Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

I bought this receiver to add front mounted 'accessories' on my 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. I plan on using this to add an extra bicycle rack, a cargo basket, a receiver mounted winch or other 'accessories' needed for my Jeep when I take my family camping. It will also be useful for "front launching" a boat or parking a trailer in tight spots.

It took me about an hour to install, although I had already previously removed the lower wind deflector cowling, so did not have to spend time removing it or cutting it for a finished look. Detaching and moving the top trim panel between the grill and the bumper is a must to facilitate the installation.

The receiver fits pretty close, although you do have to manipulate it to get the holes to line up with the frame. Follow the instructions and do not tighten any of the bolts until you get it lined up and all the bolts in loosely, then torque it down.

As noted in the instruction sheet, the driver's side of the receiver does not sit flush against the frame, there is about a 1/4" to 5/8" gap. The instructions say to use the extra split washers (in the kit) as filler, but they would just rattle around loose in there and provide any benefit, so I omitted them.

Once tightened down, the receiver tube was not parallel to the ground, it is slightly higher in the front, sloping towards the rear. It is not off enough to affect my intended use, but may be bothersome to those with type 'A' attention to detail.

Overall a good product that will add a lot of flexibility to my Jeep~
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Donald K.

1/16/2018

Works great! Have had no issues. I am very pleased with the product

Relatively easy install. Just have to be mechanically inclined. We use the hitch to carry a fish rack/cooler on a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. So far so good.1376942

Robert

8/27/2023

Still working fine. No issues.

I received my front hitch for 2015 Jeep Unlimited right on time. Install Time total with clean up was about 5 hours. I have attached some pictures. Hitch is very well built.
This is exactly what I wanted. Thank you etrailer.682316

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Albert

8/16/2020

Etrailer hitch is working out great

I recently purchased the Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver from etrailer.com. I couldn't be more pleased with the entire process. The web sight was extremely easy to navigate the ordering process was simple and flawless, and for my particular order shipping was free. George J at etrailer kept me informed with multiple emails keeping me advised of when my purchase was shipped, and a tracking number to follow my order all the way from the original shipper to final arrival. His contact email and phone number was also provided as well as a follow up email after arrival. My order arrived in etrailers own packaging which was a pleasant surprise and one more sign that they are willing to go the extra mile for their customers and their business. The hitch installation was simple enough. The video on the web sight I believe said about two hours or less with power tools (air or electric). I installed it by myself in the driveway all assembly from underneath with just hand tools in about three hours. If I were to do it again I would use power tools and a step bit to clean out the left side frame holes. It was late in the afternoon and I was taking my time and used a round hand file (old school). I did not remove or loosen the pump (2017 JK Wrangler Unlimited) so it can be done just be patient. Patience and multiple measurement taking on the cowl fitting is also required for a clean install. The hitch will be used for college moving in and out (son and daughter) and beach when I can afford it (son and daughter college). etrailer.com has been first rate from start to finish providing a quality product at a reasonable price with great customer service. I would definitely shop etrailer.com again.419035

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Installed on a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. Looks well built, all holes lined up but I had to add 1/2" worth of spacers in the driver side of the frame in order to take up space since the hitch seemed to be 1/2" to narrow. The kit did come with 2 extra blocks 1/4" * 1-1/2" * 2". I used these on the 2 tabs that are on the front hitch side in order to make the hitch level. The instructions did not mention this but I was glad to have them. I also had to get 2 new bolts that were 1-1/2" grade 5 bolts since I added the 1/2" spacers to the drivers side of the frame. Over all I am very happy with the install and the product. It seems like I always have to engineer something on my projects and I like to it so it did not bother me to much. I did install the front fascia and I think it makes it look like OEM install. 246879

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by: Gary C.05/15/2019

It worked perfect!!! Put a carrier on it and hauled firewood on it while pulling a camper642259

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Gary C.

5/18/2020

It worked great, i dont have the vehicle anymore, but hitch worked great for me

One of the side vertical mounts on the hitch was pretty bent out of th box. Put it in a vise and straightened it out. Definitely remove the grill and spacer at the bumper to work from above, Drivers side is still 1/4” away from the frame. Use the smaller shims included to fill the gap perfectly. 2012 you need to run a drill bit through the lower driver side mounting hole to get the bolt through. With the shim in place the included bolt for the drivers upper hole is to short so grab a longer one for this hole only. Need to remove that booster thing from the frame to get a socket on the upper left mounting bolt. All this takes a lot longer than expected but it’s solid as a rock. 571735

Kenneth

10/5/2019

Works great with a Meyers Home Plow.

Well-engineered and quality. Perfect fit. But: printed directions were terrible (too small and poorly illistrated). Online photos at etrailer make installation possible. I used [online media] to learn how-to take-out facia fasteners. But best deal is to drill them out and replace since this Wrangler is 10 years old. Getting in the last 2 bolts on driver's side took me 2 hours; but not the fault of the hitch design.
I am happy with overall experience.1459336

The product itself appears well made and sturdy. However, that being said, I can only conclude that it is for a 2017 JK and not a 2018. Either that or I got a rare one off chassis under my new jeep. It can be made to fit, but it is anything but a simple bolt on product. Be prepared to grind, bend, and basically take everything including the vapor thing off of the frame/bumper to get this installed.
It is installed, but honestly if I had know what a hassle it was going to be, I would have purchased a new front bumper with a hitch receiver as an integral part. 496719

Rachael H.

4/16/2018

Thanks for the follow up Wayne. I am happy to hear that you did get the hitch installed on your 2018 Jeep JK. I did want to let you know that is sounds like the hitch that you received may have been flexed while in shipping. We package the hitches here the best we can but occasionally the hitches do get flexed. I have included a helpful article that explains how to fix a flexed hitch for your reference.

