Front Hitch, F150, LEII, 7 Deg Incline

[mdernier]

BACKGROUND:  In previous threads I learned that a front hitch on my F150 should help with maneuvering my LE2 up a 7 degree driveway, and around the side of the house.  I purchased and installed a Curt FH for the F150 (that was fun). The receiver of the FH sits even with the front axle (12 inches off the ground).  That’s not very high. To get a better height to meet the hitch on the LE2, I’m using a 5” rise ball mount with a 2” rise ball (so the top of the ball is about 20” off the ground).

 

ISSUE:  Here’s the thing, I expect that when I push the LE2 up the driveway, and my front tires are still on the road, the bottom of the ball mount will meet (SCRAPE) the sloped ramp of the driveway.  Unloaded, there is about 1” clearance, but with 500-600 lb of tongue weight, not so much.

 

SOLUTION:  Ultra-Fab Receiver Mount Protector. (A better name is a “ball mount protector”).   The roller engages the slope before the bottom of the ball mount and keeps the nose up until the front wheels of the F150 leave the road and engage the ramp as well.  See the pic

 

Ultra-Fab Products 48-979020 Receiver Mount Protector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJHZKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_B9yJCbCS6W9DQ

[ScottyGS]

Dang... I never would have thought of that.  Neat solution.  Look for a PM from me.

 

Scotty

[Overland]

That’s neat. I really want to add a front receiver but I’m surprised that the Curt hitch is so low.

 

I have these pics from a guy who replaced his F-150 tow hooks with these custom receivers that he had made from a stock receiver tube welded to the existing hook.  I’ve considered having one made.  Only problem seems to be that his rock plate doesn’t fit back correctly.  Interested to hear what others think of the idea...

 

 

 

 

[ScubaRx]

Interesting, I looked for something like that 5 years ago to keep the back bumper on the OOII from dragging on extreeeeeme  breakover angle inclines.  Finally designed my own.

[Trainman]

I would put a 2x12 stick of lumber (or whatever combination of lumber) in the ditch so the front wheels don't go so low when crossing the ditch/gutter/whatever to raise the front wheels, thus raising the hitch. I do question the raise of the trailer hitch ball so high, this just lowers the rear of the trailer more and could cause the trailer to hit the driveway when backing up the 7% grade. Lumber in low areas can solve a lot of problems as it is probably the easiest and least expensive way to solve this problem. I only know this from experience.

 

 

 

trainman

[mdernier]

"I really want to add a front receiver but I’m surprised that the Curt hitch is so low."

 

Overland:

 

The center of my front hitch is probably more like 13-14 inches off the ground.  I think most (all?) off the shelf front hitches are on the low side because they are made to clear all the "stuff" (like the the grill, bumper, etc.) from underneath.  Otherwise, the installation would require some more serious re-work on those elements and sales would probably be much lower.  I've heard of people fabricating custom front hitches, cutting holes in the grill/bumper, and/or moving other parts so the receiver is higher.  I didn't want to go that route.

[mdernier]

Trainman:  Thanks for your post . . .

 

"I would put a 2×12 stick of lumber (or whatever combination of lumber) in the ditch . . ."

 

Yep, I've got lumber ready too.  This little rig is just another option.

 

"I do question the raise of the trailer hitch ball so high, this just lowers the rear of the trailer . . ."

 

I started with the 20" ball height because OTT recommends a 23.5" ball height for trailering.   I'm 3-4 inches under that, so the LEII should sit sloped with the tail slightly higher (a little anyway).  My investigation so far indicates that I should not have a problem with drag even if the LEII were perfectly level.  If I do, I have other ball/mount options at the ready when I get into it for the first time.