Front bumpers with receivers?

[mlts22]

By chance, (and this is mainly opinions I'm looking for), what is a good brand of bumper that sports a front receiver hitch? I'm looking at getting a front cargo rack for additional space, so might as well look into a decent front hitch setup.

Just wondering what people use for this, brand-wise.

[trailgranny50]

We had two collisions, neither our fault, but decided after that and the need to be able to access our spare without unloading the camper and or our custom bumper/steps in God knows where, to change out the bumper and get a Ranch Hand brand with welded in receiver. It's strong, fits the truck like a custom one, and one doesn't have to watch bolts working loose. We cleared out the under truck tire space and installed a grey water holding tank there as our old Shadow Cruiser didn't have one. That space could also hold additional an fresh water tank or whatever. We like it because the receiver tube is higher off the ground than some setups and the tire, or generator, doesn't stick up way above the hood If I remember it was around $1,100 installed and then sell the NEW old bumper that wasn't damaged for a few hundred and the thing was cost effective. That's us, this is you, ya just have so find what works for YOU.

[billtex]

Super_Dave wrote:
No bumper replacement. I went with a Drawtite Hidden Hitch.

Dave, was it easier to install with the truck flipped over?

[jimh406]

I have a front hitch that I got from etrailer but stock bumper. One thing to keep in mind is how low front hitches can be. Sure, there are adapters to raise the hitches, but keep that in mind when planning out your front hitch carrier.

[ol__grouch]

mlts22 wrote:
Thanks for the links. The front is likely where my generator is going to wind up. The bumper is important too. Because the local deer population is protected and have no fear of people, I've already had a glancing deer strike on my old truck, and a bumper is far cheaper than a new radiator if it gets cracked due to a direct hit.

As for the generator, I either might just use my old Yamaha 3000iSE which has performed superbly, or I might just bite the bullet and go for a Honda solution, because parts are a lot easier to find for them when in rural areas.

Several years ago, I put a Warn Trans4mer system on a Jeep I had. I clobbered a Deer on the highway and the next day I just rinsed the blood and fur off it. It's a modular system and I ordered the front hitch receiver for it. Really handy for moving trailers around without having to twist around.

[deserteagle56]

Check out Aluminess (www.aluminess.com). Quite spendy but excellent protection and very light compared to a steel bumper. It has a storage compartment that can be used for ? or a winch, and a receiver hitch is an option.

[mlts22]

Thanks for the links. The front is likely where my generator is going to wind up. The bumper is important too. Because the local deer population is protected and have no fear of people, I've already had a glancing deer strike on my old truck, and a bumper is far cheaper than a new radiator if it gets cracked due to a direct hit.

As for the generator, I either might just use my old Yamaha 3000iSE which has performed superbly, or I might just bite the bullet and go for a Honda solution, because parts are a lot easier to find for them when in rural areas.

[AISURFFISH]

[Super_Dave]

No bumper replacement. I went with a Drawtite Hidden Hitch.

[usmcshepherd]

To answer your question I put a Ranch Hand bumper on my 2011 Ram and it has an integrated 2" receiver hitch. Solid as a rock too and offers you true front end protection!

[805gregg]

Check out Buckstop bumpers, these will save your truck in a Deer or Elk strike

[davidaf]

I had one welded on cost around $350 installed. Have to think a replacement bumper will be double or triple that if you find one.

[rjf7g]

I looked and looked for a front receiver for my 1999 Dodge Ram Maxi Van chassis (class B camper) and could not find one. So, I got a friend of mine to make one - he bought a receiver tube and did a little bit of welding. Total cost to me for the receiver was $60 and it has been tested at 500 lbs!

[MrPhelps]

Take a look at Bodiak

Bodiak Hitches

[Halmfamily]

I use a Curt front mount hitch. Bolts directly to frame with OEM holes, install in less than one hour. Sits just below the front bumper an still have tow hooks.