anyone put a hitch on the front ?

[chrisg]

Just wondered. As I recall my dad put a bumper hitch on the front of the car and drove the trailer down the ramp that way (It was a beachcomber). Wonder if that may be a better idea when backing up a 24-footer pontoon( I would assume then with trailer, its 30 feet.)

Anyone did this?

 

[j_martin]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

Just wondered. As I recall my dad put a bumper hitch on the front of the car and drove the trailer down the ramp that way (It was a beachcomber). Wonder if that may be a better idea when backing up a 24-footer pontoon( I would assume then with trailer, its 30 feet.)

Anyone did this?

Used to see them on the front of big campers and motor homes. They couldn't see the trailer to back it. Now I think most use TV instead.

If the trailer can be seen, a rig with the steering axle in front, and not at the break would be easier to deal with. Also, it takes time to drop the boat and then hook up to the front. I'd rather be fishing.

hope it helps
John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

i had this one installed yesterday, $50.00 just for the easy of moving the boat to cut the grass, (4 boat). there are several companies that make front receivers, for this and other purposes, bike racks, motor mount for outboard.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

Here in Minnesota, lots of folks have hitch receivers on the front of their vehicles. It's not for boats, though. You can get snowplow blades that mount there for clearing snow off your driveway, etc. Pretty slick, and I wish I had one. I do get tired of running the snowblower...sometime around the end of January.

Front hitches are really useful with trailers, though. If you have a really tight place to put a trailer, like a garage or a narrow, winding driveway, a front hitch makes the job a snap.

 

[DaveM]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

Yup, got one on my 2006 Silverado. I have a long, narrow driveway with an impossible bend. I push my boat into the garage after each use and I can position a trailer tire on a dime (if I so wished). But I have not seen the need to use it at a ramp. It takes some time to detach, turn around, push down the ramp, back away and then do it all again to recover.

 

[chrisg]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

Mmmm.... wonder if I can attach a receiver to my 4WD Colorado? I saw you can get small plows for not too much. As for backing up the boat I had no issues putting it in the water, this would be for putting it in the back yard.

I currently put my Bayliner (24 feet on trailer) at the side of my place, now that I have a ?toon, thinking of putting that behind the Bayliner, but that means backing up farter. The wife is betting it won?t fit, I said it will. ( have a 10 foot width to get passed, the ?toon is only 8.5 feet wide, lots of room ) . So this is a pride thing. Anyone good at backing up 40 feet on uneven ground? I don?t think the wife would not like having the wood stove?s chimney taken out (particularly with winter a comin )

 

[CATransplant]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

I imagine you can get one for your Colorado. Try this place:

http://www.hitchesonline.com/front_mount_receiver_hitch.htm

Most attach to the points where the front tow hooks are. Pretty handy things. You can push a trailer. They have winch adapters that go into the receiver. The snow plows, of course.

Add: I just checked, and they have one for $115. No drilling required, so it just bolts up. At that price, how could you go wrong?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

i had this one installed yesterday, $50.00 just for the easy of moving the boat to cut the grass, (4 boat). there are several companies that make front receivers, for this and other purposes, bike racks, motor mount for outboard.

TD,

 

[mthieme]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

Not me personally, but i have friends with them on the front.
Easier to move the trailer(s) and also in one case, helpful to pull the truck up the ramp.

 

[chrisg]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

Thanks CATransplantCAT, I'll check the site. that will help out significatly!

Don't understand the rustolium spray can pic. Must be an inside joke ?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

his joking about the rust on a 45 year old, trailer hitch in my picture. i think it looks pretty good for it's age, and salt water. has always been washed down.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: anyone put a hitch on the front ?

Yah...just giving TD a hard time about a little rust. You'll notice that there's no photo of any of my hitches.