Hi all,I'm looking for ideas on a front receiver that attaches to the tow hooks on my 2016 F250. I want to carry two bicycles on the receiver. I have a bike carrier on the ladder of the camper but it's hard to open the camper door with the bikes installed. There was a company, Bodiak, that made the type of receiver I'm looking for but I believe they are out of business. Anybody know of another manufacturer that makes the tow-hook-attach receiver? Has anybody made their own? Thanks

I've never seen the type you've described. I assume you know there is probably a standard hitch receiver available for your truck?

Are you sure? I just recieved my hitch from them a couple months ago.

Spearfisherman71 wrote:Are you sure? I just recieved my hitch from them a couple months ago.That's good to hear. I went to their web site and it says down for maintenance. After reading other stuff on the internet it looked like they may be closed. I'll keep checking. I like the idea of the receiver on the tow hooks because it gives me the on/off flexibility and the bike rack would ride higher. The pictures off the Bodiak installed look good. Besides, don't like cutting into the lower skirt of the new truck, at least for awhile. :)

I had issues with getting them to return calls or emails and it took about 3 months delivery. But installation was simple and I like the product.

my tow hooks were bolted on, so I took them off, and purchased a receiver from harbor freight. welded on a plate with same bolt pattern and then bolted it back on each side. used 14" square tube and a board and mounted my boat motor to front. could mount bikes there also.

Front receiver | Good Sam Community

billtex
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2016
Manfred wrote:
I like the idea of the receiver on the tow hooks because it gives me the on/off flexibility and the bike rack would ride higher. The pictures off the Bodiak installed look good. Besides, don't like cutting into the lower skirt of the new truck, at least for awhile. :)

I don't know why taking the hitch on/off is important to you? Must have a reason.

In any case, we found having the bikes LOWER (I use a 4" drop adapter) provides better vision.
I did not have to cut any plastic for our Hidden-Hitch.
This is the 3rd truck I have mounted a front Hidden-Hitch on. 1 hr install. No ground clearance issue, no cutting...
Manfred
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
Thanks for the replies and ideas. The air dam on my 2016 F250 appears to hang pretty low (stock truck)so a receiver below would be uncomfortably low. I don't anticipate doing any serious off-roading but it could happen. I'll check out Curt. I like the idea of a High School weld shop or other independent fabricator, could be a good way to go.:)
RWDIII
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
Halmfamily wrote:
I purchased my front mount hitch from Curt. It bolts to the frame under the front and sits just below the air dam. Took about thirty minutes to install and I can still use of hooks. Also I like this because our bikes sit lower on the front of the truck and don't impede our view.

X2 on Curt messed up on the cutout bought on amazon
Halmfamily
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
RWDIII wrote:
Halmfamily wrote:
I purchased my front mount hitch from Curt. It bolts to the frame under the front and sits just below the air dam. Took about thirty minutes to install and I can still use of hooks. Also I like this because our bikes sit lower on the front of the truck and don't impede our view.

X2 on Curt messed up on the cutout bought on amazon

Mine sits flush with the air dam, didn't have to cut the dam. The only place I've grounded ours is at the local Burger King. I've learned to depart that parking lot at an angle.
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
The Bodiak was a neat hitch. I heard they went out of business a long time ago. Maybe they started up again.

I like B&W and Curt hitch products. They're both made in America. I like America. :)

I used to buy Reese/DrawTite but they're made in china now, as are Hidden Hitch, Fulton, Tow Power and a few other brands by the same parent company. I don't like china.
RWDIII
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
Halmfamily wrote:
RWDIII wrote:
Halmfamily wrote:
I purchased my front mount hitch from Curt. It bolts to the frame under the front and sits just below the air dam. Took about thirty minutes to install and I can still use of hooks. Also I like this because our bikes sit lower on the front of the truck and don't impede our view.

X2 on Curt messed up on the cutout bought on amazon

Mine sits flush with the air dam, didn't have to cut the dam. The only place I've grounded ours is at the local Burger King. I've learned to depart that parking lot at an angle.

I flipped it so I wouldn't lose ground clearance,I still do some lite 4x4
idaho_camper
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
I just installed a front hitch on my 2003 F350 for the very same reason -- to provide easier access to the rear camper door by carrying bicycles up front.

Hitch cost me $136 delivered and installation was easy. Instructions provided with the hitch were very clear.

No cutting was required but I did have to remove my OEM fog lights. This was not a big deal for me as I had planned to re-install some after-market fog lights elsewhere anyway.

Good luck.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
RWDIII wrote:
Halmfamily wrote:
RWDIII wrote:
Halmfamily wrote:
I purchased my front mount hitch from Curt. It bolts to the frame under the front and sits just below the air dam. Took about thirty minutes to install and I can still use of hooks. Also I like this because our bikes sit lower on the front of the truck and don't impede our view.

X2 on Curt messed up on the cutout bought on amazon

Mine sits flush with the air dam, didn't have to cut the dam. The only place I've grounded ours is at the local Burger King. I've learned to depart that parking lot at an angle.

I flipped it so I wouldn't lose ground clearance,I still do some lite 4x4

Never thought about that, good idea.
Manfred
Explorer
Aug 13, 2016
mellow wrote:
Our local High School has a welding program, the shop teacher loves to have custom requests to teach the students how to weld things up. It might mean you have to leave your truck there for a week so they can get it measured right but the cost is usually for materials only. Gather as many photos of the Bodiak product as you can and see if you can find someone to replicate it, as they were the only ones I am aware of that makes front hitches that way.

I have a couple of welder buddies so I'm going to try to make my own Bodiak-type receiver. Would one of you with the Bodiak receiver mind sending me a couple of pictures of the receiver, specifically where it attaches to the tow hooks, so I can get an idea of how to fabricate. You can PM me and I will send you my email address. Would very much appreciate it.
67avion
Explorer II
Aug 13, 2016
SoCalDesertrider wrote:
I don't like china.

X2