Can a Rear Mount Trailer Hitch be Used on the Front of a 1996 Nissan 4x4 Pickup Truck

Updated 12/23/2014 | Published 12/22/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(15)

$303.34

Class V Universal Weld-on Receiver Hitch and Brackets with 3" Drop

(21)

$293.31

Combo Bar 6" with 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver - Unpainted

(412)

$24.67

Question:

I sent a email request to etrailer.com and got reply for three recommendations for my truck. I read the particuliars/description available on each type: Hidden Hitch 87491, Draw-Tite Max-Frame 75186 and Curt Hitch C13092. Your web page provides basic info, and what I need are dimensions of each hitch receiver. In particular the width of receiver frame that attaches to chassis frame. My truck is a 1996 Nissan D21/Hardbody compact 4x4 pickup truck. For my installation I want to put it on the front frame or front bumper mount-to push trailer. Not pull it. So, can I get dimensions of each hitch receiver? Thank you.

asked by: Tim M

Expert Reply:

I do have a solution for you but you will not be able to use a rear mount hitch on the front of a vehicle. Some trailer hitch manufacturers we carry do not give us the hitch dimensions because it is proprietary information.

But I can tell you that the hitches you have listed are not going to fit at the front of your 1996 Nissan pickup. The frame is narrower at the front but beyond that it would require modification to the hitch and/or the vehicle that would void the hitch warranty and make the capacity unknown. You would also likely have to weld it on which the hitch is not designed for.

Since you would have to modify the hitch and/or vehicle the better solution, and actually the least costly, would be to fabricate a hitch using some of the hitch fabrication parts we carry. I have included a link to them to the right.

Basically you would need a receiver such as # E-9 welded to a steel cross tube and the cross tube welded to the truck frame. A professional welder could take care of that and likely provide the appropriate cross tube steel.

Another option is to use a weld-on truck hitch such as # 15901. It is 44 inches wide with 1/4 inch thick brackets that fit vehicle frame widths of 18 inches to 43.88 inches. We have other weld-on options as well. I have linked those for you too.

expert reply by: Michael H