Helpful Links

https:www.etrailer.comfaq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx

Wrong size for what I asked for. I told them make model and year of my vehicle and they sent me something for a small vehicle I guess. It is about a foot to short to fit on my jeep.1717029

by: Nishan08/06/2022

Functional and easy.
Package was delivered damaged and missing parts. But locally available replacement at hardware store.1348292

Katrina B.

8/12/2022

The only thing you have to keep in mind when getting your own hardware for replacement, is to make sure that you are using grade 8 hardware.

Fast delivery, install went well on the 2017 JKU Wrangler. Used a “bottle” jack to hold in place to install hardware. Worked great!618072

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Received the hitch yesterday and installed it today on my 2009 Jeep Rubicon. This is a front mount hitch so I can drive my boat trailers in to parking garage. Just saying, I am 80 years old. The easiest way to get access to the frame and remove the push pins on the air deflector is just tu drill them out and buy new ones .About $15.00 at Auto Zone. Install the hitch with not problems in about 2 hours start to finish. Only downside awas this old bodydoing the work.1169764

Great shipping time couple days from time I ordered it. Installation fairly easy and quick but on Jeeps nothing is too easy.903805

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by: Chad09/15/2021

Doesnt fit 2007 Jeep wrangler. 1/4" gap to frame rails on each side1152714

Sierra K.

9/24/2021

Sorry that you are having trouble. This hitch should fit your vehicle. We have an install video on this particular vehicle which you can view in the link below. Your hitch may be a bit flexed which is an easy fix. Attached are some tips:

Helpful Links

faq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx

tv-install-draw-tite-front-hitch-2017-jeep-wrangler-65069.aspx

Sierra K.

9/24/2021

Sorry that you are having trouble. This hitch should fit your vehicle. We have an install video on this particular vehicle which you can view in the link below. Your hitch may be a bit flexed which is an easy fix. Attached are some tips:

Helpful Links

faq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx

tv-install-draw-tite-front-hitch-2017-jeep-wrangler-65069.aspx

Once again I received a great product that I can trust for my hauling needs.1692126

Product is exactly as depicted - instructions are clear. Works perfectly on my Jeep Rubicon Unlimited. Front mounted (hitch mounted) winch is ready to be put to use !!!227154

Brian

9/23/2016

Its been great !!!! I have not had to use it for my winch yet I have it on my Jeep Rubicon, have not been able to get myself stuck bad enough yet. I have used it for carrying a dirt bike on a hitch mounted carrier though. No issues at all !!!

Arrived as promised. Installed hitch in about 2 hours, being an average Joe. Recommend spending time comprehending everything about instructions before diving in. Don't be too conservative trimming on plastic to assure smooth fit & less hassles snapping up shroud later. Nonetheless, hitch fit perfectly and looks great on my 2012 Wrangler. 265061

Eric P.

6/25/2017

Using hitch for a front canoe mount. Fits my need well

by: John A05/07/2020

Easy installation. I have a tight space to maneuver my trailer through. The front hitch allows me to push the trailer through the tight space rather than backing up. 793441

John A.

5/9/2021

Works as intended. Has added more flexibility in moving equipment around my property. Very satisfied with it.

I have not put this one on yet but the last one I purchased worked very well and was easy to install. Bought a newer Jeep so needed another front hitch. Very handy for moving trailers around.727084

Ray

11/28/2020

still have not put it on, have not needed it yet.

by: Latty10/27/2022

Receiver was easy to lmstall .I installed it on a 2015 Jeep Wrangler I love the front hitch. I use for snow plow and boating in summer1458042

by: sierk09/04/2019

With etrailer's awesome videos the hitch was easy to install including the trimming of the splash guard so that the installation looks professional. The front hitch on the jeep gets used mostly for moving boat trailers around a tight space but could easily take a bike rack or hitch mounted winch.697615

by: JohnK07/23/2017

2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

The hitch has worked great. We use a cargo carrier on the front when we go surf fishing. Carry the cooler, beach chairs etc. Installation was easy. Only request: Spacer washers are provided to fill space when securing the mounting bolts at the contact points on the frame. Would like additional washers of varying widths to produce a tighter fit. Doesn't affect functionality but I picked up washers at the hardware store anyway because I'm a stickler for having things buttoned up cleanly. 409600

Arrived damaged. I am seeking local shop to straighten the hitch!!!1522830

Jenny N.

2/23/2023

Oh my goodness! I am sorry that it arrived damaged. If it is only bent by 0.5 inches then it is possible to straighten it. We have a good FAQ that can help below.

Helpful Links

faq-my-trailer-hitch-doesnt-fit.aspx

Generally installation went well although it took much longer than expected since I was performing the chore single handed. It should be noted that trimming the fascia shown in Fig 3 of the instructions was not performed since the trimming would eliminate two of the attachment points that were used for the purpose of mounting the hitch. Also, when it is necessary to use Item 9 (BLOCK) it will be necessary to use a longer bolt than PROVIDED (Item 5). The 1/4" thick block will require a bolt as long as Item 1 (i.e. 1-1/2"). Result was a trip to the supply store to buy longer bolt(s) to accomplish the attachment on the drivers side. Also removing the plastic cover between the bumper and grill will require purchasing new pins since the #2 screwdriver would tend to strip the pin and required drilling the pin out and, of course, purchasing new pins from the dealer. recommend future installers have a second person to assist otherwise be prepared to be back and forth from the underside on the Jeep.

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