Anybody using a front receiver hitch?

[the roadie]

Looking at getting a Curt model 31055 front mount receiver hitch

http://www.hidden-hitch.com/prod.asp?pc=31055

Would allow me to have a really strong front recovery strap hook mount, plus a place to put a multi-mount winch that could also go on the back for those times you can help out a stuck offroader who's behind you.

I'm sort of shocked anybody makes this for us already, as I was about to have one fabricated.

[zamar]

They say fo TB:

No drilling required for hitch installation, Fascia trimming required
This hitch for the Chevrolet Trailblazer has a difficulty level of 5 on a scale of 1 to 10
This equates to an amateur installation time of approximately 50 minutes.

I would like to see pictures of what was trimmed and an install. This would be handy for precision placement of my boat.

[the roadie]

Originally Posted by zamar

They say fo TB:

No drilling required for hitch installation, Fascia trimming required
This hitch for the Chevrolet Trailblazer has a difficulty level of 5 on a scale of 1 to 10
This equates to an amateur installation time of approximately 50 minutes.

I would like to see pictures of what was trimmed and an install. This would be handy for precision placement of my boat.

Will do. The factory pics of their prototype show its top edge right on the lower edge of the bumper with the black plastic air dam/fascia removed. Since I already took that off and put it in the back of my garage before I destroyed it, that's no problem.

The front edge of the receiver is 4-5 inches back from the front edge of the bumper, so you might need a longer ball mount to be able to hitch up. But you're right, and another of my uses would be pushing the trailer up my steep and curved driveway by going forward, instead of trying to do it all in reverse with a lot of torque converter slippage.

[Dacomputernerd]

Looks like a good idea! I'd like too see some pics too if you decide to go ahead with the mod.

Would love to see a winch on their too!

[Dacomputernerd]

Not to hijack this thread, but does anybody know if a winch would mount to a Westin bull bar? (For example this winch)

[the roadie]

Originally Posted by Dacomputernerd

Not to hijack this thread, but does anybody know if a winch would mount to a Westin bull bar? (For example this winch)

I haven't seen the Westin mounting brackets up close, but my impression is that all "brush guards" like that are the wimpiest possible place to mount anything to. I think they even say to not use them as a recovery strap point.

Even a 3000 pound winch might rip the thing off, let alone a proper 9000 pounder.

So let's look at the bracketry and fasteners involved. A Westin installation sheet for a puch bar unit is located here: http://www.westinautomotive.com/page...ts/75-0195.pdf

With the top bracket mounting into the top of the frame with a M10-1.50 bolt and a single 3/8X16 bolt also in shear from the bracket (unknown thickness material) to the guard, those are possibly the weakest links. A grade 8.8 3/8" bolt might have 8000 lb. shear strength, barely - and the M10 is about the same diameter. But the right angle bracket is likely to tear from a stress pulling towards the front where it can easily withstand the pushing force it was designed for. Admittedly, you have two sides of the brush guard involved to spread the stress, but you have to fabricate a bracket to hold your winch in between the two vertical plates that's better than the current round tubes.

If I *had* to use this method, I'd replace the top bent sheet metal brackets with solid bar stock drilled two places.

But a 70-90 pound winch has no business (IMHO) being permanently mounted out in the elements, where it can also get stolen if you aren't also careful with some lock mechanism. I really like the idea of a multimount that can go in the front or the rear, depending on who needs help and in which direction, but can travel inside until you need to use it in anger.

Besides, the wife likes riding in a vehicle that doesn't totally scream out that it's an offroader.

[2002BlkLTZ]

I've been looking at that Curt receiver the last couple of days too. For the same reasons as the OP. I'd like to see pics of the install as well. I was originally going to buy a winch mount for the front of the vehicle, but they make -0- hidden or semi hidden mounts, and I've only seen one mount period, and I don't like the looks of it. I'm thinking of going with the Curt front receiver and the Warn XD9000i (I think that's it, it's available in a Multi-Mount setup).

[the roadie]

Question: Here is a picture of a skid plate I've got across the bottom of my radiator (2004 Envoy with skid plate option). I thought it was stock standard and not part of the skid plate option, but I just looked at a dealer's lot full of new TBs (none with skid plate options) and none of them had it. Yes, I've removed the air dam, and yes, those tow hooks have absolutely no business being mounted to something as wimpy as this plate, but that's another story.



The plastic bottom of the standard radiator would be exposed to getting hit by rocks from below.

This plate, if it's a real skid plate, looks like it's in the way of the new front receiver hitch (ordered, in transit), and I'm ready to discard it as well as the air dam. But I wanted to check with folks first to see if you have one that looks like it, or if your radiator is hanging out in the breeze.

[Dacomputernerd]

thanks the roadie for your detailed() responce. I think i'll forgo on the winch now that i see how wimpy those bolts are.

However, with a front hitch and the winch on it, that would be sweet!

[the roadie]

Originally Posted by 2002BlkLTZ

I've been looking at that Curt receiver the last couple of days too. For the same reasons as the OP. I'd like to see pics of the install as well. I was originally going to buy a winch mount for the front of the vehicle, but they make -0- hidden or semi hidden mounts, and I've only seen one mount period, and I don't like the looks of it. I'm thinking of going with the Curt front receiver and the Warn XD9000i (I think that's it, it's available in a Multi-Mount setup).

It's in, and it's beautiful, in a black powder-coated kind of way. I won an Ebay winch that I'm picking up over Thanksgiving to save massive shipping costs, so I don't have pics of that yet. But it's a Mile Marker 9000 lb. on a Warn Multimount carrier with handles and 20' power lead.

Install took just over an hour, taking a lot of pictures.

Anyway, here's the Curt 31055:


How to wrangle an 80 pound hitch into position:


Fish wire to get five bolts and washers into position:


Bolted in:


Front recovery hook:


Or I can put in the second spare tire carrier:


Or the second spare can go in the back and the glass can still open up:


Air dam notch cut:


Air dam in position:


What I'll normally run with in the front for protection - the Curt mini skid plate: