Using Pro Series # 63153 Cargo Carrier in Front Mounted Hitch on 2014 Ram 1500

Updated 06/08/2015 | Published 06/06/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Reese 60x24 Hitch Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - 500 lbs Capacity - Glossy Black

(1172)

$345.84

Fit Kit for Thule Evo Clamp and Edge Clamp Roof Rack Feet - 5106

(478)

$159.95

Rapid Traverse Feet for Thule Crossbars - Naked Roof - Qty 4

(160)

$182.67

Thule SquareBar Evo Crossbars - Steel - 60" Long - Qty 2

(272)

$179.95

Question:

Can I mount a cargo carrier on the front of a 2014 Ram 1500? The 2inch hitch is already there. What size would not interfere with the headlights?

asked by: Tony R

Expert Reply:

Mounting a cargo carrier on the front of a vehicle can pose a few problems. As you mentioned, the headlights can be obscured, but the rack and its cargo can also interfere with proper airflow getting to the radiator which can cause the engine to overheat. In some cases, the driver's vision can be impaired as well.

For these reasons, I'd recommend finding another carrying option if at all possible. Using the carrier on the rear of the vehicle or a carrier on a roof rack would be a much better idea. If your Ram is a crew or a quad cab, you could carry a cargo basket like the Rhino-Rack Roof Mounted Steel Cargo Basket # RMCB02 on a roof rack. The rack would consist of the following parts:

Thule 60 inch SquareBars, part # TH712500
Rapid Traverse Roof Rack Foot Pack, part # TH480R
Vehicle specific fit kit, part # TH145106

I don't have access to the dimensions of the headlights on your vehicle, but generally speaking, you'll want to choose a carrier narrower than the distance between the headlights, or make sure the cargo doesn't extend outward to the point where it blocks the headlights. Carriers like the # 63153 would place the floor of the basket about 3 inches above the height of the inside top of the receiver tube.