Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

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Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

February 16, 2023, 09:41:32 am

Good morning all,

I was wondering if anyone has installed a front hitch on their LD and if so, what brand do you recommend and was it fairly straightforward to install. There are quite a few options for the E450 and from the Youtube videos it looks like a somewhat straightforward DIY job. My intent is to have a cargo carrier on the front for some extra storage as our rear hitch typically has our 5 bikes on it during long road trips (Two adults and three kiddos). Some of the cargo carriers are foldable when not in use so I was wondering if anyone has done this set up. Pictures are a plus!

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #1 – February 16, 2023, 12:45:33 pm

There’s been some thoughtful discussion on this in the last few years from several people who have a front mounted hitch. I tried a quick search and found a few of those posts. If you can’t find those posts, I’ll find and post them. Hope this helps.

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #2 – February 16, 2023, 12:55:20 pm

This sounds like a bad idea. With the carrier down, it will not be visible to driver and a risk to pedestrians and others. Although a good deal more expensive, having a toad to load up is both safer and adds a lot of flexibility. Some have used a front-mounted bike carrier, which CAN be easily seen. Then mount the foldable luggage carrier in the rear.

Steve

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #3 – February 16, 2023, 02:14:11 pm

Before proceeding, have you weighed the front and back axles to see if you have the extra CCA on the front axle to handle a loaded cargo box?
As Steve pointed out, having a front box below your line of sight is a recipe for disaster.

Larry

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #4 – February 16, 2023, 02:26:28 pm

The line of sight issue is fixed pretty easily with flags on the corners (on a fiberglass pole).

The weight issue would be a bigger concern to me.

A trailer could be a great way to add extra cargo capacity while hauling a bunch of bikes. I'm thinking of something like this: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/harbor-freight-trailer-mod-kayak-camping-and-bike-trailer--330592428889562010/

I've considered a trailer more than once as a way to haul bikes, kayaks, and other gear. In the end, I decided to rent the bikes or kayaks at our destination since biking and kayaking were a nice way to spend a morning and not the primary focus of the trip. If the gear intensive activity was a primary focus, I think a trailer is a great solution.

Rich

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #5 – February 16, 2023, 03:17:57 pm

"There’s been some thoughtful discussion on this in the last few years from several people who have a front mounted hitch."

Yes, and there has been some discussion about carrying a spare tire out there as well!

My two cents 2¢ is that any more than a single standard bicycle on the front is a hazard! But having said that, the advantages of a front mounted 'receiver' w/ball are numerous! I had front receivers mounted on my early Ford Vans, '94 & '14. Their usage and advantage came from the ability to connect a tent trailer and later a travel trailer to the front and use the van as a tug. Great for driving into tight spaces.

Were I to be reincarnated as a LD owner in the future I'd most likely opt for a utility trailer such as the ones already mentioned. But on the converse that would disallow the use of a toad!

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #6 – February 16, 2023, 04:37:43 pm

Quote from: Ed & Margee - February 16, 2023, 12:45:33 pm

There’s been some thoughtful discussion on this in the last few years from several people who have a front mounted hitch. I tried a quick search and found a few of those posts. If you can’t find those posts, I’ll find and post them. Hope this helps.

Yes indeed I read through them but did not observe any in particular to a certain brand and ease or difficultly of install. If I missed that I will need to conduct another deep dive into the forum. I know by now to search before posting a new topic but apologies if this overlaps a previously asked question.

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #7 – February 16, 2023, 04:41:26 pm

Quote from: Lazy Bones - February 16, 2023, 03:17:57 pm

"There’s been some thoughtful discussion on this in the last few years from several people who have a front mounted hitch."

Yes, and there has been some discussion about carrying a spare tire out there as well!

My two cents 2¢ is that any more than a single standard bicycle on the front is a hazard! But having said that, the advantages of a front mounted 'receiver' w/ball are numerous! I had front receivers mounted on my early Ford Vans, '94 & '14. Their usage and advantage came from the ability to connect a tent trailer and later a travel trailer to the front and use the van as a tug. Great for driving into tight spaces.

Were I to be reincarnated as a LD owner in the future I'd most likely opt for a utility trailer such as the ones already mentioned. But on the converse that would disallow the use of a toad!

No need for a toad here and ideally would use the front hitch for light cargo...obviously nothing that would compromise the integrity of anything structural. I considered moving the bike hitch to the front for visibilities sake but there would be fairly easy compromises to ensure something mounted to the front hitch is viewable during travel. I'd prefer to leave the spare tire in the designated area since thats what the rear space is designed for (I have a 2008).

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #8 – February 16, 2023, 07:10:09 pm

Weight on front axle is one concern. Blocking airflow to the radiator is also a big one, which a cargo carrier would definitely do. I wouldn't recommend it.

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #9 – March 13, 2023, 12:26:46 am

Front hitch has lots of value if used correctly. I'm considering a front hitch for cargo or our ebike. only because have a towed and I don't think the bike rack will clear it.

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #10 – March 13, 2023, 02:06:12 am

Quote from: 92 new - March 13, 2023, 12:26:46 am

Front hitch has lots of value if used correctly. I'm considering a front hitch for cargo or our ebike. only because have a towed and I don't think the bike rack will clear it.

Before doing this, have your fully loaded rig weighted and see if the front axle can carry several hundred more pounds without exceeding its weight rating.
There are adaptors that provide a second, elevated receiver for use with bike racks.
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=bike+rack+receiver&furl=-pg-Hitch_Adapters

Front-mounted bike racks reduce visibility, block the headlights, reduce cooling airflow, and add weight to an axle that is often already close to its rated capacity. If it is possible to mount the rack on the rear, it would be a better choice.

