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Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246181] Wed, 02 April 2014 13:54 Go to next message
mickey szilagyi is currently offline  mickey szilagyi   United States
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
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Senior Member
Greetings...

Got a question on the front bumper. We've been thinking about installing a reese hitch sleeve to the front for a bike rack and any other uses that may come up, such as maybe launching a boat. In taking a closer look, it appears that the bumper is attached with two mounts can slide and give a little bit. The question is, how much weight can the bumper mounts support? We're trying to come up with a plan and not sure if we will need to attach the hitch assembly to the bumper mounts alone, frame, or both. I've seen pictures of it done both ways in some previous posts. Mainly I don't want to put too much strain on the bumper mounts but we're not sure how much they can handle on their own.

Even a bike rack shouldn't put too much stress on it but we're thinking of a 4-bike rack and being directly in the front in the wind don't want to put extra stress on those mounts if they aren't really designed to handle it.

Any thoughts on this? As always, thank you for the feedback!!!

Mickey


Mickey 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246183 is a reply to message #246181] Wed, 02 April 2014 14:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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I seem to remember someone had posted a picture of a Reese type receiver that they attached to the front crossmember. I think it would be best to attach it to the frame and run the receiver through the front bumper (the actual metal of the bumper is not difficult to cut through). Hopefully someone can post the picture for you.

George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246184 is a reply to message #246181] Wed, 02 April 2014 14:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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Location: Chicago, IL
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Here's a picture of a simple bumper hitch mounted to the front bumper and frame:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4744/152-5256_IMG_2.jpg


George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246186 is a reply to message #246184] Wed, 02 April 2014 14:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mickeysss is currently offline  mickeysss   United States
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mickey i am wanting to do this as well to put a boat in the sea here. I am a little afraid that if at low tide the green scum

is on the ramp and i can get down into the ramp and not be able to put the brakes on well enough when alone.

also it could not have much traction getting back out. I need one of the kiss brakes to attach the brake peddle to the floor

as a launching brake. But this is a good idea and i think i will try and do it as well. good idea thank you.

you may not be in a tide water area and it be that relevant. best regards to the other mickey -

mickey anaheim ca. 77 palm beach


On Apr 2, 2014, at 12:27 PM, George Rudawsky wrote:

>
>
> Here's a picture of a simple bumper hitch mounted to the front bumper and frame:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/4744/152-5256_IMG_2.jpg
> --
> George Rudawsky
> Chicago, IL
> 75 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246245 is a reply to message #246184] Thu, 03 April 2014 00:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
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Senior Member
I notched the front bumpers to accept the square hitch unit .when not in use the license plate mounts into it. This way it doesn't take away from the front appearance .

Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246253 is a reply to message #246245] Thu, 03 April 2014 02:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
roy1 wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:39

I notched the front bumpers to accept the square hitch unit .when not in use the license plate mounts into it. This way it doesn't take away from the front appearance .


I like that idea. Did you mount the license plate on a separate drawbar?

The only problem here is we do not have front license plates. (We are trying to save the planet by cutting our aluminum consumption in half). I guess I could get a front plate with a political comment line Fords Suck or something.

If the receiver has a connection to the frame, you also could use it, with the right drawbar, as temporary tow hook.

I really do like that idea because you are not going to use it running down the road so why not hide it most of the time.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246260 is a reply to message #246181] Thu, 03 April 2014 06:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
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Registered: August 2005
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here is one
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3214-front-hitch.html

erf


On Wed, Apr 2, 2014 at 11:54 AM, Mickey Szilagyi
<mickey@apex-internet.com>wrote:

>
>
> Greetings...
>
> Got a question on the front bumper. We've been thinking about installing
> a reese hitch sleeve to the front for a bike rack and any other uses that
> may come up, such as maybe launching a boat. In taking a closer look, it
> appears that the bumper is attached with two mounts can slide and give a
> little bit. The question is, how much weight can the bumper mounts
> support? We're trying to come up with a plan and not sure if we will need
> to attach the hitch assembly to the bumper mounts alone, frame, or both.
> I've seen pictures of it done both ways in some previous posts. Mainly I
> don't want to put too much strain on the bumper mounts but we're not sure
> how much they can handle on their own.
>
> Even a bike rack shouldn't put too much stress on it but we're thinking of
> a 4-bike rack and being directly in the front in the wind don't want to put
> extra stress on those mounts if they aren't really designed to handle it.
>
> Any thoughts on this? As always, thank you for the feedback!!!
>
> Mickey
> --
> Mickey
> 1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
"Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
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Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246264 is a reply to message #246253] Thu, 03 April 2014 07:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Ken -

Put your FMCA oval on in place of the front plate.

--johnny


________________________________
From: Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thursday, April 3, 2014 3:23 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper




roy1 wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:39
> I notched the front bumpers to accept the square hitch unit .when not in use the license plate mounts into it. This way it doesn't take away from the front appearance .


I like that idea.  Did you mount the license plate on a separate drawbar?

