VIDEO: CURT Front Hitch And Spare Tire Mount InstallationThe F-550 has a 47 gallon fuel tank in the back between the frame rails where the spare tire is normally mounted. I have been strapping the spare to the rear slide out deck on the truck camper but it just isn't the best location for it. It's a lot of weight to be bouncing around on that deck. A friend had a front mount hitch and spare tire mount on his truck and camper and he said it was a great setup for him. It makes the most sense to me to mount the spare in front. It allows us to carry a couple bikes on a rear mount hitch double bike carrier. I also show the electric fan I installed to makeup for any loss in engine cooling due to the spare tire blocking air from being rammed into the radiator when on the highway. I'm still working on several other truck and camper projects and looking forward to improved travel capabilities from those changes being done to the truck and camper.Wheel Well Trim RepairCURT Front Hitch InstalledWheel Well Trim Fit After Repair

I love having the front receiver and a folding basket. I've never seen a change in engine or transmission temperature while on the road either. Using a 48" wide basket also prevents any blockage of my lights.

That's a great setup. The box rides low enough that it isn't obstructing airflow through your grill but it does block your airflow through the bumper opening. My spare tire will block the grill but not the bumper opening. I have the electric fan setup and working nicely to compensate for the blocked air flow. I have a video showing what I've done to try and improve the trucks cooling system. So far, results are promising. Installing ditch lights today. Looking seriously at an Alaska trip later in July and August. Not getting any younger, dang it!

I'm looking at doing that just so I can carry firewood to a couple places I go.

I have a 2" receiver drop adapter that would allow you to use the tire carrier without modification. It would also push the spare farther out from the grill allowing more air flow. If you want to try this, you know how to reach me.

Notice that disclaimer on your H13s? These are not street legal for use in your headlights. Do they really fit your fog lights?

F-550 CURT Front Hitch With Spare Tire Mount Installation

13 Replies

Camper_Jeff___K
Navigator
Apr 25, 2026
I attempted to mount the tire the other day. It became obvious there were two issues. It is a hard reach to lift and attach a 19.5 wheel to the mount. I also saw the tire would be higher than the hood and provide significantly blocked field of view driving.
I'm considering cutting out 6 or 8 inches height and welding the mount back together. That would work and make it a little easier to get the spare mounted to it. Another option is to put a 3 or 4 foot stinger in the 3" receiver and weld a flat plate on top to mount the wheel to. Departure angle becomes a concern on the mountain and dezert roads we frequent. If interested, be sure to read my long reply post on the cooling and degas bottle post to come up to date on that. Take care.
- Bedlam
  Moderator
  Apr 25, 2026
  I have a 2" receiver drop adapter that would allow you to use the tire carrier without modification. It would also push the spare farther out from the grill allowing more air flow. If you want to try this, you know how to reach me.
  - Camper_Jeff___K
    Navigator
    Apr 26, 2026
    Appreciate the offer. It has become obvious the difficulty lifting and attaching/removing the spare from that mount will be. The tail stinger mount option may work better as it puts the spare lower to the ground. It's an easy welding project if I go ahead with it. This would allow me to install either a bike mount or gear tray in front. So many options.
    I think I'm going to get my fishing license and head camping to a lake, river, or ocean next week after I finish the next ciuple TC projects.
stevenal
Nomad II
Apr 21, 2026
Notice that disclaimer on your H13s? These are not street legal for use in your headlights. Do they really fit your fog lights?
- Bedlam
  Moderator
  Apr 22, 2026
  I have some "old school" KC spot lights on my buggy that used to run H3 halogen bulbs. I switched to multi-element LED which turned the lights into floods due to the multi-path light sources. These off-road lights became my on-road DRL's even though they technically are not DOT rated. Sometimes you can mix and match things to get the desired output even if that was not the original design.
- Camper_Jeff___K
  Navigator
  Apr 21, 2026
  I don't think it'll be that big a deal using these lights. I have LED headlights on the F-250 and don't consider them overly bright. These aren't the super bright lights you can get but they are brighter. I'm very good about turning off high beams to oncoming traffic. I'm installing ditch lights today for those dark at night mountain and desert roads we travel from time to time. It's nice to be able to see what you're turning in to at night in the pitch dark to the sides. Would hate to accidently turn into a ditch or a rock.
- Grit_dog
  Trailblazer
  Apr 21, 2026
  Don’t be a “light cop”. It’s not very becoming.
  - StirCrazy
    Moderator
    Apr 22, 2026
    he has a point though, I can't stand aftermarket plug in lights because people plug them in and don't index them so you don't get the proper light pattern and you blind people. for the fords there is a proper indexable one that you may have to put it in and out a couple time if you don't get lucky the first time, but it will have a proper cutoff and work good with the ford reflectors.
    
    I am not sure if the sylvana's are indexable if they are they will be fine, if not they will be horrable.
MORSNOW
Navigator III
Apr 19, 2026
I love having the front receiver and a folding basket. I've never seen a change in engine or transmission temperature while on the road either. Using a 48" wide basket also prevents any blockage of my lights.
- StirCrazy
  Moderator
  Apr 22, 2026
  I'm looking at doing that just so I can carry firewood to a couple places I go.
- Camper_Jeff___K
  Navigator
  Apr 21, 2026
  That's a great setup. The box rides low enough that it isn't obstructing airflow through your grill but it does block your airflow through the bumper opening. My spare tire will block the grill but not the bumper opening. I have the electric fan setup and working nicely to compensate for the blocked air flow. I have a video showing what I've done to try and improve the trucks cooling system. So far, results are promising. Installing ditch lights today. Looking seriously at an Alaska trip later in July and August. Not getting any younger, dang it!
  - StirCrazy
    Moderator
    Apr 23, 2026
    how high does it sit with the hidden hitch. I have heard rhumors of people having issue with heat but nothing definitive.