New Front Trailer Hitch

I too have a Curt front hitch on my 06 Honda Ridgeline--simply a bolt on. The hitch is actually made for the Honda Pilot, but it fits perfectly. It is slightly lower than my rear hitch, but not a problem. A HUGE time saver for close quarter maneuvering.

John
 
I installed a front hitch on my Ford Excursion, I think it's a Reese, and I love. Maneuvering in tight places is a breeze as you can see exactly where to put the trailer.
 
Just wondering if anyone went to the trouble of installing wiring to their front receiver? I am installing a Draw-tite front receiver soon and I have the EZ Loader with the Buddy Model A-160 Surge brake actuator with disk brakes.

I will also be installing the electric over hydraulic for the rear and have noticed that the surge brakes are quite sensitive when backing up.
 
Don't have a front hitch but I can see a problem for you if you try to "push" your trailer. My EZ Loader trailer brakes are very sensitive too and will NOT let me back up the trailer without the solenoid being energized. Even with a block of wood to "defeat" the surge brakes, it's next to impossible.

You really don't need a full wiring hookup, just a wire that will send a signal to the solenoid when you want to "push" it. The backup light signal won't work because you won't be backing up but going forward. You could hook it to a parking light wire and then, when you put the parking lights on, it'll be energized. You should not need the trailer lights, turn signals, etc, unless you intend to push it down the highway that way. Probably not a good idea! :shock:

Charlie
 
A word of caution regarding front mounted hitches:

I once watched an older gent (I'm about the same age now) launch his boat at a ramp with a front mounted hitch. After launching his boat, he backed up the ramp, stopped, shifted into forward gear to drive away, and promptly wrapped his boat trailer around his pickup. We were at a remote location. Needless to say, the fellow's relaxing fishing trip wasn't.

jd
 
I just think it’s crazy driving down the road backwards just so you can maneuver better in the other direction, even at 45mph…that’s nuts.smiley_shocked003.gif
 
Captains Cat":3q3t6nuv said:
Don't have a front hitch but I can see a problem for you if you try to "push" your trailer. My EZ Loader trailer brakes are very sensitive too and will NOT let me back up the trailer without the solenoid being energized. Even with a block of wood to "defeat" the surge brakes, it's next to impossible.
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Charlie,

My EZ loader has both a "dial" on the top (which works minimally well on its own) that pushes a slider on the side, which is all meant to knock out the solenoid so you can push it backwards without resistance. The trailer came with a key-like piece of metal that attaches to that slider that keeps it from sliding back into place. Sounds like your trailer is different and/or extra sensitive. Even with that dial/key, I wouldn't want to go too very far in the pushing mode, but it works great getting the trailer into tight spaces. I can't say enough about what it's done for my blood pressure. :wink:
 
To defeat the surge brakes, either use "Chain" vise grips, or drill a hole in the trailer toungue frame, and put a pit thru so that the coupling will not move--the wooden bock thing does not work perticularly well for us either. I have wiring for my "TOAD" the Honda Pilot, in the front--but it is for lights and charging the battery on the road. Not at all difficult to add a trailer connector up front--again fairly well hidden behind/ in the grill.
 
I've had one on my S-10 for about 10 years now. I used to use it alot where I used to live. Three 90 degree turns to park my cargo trailer. The front hitch was very usefull. Now there is a skid plate in the front hitch. I've used it several times now.
 
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