Has anyone used a front mounted hitch to move their rv into a tight spot. Seems like ti wouild be easier

It's harder to see around the blind side, in fact impossible.That said if you're familiar with where you're backing or scope it out good you can back into a very tight spot.

If it was a boat that you were positioning that you can see over or around, that would work. But with an RV, you're not going to see around it at all. At least backing up, you have two mirrors that are as wide or wider than the RV you're backing up. With a front hitch you're going to be sitting there staring at a big wall 6 - 8' in front of you that you can't see over or around. I think you'll have less viability overall than you do with the mirrors backing up.Bill

In addition to the reduced visibility, I don't think I'd want to drop a trailer onto my front suspension like that. At least without doing some serious math first. Though I guess some trucks are setup for large snow plows that can weigh in about the same as the tongue on a larger trailer.

I have been looking into front hitches, which actually are mostly used for snow plows, and the downward weight limit on most of them seems to be 300 to 500 lbs. So personally I wouldn't hook a TT to a front hitch, unless it was a very small and light TT.

I don't consider the extra weight to be of concern as it's over and done in just minutes and it's not a catastrophic overload.Maybe some extra wear but I did it for years after ever camp to park at home and the front suspension is just fine on my 2007 with 200K

Front hitch | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

wanderingbob
Explorer II
Jan 09, 2017
As said above , a front hitch for backing trailer into a small place is difficult without a spotter or two , but , I have had one for twelve years on three diff trucks . Wonderful place to carry a Honda Generator when there is no other place , and I have a kayak rack that goes up from that front hitch to the roof .
n0arp
Explorer
Jan 07, 2017
humblerb wrote:
Once you've towed a dozen times or so, you should be able to back in to anywhere it is possible to put a trailer.
I'm not sure I could move a trailer better with a front hitch than with a rear hitch.
if you're a newbie, just practice backing a few more times.

^^ This. The idea that you need a front hitch for backing is ridiculous.
Campinfan
Explorer III
Jan 07, 2017
I would put on a front hitch to help me back up the trailer but I am not sure the hood would hold the fifth wheel hitch.lol
humblerb
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
Once you've towed a dozen times or so, you should be able to back in to anywhere it is possible to put a trailer.
I'm not sure I could move a trailer better with a front hitch than with a rear hitch.
if you're a newbie, just practice backing a few more times.
pasusan
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
We have a front hitch and use it every time we put our trailer away in our barn. Couldn't live without it. We do have a spotter and talk on cell phones or walkie-talkies to get it backed in correctly.
popeyemth
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
They are low.
I use a cheap "hitch doubler" from harbor freight made to put a bike rack on top of regular hitch
Put the hitch stinger in the top mount and it's 12 inches higher
Timbur
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
Had one on a Yukon XL, but it was so low to the ground it kept getting banged around and bent. It helped parking around obstacles like trees though. For the 10 minutes it was hitched to the front I doubt it's an issue
1492
Moderator
Jan 04, 2017
Moved from Forum Technical Support
Dick_B
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
It is but puts a load on the front of the TV with no weight distribution. We used our front hitch once for that purpose but then learned to back up better.
popeyemth
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017
As stated in my first response you have to know the place you're putting the rv or have scoped it out good or maybe just use a good spotter.
That said you can jackknife a camper into a spot and the straighten it out in places and around obstacles you would bet big money couldn't be done-or smash a corner before you know it if you hurry.