Best Ford F-250 and F-350 Heavy Duty Front Receiver Hitches

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

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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.

Have used it a few times last fall to carry a cooler and fishing rod cart on the beach. So far have not had to use as a recovery to get pulled out of sand or pull another vehicle with the tow strap loop attachment that I bought as an additional accessory. The top mount on the bumper was ideal since gives more clearance than below bumper mount when in the sand. Keeps the cart up high. The paint on the hitch is very nice.

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The item was packaged poorly causing me to have to touch up prior to installation. Large box with no stuffing causing the item to rattle around. Probably got scratched on staples in the center of the box that served no purpose. The installation instruction were unclear and contained errors. There we multiple washers and you had to guess as to where to use them. Instructions showed bolts installed where there on holes

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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

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.

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I bought this receiver to add front mounted 'accessories' on my 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. I plan on using this to add an extra bicycle rack, a cargo basket, a receiver mounted winch or other 'accessories' needed for my Jeep when I take my family camping. It will also be useful for "front launching" a boat or parking a trailer in tight spots. It took me about an hour to install, although I had already previously removed the lower wind deflector cowling, so did not have to spend time removing it or cutting it for a finished look. Detaching and moving the top trim panel between the grill and the bumper is a must to facilitate the installation. The receiver fits pretty close, although you do have to manipulate it to get the holes to line up with the frame. Follow the instructions and do not tighten any of the bolts until you get it lined up and all the bolts in loosely, then torque it down. As noted in the instruction sheet, the driver's side of the receiver does not sit flush against the frame, there is about a 1/4" to 5/8" gap. The instructions say to use the extra split washers (in the kit) as filler, but they would just rattle around loose in there and provide any benefit, so I omitted them. Once tightened down, the receiver tube was not parallel to the ground, it is slightly higher in the front, sloping towards the rear. It is not off enough to affect my intended use, but may be bothersome to those with type 'A' attention to detail. Overall a good product that will add a lot of flexibility to my Jeep~

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Relatively easy install. Just have to be mechanically inclined. We use the hitch to carry a fish rack/cooler on a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. So far so good.

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

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im very satisfied with my front receiver. ive used it as a recovery point,to move trailers, and as a mount for bike rack and cargo holder. if i had a winch platethat would be very handy too. etrailerhad a fair price, quick shipping, and overall great customer service. i would use them again andrecommend to a friend as well.

How it was received; either is was mail destroyed or UPS did this in the process. No telling what parts are missing, waiting for UPS to come pick this and E-Trailer to send out replacement. I thought these product would be packaged better from the factory for shipping resilience.

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Of the many hitch receivers I have purchased, the front mounted ones have never failed to surprise me of their usefulness! From bike racks, to carrier for coolers, to my chainsaws, gas and oil, they make it work. Recently while cutting wood for a hunting lease engagement, I put a second ball on the front and used it to drive a 16' trailer up a hill to get the wood where it was needed for offloading. Backing it up had resulting in damaged trucks, trailers and numerous attempts. Using the front hitch it was a one and done deal! Love it! I have even used it to pull trees over when felling. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the uses! If you have ever thought about it, just stop and order! You won't regret it!

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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.

Fits perfect and works just as I needed it to. I use it for my SnowSport plow set-up on a 2022 Gladiator Sport Max Tow. I’ve been using front receivers for this same plow for the last 24 years. It’s been used on 5 different trucks and this front receiver mount plow is the BEST. *** When installing on a Gladiator(possibly the Wrangler as well), the front plastic trim below the bumper needs to be cut for receiver clearance. I wanted a tight and “factory looking” install, so I took my time with a vibrating cutter and very sharp utility knife. After trying to put it back in place, the hole is not just square, it’s shaped more like. “T”. I suggest you make small adjustments/cuts as you go forward. It may take several times fitting and cutting to get it right and tight, but in the end it does look like it came that way from JEEP. On the Max Tow package, there is also a metal skid plate that does not get reinstalled. Unfortunately that piece is where the back of the plastic fascia mounts. I ended up securing it with some long heavy-duty zip-ties and it’s worked well for a year now. Just an FYI for those installing the same receiver on their same vehicle.

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Product shipped and received on time. I'm very happy with the packaging. Hardware was included with instructions to install the hitches I purchased.

Great product,easy installation and dealing with etrailer has been a real good experience.

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

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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.

It installed as advertised and fits perfectly. I haven't used it yet, but it will make positioning my trailer in my backyard much easier!

Would like to just take a moment To thank etrailer for getting our draw tight front mount hitch and our swagman bike rack to us. It certainly solved our problem. For sometime we have wanted to take bikes camping with us and have not had a proper place to haul them. The camper has a molded bumper and I certainly didn't want to haul them in the camper. So my hat off to you on both products

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Very easy to install. works great for bike rack and generator box.

After struggling with the answering menu, Steve Z. was instrumental in locating a hitch to fit my van which was not specifically identified in any data search. Weird year, 2005, of popular Chevy Express van, my luck! Using manufacturers dimensions I purchased #31016 on 12/21 and it arrived on 12/24. It's a very well built, USA built, unit. It arrived rapidly, but was missing half of the mounting hardware. The remainder of the hardware was rolling around in the box. Zip lock baggie ripped apart spilling them. I used a hydraulic jack to elevate hitch into place, and an additional jack to push the drill up to drill the 6 mounting holes necessary. No factory hole alignment. All the nuts for the bolts were lost in transit, but by a Christmas day miracle, I found 2 metric nuts to fit supplied bolts that survived the delivery. I will acquire, and install remaining missing 4 tomorrow. The installation went smooth and easy using this technique. It took around 3 hours with much of the time searching for hardware.' Thanks Steve Z. and etrailer. .

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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!

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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! ; )

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This hitch came quickly and I believe was priced fairly for what you get. Unfortunately, as some other have posted, this hitch is intended for my vehicle (1996 Ford E350 RV) but did not fit correctly. I had a problem with the front holes not being spaced far enough apart for the bolts to fit. The rearmost bolts go into a oversized and slotted hole in the underside of the frame so there was no problem with those, but the front holes in the frame have to be drilled out to 17/32" for the supplied 1/2" bolts per the included directions, and I couldn't get the bolts in both sides. The bolt holes in the hitch needed to be approximately 1/4" further apart. Also, there is a relief cut out of the hitch that I assume is to miss a bump on the under side of the frame. This cut out is in the wrong location to miss the bump in the frame. I went ahead and torched the slot for the bolt a little longer on one side and made the cut out for the frame bump bigger on both sides. A little grinding, a little touch-up paint, and back on she went. Had to notch the lower plastic valance just a little bit to clear the receiver, which was expected. Actually had to cut it a lot less than I thought I would. The two safety chain loops sit right under the valance, but I don't for see the need to hook anything to those, so I opted to not hack up the valance at this time. I intend to put a bike rack on the front, and also use the hitch to get drug onto the beach at Pismo from time to time. Hopefully the cuts I made don't weaken the hitch for that purpose. The directions call for this to be a 20 minute install. Granted, I took off the bumper, but even if I hadn't, and the hitch was fitted correctly, I find it hard to believe anybody could get this done in anywhere near that time. As another reviewer said, now that it's on, I'm a happy camper, but it was a little bit of a job to get there.

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The hitch is good quality but the hole pattern did not match my 2011 E150 Ford Van. The rear bolts fall in the access hole. I have to drill 3/4 holes in the frame instead of 17/32". I have to remove the whole front bumper because the accesshole is to small for the 1/2 carriage bolt.