Front Hitch Installed on Lightning - Good news

[Tom Jensen]

Thanks for your quick reply. I do love the idea that these can be taken off quickly with 2 pins and the quality of the work was obvious. I wonder if the gentleman who made these for you has a machine shop since it sure looks like it. Anyway I am wondering about it since on my Lightning I use a rear hitch snow plow (snowsport hd). Now I do not have any problems using it driving in reverse, but it sure would be nice to be able to mount it in the front primarily due to visibility issues during night and bad weather. The rear camera and the side mirrors do get messed up during any real snow event so a front mount would simply alleviate most visibility issues. As for my other desires, I do use an E-Bike carrier, but I like it on the back hitch for less wind resistance. I have had the opportunity to push a car carrier trailer around, but for intricate parking issues, I already have an electric trailer dolly to park that type of trailer when its going to a tight space, so the truck would not need to do as you do with the boats. Heck and simply put I like making stuff, so might use your hitch as a template just to make one similarly, because its fun. So thanks for the info.

Mr. Blake certainly has the skills of an engineer. Whether that was his profession, I do not know. As for the strength issue, I’d be cautious but not averse to trying it. The “tow hooks” are D-rings, welded to the frame at both ends. But that’s not the same as attaching the plow assembly to the frame itself. Garrett would likely have a well-informed opinion.

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[msdickerson]

Mr. Blake certainly has the skills of an engineer. Whether that was his profession, I do not know. As for the strength issue, I’d be cautious but not averse to trying it. The “tow hooks” are D-rings, welded to the frame at both ends. But that’s not the same as attaching the plow assembly to the frame itself. Garrett would likely have a well-informed opinion.

Thanks again, and I have just left Mr Blake a question on his thread on this unit.

 

[astrand1]

Looks quite skookum! However it will/can impede front sensors and cameras. I'm sure you've found this thusfar.

"Skookum" thats a new word for me. had to look that one up. lol

 

[Tom Jensen]

"Skookum" thats a new word for me. had to look that one up. lol

As a former resident of BC and Oregon and attorney for Columbia River tribes, I ran into “skookum” periodically. It’s a great, multifunction word. 18th or 19th century word used/invented by PNW tribes and non-indian traders/explorers/settlers to mean “smart”, “good”, “powerful”, and probably other affirmations of quality. A friend had a dog named “Skookum” or “Skook” who didn’t deserve the compliment.

 

[Tom Jensen]

Do you have any idea what the tongue weight rating is?
Do you keep the tow hook loop adapters on and only remove the hitch when not in use?
yes a cleaver idea without any vehicle modifications.
Rick

I’m sorry to be a year late responding. I have no idea what the tongue weight limit might be. The tow hooks (which are really loops) are welded into the front frame and seem beefy. I hitched my 22’ boat and trailer to the receiver and everything worked just fine, though I was not doing anything rough or abrupt.

 

[Tom Jensen]

Looks quite skookum! However it will/can impede front sensors and cameras. I'm sure you've found this thusfar.

I haven’t experienced any interference with any sensors or cameras from the receiver itself. A bike rack or other large item will cause some interference, just as my bike rack did on my ICE 150 and Expedition. First world problem.

 

[msdickerson]

Do you have any idea what the tongue weight rating is?
Do you keep the tow hook loop adapters on and only remove the hitch when not in use?
yes a cleaver idea without any vehicle modifications.
Rick

Yea - my worry is that the load rating is only for pulling and take a look at the attachment to the frame of the tow hooks. I need a front hitch for snow plowing - much different type loads.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

I was watching Monro Engineering compare the Lightning and R1T frames, the front of the Lightning has a welded end-plate and bolt holes for the tow-loops. they even show the two loops and how they are made. These bolt to the truck. Frames compared

Then from an online AI search:
"The front tow hooks on an F-150 Lightning are bolted to the frame, not welded. This allows for easy installation, removal, and replacement without the need for cutting or welding, according to Ford. The hooks are typically made of high-strength steel and come with the necessary mounting hardware, as indicated in the description of Ford's tow hook kit. "

I suspect a front-hitch/bracket that bolts on instead of the tow loops could be used, if you can access the bolts easily. I am thinking of looking at this as an option - not fast to install or remove, but a stronger connection to the frame without fear of bending the tow loops.

 

[GarrettBlake]

The setup that Tom Jensen has was modified slightly to be used for a snowplow. As far as I know they work well. Send me a DM and I can provide some references.

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