Front Mounted Hitch for 2021 Ford F-350 to Carry Bike Rack

Updated 02/17/2025 | Published 12/23/2020

Products Featured in This Question

EcoHitch Hidden Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(237)

$390.67

Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(245)

$211.99

Hollywood Racks Trail Rider Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(468)

$299.99

Question:

Hi-Sure would appreciate some advice regarding a front mount hitch to carry two bicycles on a 2021 F350. Due to the rear slide out, Im thinking a front hitch is the way to go. Additionally, although I dont currently have anything I need/want to tow, having the bikes in front doesnt prevent me from towing something behind the truck. Dont want to use a camper ladder rack as Id have to remove the bikes every time I extended the rear slide out. Thought it was a done deal until I read something about radar blocking in front of the truck. Now Im dazed and confused again! Like I said above, I sure could use some advice! Thanks.

asked by: Jack

Expert Reply:

A front-mounted hitch on your 2021 Ford F-350 will work to carry your bikes, though there is the possibility that with the bikes loaded on the hitch, the front sensors may be blocked by the bikes. So if you didn't want the possibility those were hampered, I do recommend using the bike rack on the rear hitch, and you'd have to remove the bikes and rack to put your rear tailgate down.

As for the options, if you want to go with the front-mounted hitch for your 2021 F-350, you can use one of the following:

- Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver # 65076

- EcoHitch Hidden Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver # 306-X7904

The EcoHitch is the best option because it has the most ground clearance, with the receiver showing in the area between the tow hooks, while the Draw-Tite is underneath the license plate. The trade-off is the EcoHitch is the more expensive option, but in my opinion is worth it due to the vast amount of added clearance you have.

Using these will allow you to use a bike rack such as the Hollywood Racks Trail Rider # HR200Z.

I have added some links below to some video reviews for you to check out as well if you'd like, as well as a link to our selection of bike racks.

expert reply by: Kyle S

Dean S.

2/17/2025

I'm not sure how old this reply is, but figure my reply may help someone else since I researched a long time and couldn't get a clear answer. I drive a 2018 F350 CC DRW powerstroke 4x4 Platinum, carrying an Arctic Fox 990, and flat-towing a Jeep behind. This requires me to carry our e-Mtnbikes in front for both safety and keeping an eye on everything. I researched all three available options and ultimately decided installing the Northhitch by Torklift which is the newest rendition of the EcoHitch. because it mounts between the frame rails much more solidly than the Drawtite or Curt options (Curt doesn't exactly fit w/out some mods on the diesel). The NH raises up the receiver in the middle of the bumper, is completely hidden by the license plate bracket when not in use (included with the hitch), and has a 1000# capacity vs. the other's 500#. It does requires significantly more work in removing the whole bumper and relocating the transmission cooler on the diesel (brackets and instructions included) for this as well). I use a Küat NV2.0 with 3rd bike add-on. I estimated this higher mounting hitch would keep the rack and bikes out of the way of the sensors since I love my adaptive cruise control on long trips. What I realized is that the bikes are so high up that that it blocked my view significantly. The other hitch options mount down below the bumper and come through a hole you must cut in the air dam below. After measuring everything, the Draw-Tite would have been in the correct location, but I ultimately decided to keep the Northhitch and fabricate an extension/drop receiver to mount the bike rack down at the air dam. This allowed my to pull it in a bit closer too, has worked fantastic for thousands of miles now, and my sensors all still work as the bikes just happened to line up perfectly out of the way. I got lucky I guess. Since, I have swapped out for a rack at times to load other gear up and am very happy that its up out of the way. Since I'm a fabricator, it was only about $100 additional and a couple hours of my time to fabricate the custom drop receiver. Overall, it cost me a good $300 additional out of pocket and another 4 hours or so over what the Draw-Tite would have been. I know this for sure as I've since installed the Draw-tite on another similar F350. Hope this helps someone in the future.