Front Mount Hitch

[tdecker]

I have a 2025 Ram 1500 short bed on which I would like to have a front mounted hitch. I need this in order to get my boat in and out of a very tight space. I actually purchased the Curt 31090 front mount hitch from eTrailer.com as their advertising indicated that it would fit 2019 to 2025 Rams. It would not fit for several reasons. I had many conversations with Curt about it. Initially they said it would fit but finally agreed that it would not despite some of their advertising. Now, both eTrailer and Curt have changed their advertising to indicate that it really does not fit. So far as I have been able to tell, the Curt hitch is the only one on the market for front mounting. They are working on a front mount that will fit the 2025 Ram but the estimated ship date is not until 8/25. So....the question is: have you folks had any experience with a front mounted hitch on a 2025 Ram 1500? If you have found a product that will fit, I am very interested in talking further with you about it.. If there is no product on the market that will fit a 2025 Ram, I would be interested if anyone had been able to weld something on to their truck. I only need to move the boat 50 feet or so and I never intend to tow the boat in any way from the front. I need some advice...................

 

[LouM]

Would one of the various trailer tugs work better for you?

 

[tdecker]

I have tried them both. The boat weighs 5000 pounds so that non-motorized one is out. The motorized one cost far more than I am willing to spend. I had a front hitch for my 2022 Ram that worked just fine and was far more economical than the various trailer movers that are out there. So, I would really like to have a front mount hitch for my 2025 but I don't want to have to wait until boating season is almost over to have the redesigned Curt hitch mounted. So, I was hoping that others had run into this same problem and had some answers.....

 

[Dean2]

It would be very easy to replace your right side tow hook with a trailer ball mounting platform welded to the tow hook. The offset makes it easier to maneuver anyhow.

 

[tdecker]

I don't think that I have tow hooks. At least the hooks themselves are not there. Should I assume that the mechanism for mounting the tow hooks is actually behind the grill? If so, can you explain a bit further about what a "trailer ball mounting platform" is???? Thanks for the response....

 

[Dean2]

Click on picture to see the whole thing. You basically weld a piece of flat steel on the tow hook and then drill a hole in the steel extension to attach the ball. If there ias no hooks you can still use the mounting holes and factory bolts and the holes are already there.

 

[diymirage]

I'd try something like this mounted where the tow hook goes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09TZT5DSM?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[GeauxinUp]

Could you talk to a local fabricator and have him build you something? Would be nice to have a hidden receiver behind your front license plate

 

[Dean2]

When they put the Warn transformer winch mount on my 2500 they used the original tow hook mounting holes to do it. They removed the tow hooks, mounted the winch carrier and it had tow hooks already on it. I sold the removed hooks and brackets. So you could probably do the same if you want a reciever in the front.
Warn does make a front receiver hitch assembly.

 

[tdecker]

Thanks all for the replies regarding using the tow hook area for a receiver tube. I am going to look into that a little further.

 

[2003F350]

I have tried them both. The boat weighs 5000 pounds so that non-motorized one is out. The motorized one cost far more than I am willing to spend. I had a front hitch for my 2022 Ram that worked just fine and was far more economical than the various trailer movers that are out there. So, I would really like to have a front mount hitch for my 2025 but I don't want to have to wait until boating season is almost over to have the redesigned Curt hitch mounted. So, I was hoping that others had run into this same problem and had some answers.....

A 5k boat with wider 'terf' tires on a trailer dolly should work easily. Heck I have pushed around larger pop-up campers with just the narrow tongue jack wheel with no real issues. My FIL's boat comes in at about that weight and he and I can push it around in the yard with just the tongue jack wheel, a dolly would make it even easier. If a dolly won't work for you you must be in some loose sand.

 

[stevenP]

I have a 2500, and my front receiver is a curt. I will mention this, that even though it says it fits and it does bolt up. It doesnt stick out forwards enough for me to actually use it as it comes out the box. Had to take it to a welding shop and have the receiver modified (add length) to get out far enough to clear the front bumper.