that I finally got it to fit good. It looks good and the welds seem adequate. I think it could have been installed in an hour by myself if not for having to "adjust" it but was still done in under 2 hours.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Mounted the EcoHitch hidden front mount trailer hitch on 2011 Ford F 250 with a Ranch Hand Grill Guard. The Ranch Hand uses two of the same holes as the EcoHitch's four mounting holes. Getting the pieces lined up is a bit of a challeng although no modifacations were necessary.If I have the need to do it again I would let an installation shop do it. etrailer's customer service and commuication are excellent, shipping time and delivery were very fast.

Click to Enlarge

Easy installation, nice sturdy hitch that fits on the front of our C- Class RV to haul our electric bikes. Highly recommend it.

Click to Enlarge

I ordered this literally less than 24 hours ago and it arrived to my doorstep!!! I think etrailer needs to call Amazon and tell them how it is done. Like honestly, I am not even prepared to put it on yet as I was expecting a week for delivery! Holy cow, do you all sell groceries as well?

Got this on my 2006 2500 Ram. I did avoid drilling the holes over 1 inch (suggested in the directions) by loosening the bumper bolts and prying out some brackets in the frame ends temporarily (just to get the bolts fished thru). I pushed the brackets back in after getting the bolts in place (and believe the bumper bolts will squeeze them to hold them), but I did bend some tabs that I can't get back to original. My bumper bolts on the driver side wouldn't go in far enough (hitting a cooler) to be totally flush for a completely vertical lift into place, so I had to swing it up there first, then do the passenger side. The first pair of bolt fishing went good, but then I had trouble getting the wires off the bolts (they were tight enough that the more I tried to twist them off, the tighter they gripped it). So instead of them coming off like twisting a nut off, I ended up peeling them off (with the bolts staying stationary and my peeling the wire around them). That slightly bent the wires so they were slightly bigger than the threads and while fishing the second set, the wire didn't stay in the threads and jammed the bolt in the hole a bit (but I still got them in place). So watch how you treat the fishing wires until done. I already have a winch mounted on a hitch bracket, but may use this for more things besides that.

Click to Enlarge

It wasn't fun to install by myself, but managed to do it in a few hours. Worked out great so far, I've hauled motorcycles on hitch carrier for about 2k miles so far and had no problems.

Click to Enlarge

Ordered the same hitch from Amazon, and showed up not J-Pin ready, with (1) hole drilled for a hitch pin against the weld. Can't run the nut flush because of the interference with the weld bead, and no 7/16" hole present. Returned it. Ordered another one from etrailer direct. Called in the order to make sure they QC'd prior to shipping. Assured me they would. Box never opened, and the same nonsense showed up. Not happy, trying to work it out.

Fit Perfectly, super easy to install, and super fast shipping! Holds Hollywood Bike Rack Great and very solid for my two E-bikes. Thank you etrailer!

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Road tested 4000 miles & off-road, Solid, Great ! I always wanted a front hitch, it is rad ! We had a great experience across the board. Ordered the front hitch mount and had a mechanic (Weld Tech/San Diego) install it, because they already had our van to install their lift kit. They charged me one hour labor. I can see that it fits well and is solid. We went on a 4000 mile adventure with a small motorcycle on the front hitch. etrailer has been a good source for for a few things now.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I own a 2003 Ford E-450 RV cutaway and wanted a front hitch to carry our bicycles since our rear hitch is used for a trailer. I originally tried to mount the equivalent Curt front hitch, because of its cheaper cost, onto the vehicle. However, the Curt hitch wouldn't work because it can't adequately accommodate the slight downward hump in the truck's frame. This hump can barely be seen between the two hitch mounting bolts. The hump is on both the left and right side frame rails on my vehicle. If your frame is not totally flat (has even a small hump) you cannot use the Curt hitch. The Curt's small indentation on its mounting flange will not adequately accommodate the frame's hump. This Draw-Tite hitch, 65001, mounted perfectly on my vehicle and the installation procedures I used were exactly as depicted in the etrailer video for the E350 van. In the video, the technician uses a rotary file to expand the rearward holes to allow the insertion of the bolts. I had to do the same thing and bought a rotary file for my drill at my local home improvement store for less than $3. I did not have to use the rotary file on the forward holes. In addition, I have the larger Roadmaster front sway bar and steering stabilizer and as you can tell in the photo, there is plenty of room for the hitch.

Click to Enlarge

The hitched arrived three days early and I was able to install it in less than 2 hrs with a little help from my wife and a floor jack. Perfect fit!! No shimms necessary Vwrry happy.

The hitch installed easily on the front of my truck and has given me more versatility in using my truck. In the summer I carry 3 bikes on a hitch rack when I go camping. I also hook up a 12000 lb. winch when needed. Sometimes I use the front hitch when moving my boat. This is a very sturdy and reliable hitch. Etrailer customer service is excellent.

Click to Enlarge

Needed a front hitch for a 2006 Ridgeline Honda truck. I found it on etrailer.com and a better price for same hitch on another online store. As I talked with the customer service agent, I was also offered a discount which was quite a surprise. Shipping was very fast. Had it installed on my truck so I could attach a mounting hitch and snow blade. I am extremely happy with this hitch and etrailer.com.

