Front mounted Tool Box, issues, Concerns? Is it safe?

NRALIFR wrote:

presh223 wrote:
Wow, so much good information, and you really went all out! What are you using for the base, did you fab your own or did you buy one and just put the box on top of it? You literally have thought of everything!

Thanks, it was a years-long project. Six to eight years at least. Use it, see a need, change it, use it, see a problem, change it........etc.

The base that’s holding the box to the truck is all custom made from angle-iron mostly. Some 2” square tube, and some flat plate where needed. The pintle hitch mount came from etrailer if I remember right. Speaking of which, that’s how I’d handle your front bumper hitch. There are pintle hitch mounts that can provide 12”-18” of drop. I’d buy one and build off of that rather than make any changes to your bumper. That thing is a beast!

If I ever need more approach angle clearance, I can raise the box up 6” by bolting it up higher on the pintle mount.

:):)

Now I'm thinking I may be forced to put my motorcycle in front and box in rear. The box will probably hold up better in the rear to any swinging action since I'll need an extension. The box will probably have 200lbs inside while the bike is 260lbs and has a higher center of gravity. I know people will just say get a trailer, but I want to keep the footprint as nimble as possible.

presh223 wrote:
Wow, so much good information, and you really went all out! What are you using for the base, did you fab your own or did you buy one and just put the box on top of it? You literally have thought of everything!

Thanks, it was a years-long project. Six to eight years at least. Use it, see a need, change it, use it, see a problem, change it........etc.

The base that’s holding the box to the truck is all custom made from angle-iron mostly. Some 2” square tube, and some flat plate where needed. The pintle hitch mount came from etrailer if I remember right. Speaking of which, that’s how I’d handle your front bumper hitch. There are pintle hitch mounts that can provide 12”-18” of drop. I’d buy one and build off of that rather than make any changes to your bumper. That thing is a beast!

If I ever need more approach angle clearance, I can raise the box up 6” by bolting it up higher on the pintle mount.

:):)

NRALIFR wrote:
I have a shallow truck-bed tool box that was given to me several years ago. I turned it into a front-hitch storage box that I’ve used to haul gear that I don’t want inside the truck or camper on three trucks now. It’s been through several revisions and upgrades, and I think I’m on revision seven or eight now. I’ve used it on three trucks, and it hasn’t caused any problems at all.



I discovered very quickly I needed some reminders that it was out there because I can’t see any of it from the drivers seat. I put some fiberglass reflector rods on it first (above), then later bought some Bores brand bumper guides like the big trucks have (below). Coincidentally, the ones Bores make for the Ford F450’s were the straightest ones they had, and were exactly what I needed. The bumper guides have little lights on top that I’ve connected to the running lights.



Next, I needed some ditch lights on the front of the box to help out when I’m trying to find a turn I need to take at night.........driving down an unlit road...........with no moon.....(really, really dark!). I bought some Hella driving lights, which were great until one of them took a rock and I found out that a replacement lens was going to cost nearly as much as the pair cost originally.



So, I bought some LED lights that cost less than the replacement lens was going to cost.



There were a few other little tweeks and adjustments along the way that required some cutting and welding. The first version was a fixed height, but I worried that it might cause a clearance problem for me someday, so I bought a pintle hitch mount for a 2” receiver with a lot of up-down adjustability and had a matching plate welded on the rack that carries the tool box. Now I can move it up about 8” if needed. It doesn’t seem to affect the engine or transmission cooling at all.



Two turnbuckles keep the box rock steady.



I use the box to carry a Webber grill, a Yamaha 1000 generator, a roll-up table, and a few other little things. The only problem has been that it’s a few inches too short for the generator, so I have to lean it over at an angle for the lid to shut. I have to make sure that the gas cap is on tight, the vent closed, the fuel shut off, and the carburetor side is facing up. I decided it’s time to fix that issue, so I started looking for some way to put a “bump” on the top so the Yamaha can sit up straight. Plan B is to drop a section of the bottom, but I’d have to place it to the left or right of center since the hitch tube is right in the middle. I haven’t decided which way to go yet.

I started looking for some type of aluminum pan, tray or box that I could use. I eventually discovered that some commercial cake pans are made exactly like I wanted, and would be cheaper than having something custom made. I found a pan that’s 12”x18”x3” with 90 degree sides, square welded corner seams, a flat lip around the top edge rather than rolled, and made of heavy aluminum.

