cccougar
Cherry Hill
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Joined: 03/10/2009
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We're thinking about installing a hitch on the front of our 2009 Jayco that has a Ford E450. Has anyone had success doing this themselves and what maufacturer is best for something like this? We want the extra flexibility it provides when bringing bikes, firewood etc...
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Ken & Barbie
New Boston, MI, USA
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Joined: 07/19/2004
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The following website (sorry about no link)- Draw-Tite makes line of front mount receivers and they also have the installation instructions so you can determine if you have the ability to handle it. They have good products.
http://www.draw-tite.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=0&catID=1075&part=65053
Ken & Barb
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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Joined: 04/05/2003
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I bought and installed a front hitch on our '02 E-350 myself. The only problem I had saw getting the nut inside the frame and lining it up and holding it while screwing in the bolts.
We have a SportWorks bike carrier, The got bought out by Thule A little expensive but very easy to load your bikes on and work very well.
Dusty
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ron.dittmer
Northern Illinois
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I wonder if a front receiver could be purchased with a high enough rating for your motor home to be towed. This way if you have a mechanical failure and it needs to be towed, you are setup for a very safe and damage-free tow.....assumed with the drive shaft removed.
A couple RVers on this forum own huge diesel pushers with small B+s as their tow vehicle. I seem to recall they take their B+ for deep excursions into Mexico with extended stays there. It would be great if they chimed in here.
I wonder how heavy of a rating front receivers are offered.
2007 Phoenix Cruiser model 2350, with 2006 Jeep Liberty in-tow
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the_armadillo
SE Texas
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Can't address the ease or design for the E450 but I have installed Draw-tite front hitches on both my F150 and on my Tahoe. I use them to maneuver trailers into some very tight parking spaces as well as for use with my quick mount Ramsey winch. The Draw-tite hitches were well designed and easy to install. The only complaint I have is that the on for my 4wd Tahoe it is a little low and I have dragged the step mount that I keep in the receiver on a few steep driveways. Other than that, I like them.
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hotbyte
Barnesville GA
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Joined: 08/31/2004
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ron.dittmer wrote:I wonder if a front receiver could be purchased with a high enough rating for your motor home to be towed. This way if you have a mechanical failure and it needs to be towed, you are setup for a very safe and damage-free tow.....assumed with the drive shaft removed.
With the right toad (F-450 or something) you could just swap 'em around depending on which had the most fuel in the tank 
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2006 Yellowstone SE, 1998 Dodge Durango SLT 5.2L and 2011 Tidewater 1900 Bay Max
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BJean
Illinois
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I have a Draw-tite on the front of my E-450 and have a truck box attached to it. I have had no trouble with it and it has helped my with my load distribution.
It also has a 500lb load cap.
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Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
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I put one of these on my E350 Chinook a few years back. Had to use a floor jack to hold it in place while putting it in but it's doable if you take care. That's not the P/N for your van but if you find the P/N, go search for it on Amazon and with the free shipping you might have a good deal. It fits a lot of E series vans. It is rated for a line pull of 9000 lbs.
This looks like the animal for your 2009 E450.
Here is a link with installation instructions on link at bottom.
2011 Itasca Navion 24J
2000 Chev Tracker Toad
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ron.dittmer
Northern Illinois
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I wonder if a 500/9000 pound front receiver would interfere with my front bumper cover. My chassis is a 2007 E350.
This is my front bumper cover.
Anyone have a few good pictures of a front receiver mounted to a pre2008 E-series for me to compare? Maybe just a measurement from the pavement to the bottom of the receiver would suffice.
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HEMIDAZE
Amelia, OH
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I put one on my Dodge Ram a few years back. Shopped around and found one for $145 with free shipping. Draw Tite, 500 lb load, 9000 lb pull. Not too bad to install. It comes with a special tool to get the bolts inside the frame.
2002 Jayco Greyhawk 31RB
2011 HHR (picture coming)
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