Best Ford Escape Front Receiver Hitchs

This what just what I wanted and needed for my 2008 Ford Escape. I was looking for a front hitch so I could use my snow sport HD plow going forward instead of reverse. I couldn't be happier, it was a bit slow going installing the hitch because of the provided curt instructions, but it was pretty straight forward once your looking at the underside of the SUV. Nothing in the instructions ironically stated that you had to basically disassemble the entire front end of the car, bumper and grill. Hilariously it did say you had to cut your bumper to make room for the hitch, mine went right in with no modification required. Overall from start to finish install took around 2-1/2 hours but my car has wny rust from 8 or 9 years of winter salt. Overall extremely happy with this purchase, and customer service while ordering was great.

Great product and it was exactly what I needed. I used it for a 2010 Mazda Tribute.

I had ordered a rear hitch receiver for my 2010 Ford Escape a few years back and was very pleased with the application and use I've gotten from it. This Curt front mount receiver was a breeze to install and I will be using it primarily for my snow plow on my '89 Jeep Cherokee, which matched up perfectly. Thanks for providing good products and service.

Great value and well built. Easy to install, and a great solution for a front recovery point.

1. Not sure why the box needs to be so big for this hitch? This hitch is long and narrow, but the box looks like it’s for a 55-inch TV! What a waste. There is so much room in the box, the hitch was not secured, broke loose and penetrated the box. The hitch had some minor damage. Not worth to return it. 2. I read reviews from other web sites that this hitch and or the truck may need to be modified to get the hitch to fit. This is true for me. I had to cut and file notches on the driver’s side frame bumper plate to get the new hitch bolts to line up. 3. Overall, if it wasn’t for the modification, it would have been an easy install.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

First time I used it, my F-250 was knee-high mud, the Draw Tite held together and with the winch pulled me out, so I need another one for my F-150. 110% Satisfied, highly recommend it.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

It is a 5 star product. Only loss of the star is for les then ideal installation instructions. 1. no video like in other products. not critical if the rest was better 2. Step 4 ends with "Remove hitch and re-install under body panels." I find this very impractical as installing the hitch after words was very and unnecessarily difficult. It was quite simple just install the hitch, then trim the front spoiler per instructions (accurate) and then fit the right and left side under body panels. They are flexible and easy to fit with the hitch installed. Otherwise, I will continue shopping etrailer.

Click to Enlarge

Got the hitch in great time. Install was accomplished in about 75 minutes. Would recommend using a lift for easier access and install. I would have hated to have to lay on my back on the ground to do the install.

Click to Enlarge

etrailer gave very good service at a good price! I couldn’t believe how fast this front hitch for my 2021 Silverado was at my door. It was so easy to install,45 minutes in my driveway, with no issues. Great step by step instructions. I elected to just take the lower valance off and probably leave it off instead of cutting a hole in it, at least for now. This is my third truck that I have had with a front hitch on it and it is so nice for backing my pontoon boat or my 28’ enclosed snowmobile trailer into difficult places! As long as I have a trailer I would not be without a front hitch on my truck. Some people don’t understand “why a front hitch?” They have never used one and if they did they would know and understand why. Thank You etrailer.com

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Nice looking hitch, however the instructions could be improved and the pictures depicting the instructions were almost unable to view. For what the hitch costs how about some understandable color pics. The reciver is very low @8" off the ground on my 4wd. Could be re designed for more ground clearance. I'm sure ill have problems with the clearance issue

It was very easy easier than I thought it took me less than 30 minutes I took advice of someone else who purchased one and installed it they recommended taking off the bumper which which was also quick and easy. I'm in New York and it arrived in 3-4 days.

Quick delivery! Box had a hole in it, but everything was there. Only downside was fishwire that was supplied was no where long enough to fit between the hole on the outside of the frame of my 2004 RAM 1500 and the three bolt holes in the frame. Cut an access hole in front of the 3 bolt holes on each frame piece starting from an existing slot in the frame to fish in the hardware and all was good. Use it to push a SnowSport plow. Works perfect.

