I am looking at putting a Curt front hitch receiver on my 2008 F-250 super duty. From my previous beach buggy life in the 80's I still have a Hamburger's (Pt. Pleasant, NJ) custom made aluminum cooler/rod holder rack. I had 2 square receiver tubes welded to the front frame of my truck for easy attachment and removal. Instead of welding new receivers on my F-250 I was thinking about just buying a Curt, 500 lb. capacity front hitch receiver. 4 bolts to the frame and it's on. The thing I am worried about is the sway and give with a single attachment point. Is the hitch receiver snug and tight with the different implements you can use with it?

I've never had a receiver that fit snugly with the draw bar, and many implements/ramps/carriers will be quite loose. There are holding devices to use that will snug up/tighten this issue, some better than others. It will likely never be as solid as using two receivers, but depends a lot on what you haul.Jerry

They make a locking hitch pin that is threaded, a spring loaded nut fits inside the tube of whatever you are going to insert into the receiver. I use them and no sway at atl to the tray or bike rackhttps://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Locks/Lets-Go-Aero/63232.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKCAiAp5nyBRABEiwApTwjXk50x20iJUmhxRHSvrVpsxjitnWqO-Lj30w7pXHlW6MxikTPSVmkLhoCKhwQAvD_BwE

Add some stabilizing turnbuckles from the tow loops to the outside corners of the front rack like this. It will be rock solid then. :):)

I have a 05 F 350 dually diesel and I had a hitch mounted where the fog lights used to be. I bought one ofthese to carry the 500 Harley I have.

Not sure what year body style changed, but I had front hitch on 2006 F350 and it was mounted under tow hooks, so easy job and worked quite well. For 2017 the hitch is mounted under the frame, so quite a task to fish all the bolts and than not only required removal (or cutting) lower trimm, but hitch scrapes steep driveways, or high curbs. I use it for short platform with generator and have to pay attention where I drive.In the past, I used rear hitch on motorhome for PWC carrying, so I added 2 more receivers on the sides with additional bars. That not only stop any rocking of 500 lb PWC, but added security.

Front Hitch receiver F-250 | Good Sam Community

Fisher_Bill
Explorer
Feb 14, 2020
The dual support is ideal but I have the same Curt receiver on the front of my 2006 duramax and I've been ok with a clamp like this https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=anti+sway+bike+rack+clamp That I found through the link Buzzcut1 posted. I use a similar clamp on the bike rack on the back of our fiver and it does help the sway (depending on the weight of your load)
I carry a 3500 propane generator on the front and use some of the ratchet straps to hold and to stabilize the unit to the truck frame/body.
time2retire
Explorer
Feb 14, 2020
jaycocreek wrote:
Looking at a front receiver for my truck,I noticed both Curt and Draw Tite had tow hooks on the hitch, which would make it easy to snug it down as pictured above with turnbuckles...

Assuming your Curt hitch your looking at does not..

I think attaching the the turnbuckles to the tow hitch defeats the purpose of stabilizing the implement. Wouldn't you want the hooks attached to the truck?
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2020
Looking at a front receiver for my truck,I noticed both Curt and Draw Tite had tow hooks on the hitch, which would make it easy to snug it down as pictured above with turnbuckles...

Assuming your Curt hitch your looking at does not..
NRALIFR
Explorer
Feb 14, 2020
Try to find some turnbuckles with a forged body, rather than the aluminum body in my picture. Those eventually stripped out and I replaced them with some that are more heavy duty.

:):)
time2retire
Explorer
Feb 14, 2020
Great info guys. I had thought about the turnbuckles and that's what I'll try first. The lock nut will be plan B. Thanks

Rick
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2020
Not sure what year body style changed, but I had front hitch on 2006 F350 and it was mounted under tow hooks, so easy job and worked quite well.
For 2017 the hitch is mounted under the frame, so quite a task to fish all the bolts and than not only required removal (or cutting) lower trimm, but hitch scrapes steep driveways, or high curbs. I use it for short platform with generator and have to pay attention where I drive.
In the past, I used rear hitch on motorhome for PWC carrying, so I added 2 more receivers on the sides with additional bars.
That not only stop any rocking of 500 lb PWC, but added security.
VoodooMedicineM
Explorer
Feb 14, 2020
I have a 05 F 350 dually diesel and I had a hitch mounted where the fog lights used to be. I bought one ofthese to carry the 500 Harley I have.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Feb 14, 2020
Add some stabilizing turnbuckles from the tow loops to the outside corners of the front rack like this. It will be rock solid then.

:):)
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Feb 14, 2020
They make a locking hitch pin that is threaded, a spring loaded nut fits inside the tube of whatever you are going to insert into the receiver. I use them and no sway at atl to the tray or bike rack

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Locks/Lets-Go-Aero/63232.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKCAiAp5nyBRABEiwApTwjXk50x20iJUmhxRHSvrVpsxjitnWqO-Lj30w7pXHlW6MxikTPSVmkLhoCKhwQAvD_BwE
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 14, 2020
I've never had a receiver that fit snugly with the draw bar, and many implements/ramps/carriers will be quite loose. There are holding devices to use that will snug up/tighten this issue, some better than others. It will likely never be as solid as using two receivers, but depends a lot on what you haul.

Jerry

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