Police and bicycle front hitch

We have both a front "Cooler Rack" and a rear back porch. We've traveled the entire country including Alaska and have never been questioned. There were places that we were almost to long to navigate.
No engine cooling problems, no headlight restrictions. Never been bothered about license plate obstructed either. We carry lots of stuff bikes, coolers, firewood, grills lashed down on both racks.

Yup I've been stopped in CA. it was many years ago and I was carrying a small 50cc dirt bike on the front hitch. Got stopped by the CHP for having an obstructed front plate.

I just had to take my written DL test again in CA and an obstructed plate is definitely against the law. I guess whether any officer will bother with it depends on his or her mood at the time.

Have had a front hitch from day one of owning the truck. We have been across Canada and the northern US carrying 4 bike in front. Have not had any issues with police. Try not to drive at night due to the reflection. The lower fog lights light up the road better than the standard driving lights.
For the last 3 years I have carried a WR250R in front with no issues. Bicycles and motorbike do get covered in bugs.

What is surprising is they are not banned for reasons of pedestrian safety.

I don't carry bikes anymore but carry a Honda trail up front. Never a problem except as stated, glare of the chrome rack. Again we don't drive very muchafter dark. If we are it's crossing the wide open desert coming home and might see 1 car in 125 miles,never been flashed and I can see the road fine.

6 years, many miles ,multiple states , day/night, never an issue.

I carried bikes on the front of the truck when we had our Northstar. Never had an issue with PD, BUT did have my own issue...didn't like the light bouncing back off the bike tire rims when headlights were on. Like another poster stated - mounted 2 driving lights down low in the middle so the light went below the bikes - that made a huge difference. Also - could never put a cover over the bikes (moreso from overheating and greatly decreased airflow) - so bikes always got covered with road grime. Also learn to watch for higher curbs - have seen bikes with bent rims from folks catching them on curbs, etc. They made it a bit of a challenge to do daily under the hood checks, too. Much happier now with bikes on the back of our current van. ST

We have just returned from around 13000 miles with the bikes on the front of the TV. No issues. Some night driving.

Unless there is clearly a problem (ie: the officer gets suprised thinking you are a motorcycle because he couldn't see one of the lights), it is unlikely you will get pulled over for it. My experience is most want cut and dry tickets to issue if there is no incident already.

The vehicle code in most states (probably all) does require headlights and there is the implication they should not be obstructed so in theory they could issue you a ticket.

The most likely scenario where you could get in trouble is if you have a crash at night and someone brings up the bikes blocking the headlights.

We have travelled like this for 8/9 years with up to 4 bikes...all over the USA. Never had a problem (police, overheating, night vision)...at night we do have "driving lights" that are down low and illuminate the road way with a nice broad light pattern.

The front rack has worked out very well for us. IIRC our's is a Hidden Hitch brand.
Bill