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 Front Hitch Model 65001 is a Perfect fit on my Ford E350 based RV. I drive a 2005 Pleasureway RD. The front hitch allows me to put the extra storage weight such as Bicycles Racks, Tow mounted Winch or Storage box on the front suspension which gives better steering stability for Rear heavy RV vehicles. The installation was a breeze! I am 67 years old and I had no trouble installing the hitch while lying on my back without jacking up the vehicle with the hitch on my chest and your clever bolt feed system. Unpacking to final torque down of the bolts took 30 minutes by myself. I did not have to cut or remove anything from under the chassis. The holes aligned perfectly! It has been a year of use and it has no problems.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I am very happy with my Curt front mount trailer hitch receiver which I use for my rod and cooler holder for surf fishing. It is well constructed and assures me of many years of use. I would recommend Curt to anyone who would like a well built front hitch.

If I could mark it at 4.5 stars I would. I like it the hitch. I think it hangs down too low, only 8" off the pavement. I did not like to have to take off the tow hooks to install the hitch. I did like the idea of I sold the tow hooks for almost as much as I paid for the hitch. I had to buy a hitch extender. ( I do not see the extender I bought on etrailer listed any more.) The extender put the hitch out far enough to clear the grill guard that I had installed. My goal was to have a place to mount my 8,000 pound winch. I can now slide the winch in the front receiver or the back factory receiver. I can now pull the truck out from either front or back.

Click to Enlarge

I had some difficulty lining up the bolts but suspect that is my issue rather than the product. So far I have only used it once for a camping trip with a rack designed for an ATV (rack is offset for ground clearance) and that worked well. I also plan to use for a small bike rack when 4 bike rack in back is overloaded. Puts more utility in my SUV, always a good thing.

Great service from etrailer, not so good manufacturing by Curt. The following advise is for a 2007 Honda Ridgeline. I purchased this hitch in order to push my 21 foot travel trailer into a tight parking area at the side of my house where reversing it in with the tow vehicle is difficult. Be aware that the mounting holes on this hitch do not quite match, they are slightly off, enough to make mounting a problem that may lead to damaged bolts or even cross threaded bolts. Do yourself a favor and get a 1/4" round file, then file the two elongated holes on the center flange towards the forward edge and away from the hitch receiver to make them longer. Then file the two mounting holes on each of the outer flanges inwards toward the center or hitch receiver tube and elongate them. Dry fit the hitch making sure the bolts go into the threads easily, they are fine pitch and are easily cross threaded and damaged, make sure they ALL go into the chassis nuts without trouble because in the final assembly you will also be dealing with the splash guard, which will be hampering your final assembly.

I chose Draw-tite because they are built very well and this one is no different. The welds are done well and I have no fear that this product will serve me well. The install wasnt to bad for a DIY type like me and the fit was excellent, only took a few hours. Knowing that I can now be pulled out of a bad situation or pull someone else out is comforting with the help of a hitch mounted winch. The Price was right and etrailer shipped it out fast although packing could use a smaller box . Oh yeah, UPS sure tested the toughness of this receiver ! . Great product and great service from etrailer

Click to Enlarge

Excellent quality, good fit, was very easy to install and only the two holes to drill into the Jeep frame.

Click to Enlarge

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

Very pleased! Quick shipping and the hitch fit well. Only problem (on Ford, NOT etrailer!) was that several of the bolts/nuts were hard to torque due to the positioning of the holes. Do-able but it took a while! I've purchased several other hitches from etrailer and never any problems! I would definitely recommend etrailer to anyone!

I purchased this for a 2000 Chevrolet Express van. I ran into van problems it seems. One hole wasn't drilled... and when I went to the other side to bolt on the old sway bar brackets were in a different place and smaller size. I've never ran into anything like that. But I got it done. The Curt Hitch Receiver Itself was fine. and now it's tight like it should be to the frame. Great service and shipping with the order process.