Larry

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #11 – March 13, 2023, 04:30:33 pm

Quote from: Larry W - March 13, 2023, 02:06:12 am

Before doing this, have your fully loaded rig weighted and see if the front axle can carry several hundred more pounds without exceeding its weight rating.
There are adaptors that provide a second, elevated receiver for use with bike racks.
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=bike+rack+receiver&furl=-pg-Hitch_Adapters

Front-mounted bike racks reduce visibility, block the headlights, reduce cooling airflow, and add weight to an axle that is often already close to its rated capacity. If it is possible to mount the rack on the rear, it would be a better choice.

Larry

Larry
I agree bike rack kn rear is much better. I have a 9 inch riser already that separates towed and cargo rack. The bike rack we have is terraces up. Just have not looked to see if rack will clear towed. That will be in a few weeks when we get ready for a longer trip.

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #12 – March 13, 2023, 04:31:15 pm

Quote from: Larry W - March 13, 2023, 02:06:12 am

Before doing this, have your fully loaded rig weighted and see if the front axle can carry several hundred more pounds without exceeding its weight rating.
There are adaptors that provide a second, elevated receiver for use with bike racks.
https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=bike+rack+receiver&furl=-pg-Hitch_Adapters

Front-mounted bike racks reduce visibility, block the headlights, reduce cooling airflow, and add weight to an axle that is often already close to its rated capacity. If it is possible to mount the rack on the rear, it would be a better choice.

Larry

Thanks Larry,

Certainly wouldn't put more than even half of the rated capacity and at this point still just pondering it and seeing if any other fellow owners had installed a hitch as I've seen a couple of other E450 with the hitch mount. Ideally, I'd like to have the foldable basket style metal carrying attachment with a couple of flags on either end to see how much room I have in front when parking/maneuvering.
Something similar to this below (but probably not a Harbor Freight brand). We currently have the bike rack in the back and I'd like space in the front for a small portable generator (90ish lbs) and maybe a cooler. Thats a good ideal about the dual hitch but don't want to overload the existing hitch that came from the factory. I need to look in my manual and see if it shares the load capacities.

https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-aluminum-cargo-carrier-92655.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12144811130&campaignid=12144811130&utm_content=117789308398&adsetid=117789308398&product=92655&store=175&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuoKIrd_Z_QIVe25vBB1aQgN0EAQYAiABEgKyIvD_BwE

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #13 – June 03, 2023, 07:49:47 pm

Looping back to this project. After seeing many owners with front hitch mounts on their e450 chassis, I ordered a Draw Tite brand hitch mount off of Amazon for around $200.

Install is fairly straightforward, especially helpful to watch a couple of YouTube videos. Install requires removing the front bumper which was surprisingly just four bolts and easily accessible. Enlarge two holes in the frame to 1/2 diameter and trimming the plastic shroud. I’m very pleased with how it turned out and it is VERY sturdy. Rated for 500lbs tongue weight and 4000 lbs pulling.

Should work great to add an extra bike rack for our family of five and may add a cargo carrier to the back hitch.

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #14 – June 05, 2023, 09:19:40 pm

We have a 12v electric portable cable winch (4000lb pull capacity) that is attached to a 4" shaft that will fit into a 4" receiver which we have on the back of our 98~MB. We also installed a front hitch on our LD for a possible bike rack but we end up using our rear receiver in the back for the bikes. I installed the front receiver with the possible use of the winch in mind for that one time we might need it. We had a front receiver on our old itaska and did once need to connect up our winch setup to get us unstuck. We store the winch setup in one of our storage bays. Without the front hitch I guess you could hook up to the front bumper or frame somewhere but the receiver works best for us.

   Karen~Liam
   98 ~ MB
   NinA

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #15 – June 08, 2023, 10:56:24 am

I installed a front hitch a few years back and E-trailer stepped me through the correct parts.   Took me about 4 hours to install and everything fit well. It's been awhile, I seem to remember needing to drill a hole.

I've had a hard time wrestling 4 bicycles on the back rack so thought I could move one to the front. I finally figured out the perfect sequence and positioning to fit four bikes on back.   I have one heavier E-bike I thought might be better to have it's own space on front.

I also wanted to be able to maneuver a boat from the front hitch.   Not tried this yet but I see a guy launching his boat from a Class C and I want to eventually pull a 20 ft boat I have. A Class C launching a boat at the camp site quickly gathers an audience and you want to have your act together.

These were the options for my 2001, or at least I'm pretty sure, I installed one of these. The experts at E-trailer should be consulted. 2001 Ford F-350, 450, and 550 Cab and Chassis Front Mount Hitch | etrailer.com

LarryD

Re: Front Hitch install on a Lazy Daze? Recommendations?

Reply #16 – June 08, 2023, 12:26:46 pm

"A Class C launching a boat at the camp site quickly gathers an audience and you want to have your act together."

Well, I've never owned a boat so cannot speak to that, but I once had a rather large tent-trailer which I would maneuver/park into some very tight spaces, including my narrow side yard (8 inches clearance either side).

I had a front hitch on two vehicles, an Intl Scout and a Ford Club Wagon, and used both of them for the same purpose. You will be amazed at how easy it is to 'drive' a utility/boat/trailer going forward as opposed to backwards!

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