Front Bumper / Hitch mount?

D

dutch marc

New member
Apr 8, 2017
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Hello Forumers....

I am looking into what is involved to get a front hitch mount on my GMC. I have a trough the bumper installed from Applied and use this for my
Motorcycle etc.

I would like to have a small / low rack in front of the RV for firewood etc.. Maybe a bike mount.

Since the air intake needs to stay clear, I am wondering if any of you guys have a mount like this installed?

If so ,, Was this a DIY project?

Besides the mounting etc, Are there any problems with loading some extra pounds on the front of the GMC that I should know of? Maint / Repairs etc?

Thank in advance,

Getting ready to go on the road full time soooooon

Grtx Dutch Marc
--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
Larry,
I would guess that your boat has a low tongue weight. If you were going to
hang some weight on it going down the road I would think you should have a
small channel iron for the front bumper crossbar.
Dutch the only thing I can see is to be careful of your front axle weight
limit. The rack will act like a lever transferring weight from your rear
wheels. I did not do the math but 100 lbs a foot in front of the bumper
could add 130 labs to your front axle. Keep in mind that any weight in
front of the rear pivot point adds some weight to the front. Not know your
curb weight but I think most of us can only add about 500 lbs to our front
axle gross. Scarry to think that 2 250 lb. people in the front seats can
max out the front axle.
I am a rooky, I may be all wrong.

> My coach is a 78'. Check this and see if it will work on a 73'.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4744-trailer-hitch-for-front-end.html
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*
 
Thanks Larry, that looks great.

I am not planning on using it for a boat hitch, but to put a carry basket or a bike rack on the front hitch. Would you think your design would hold a few pounds of weight as well?

RV-ing the Dream - '73 Mello Yello

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_motorhome

> Larry,
> I would guess that your boat has a low tongue weight. If you were going to
> hang some weight on it going down the road I would think you should have a
> small channel iron for the front bumper crossbar.
> Dutch the only thing I can see is to be careful of your front axle weight
> limit. The rack will act like a lever transferring weight from your rear
> wheels. I did not do the math but 100 lbs a foot in front of the bumper
> could add 130 labs to your front axle. Keep in mind that any weight in
> front of the rear pivot point adds some weight to the front. Not know your
> curb weight but I think most of us can only add about 500 lbs to our front
> axle gross. Scarry to think that 2 250 lb. people in the front seats can
> max out the front axle.
> I am a rooky, I may be all wrong.
>

>
> > My coach is a 78'. Check this and see if it will work on a 73'.
> >
> > http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4744-trailer-hitch-for-front-end.html
> > --
> > Larry
> > 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> > Menomonie, WI.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> *John Phillips*
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Hey MelloYellow,
Obviously not going to use it going down the road. I used that hitch only for launching a Jet Ski or our 16ft aluminum runabout. I had both boats set
up with enough tong weight to keep it from waging when towing behind down the road. Never used it for a bike rack...though I think it would easily
support minor weights like that.

People sitting in the front seat appear to be directly over the front wheel or slightly forward, so I don't think there is much leveraging going on
there. I can set the front height, measure out, and seat my wife and I, and see little difference in ride height. Just what I've noticed.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
Just a comment on carrying bikes or other gear in front of RV.

Two friends with SOBs have had issues with engine temps rising due to obstruction (bikes) in front of radiator.

My experience, with the aluminum radiator, makes me feel this will not be an issue with my GMC (anymore). But with the original stock radiator, I
would be a bit more concerned about airflow and want to carefully monitor temperatures.
--
Joe Ricke - KE0CPM
Arden Hills, MN
'77 Transmode
 
Thanks for all the feedback.

The front hitch would be use for a Bike Rack or a Carrier for some firewood and a grill. I understand to keep the height as low as possible to not
block to much of the grill.

Eckharts Trailer Hitch & Welding here in LA told me they had enough metal to work with. They only weld hitches, no bolting for re- mount or removing
it.

Wondering if there would be a issue if any service work needs to be done on my GMC. The radiator has been replaced recently ( No Aluminum )

Suppose they weld it on the frame or the bumper assembly.

Thanks Dutch Marc
--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
Dutch,
Never weld on the frame as you never know when you need it removed for any
reason.
If your not in a big hurry, we can fab you a one that you can attach
securely with bolts.

> Thanks for all the feedback.
>
> The front hitch would be use for a Bike Rack or a Carrier for some
> firewood and a grill. I understand to keep the height as low as possible to
> not
> block to much of the grill.
>
> Eckharts Trailer Hitch & Welding here in LA told me they had enough metal
> to work with. They only weld hitches, no bolting for re- mount or removing
> it.
>
> Wondering if there would be a issue if any service work needs to be done
> on my GMC. The radiator has been replaced recently ( No Aluminum )
>
> Suppose they weld it on the frame or the bumper assembly.
>
> Thanks Dutch Marc
> --
> 1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
> Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Hi Jimk, That might work, Would like to carry either a bike rack or a carrier platform for firewood, tools grill etc.

any idea how much $$$ a custom Front Hitch would cost? Do you like me to call you or PM me direct ...

Not really in a rush ....Like to get it a some point when going full time GMC

Grtx DM

> Dutch,
> Never weld on the frame as you never know when you need it removed for any
> reason.
> If your not in a big hurry, we can fab you a one that you can attach
> securely with bolts.
>

>
> > Thanks for all the feedback.
> >
> > The front hitch would be use for a Bike Rack or a Carrier for some
> > firewood and a grill. I understand to keep the height as low as possible to
> > not
> > block to much of the grill.
> >
> > Eckharts Trailer Hitch & Welding here in LA told me they had enough metal
> > to work with. They only weld hitches, no bolting for re- mount or removing
> > it.
> >
> > Wondering if there would be a issue if any service work needs to be done
> > on my GMC. The radiator has been replaced recently ( No Aluminum )
> >
> > Suppose they weld it on the frame or the bumper assembly.
> >
> > Thanks Dutch Marc
> > --
> > 1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
> > Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
 
We have made some in the past for customers.
I will have our designer assist me in verifying the load it can hold and
also develop cost each based on producing 5ea. at one time.

> Hi Jimk, That might work, Would like to carry either a bike rack or a
> carrier platform for firewood, tools grill etc.
>
> any idea how much $$$ a custom Front Hitch would cost? Do you like me to
> call you or PM me direct ...
>
> Not really in a rush ....Like to get it a some point when going full time
> GMC
>
> Grtx DM
>

> > Dutch,
> > Never weld on the frame as you never know when you need it removed for
> any
> > reason.
> > If your not in a big hurry, we can fab you a one that you can attach
> > securely with bolts.
> >

> >
> > > Thanks for all the feedback.
> > >
> > > The front hitch would be use for a Bike Rack or a Carrier for some
> > > firewood and a grill. I understand to keep the height as low as
> possible to
> > > not
> > > block to much of the grill.
> > >
> > > Eckharts Trailer Hitch & Welding here in LA told me they had enough
> metal
> > > to work with. They only weld hitches, no bolting for re- mount or
> removing
> > > it.
> > >
> > > Wondering if there would be a issue if any service work needs to be
> done
> > > on my GMC. The radiator has been replaced recently ( No Aluminum )
> > >
> > > Suppose they weld it on the frame or the bumper assembly.
> > >
> > > Thanks Dutch Marc
> > > --
> > > 1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
> > > Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jim Kanomata
> > Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> > jimk
> > http://www.appliedgmc.com
> > 1-800-752-7502
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> --
> 1973 26' Canyon Land (Mello Yello) (TZE063v101302)
> Los Angeles, CA ('98 NL 2 USA)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
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