Bodiak Front Hitch

Bodiak sounds like a great product. Bodiak goes over the front tow hooks and fasten to them. It could not be any easier than that.

Does it work as good as it sounds?

Paul

When loading up the front end, I pay attention to front GAVW. My 2013 3500HD spec is 4400 lbs - loaded up with camper, pax, winch & tray & such, it weighs in at 4340 - Thule carrier & 2-bikes (no winch of course), 4330#.

I keep a close eye on front tire air pressure @ 68-70psi (Michelin LXT LT265/70R18, rated 3285#) - I see no road handling or braking differences with the extra front weight ... brakes, suspension & tire wear @ 10k miles seem normal (service & rotate 3-4k) ... we'll see after another 10k ...

I don't like the big Bodiak because it blocks airflow, bicycles do the same. I have monitored all the temps with non-OEM gauges and OBDII readers, and putting stuff on the front hitch bigger than a winch (on a below the frame front hitch) does effect the temps, mainly coolant and intercooler.

I had my local trailer guy build & install a 2" hitch - cost $150. So on the front I have:
- factory tow hooks
- Ranchhand grill guard
- custom 2" hitch

tragusa3 wrote:
I've been wanting a front hitch, so I called etrailer. The one for my truck is $200, which pushes it a bit past my "value" indicator. :) It's a little higher priced I'm thinking because it is newly developed special for the ecoboost.

Anyway, my only use is as a bike carrier. Maybe 150 pounds at most. I was thinking I would just buy a receiver tube and drill it out to mount where one of my tow hooks are. This would solve my problem for $20.

Any thoughts on this? Strong enough? What about it being off center? I suspect a few of you will say to just open the wallet and pay for a hitch.

Mounting a receiver under the front of your truck will lower the bikes up front and keep them centered. If you used one of your tow hooks your bikes will probably hang off one side of the truck, not centered and your bikes will sit in your line of view. I use the Curt front hitch and a Swag man XC bike rack, total investment $300. Bike handlebars sit just about truck hood and physical bike rack is unseeable. Yes, I'll say it, don't skimp on this, bikes will be more stable and secure.

I've been wanting a front hitch, so I called etrailer. The one for my truck is $200, which pushes it a bit past my "value" indicator. :) It's a little higher priced I'm thinking because it is newly developed special for the ecoboost.

Anyway, my only use is as a bike carrier. Maybe 150 pounds at most. I was thinking I would just buy a receiver tube and drill it out to mount where one of my tow hooks are. This would solve my problem for $20.

Any thoughts on this? Strong enough? What about it being off center? I suspect a few of you will say to just open the wallet and pay for a hitch.

I use a Curt front hitch on my Ford. Easy install, strong, no truck modification required. Had one on my previous truck and I was very happy to see there was one available for my current truck.

John

Just installed the Reese front mount hitch on my truck this morning 4/9/2014. Did it here at the campground with minimum tools. Ordered on the internet from Advance Auto, shipped to campground. Did the install while wife was doing laundry. Ron Day

Anyone ever take off the tow hooks and using the existing drilled holes for a bodiak front hitch? Other than Bodiak anyone else make them?

Bodiak hitches are awesome!! My dad has one on his '06 Ram. As others have mentioned, they simply bolt to the factory tow-hooks.

I made myself a pair of hitch received that bolt to the existing holes on my truck… would be fairly simple to make a bolt-on one for a bike rack if you didn't like the available products from Bodiak and Curt Mfg..

Cheers,
-Mark

Hi, I have a draw-tite receiver on the front of my Ram 3500, just take of the hook mounts, add receiver, put hook mounts over top, bolt in place, you just need six hand or two large sons.
Doug