The product works great. However, I was told that this front hitch receiver would bolt to existing holes on my 98 Four winds RV. That was not true, so installation was double the cost of what was estimated by the shop I took it to.

Click to Enlarge

I have had the front receiver hitch installed on my 1996 Suburban for about a year now. I have a 12000 lb winch installed using that receiver hitch. I have gotten stuck twice and had to use the winch to extract the truck. Very glad that I have the front receiver hitch as it made putting on the winch very easy. Also useful for mounting a receiver mount bicycle rack to the front as well.

Click to Enlarge

The hitch is well built but simply too low (when mounted) to be of much practical use. Ideally the receiver needs to be at the same level as the bumper.

Have been waiting to see this hitch first hand And was amazed by how well constructed it was.Easy to install.All the hardware and instructions in the box.Now I can use my winch for hunting season with tons of ground clearance and move the boat into tight spots myself.Thanks to etrailer.com for this great product.5Product Review for

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

First of ALL etrailer was outstanding. They kept me in loop on back order. THANK YOU this is for a 2021 F250 4x4 crew cab As far as the hitch...well the instructions need some serious updates for 2021 super duty. The hitch was 1/4" short to fit between frame rails, so i had to add shims to bring it in snug. the whole thing can be put on without removing the bumper. I removed the lower valance and both pass and driver bumper supports bolts at the frame and then loosened (not removed) the main 8 bolts to give me 3/4 inch wiggle room that allowed me to reach into frame to add the hitch mount bolts and torque them, this was wonderful and saved me some time. the plastic trim panels around the tow hooks are a bugger to get off, but patience will prevail if you gently slide a no scratching thin blade screwdriver in to release the two plastic locks then the other clips will snap right out once i had all the plastic cut to allow room for the hitch, i raised it up to the frame and used 12" 3/8 socket extension bars to slide through frame as well as hitch bolt holes to hold it in place while i installed the lower and one side bolt on each side. made it a cinch to adjust and get centered and add shims.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Okay, first things first. I installed this hitch on a 2006 4Runner, even though the hitch wasn't specifically for that model year (Curt says the hitch fits 2007-09 4Runners). The 2006 4Runner's front tow hooks are angled down, which is a requirement for this hitch to fit (see the picture). One snag I ran into was that the four bolt holes along the top of the hitch didn't quite line up with the bolts on my 4Runner (the holes were not quite far enough apart) so I took the hitch to a machinist who elongated the holes for me. I don't know if this mismatch was a manufacturing defect in the hitch, or whether it was due to the difference between a 2006 4Runner and the 2007-09 models. Once I fixed the hole spacing, the hitch installed fine. Seems like a solid hitch. Planning to use it to push a trailer around when parking it.

Click to Enlarge

I installed this on my 2008 Toyota 4runner in order to back my pop up camper down an inclined very tight drive. It was difficult to use the rear hitch because I did not have enough room to straighten out the 4runner. I did it with the front hitch on the first try! My wife says it saved our marriage! Putting the camper away was the most stressful part of the trip before this. I did need to buy a longer ball hitch of a different height because the front hitch sits lower and further under the bumper. Etrailer quickly shipped exactly what I ordered

Click to Enlarge

Perfect fit, quick and easy installation. Only took 25 minutes by myself. I would highly recommend this hitch. Plan using it for bike hitch, winch, cargo platform, etc.

Click to Enlarge

I gave this hits only 4 stars since all of the available information indicated it would bolt right on to my 2003 Avalanche 1500 (All Models) with no modification, but it wasn't quite that simple. First off, my Avalanche has the plastic cladding. The end brackets of the hitch push the bottom of the air dam under the bumper down a bit and make it bow out. I had to remove the bracket that secured the air dam to the center of the frame. I mounted the hitch in the upper position since I didn't want it to be so low, and the receiver ends up being 8" back from the bumper facia. I had to order an 8" extension to bring it out past the bumper. Other than that, I'm happy with the hitch. I just wish the fitment guide was a little more specific.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge