Front Bike Rack

[jbjuices]

Currently I tow 4-5 bikes inside camper on the dinette using forks. I wanted an easy way to tow and also be able to bring a bike rack along in case we wanted to transport at our destination. The back of the trailer is equipped with a heavy duty hitch to transport our Scooter, but thinking about installing a hitch on front of my Excursion to transport 4-bikes. I can continue to tow inside, but it can be a hassle. Anyone tow on front of their vehicle.

[Dirtpig]

I have carried all kinds of things on the front receiver hitch. Bikes, a storage rack with totes, but mostly a dirtbike. Its a great thing to have and gives you another option for transporting things if you need the space.


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[captnjack]

I put 3 bikes in the front on a hanging type rack. No problems with airflow/overheating of engine or tranny (2002 Suburban). Used bungee cords to secure them. The only problem was there was a lot of glare off wheel rims during night driving. Enough that I had to move them.

[owenssailor]

mrw8i wrote:
I put a front hitch on the front of my 2004 Suburban. Put two bikes on it. Had to tie the backs down as they swayed and it was distracting. I also found while driving on tight winding mountain roads, the bikes were distracting and throwing off my sense of distance on the curves (watching the lines in the roads and edge of the road through the bicycles).

The Swagman style rack that holds the bikes level and secure with the wheels in hoops stops the swaying and need to be tying the bikes down.

[mrw8i]

I put a front hitch on the front of my 2004 Suburban. Put two bikes on it. Had to tie the backs down as they swayed and it was distracting. I also found while driving on tight winding mountain roads, the bikes were distracting and throwing off my sense of distance on the curves (watching the lines in the roads and edge of the road through the bicycles).

[badercubed]

I put one on my 2015 F-250. I've put bikes, a cargo rack and the front of a kayak rack in it. I love it and will put one on every truck from here on out.

[hawkeye-08]

We also put receiver on front, swagman rack and carry two bikes upfront. We get a few bugs but they wash off easy enough. Never had a issues with overheating.

[jbjuices]

leggy wrote:
We have a Curt front hitch with swagman 3 bike rack. Works great.

That's good to know that there's a 3 bike rack carrier. I'll check that out knowing that it works for you.

Got to ask you and the group...what about bugs, damage to bikes, etc? I have a couple of Giants (nice bikes) to put up there, but won't risk it if people see a lot of damage from rocks or bugs. Also, does the reduce air flow matter on the engine?

[owenssailor]

SoundGuy wrote:

owenssailor wrote:
Just ordered a new front hitch for our new 1017 Silverado.

Wow, that's an oldie! Wooden wheels? :W

Yes - wooden wheels and treadmill powered.

[SoundGuy]

owenssailor wrote:
Just ordered a new front hitch for our new 1017 Silverado.

Wow, that's an oldie! Wooden wheels? :W

[Crabbypatty]

I put a front hitch on my 2001 Suburban and put 3 bikes on with w thule carrier. I watched the tranny cooler get hot. No matter how I configured it, or ducted air into it, the tranny cooler increased in temperature. So I gave it up and placed them inside. I had them on the trailer bumper but it ripped the bumper, and the bouncing off the tail, made it difficult to keep them secured. Get roof racks..

[leggy]

We have a Curt front hitch with swagman 3 bike rack. Works great.

[rbpru]

I installed a front hitch on my F-150. It is a 2 inch receiver and is rated for 5000 lbs. pull for a winch mount.

I have not tried it except for a short trip to the park, so I cannot say how well it will work on and extended trip yet.

The behind the TT mount put the bike tires too low and the bikes out of sight.

[owenssailor]

We have been using a front hitch to carry 2 bikes for the last 6 years. It has worked well. Just ordered a new front hitch for our new 1017 Silverado. It will be a Drawtite since Curt does not have one. Hitch is rated for 500 lb dead weight.

You will need a good bike carrier for 4 bikes. We use Swagman since it has the bike tires resting in hoops. The bikes don't sawy around. For a couple of months we used a carrier that had the bikes hanging from the crossbars. That did not work well since the bikes swayed in the wind and had to be tied off. Also the ladies frame had the bike on an angle.

[rjf7g]

Custom made...