So now I just need to cut a hole in the box and rivet it in place, then my generator will be able to stand up straight in the box.



:):)

Wow, so much good information, and you really went all out! What are you using for the base, did you fab your own or did you buy one and just put the box on top of it? You literally have thought of everything!

Grit dog wrote:
Unles you're removing the radiator or grille, that bumper Looks like a blessing for getting into the engine bay. Built in steps. Watch your head sliding out from under with a creeper though!

Nice looking rig though!

Thank you. I did some work on it and literally had to kneel on the radiator the whole time. The bumper is good for one thing and one thing only. I like the way it looks, but it really is an impediment.

Grit dog wrote:
Isn't going to hurt a thing. Just looks goofy. Can buy a hitch rack for $75 about anywhere. Easy button to try it out.
What kind of "camper". You can put the same hitch rack on an extension behind a TC or most TT/5vers have or can easily accept a light weight hitch rack for the rear bumper.
Keeps the Pinocchio effect to a minimum.

Its an Arctic Fox 990, I was planning on putting a motorcycle back there, but now that you mention that pinocchio effect perhaps I should put the bike in front and the box in the rear.

Dave H M wrote:
just kinda makes me wonder what occupies those big adz boxes. :h

Bodies. No dismemberment required. :W

:):)

I have a shallow truck-bed tool box that was given to me several years ago. I turned it into a front-hitch storage box that I’ve used to haul gear that I don’t want inside the truck or camper on three trucks now. It’s been through several revisions and upgrades, and I think I’m on revision seven or eight now. I’ve used it on three trucks, and it hasn’t caused any problems at all.



I discovered very quickly I needed some reminders that it was out there because I can’t see any of it from the drivers seat. I put some fiberglass reflector rods on it first (above), then later bought some Bores brand bumper guides like the big trucks have (below). Coincidentally, the ones Bores make for the Ford F450’s were the straightest ones they had, and were exactly what I needed. The bumper guides have little lights on top that I’ve connected to the running lights.



Next, I needed some ditch lights on the front of the box to help out when I’m trying to find a turn I need to take at night.........driving down an unlit road...........with no moon.....(really, really dark!). I bought some Hella driving lights, which were great until one of them took a rock and I found out that a replacement lens was going to cost nearly as much as the pair cost originally.



So, I bought some LED lights that cost less than the replacement lens was going to cost.



There were a few other little tweeks and adjustments along the way that required some cutting and welding. The first version was a fixed height, but I worried that it might cause a clearance problem for me someday, so I bought a pintle hitch mount for a 2” receiver with a lot of up-down adjustability and had a matching plate welded on the rack that carries the tool box. Now I can move it up about 8” if needed. It doesn’t seem to affect the engine or transmission cooling at all.



Two turnbuckles keep the box rock steady.



I use the box to carry a Webber grill, a Yamaha 1000 generator, a roll-up table, and a few other little things. The only problem has been that it’s a few inches too short for the generator, so I have to lean it over at an angle for the lid to shut. I have to make sure that the gas cap is on tight, the vent closed, the fuel shut off, and the carburetor side is facing up. I decided it’s time to fix that issue, so I started looking for some way to put a “bump” on the top so the Yamaha can sit up straight. Plan B is to drop a section of the bottom, but I’d have to place it to the left or right of center since the hitch tube is right in the middle. I haven’t decided which way to go yet.

I started looking for some type of aluminum pan, tray or box that I could use. I eventually discovered that some commercial cake pans are made exactly like I wanted, and would be cheaper than having something custom made. I found a pan that’s 12”x18”x3” with 90 degree sides, square welded corner seams, a flat lip around the top edge rather than rolled, and made of heavy aluminum.

So now I just need to cut a hole in the box and rivet it in place, then my generator will be able to stand up straight in the box.



:):)

Here is my box. First on my 2000 F250 now on a 1999 E250.

Only use it for one trip in the fall each year but have had no problems. I carry about 300 lbs in it.

Unles you're removing the radiator or grille, that bumper Looks like a blessing for getting into the engine bay. Built in steps. Watch your head sliding out from under with a creeper though!

Nice looking rig though!

Isn't going to hurt a thing. Just looks goofy. Can buy a hitch rack for $75 about anywhere. Easy button to try it out.
What kind of "camper". You can put the same hitch rack on an extension behind a TC or most TT/5vers have or can easily accept a light weight hitch rack for the rear bumper.
Keeps the Pinocchio effect to a minimum.