We live just south of Buffalo and Put this on our '11 Honda Ridgeline with a snowsport plow and a week later it snowed, and snowed and snowed... 5 feet in 24 hours and it's still snowing.... It's not good.... It's AWESOME! Not one driveway or even our street is clear... Except ours. It was easy to put together , easy to install and works exactly like it's advertised! It's November and it paid for itself already. Communication with etrailer was exceptional. We could not be happier with the whole setup.

Click to Enlarge

Just what I was looking for. Thank you.

I ordered these two, front and rear for a 1990 GEO Tracker 4 wheel drive that I am rebuilding. I believed they would fit, I finally got around to mounting them and they don't fit, to large. I think I have had them to long to return them.

After a year of having this on my truck I can say that I wish I did it sooner! The installation is easy as can be. The hitch is super handy as both a tow point and also as a kind of skid plate/bumper. I have contacted multiple ecology blocks and other objects in my truck, the hitch is the first thing to touch so nothing on the truck gets damaged! This is a super strong, affordable, and versatile addition to any vehicle!

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

VERY Easy install - not quite centered but that's no biggie - Used it already to fine tune the travel trailer into it's tight parking space. Also will be used for carhauler/utility trailer parking and canoe hauling and bike hauling and winch mount - Multi use deal! ; )

Click to Enlarge

Awsome product!!! I use this front mount hitch a lot, mostly surf fishing at the beach using an attachment to carry a large cooler and fishing rods. I also use a winch that attaches too. Thanks etrailer.com

Click to Enlarge

LOL!!! You want my opinion on this product? Well the first day was a four hour nightmare! The second day took 10 minutes to mount and tighten the bolts.. Here's why. The manufacturer gives you absolutely no instruction on how to align and raise the 40 plus pound hitch up and into place all the while dealing with a pivoting sway bar mount. Now remember, you have to align three separate hole patterns to get the mounting bolts on. Trying to do this "free hand" is impossible. BUT if you align the hitch mount on top of the sway bar mount aligning the holes up and clamping it in place with two small vice grips, then raise the two separate pieces together with a small floor jack centered to the assembly, it raises up directly in line with the frame mount holes. Presto..... your there.

Great products, great prices, fast shipping and a great company to do business with. Easy install, and it took longer to trim the air dam than installing the hitch.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Terrible, they sent the wrong hitch and now want me to pay shipping for the return

It wasn't hard to install, instead of the wire I used two pen sized telescoping magnets to wriggle them in the square holed plates. My plans are to use this hitch in place of tow hooks. Good looks and sturdy!

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I didn’t know how much I would need this until I moved into my new house just yesterday. The garage door is much shorter at our new house, 7 foot vs. 9 feet. Using the front hitch and a 5 1/2 drop hitch, I have about two inches of clearance when putting my boat in our new garage. Without the front hitch I would have been able to get the boat in the garage. Not to mention how much more the trailer is to steering inputs, the garage is much narrower that our old one. If you have a tight spot to park something this will make your life much easier! Installation was simple and instructions well written. The tool to install the mounting bolts is a brilliant idea.

I bought this after years of struggling to get a race trailer in the backyard. When I decided to move it about 12 feet to the right, I knew there was no way my F350 4X4 crew-cab could make the tight turns that would be required. After being able to position it on the first try, I realized I should have bought it 20 years ago. The installation took two tries. Not sure if it because I’m 66 or trying to do it by myself. The key for me was to hook a couple of straps to it, unbolt it, and then put the bumper on the engine compartment. The first attempt was by trying to do everything from the backside. Once I removed the bumper completely, I was able to do everything from the from, so I was not completely blind in installing the two side bolts. The straps not only made it easier to reinstall it, they were useful in pulling up on side to level it. I will be buying my son one for his 2016 F150 4X4

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Package shipped and arrived quickly. Install was relatively easy, but took longer as the bolts were actually larger (7/8") - and I did not have a shallow socket for it that was also 1/2" drive for my torque wrench. I also needed remove the grill cover to have enough throw to tighten back on the bumper after the hitch was bolted on (which blocked access from the bottom). I would recommend getting some 9/16" shank carriage bolts to help align and secure the front flange while tightening the sides to the frame. I used a floor jack on level pavement to raise the hitch into position. Overall - it looks great and functions well. Very stout and strongly built with superb welds and finish. This will make getting smaller trailers into tight spaces MUCH more easier and less of a headache/embarrassment. Plus it's also another point for recovery as an option for 4x4 or overlanding, and I also added a step to the front of it which makes accessing the back of the engine bay easier.

I installed this on the front of a 2018 F350. Fit an finish is great. Install was easy and directions simple to follow. Having another set of hands was very helpful, else it would be a balancing act I imagine. No drilling needed except for the cutout in the valence. My use is a cargo basket for four bikes and a kayak rack when pulling my fifth wheel. I have a receiver splitter that allows me to have both the basket and Yak rack mounted at the same time. Load up the toys and go...

Click to Enlarge

A tight fit with the bash plates on my 2023 Ford F250. I also cut a 3 inch square air dam hole instead of 3 1/2. But had to extend the top of the hole due to the slope of the dam. The hitch pin hole barely clears the air dam. The hitch pin clip will rub on the air dam.