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Topic: Front Trailer hitch (Read 824 times) previous topic - next topic

Front Trailer hitch

Has anyone added a small trailer hitch to their front ends to make launching a small boat easier and to keep the drive wheels out of the water.
It could even be removable.
Don

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #1 –
Your Foretravel probably has a receiver in the front if it's an earlier model.

FWIW

John
Just enjoying life &  friends wherever we  park


 '91 Foretravel U300/'94 Foretravel U280

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #2 –
This is a 2000 36 ft U270
Don

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #3 –
No MH listed in your profile 

Sorry,

John
Just enjoying life &  friends wherever we  park


 '91 Foretravel U300/'94 Foretravel U280

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #4 –
I don't own one yet, But have several on the burner that I can buy tomorrow.
Just getting all my ducks in order as to what I want to accomplish with a unit.
Don
Don

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #5 –
I have one on my pickup.  It is called a spotting hitch.  I have used it to move our boat 1/4 mile from storage to the ramp, through a narrow residential street, around corners, and launch it.  Driving and pushing a trailer is easier than you might think, a lot easier than backing!

Matt B
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #6 –
I think that might be a little tricky as there is no bumper on the front, only the generator access door
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #7 –
Quote from: red tractor –
I think that might be a little tricky as there is no bumper on the front, only the generator access door

Figure out how to do it.  Need to launch watercraft with my u320. Please?

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #8 –
Watched one in camp ground, the ramp was wet from others launching the boats, motor home and boat were both in the lake.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bill Willett –
Watched one in camp ground, the ramp was wet from others launching the boats, motor home and boat were both in the lake.

A diesel pusher with a front hitch?

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #10 –
Watched trucks with boats pulled out of the ocean several times. If the ramp is wet or slippery, I always approach at almost a right angle to the water and then jackknife the boat/trailer into the water. Don't have to spin the tires when pulling the boat back out either.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #11 –
Bob, had one of the front ones on my old 93 GV. Great for putting my now sold Pontoon boat in the lake here.
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #12 –
I saw it done that way too. The newer FT have two recovery sleeve in them. I am sure a hitch could be put on. Be careful of the front brakes and front end if it is salt water as well as the genny.  But a older GV is better suited for this with a side mounted genset.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
A diesel pusher with a front hitch?

Bob

 
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Figure out how to do it.  Need to launch watercraft with my u320. Please?

Bob

Front hitch will be tough to do.  You can't drop anything lower than the front lower channel of the genset subframe as it will scrape on inclines (flatnose bus style).  You'd need to cut a hole through genset cover.  Hitch will need to be tied back to front frame in a substantial style, lots of fabrication, the generator subframe is not adequate for additonal load, my opinion after rebuilding the one on my coach.

Really, the Grand Villa with its higher ground clearance, front receivers would be better for this job.  I'm pretty sure my unicoach would high center on most of the boat ramps I see around here, even with the suspension aired all the way up.  There's some advantages to those Torsilastic suspensions. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
 
Front hitch will be tough to do.  You can't drop anything lower than the front lower channel of the genset subframe as it will scrape on inclines (flatnose bus style).  You'd need to cut a hole through genset cover.  Hitch will need to be tied back to front frame in a substantial style, lots of fabrication, the generator subframe is not adequate for additonal load, my opinion after rebuilding the one on my coach.

Really, the Grand Villa with its higher ground clearance, front receivers would be better for this job.  I'm pretty sure my unicoach would high center on most of the boat ramps I see around here, even with the suspension aired all the way up.  There's some advantages to those Torsilastic suspensions.

The ramps I use are huge.  No high centering but I would be the talk of the day launching with a 40' Rv.

Old enough to have the Rv.  Young enough to have personal watercraft.  Hmmmm

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #15 –
On my early post I should have said it was a Journey with a front hitch.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Front Trailer hitch

Reply #16 –
Another option would be to have the campground where one stays launch the boat for you.
Anyone have any experience with this option.
I will be towing a 17 ft Zodiac rigid hull inflatable with a 60 hp motor, Weight less than 2000 ibs.
Don