Front Mounted Bike Rack Hitch

Had one on a past class A for about 12 years. Used it all the time with the kids. Hitch place made me sign a note saying I would not use it to tow, as the 2inch receiver was not rated. The bikes collected lots of bugs, but it did not seem to affect the air flow into the gas Motorhome.

Here is where I put a bike rack in a front receiver for carrying x-pens for the fur campers

I went to a junk yard and looked at a pile of old receiver hitches for a hour and finally decided on one to revamp into a front hitch for my 2001 Dodge Ram 4X4.









40 bucks, some welding rod and a sawsall. Mounted with existing tow hook bolts. All the commercial ones I looked at came out under the front air dam.

Left over pieces.


And here is why I made it. Note: Bikes go on a pin box rack.

You can see the bikes in my profile pic.

I had a Curt front receiver installed on my current an previous truck so that I could install a bike rack. It has worked out very well. The hitches are straight bolt on. he best bike rack to use is one that carries the bikes on their wheels (eg Swagman) Hanging the bikes from their frames is not good since they swing around in the wind. I have not have problems with visibility, lights or cooling. No complaints from the law either. I leave the rack in place all the wimt (since Nov this trip - 4000 miles this trip)

Check the laws in your state. If the cargo on the rack covers the headlights or turn signals, you might be illegal.
It would be a good idea to know the laws in every state you enter, too. Reciprocity might not apply!

I had a very good local welder build a front hitch for my Class A. He did a great job of it. He tucked it up by following the contour of the Class A so we lost very little clearance.

A while back there as thread about this that may be helpful to you.

Front Mounted Hitch

My truck has a "blocker bar", on the front, to keep the truck from riding upon the trunk lid of the little Rice Burners during a rear end collision. I notched out a part in the center of that bar and welded in a standard 2' receiver. Pretty handy for spotting trailers in tight places too.

Many people have added a front hitch for various purposes.
I think you have a 2011 Dodge 1500. Here is a front hitch.
Hitch finder