Front hitch for backing trailers (Dirtworx option)

[andy9743]

i appreciate the responses. i can back a trailer, its just not my favorite thing to do...there is not enough length of barn to tuck trailer into corner with my tow vehicle. the doors are 12 foot off of the edge of the building and i cant waste that space. i'm going to get dirtworx bumpers the front hitch seems useful. just unsure of how that much weight would do on the LJ.

 

[Apparition]

Learn to back one of these and everything becomes easy.

 

[andy9743]

Learn to back one of these and everything becomes easy.

View attachment 322413

my family farms...backing doubles and triples of wagons is interesting to watch..

 

[rancholago]

I have a 1999 f250 with a front hitch, and a 6000lbs 600lbs tongue weight Travel trailer. I used the pickup ONCE and knew it was NOT right. The pickup did not like it. The front end sagged and did lots of groaning. (The pickup is in excellent condition) and it was not up to the task
something with less tongue weight would probably be fine, but I will not be trying that again.
just practice backing at this point is what I am doing.
also the home made motorized dolly sounds like the best way

 

[andy9743]

I have a 1999 f250 with a front hitch, and a 6000lbs 600lbs tongue weight Travel trailer. I used the pickup ONCE and knew it was NOT right. The pickup did not like it. The front end sagged and did lots of groaning. (The pickup is in excellent condition) and it was not up to the task
something with less tongue weight would probably be fine, but I will not be trying that again.
just practice backing at this point is what I am doing.
also the home made motorized dolly sounds like the best way

this is useful for sure. thank you. i am heavier both tounge weight and overall weight an considering on a jeep vs a 3/4 ton truck.

 

[srimes]

I just use my winch when I’m moving my car trailer (18’ 10k) around the house. I just put the hook inside the ball mount. It sways a little but not enough to bug me, I saw a friend move his trailer around his house like that and I thought it was brilliant. I don’t know how big your camping trailer is but my uncle has a 22’ enclosed trailer and moves that around with a plug in trailer caddy he got used for something like $100. He’s been using it for 15+ years and can get his trailer within an inch or 2 of the wall in his car (trailer+ motor home) port wall easy every time. Then puts the motor home right next to it.

Seriously though try the winch thing first, it may save you some money and then you wouldn’t have to have an ugly front bumper

Not to mention the ease of hooking/unhooking and not messing with the jack. Just be careful if there's any slope: don't want it unhooking itself and running away on you!

 

[GPK03X]

I have a 1999 f250 with a front hitch, and a 6000lbs 600lbs tongue weight Travel trailer. I used the pickup ONCE and knew it was NOT right. The pickup did not like it. The front end sagged and did lots of groaning. (The pickup is in excellent condition) and it was not up to the task
something with less tongue weight would probably be fine, but I will not be trying that again.
just practice backing at this point is what I am doing.
also the home made motorized dolly sounds like the best way

My F150 does fine with the large pontoon boat. Don’t know the tongue weight but I’m sure it’s way less than that. The OP IS talking about moving a trailer with 900 lbs of tongue with the front mount on his TJ!

 

[andy9743]

My F150 does fine with the large pontoon boat. Don’t know the tongue weight but I’m sure it’s way less than that. The OP IS talking about moving a trailer with 900 lbs of tongue with the front mount on his TJ!

its an LJ

 

[GPK03X]

its an LJ

Well then you should be fine !

 

[andy9743]

 

[WDE]

Finally got everything painted and installed. The front hitch worked perfectly getting the boat down to the water, turning it around while avoid trees, and splashing it on a very narrow ramp. Got it in the first try.

The bumper is solid and top quality. I had a few issues on install and had to open up a couple of mounting holes, but that was most likely due to things being slightly out of whack from POs front end crashes. I’ve dealt with the same issue on a few other projects. My only gripes are the winch plate doesn’t sit flat on top of the bumper due to the winch bolt heads and i’ll have to fab a spacer to install my KC day lighters ( also due my winch plate). In hindsight, I should have spent extra for the integrated winch plate model.