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05-02-2013, 04:59 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Roaming
Posts: 62
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Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
I still have the stock front Ford bumper and NO front recovery points, which has caused some issues while trying to recover this van offroad! Without the expense and extra weight of a proper front winch bumper what options do I have? Thanks for the help
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05-02-2013, 05:38 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Re: Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
Not sure what you've got in front, but perhaps the most cost effective thing to do is have someone install a front hitch receiver. A strap secured inside it via hitch pin is the preferred method of snatching/towing. Mine is welded to the frame rails, so it's as sturdy as possible. I'd also recommend you find a 4x4 fabricator to do it; some of the guys that just install trailer hitches often don't have much experience with fronts on vans like ours and try to just fit an off-the-shelf one when it's sometimes (usually?) better to must make one.
I've got a thread about my winch install, which has some pictures of the front hitch I have. I just put the winch on top of it. And I have the original bendo-matic chrome bumper.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10887
BTW, you may notice some tow hooks. They are relatively worthless, so don't bother. Shackles would be better, but the hitch method works even better (simpler, quick, most everyone has one).
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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05-03-2013, 12:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,061
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Re: Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rob_gendreau
Not sure what you've got in front, but perhaps the most cost effective thing to do is have someone install a front hitch receiver.
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That's exactly what I did.
-- Geoff
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05-03-2013, 01:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Beach, Ca
Posts: 985
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Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
I also did a front hitch.... Much cheaper than an Aluminess bumper, but not as cool
Ray
__________________
???
"I do, cellularSTEVE" :o)
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05-03-2013, 01:59 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
Quote:
Originally Posted by surfgeek33
I also did a front hitch.... Much cheaper than an Aluminess bumper, but not as cool
Ray
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Maybe you can make up a fake Aluminess that attaches to the front receiver kind of like a fake mustache?
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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05-03-2013, 06:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Beach, Ca
Posts: 985
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Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
I'm on it Herb!!! LOL
__________________
???
"I do, cellularSTEVE" :o)
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05-04-2013, 06:40 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Re: Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
Quote:
Originally Posted by surfgeek33
I also did a front hitch.... Much cheaper than an Aluminess bumper, but not as cool
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Yeah but easily a tenth of the cost, half the weight, and not aluminum. So we still think you're cool.
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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05-06-2013, 11:10 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Roaming
Posts: 62
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Re: Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
The front hitch reciever is something I've thought about. I was thinking maybe just some recovery hooks bolted to the frame rails under the front bumper. Thoughts?
If I keep my van for my RTW trip I will for sure put a proper bumper and winch on it. I can't do that now due to the cost, but don't want to dump money into something like a front reciver that will come off when I do upgrade.
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05-26-2013, 06:42 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 386
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Re: Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
a nice set up is the front receiver and shackle or Ditch Hitch.
You can also then run a portable winch front/back which is great if needed.
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05-26-2013, 05:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 173
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Re: Quick cheap way to have front recovery points?
[quote="surfgeek33"]I also did a front hitch.... Much cheaper than an Aluminess bumper, but not as cool
Cheaper, AND much lighter...form follows function.
When I ordered my SMB, I took the front receiver option. I actually came with two tow hooks welded to it. Of course they were hidden by the bumper, but the receiver was all I needed.
Tom
__________________
2005 SMB RB 50 4X4 w/ a 6.0 PSD
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