Anyone use a front hitch carrier for lugging coolers, etc?

[Truefire]

I am planning on installing a front mounted 2" hitch receiver to accept a carrier that I can haul coolers and a storage unit down the road on from time to time. My question is, "Have any of you had any experiences with reduced airflow across your radiator or trans cooler, thus resulting in overheating associated with this addition?"

What are your thoughts?

Chris

 

[Martinjmpr]

Why would you carry on the front vs. the rear? Are you pulling a trailer? Even if you are, I would still say carrying on the rear (tongue of the trailer) would be less problematic than carrying on the front.

Besides airflow, I can think of problems with approach angle (bottoming out on even a mild bump) and visibility (if it blocks your headlights and reduces the output of light.)

For me, carrying in the front would be a last resort. My preferences for carrying cargo would be inside, then on a rear carrier or trailer (except that I think a rear carrier wouldn't work off road due to it bottoming out in ditches), or else a rooftop carrier.

 

[Truefire]

I would be carrying in front because I will be utilizing a slide-in truck camper with a step housed in the rear hitch, plus sometimes i will be pulling a trailer. The rack in the rear hitch would not only be cumbersome and annoying to gain entrance into the camper's rear door but also would prevent entry altogether without off loading the cooler, etc;, first.

As far as approach angle is concerned there will be no backwoods offroading. If there were, your scenario does not make much sense, as the approach and exit would both create similar drag as you are implying.

Anyway, i was more concerned with the experience of those that have actually traveled in this capacity and to experiences associated with same, as opposed to being challenged for my decision.

chris

 

[grandpa]

I've carried many coolers on the front with fishing racks on several different vehicles over the years. I've never had any problems with cooling.

 

[matt s]

Yup. No issues offroad. It never (to my utter amazement) hung up on anything. Cooling was a minor issue at highway speeds.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: The front hitchs have many uses-

I can't give any info on using the front hitch for carrying equip.- but I think if you use what you need/when you needit--thats just innovation !

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Truefire]

oh cool, thanks guys, appreciate it! Cool setups by the way. Grandpa, i must say yours is pretty cool, all customized it appears just to serve your needs. Neat.

Chris

 

[jeep-N-montero]

If you can't fit what you need in your truck it could be a sign that you are taking more than you really need with you camping. I am going through this with our trailer and am sorting through all of our gear to see what we really use versus what we just think is fun to have along.

 

[BillTex]

Yeah...bikes and stuff...wouldn't have it any other way-very convenient.



Hitch rack in the rear for firewood/grill too...

 

[98roamer]

seems pretty popular among the slide in company.
http://xtrv.smugmug.com/Trips/Beach/XBC-I/8427712_9df5TJ#!i=553711973&k=mq9Su&lb=1&s=L

 

[Truefire]

Thanks a million guys for all of the photo links/uploads. appreciate all of the support, seems there is no problem with this setup.

Chris

 

[max.powerzz]

I think a lot of those guys in the photo use those fishing pole racks for convenience, when we lived back east by the coast they would put their coolers there after they set up to fish. I would think you'd get lots of nasty bugs plastered on (or in) your cooler.

seems pretty popular among the slide in company.
http://xtrv.smugmug.com/Trips/Beach/XBC-I/8427712_9df5TJ#!i=553711973&k=mq9Su&lb=1&s=L

 

[firesq14]

hello truefire, yes i am from the northeast too, been running a cooler rack on the front for 20yrs. homemade and a 2in recevier as well. no problems.