Front hitch on Aluminess bumper?

[crzmky]

Anyone have a front hitch on their bumper with a winch in it? Want to carry a couple mountain bikes upfront and still be able to carry my dirt bike on the back. The Aluminess site does not have a weight limit listed either?
Thanks!!

[REF]

You might have to get a front hitch fabricated that attaches to the frame that hangs down below the bumper, maybe sandwiched behind the Aluminess.

[crzmky]

Originally Posted by REF

You might have to get a front hitch fabricated that attaches to the frame that hangs down below the bumper, maybe sandwiched behind the Aluminess.

Aluminess make a hitch mount for their front bumpers just not sure if it works with a winch installed?

[REF]

Might be a question for Aluminess, I’d give them a call

[crzmky]

Originally Posted by REF

Might be a question for Aluminess, I’d give them a call

Will do! Thanks

[Oogs]

I recall a 500lb weight limit on the front receiver. I have one, but no winch. Please report back if one can use both.

[1der]

Aluminess hitch mounted to the bumper is basically good for a bike rack or similar type of load. Should not be any issue with the winch mounted on the bumper.

Keep in mind the bumper is mounted to the stock bumper frame mounting pads. Those pads are designed for impact loads not pulling loads. With an Aluminess front bumper mounting, the pads should have additional welding to add strength.

Re: other front hitches - Curt has a couple of bolt-on to the frame units. The work with the Aluminess bumper installed. A hitch extender will be required to allow the bike rack to clear the Aluminess bumper. We have the Curt hitches on two of rigs, 2002 with Aluminess front bumper and 2014 with stock bumper.

[Charliesmom]

I have an Aluminess front bumper with a Warn winch on our transit. Here’s a shot with the bikes on the front. A rear swing away would not work on our van because of a rear box and tire carrier. We eventually got a North Shore Rack (NSR-2) that allows the box, tire and rear doors to clear without having to remove the bikes. Although the Thule rack worked fine in the front, I didn’t like the visibility issue while driving.

[posplayr]

Originally Posted by 1der

Keep in mind the bumper is mounted to the stock bumper frame mounting pads. Those pads are designed for impact loads not pulling loads. With an Aluminess front bumper mounting, the pads should have additional welding to add strength.

I just bought a 12K Apex HF winch.

I'm wondering what type of strengthening you would do? The front of the frame has a crumple zone so it probably is the weakest link whether you are pulling or crashing.

The stock bumper is mounted in rubber so those mounting pads are probably not the strongest. So based on your comments the pads in pull are weaker than the crumple zones?

Would you just weld so 1/4" flat plate to the pads?

Additionally is it worth increasing the Alumess plate thickness at the mounts?(e.g. 3/8" aluminum plate )

I'm questioning the strength of the whole setup for a 12K winch and whether an integrated alum bumper and steel trailer hitch would be best advised.

[1der]

Have a read of this thread.

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ion-20537.html

I did not go this far. I just had more welding done to make a stronger connection between the mounting "pads" and frame.