Can Front-Mount Hitch Be Installed On 2011 Ford F-150 4x4 With Grille Guard Installed

Question

Question:

I have a 2011 F-250 4x4 with a Ranch Hand Legend Grill Guard and am contemplating a front mounted bike carrier. Is there an option that would work well yet still allow for the grill guard to stay in place?

asked by: Adrian G

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

I did some research and found instructions for installing the RanchHand Legend Grille Guard on your 2011 F-250 4x4. You can check out the attached photo that shows where a front hitch is mounted on a Ford F-250. You may find that the bottom bar on your grille guard interferes with being able to install a front mount trailer hitch like part # 65049.

I have attached the installation instructions for the 65049 you can take a look at. The instructions do note which frame holes are to be used for the hitch. The instructions for the grille guard did not have any drawings that would indicate which holes in the frame are used. They may be using the holes the trailer hitch needs and that would pose fit issues as well.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

1

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Answer 1

For an Anbull 13000-lb winch, I recommend going with a 2 gauge wire like the Bulldog Winch Rear Wiring Kit - Quick Connect to Terminal End, part #BDW20207. It can handle any winch up to a 16.5K capacity. It is 24 feet long, which is the longest we…

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Answer 2

The Trailer and Vehicle Electric Winch Wiring Kit #BDW20207 on your Badlands 12,000 winch will work well. The 2 AWG wire will be adequate for your winch as it is confirmed to work on Superwinch winches up to 16.5k in capacity.

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Answer 3

Rolling capacity of a winch on flat ground is much higher like you mentioned. Basically you can take the capacity of the winch and multiply it by 10 to determine it's rolling capacity. So in your situation you could get away with a 380 lb winch…

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Answer 4

While we have an option for you, from the photos I've seen, the EcoHitch Hidden Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver #EH59FR looks to extend ever so slightly past the tow hooks. So what I recommend instead for your F-250 is a front hitch from…

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Answer 5

Thanks for the picture! I have a solution for you but it does look like your dual steering stabilizer bars will be in the way for you to mount the Draw-Tite Front Hitch item #65049. Instead you will want to use the EcoHitch Hidden Front Mount Trailer…

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Answer 6

Although it mounts to the sides of the front frame members instead of the tow hooks, the EcoHitch #EH59FR front mounted receiver would install so that the receiver tube sits behind the license plate holder. The Curt #C31018 and Draw-Tite #65049 would…

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Answer 7

Your 2011 Ford F-350 with a GVWR of 10,800lbs is the maximum amount the vehicle can weigh fully loaded. Depending on your configuration your curb weight is likely between 6,000-7,500lbs. Since you plan on using for a winch and mud will be involved I…

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Answer 8

I reached out to EcoHitch and they only tested the #EH59FR for straight line pull. More than likely the capacity remains at 10,000 lbs within a certain range side to side and up and down, much like the Curt #C31018 which also fits your 2014 F-350.…

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 11

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 12

The Hellwig Adjustable Big Wig Rear Anti-Sway Bar #HE94FR is only going to leave a few inches between it and the spare tire, as you can see in the attached picture. Depending on how far forward you have the tire it could potentially interfere with…

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Can Front-Mount Hitch Be Installed On 2011 Ford F-150 4x4 With Grille Guard Installed

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