# 1
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
Overall I love the front hitch and it's fit on my 2017 RAM 3500. There's been some reviews talking about the packaging and also about the installation, so here's my experience. The box was sturdy and was shipped via UPS. It arrives undamaged. There was some extra carboard added across the top of the box presumably to help protect the receiver. When I opened the box I noticed that one of the brackets was slightly bent. I thought this may have happened during shipping, so I placed the receiver in my bench vice and gently brought it back to square. DON'T DO THIS. It appears the slight bend in the bracket is intentional. The receivers fits very snugly to the truck frame so that bend it to make installation easier. When I tried to install the receiver it was so tight I could not get it up into the truck frame. I ended up bending it back out of square (about 1/4" on each side). After I re-bent the brackets slightly it fit great. When you torque down the blots the brackets come back to square and everything was perfect. My only minor criticism is with the instructions tell you to cut out a portion of the lower plastic deflector on your truck. The instructions tell you to cut a piece that is 4/25" wide. It doesn't need to be that wide for this truck - it could have been the same width as the 2" receiver. It's not a huge deal, but if you want a really tight fit on your deflector, then just cut it smaller. The whole process, including the extra unnecessary bracket bending, took me about 2 hours to complete on my own. I used jack stands to support the bracket during the install, but an extra pair of hands would have made the process much quicker.
This hitch is definitely heavy duty and mounts securely. It does not block airflow to the radiators or interfere with the bumper proximity sensors. It deserves 5 stars from that perspective. But I give it 4 stars because unfortunately the distance between the side plates was 3/4" too narrow to rotate into place. It would not clear the frame rails, brackets, and spacers. Actually it wouldn't even clear the frame rails alone. My son and I read the instructions many times and experimented with every possible angle (which is a major hassle while supporting the hitch under the truck) and finally took the matter into our own hands. We used a high lift jack situated between the side plates to bend them outward. Then the hitch fit perfectly. Getting the bumper lined back up was another headache, but not because of the hitch.
# 2
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
I lucked out and didnt have to remove any bolts. Previous owner had a plow on the truck so my hitch bolted right in. Only issue is a large gap between frame and hitch. Instruction said to stack washers until flush. I dont think enough washers were in the kit to do that. I simply made shims from stock I had laying around. 1 hr install by my self. I used a floor jack to hold it in place while bolting it up.
Installation wasn't too bad. HOWEVER you need to take the front airdam off (which was not specified in the directions) to be able to get this on. Then make the trim cuts to the airdam and reinstall. So far, so good with my MotoTote.
# 3
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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.
# 4
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
I got the hitch and made a appointment to have it put on. That fell through so I decided to tackle it myself. It was extremely easy, my wife helped hold it in place while I got the bolts started. I use the hitch which I install in the front of my 2500 Ram to haul my ebikes on a bike rack. Works excellent.
Perfect for my application, very high quality. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was the packaging was not the greatest. Part of my hitch had ripped through the box and was pretty scuffed up. I really appreciated the installation video on your website, but I wish it was shown with a factory installed winch, which made the installation more difficult.
# 5
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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.
I have not installed the hitches on my truck but they look to be well made and will replace the OEM hitch just fine assuming it fits. I did lower the rating because of the shipping. BOTH hitches came by LTL UPS Freight and BOTH hitches were delivered out of their boxes. The had ripped through the side or end of cardboard box. UPS carried the hitches up to the garage and then placed the boxes over them. I am hopefully that all the hardware and instructions were delivered. After I get them installed in a couple weeks we'll see how the rest of the story goes.
# 6
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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~
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.
# 7
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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!
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! ; )
# 8
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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.
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.
# 9
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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. .
# 10
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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.
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.
# 11
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
This was one of the easiest accessories I’ve installed on my Tundra. It is a front receiver hitch so I don’t use it very often. Mostly just for bike racks when towing a trailer, but when you need it you need it.
Straight forward and perfect fit on my 2008 Toyota Tundra!!
# 12
EcoHitch Hidden Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
Easy to install. Works perfect to hook up car trailer to front of rv when camped for days at the track.
It's holding up a Thule rack well. The rear is freed for a motorcycle.
# 13
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
Quality hitch and the excellent service all the way around I'm used to getting from etrailer over the years. Installed on my 2016 Sierra Denali 2500HD, note instructions say on first line down that it does not fit the Denali trim due to extensive fascia cutting required; actually it was quite simple with the aid of a 4-1/2" cutoff disk and a sawzall. Installation is much easier with two people. See attached pics for actual material removed, note the lower fascia need not be cut for the hitch to fit through the hole. Maybe more work to install than the Curt hitch, but well worth the additional ground clearance.
