anyone have a front hitch on their Maverick?

[Deeunicorn]

Looking at putting a front hitch one, we have always had front hitches on our vans and trucks. Has anyone already did this? if so, what did type did you buy and how did you put it on there. any issues?

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[paneubert]

I haven't seen one yet, and obviously it would mean messing significantly with the bumper. I have heard people complaining about even needing to screw into it for a front license plate holder (for states that require a front plate). Adding a hitch would be even more blasphemous. Hahaha.

 

[teamster02]

Looking at putting a front hitch one, we have always had front hitches on our vans and trucks. Has anyone already did this? if so, what did type did you buy and how did you put it on there. any issues?

I have to believe this would be a MAJOR project, if it's even possible at all. With unibody frame I can't imagine how it would mount. Even adding a tow hook is a project. I guess if you didn't need it centered it could be done similar to adding a tow hook?

 

[clavicus]

What’s that used for? Sounds kinky.

 

[Deeunicorn]

I ment receiver but still it might be a difficult project..

 

[MichaelG]

I haven't seen one yet, and obviously it would mean messing significantly with the bumper. I have heard people complaining about even needing to screw into it for a front license plate holder (for states that require a front plate). Adding a hitch would be even more blasphemous. Hahaha.

This is the reason that there is no option for foglights. The bumper is right behind the plastic.

 

[marpolsdofer]

What’s that used for? Sounds kinky.

Only time I have seen them used for is light weight snow plows or for pulling something/being pulled.

Natural they be used on stuff with a frame underneath and not a unibody. That being said people get creative and well weld or bolt mount to the cross bars that everything thing else mount to.

 

[Comet71]

Looking at putting a front hitch one, we have always had front hitches on our vans and trucks. Has anyone already did this? if so, what did type did you buy and how did you put it on there. any issues?

I was thinking of this.. If the MAV had that Hitch

 

[Decayed]

I don't think there is much to mount it to. Here's a video showing the undercarriage


here's another showing it without the bumper, talking about how the tow hooks attach. If you don't order the fx4 pack the frame elements that the tow hooks attach to aren't even there.

 

[Dad]

Looking at putting a front hitch one, we have always had front hitches on our vans and trucks. Has anyone already did this? if so, what did type did you buy and how did you put it on there. any issues?

Looking at putting a front hitch one, we have always had front hitches on our vans and trucks. Has anyone already did this? if so, what did type did you buy and how did you put it on there. any issues?

Good question, but it would depend on what you want to hook up. If you want to flat tow the Mav, you'll need a base plate installed in order for a towing bar to attach. Base plate manufacturers are still designing a base plate to fit. Also, only the fwd hybrid can be flat towed. There's a separate thread here on flat towing ... if that's what you want to do.

 

[Deeunicorn]

I was thinking of this.. If the MAV had that Hitch

That is what my Dad was looking at for an idea, Thank you! Planning on taking the maverick down some log roads and never know when you need a front received with a winch. or just moving light trailers,

 

[Dad]

That is what my Dad was looking at for an idea, Thank you! Planning on taking the maverick down some log roads and never know when you need a front received with a winch. or just moving light trailers,

This is a must have if you're doing any kind of off-road driving. I've discovered the winch is useful for removing dead tress and the like from the road rather than moving your vehicle.
Hopefully, for the off-road people, this can be installed without too much trouble.

 

[Dad]

I don't think there is much to mount it to. Here's a video showing the undercarriage


here's another showing it without the bumper, talking about how the tow hooks attach. If you don't order the fx4 pack the frame elements that the tow hooks attach to aren't even there.

Lots of great information here. I came away with how intricate and amazing the engineering and placement of all the components. Thanks for the videos!

 

[Maverickman74]

I have one on my comanche. I just built a custom bumper that attaches to the unibody rails and put a winch and a hitch on it. Ugly but easy. I think the biggest problem which is actually the same with my MJ is cooling. If you have a sufficiently strong cross bar inside the plastic that blocks the intercooler or radiator in any way you will end up with heat problems. Also whatever you use on there will block a significant amount of air aswell. I think the only way to do it and not create airflow problems is to cut vertical slots through the bumper at the unibody rails. Cut and drill a thick plate to bolt to the frame rails. Then add a fish plate(added layer of diamond shaped metal) or use angle for the plate for side to side strength. Then stick those out of the bumper probably a inch or 2(so you can clean behind it) and weld your crossbar out in front of the bumper. This whole assembly could technically be slide in and held on with pins or bolts through the unibody rails. It would also be smart to sleeve the bolt holes in the frame rails to reduce fatigue on the stamped sheetmetal rails. If you clear access to the bolt/pin holes you could install/remove this hitch in a matter of minutes and just have the slots cut in the plastic bumper which you could make caps or covers for. Then when you dont need the hitch it could be in the bed or behind the seat and look nice and clean and not hurt mpg or airflow any.


Looking more at those videos I am not sure the tow hook mounting spot is the perfect spot to do any of what I described. It does appear that there are some areas under there appropriate to for it though.

 

[L Martin]

A front hitch receiver is great for mounting a winch, mounting a cooler and rods for surf fishing or for positioning a boat. With a front hitch you can put a boat trailer precisely where you want it. I have put front hitch receivers on several pickups and on my 4 runner. I also put one on a unibody crossover but it was an ugly job. I think it would be a difficult and risky undertaking on a Maverick. And probably ugly. I wouldn’t consider doing it on my Mav.

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