Would you mount a cargo rack in front of the rig?

[rmasonschneider]

I got my hands on a new hitch cargo rack that i almost have no use for as i already have one installed in the rear. An idea had occured to me that maybe i should mount this on the front bumper to carry more useless things. I havent really thought the idea through but recall seeing some other fellas having a similar setup. My major concern ofcourse is how it will affect the cooling capability. Bikes i suppose are alright but some large ice chests or something similar in size would choke the radiator wouldn't it? Please feel free to chime in. thanks in advance.

[Redsky]

I saw a photo of one that the truck owner had custom built so it sat low and did not block the radiator. Seemed like a good way to do it if wanting either more space for gear or to move weight off the rear axle and on to the front one.

[Raften]

Been carrying a generator on a front rack for 10 years, never a problem with heat. Tried bike rack but did not like that. Recently got a Lock n Load, great product, strong and secure, don't worry about generator security anymore. Say again, great product.

[SLOW-1]

An added bonus to having a receiver on the front is that you can use it for trailer backing...you would be amazed the places you can put a trailer with it hooked to the front.

[trnfla]

rmasonschneider wrote:

trnfla wrote:
I mounted a front receiver Hitchon the front of mine and have carried bikes, now I have a rack that I put my firewood on to take camping.

thanks for the suggestions, it appears i might just go with this setup. It's pretty neat and doesnt need too much modification.

Glad you liked it, it was not to difficult to install.

[MrWizard]

Not our current RV, but carried two mopeds around for years, with no problems

[rmasonschneider]

trnfla wrote:
I mounted a front receiver Hitchon the front of mine and have carried bikes, now I have a rack that I put my firewood on to take camping.

thanks for the suggestions, it appears i might just go with this setup. It's pretty neat and doesnt need too much modification.

[BurbMan]

He should have used the Tork Lift Lock n Load. This is one heavy duty hitch carrier. Heck it must weigh 75 lbs by itself. Powdercoated and bulletproof. The whole front end would come off the truck before this baby let go.

[pkunk]

I saw one the other day that had me wondering...It was a strap-on roof rack attached to the hood of a pickup.. How could he see if it had anything in it?

[discovery4us]

I had a buddy with a TC that used one to carry his generator on. Worked well for years until the rack gave way and he drove over the generator taking out the truck's oil pan and rear driveline.

[westend]

Up here, in the Great White North, there are many trucks with a snow plow on the front. You can't get a better air dam than that.

I would assume that any of the newer trucks would be ok with a front rack as long as there is minimum restriction in front, not like Dutch's buddy, lol.

[trnfla]

I mounted a front receiver Hitchon the front of mine and have carried bikes, now I have a rack that I put my firewood on to take camping.

[BurbMan]

Had a surf rack when we lived on Long Island, found that the trans ran about 20* hotter due to the fish cooler blocking airflow to the trans cooler. Engine temp stayed the same according to the dash gauge:



Have been debating whether to use the front hitch for anything else, but with the kids grown we don't bring bikes with us, and I sold the surf rack when we moved to KY.

[JoeH]

For years I carried a Harley Sportster on a rack I custom built on the front of our P30 gas motorhome. Never had any problem with over heating .

[fatmanobx]

I use one on the front of my F150 and have never had a cooling problem..I have a big box mounted on it and it blocks the air flow, but I have never noticed any heating problems with it.