Hello all,Just purchased my motorcycle carrier, found a used Versa-haul with the ramp for my 125 Yamaha Zuma. Know the hitch I have a 2002 F350 super duty 4 door 7.3 4x4.I have been doing some research and it looks like the Curt C-31014 from E-Trailer will fit my truck. Any other comments are welcome.Is this something i can install in the garage or should i take it to the Ford Dealer.Does anyone know the torque settings for the blocker beam bolts and the Leaf spring bolt.Thanks

I installed a similar front hitch about three months ago. It's pretty easy. I did it by myself with no need for drilling, welding or special tools. It took about 30 minutes. Give it a try.

http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=C31014GULFMAN wrote:Hello all,Just purchased my motorcycle carrier, found a used Versa-haul with the ramp for my 125 Yamaha Zuma. Know the hitch I have a 2002 F350 super duty 4 door 7.3 4x4.I have been doing some research and it looks like the Curt C-31014 from E-Trailer will fit my truck. Any other comments are welcome.Is this something i can install in the garage or should i take it to the Ford Dealer.Does anyone know the torque settings for the blocker beam bolts and the Leaf spring bolt.ThanksIf you go to the e-trailer website they should have on-line instructions for the Curt hitch you're looking at. Here is the link for the instructions:http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=C31014

It's never as easy as the manufacturer claims. If you don't have to fish a bolt through the frame you should have no troubles. Even that isn't too bad. I would have a jack handy as an extra "hand". Curt instructions have torque values. I had to trim a square hole in my plastic chin spoiler. Dremmell tool zipped right through it. Hacksaw would likely work as well.

Not that easy for me. I have to do a complete fabrication to mount a Class 5 receiver on the front of my 1997 F350 because I did a spring flip and the entire front spring mounts have been replaced. Got all the steel in, just a matter of doing the plots and plasma cutting the side bolster plates and welding in the cross support. I'm front mounting my spare tire and rim. I found out the hard way last summer what a total biatch it is dropping the spare from under the back of the truck (with a camper on) on the berm of an Interstate with (idiots) flying by at 70+, inches from my feet. People are so courteous today.... Had my triangles out and 4 ways on and no one paid any attention, never moved over, never slowed down.I guarantee you if you have to do it just one time, you'll be mounting the spare on the front. I had bloody elbows and skinned knees from the gravel on the berm. Never again. Thank goodness I carry the necessary tools to change a tire on the road.Mine will be a total custom install because of the suspension modifications and I want to retain my tow hooks as well. I'll be removing my winch mount and building a custom mount to fit the receiver.

hey Jack,Did the leaf spring nut give you any trouble 24 mm

2002 f350 front mount trailer hitch and carrier

GULFMAN
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
I like the curt C31014 (350lbs) because it is lower to ground for using the Motorcycle carrier for a 262 lb dry 125 Zuma.
But the other choice is the one that you have to remove your fog lights (500lbs)if using this can you use some kind of drop attachment to get lower to the ground?
COMMENTS WELCOME!!
pcoplin
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2017
I had a Hidden Hitch on my 2001, and put a Draw-Tite on my 2005. They both have a tongue weight of 500 lbs, be be wary of the weight of your cycle.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/y7fcaw7c
TxTiger
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017
Another consideration, the Draw Tite has a 500 lbs vertical weight capacity, the Curt only 350 lbs.
Jack_Hart
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2017
Check this: https://www.etrailer.com/question-50847.html
AnEv942
Nomad
Jun 06, 2017
The hitch, Curt C31014 mounts at bottom of frame rails, fog lights unaffected (if used) receiver comes out below air dam.
install PDF

I used a Hidden Hitch (Draw Tite) 65022, similar to Curt 31114. Receiver comes out just below bumper at tow hook level, fog lights removed (can be creatively modified to reinstall). Mine was a no drill, spacers used on outside bolts so inside bolts under bumper flanges, not sure why they changed.
install PDF
So that would be my only comment, verifying the height of receiver that works for you.

As to torque values, one of my pet peeves. Any bolt that needs to be removed to install after market item, factory torque # should be supplied to reinstall.
Front spring bolt/nut is like 203# (installing the C31014)
the blocker beam nuts 76#
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jun 06, 2017
I'd be cautious about the HF carrier as well. Had one on the back of my quad and hit a small bump and it broke off the tongue.
TxTiger
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
I put a hitch on the front of my 2000 F250. Before you purchase one, I would recommend you measure the height of your scooter and see how high it's going to be. I put a DRZ on mine and it was directly in front of my vision. It just didn't work for me at all. The hitch comes out in the middle of the bumper.
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
Your good fortune is the great flanged set up Ford has given you on the front flanged frame horns: certainly much better than the awkward bare frame horns on a Gen II Dodge. My Warn Winch carrier came with the nuts welded on tempered wires to feed them through holes in the frame.
Some more to consider if going with a front motorcycle carrier:
1. The need for more leaves in the front pack to carry the added load, maybe 400 pounds, total. Do not use air bags or coil springs. I added 3" coils to the front of my truck to carry the estimated extra 250 pound load of the winch, radiator saver, and Tomba Burro.
2. My Warn Winch carrier has a one piece 3/8" plate floor and front roller fair lead plate. To carry stuff on the front I used my floor jack to press a 2" receiver tube to the bottom of the carrier and used 7018 rod to permanently weld it up. So far, only a couple bicycles have taken up residence, but I'm sure a small load up there would survive.
3. My bro has one on his '99 F-250: For off road use, he welded a 2" spacer to hold it higher. The rack is by China Freight.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jun 06, 2017
Wow, didn't even know they made Class V for the front, are you carrying a motorcycle up front?

Myself, I don't know if 'they' make a Class 5 front or not, but mine will be. My side bolsters will be 1/4" high strength hot rolled plate and the cross member will be 2" x 5" schedule 60 steel rectangular tubing. with a Class 5 receiver stub welded (pulse MIG) to the tubing with appropriate 1/4" gusseting where necessary. I don't care for any of the tire mounts commercially available so I'll build my own as well. Nice to own a fab shop.
mellow
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017
Wow, didn't even know they made Class V for the front, are you carrying a motorcycle up front?

The install on my 2000 f250 took about an hour, it is good to have 2 people when dealing with the bumper and holding the receiver up while mounting it. Don't forget you will loose your fogs and have to move your front license plate. All the torque settings should be in the manual.