Front 1 1/4" receiver for bikes?

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Grench

Grench

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Location
Lincoln, NE
So - I have a scenario coming up where my 80 will need to simultaneously:
1. Be filled to the gills inside with a weeks worth of camping gear safely.
2. Carry a 14' canoe and a 12.5' kayak.
3. Carry 3 bicycles.
4. Pull a 3500 pound Boy Scout trailer.

1. Solved with Milford barrier - gear stays in the back. Check.
2. Solved with 4 ladder racks, one for each pillar. Works well. Check.
3&4. I have a nice 4 place bike rack - that normally rides in the rear hitch - which conflicts with #4.

So, I need to relocate the bikes. Trailer isn't my own, will be full and has no roof rack provisions.

I started giving some consideration to a front mounted hitch receiver. I also have an ARB on the front with a Warn 12K in it.

What I have in mind is a 1 1/4" receiver on the front - mounted to and spanning between the tow hook bolt holes. That way I could mount the bikes out front. It would need to expose the 1 1/4" receiver under the bottom edge of the ARB bumper for the bike rack to connect in.

Has anyone tried this? Good idea or bad idea?

Right now I'm betting I'll need to custom fabricate this. I haven't found any references anywhere to anyone that makes a bolt-on front receiver hitch for our trucks. If someone does know of one - please reply back a link?

Thanks!
 
I installed a 2" receiver under my winch to use for a hitch rack or a bar mounted vise.

I absolutely LOVE it! (I wouldn't install anything LESS than a 2" due to the universal nature that everything uses a 2" receiver, regardless of weight.)

You can buy a weld-in receiver from Tractor Supply or Bomgaars for $25-$40. Then cut a hole or set it where you want it and weld it on. Mine is below my winch so it lowers clearance, but I'm not a rock crawler.
 
890man said:
Would one of these work

Amazon.com: Dual 2" Hitch Bicycle Receiver Adapter Extender Extension 4000lb: Automotive
Click to expand...

Unfortunately no. The Boy Scout trailer (6x14 cargo trailer with round bubble front) has a short tongue. My rear swing-out spare tire doesn't conflict with it when driving, but I have to remove the trailer to open the back of the truck.

I'm hesitant to do a 2" front hitch - which winds up being 3" clearance lost. Hmm... yes, it would be more universal. It would also be a drag point. I have used the ARB as a plow while going into mud/water holes many times.

It sounds like I'm not going to get out of this with any pre-built off the shelf options.
 
I think your best bet would be a local shop building you a 2" unit which bolts in, rather than welds in. Yes, you lose clearance but you can take it off to solve that. And you might never use it again - which is why it seems any welded on solution of any size would be a bad idea. Just my two cents. But the idea of welding a 1.25" receiver on the front seems like a bad one. Those racks are puny and sway a ton, and 2" is a universal standard.
 
What about something like this to put the canoe on the camper?

Apex Canoe Foam Block Carrier With Straps

Then put bikes of roof of the LC?

Mounting the bikes up front is just a bad idea IMO. Blocking visibility, blocking your headlights, have you held one up to the front to see how high it will need to be to prevent approach angle issues even on the road?

And just for fun here is a canoe, sailboat, and 2 paddle boards on the roof of my 80

IMG_3241.webp
 
Last edited:
Corbet said:
What about something like this to put the canoe on the camper?

Apex Canoe Foam Block Carrier With Straps

Then put bikes of roof of the LC?

Mounting the bikes up front is just a bad idea IMO. Blocking visibility, blocking your headlights, have you held one up to the front to see how high it will need to be to prevent approach angle issues even on the road?

And just for fun here is a canoe, sailboat, and 2 paddle boards on the roof of my 80
Click to expand...

There is no camper. It is a Boy Scout cargo trailer. It does not have any roof racks or rain gutters to mount racks to. I cannot attach another hitch to the back of it. It isn't mine and it already rides pretty low.

I already have roof racks for my truck that can carry either the two boats or the bikes.

The plan for putting the bikes on the front includes removing the wheels from the bikes so there will not be tires in front of the lights - essentially 3 frames. Though I haven't figured out where I'll attach the 6 bike wheels. This isn't a major off-road excursion configuration - mostly highway and a few gravel roads.

Hmm... Might be able to go -higher- above the canoe and kayak. I might have to give that idea some thought.
 
I have seen front 2" receivers where people then took a piece of 2" stock, the same size as a slide in ball mount, and welded a 6"-8" mini skid plate on it. That way when not in use they slide that small skid plate device in, and once again you can "slide" your front bumper over obstacles.
 
Sounds like the perfect/simple way to go - before I even got to your sentences about using the tow point - captured framerail nuts that was what came to mind.

Esp if you just kept it 1.25" you should be able to get a local guy to buzz one together, no worries. Sounds like a plan.
 
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