The hitch was easy to install. The only issue is who ever welded it put the front ring on and it's turned to one side. It functions fine but bothers my OCD.
# 14
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
It was a bit harder to put on than they show in the video. Did it by myself, everything fit perfect SO OWSOME! I would recommend anybody. Truck or car should add one. Very convenient and can be use for many different purposes.the rack on the back, I now put in the front with generator gas tools and it works as steps. So now I can tow trailer, or jet ski. Having that front hitch is so cool. You could even attach a car whinch in the receiver.
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.
# 15
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
Delivery was super fast, instructions and instructional video was excellent. Installed my new part in less than 40 minutes
Install went perfectly. It all bolted up just how the instructions said it would. The hardest part was navigating your tools in the tight spaces. Having the deep sockets as suggested is definitely worth it. I was also able to utilize a cordless impact wrench and it helped a ton. This will work great for our bike rack.
# 16
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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...
After a year, I don’t know how I survived without this thing. I have had bikes, crates, and a motorcycle on my front hitch and it performed perfectly. I wish I could give it more stars.
# 17
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
I finished installing my new front hitch a few weekends ago. All in all I'm very satisfied with the new hitch, primarily as it solved a long standing problem and the right price. The construction and fit of the hitch is excellent. It does take a bit more than an amateur to install however, so below are my comments with photos attached to help the next guy: 1.) Front bolt - The existing hole on the frame it too small to accept the new bolt. This needs to be drilled out (only with a 90 deg. Drill), or replace the existing bolts in the opposite direction...which is what I did, (photo 3). 2.) Middle bolt - The existing frame hole does not align with the hole on the hitch. You need to dry fit it and mark it and cut an approx. 1/2 - 5/8" chip out of the frame. 3.) Rear bolt - Rear bolt ends up with about a 1/4" gap between the frame and hitch. I shimmed the gap and torqued it snug. There's also no way to install the internal washer, without losing your sanity. I eliminated it and used a vise grip on the bolt end as I tighten the nut. Additionally, you have to remove the bumper kicker brace to install this rear bolt. Once the hitch is up, there is again no way to reinstall that kicker brace without disassembling the whole assembly at the bumper. My problem with that was that my existing bolt were old and rusty and probably won't come off or go back on easily. Instead, I fabricated an extension bracket and reassemble that kicker brace just above the new bolt (photo 2). - Photo 1: Before install, after removing lower spoiler - Photo 4: After install, before cutting and reinstalling lower spoiler
2001 2500 sport fit on the frame was perfect with no drilling. Had to notch the cover and metal support at the bottom but would rather that than hang to low.
# 18
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
This has been a great purchase that has enabled me to maneuver my trailer better in the space I need to park it in my backyard off a fairly narrow alley. I installed it on the front of my '98 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 V10. It is stout and secure and was not too difficult to put on. I think most of my installation issues were factors of my truck's age, or mine, but who knows. As I recall, I had to attach bolts in a particular order so that the holes would line up right and I wasn't sheering the threads. After I figured out the order it snuggled up great and feels as solid as if it were factory installed. My front plate bends a bit at the bottom to compensate for the receiver sticking out, but no so bad as it isn't readable. It does not stick out much more than the bumper so I have not run into it when walking across the front of my truck. I love it to push my trailer in to my yard and I can't wait to put a boat in the water with it. I would buy one again, if I were to ever get a different truck...but why would I do that?!
My front mount receiver hitch for my 97 Dodge Ram came in perfect shape and in a timely manner, the installation went very smooth and instructions were very easy. Only thing I recommend is a little longer sway bar bolts would be nice, just a little hard to get started. Other than that perfect easy company to work with and shipping was great I will be using etrailer for future purchases thank you!!
# 19
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
This took a lot longer than I thought it would (about 3 hrs), mainly for figuring out how to get the right tool into the right place, but it turned out really good and will be great to put a bike rack on the front while towing our trailer in the rear. I was also able to re-install the tow hooks as well as part of the installation. You will definitely have to reach way back up in there to install and get ahold of a hitch pin any time you use it, but it looks really clean and you can't really even tell it is there when the license plate is on (you have to remove license plate any time you want to use it). I highly recommend using a floor jack to prop the hitch up into place so you can maneuver it around the air dam a bit more easily and line it up with the holes. The instructions could have used some better pictures of actually how to get it up into place. I had to get it in by just barely fitting it in front of the air dam and then jacking it up and around it. End product though looks really good.
Pretty easy install on a 2022 Ram 1500. You do have to relocate the front tag, but if you have the skill to install the hitch, moving the tag should be no big deal.
# 20
Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
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
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.
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