The only problem here is we do not have front license plates.  (We are trying to save the planet by cutting our aluminum consumption in half).  I guess I could get a front plate with a political comment line Fords Suck or something.

If the receiver has a connection to the frame, you also could use it, with the right drawbar, as temporary tow hook. 

I really do like that idea because you are not going to use it running down the road so why not hide it most of the time.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246295 is a reply to message #246253] Thu, 03 April 2014 12:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Ken Burton wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:23

roy1 wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:39

I notched the front bumpers to accept the square hitch unit .when not in use the license plate mounts into it. This way it doesn't take away from the front appearance .


I like that idea. Did you mount the license plate on a separate drawbar?

The only problem here is we do not have front license plates. (We are trying to save the planet by cutting our aluminum consumption in half). I guess I could get a front plate with a political comment line Fords Suck or something.

If the receiver has a connection to the frame, you also could use it, with the right drawbar, as temporary tow hook.

I really do like that idea because you are not going to use it running down the road so why not hide it most of the time.


I mounted the license plate to one of those decorative things one would install when not towing. I drilled a hole for the pin so it could be pulled out vertical rather then side ways. On the drawbar I drilled another hole so the pin could also be easily removed. I didn't connect it to the frame as I didn't want to do away with the crash bumper units or whatever they are called. It isn't for heavy use so the bumper is strong enough.


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246298 is a reply to message #246295] Thu, 03 April 2014 14:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
dwayne jacobson[1] is currently offline  dwayne jacobson[1]   United States
Messages: 345
Registered: July 2009
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Senior Member
I Have a front mounted trailer hitch that I plan on removing - if you want
it or anyone else I can leave it on for our trip leaving this May 25th
heading east on I90 to Detroit then to the Great Lakers Rally in South Bend
then Chicago to Start ROUTE 66. I would be happy to stop along the way
long enough to have it removed. I can be emailed PO
dwayne.jacobson@gmail.com
This is not a thru the bumper hitch but a solid one to the frame.

Dwayne and Sharon Jacobson
77 Kingsley



On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 10:55 AM, <roy@gmcnet.org> wrote:

>
>
> Ken Burton wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:23
> > roy1 wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:39
> > > I notched the front bumpers to accept the square hitch unit .when not
> in use the license plate mounts into it. This way it doesn't take away from
> the front appearance .
> >
> >
> > I like that idea. Did you mount the license plate on a separate drawbar?
> >
> > The only problem here is we do not have front license plates. (We are
> trying to save the planet by cutting our aluminum consumption in half). I
> guess I could get a front plate with a political comment line Fords Suck or
> something.
> >
> > If the receiver has a connection to the frame, you also could use it,
> with the right drawbar, as temporary tow hook.
> >
> > I really do like that idea because you are not going to use it running
> down the road so why not hide it most of the time.
>
>
> I mounted the license plate to one of those decorative things one would
> install when not towing. I drilled a hole for the pin so it could be
> pulled out vertical rather then side ways. On the drawbar I drilled another
> hole so the pin could also be easily removed. I didn't connect it to the
> frame as I didn't want to do away with the crash bumper units or whatever
> they are called. It isn't for heavy use so the bumper is strong enough.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Dwayne Jacobson
White Rock BC
Cell: 604-644-8090
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Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246299 is a reply to message #246181] Thu, 03 April 2014 15:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
verg is currently offline  verg   United States
Messages: 54
Registered: September 2006
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Karma: 0
Member
My coach has a large steel bar welded below the front cross member. The PO told me the PO to him followed a practice in the 80s of adding this bar to allow the coach to be lifted up without the wooden blocks shown in the owner's manual under towing. It seemed to facilitate the use of a conventional tow truck of the time. Anyway, there is a front tow hitch bolted to this fore mentioned bar. He used the front hitch to launch his boat.

I was thinking the hitch could be used to hold a bike carrier. I would not want to put one of those cargo carriers there as it would block the radiator.

Would a picture help?

Regards,

John


John Novicki
near Gettysburg, Pa

Looking for Glenbrook Yellow Plaid Material

'75 Glenbrook 26' "Bumble"
'86 300SL
Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246312 is a reply to message #246181] Thu, 03 April 2014 18:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
Senior Member
Just FYI, Here is how I did it.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4744-trailer-hitch-for-front-end.html

HTH


Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246330 is a reply to message #246181] Thu, 03 April 2014 21:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
Senior Member
mickey szilagyi wrote on Wed, 02 April 2014 12:54

Greetings...

Got a question on the front bumper. We've been thinking about installing a reese hitch sleeve to the front for a bike rack and any other uses that may come up, such as maybe launching a boat. In taking a closer look, it appears that the bumper is attached with two mounts can slide and give a little bit. The question is, how much weight can the bumper mounts support? We're trying to come up with a plan and not sure if we will need to attach the hitch assembly to the bumper mounts alone, frame, or both. I've seen pictures of it done both ways in some previous posts. Mainly I don't want to put too much strain on the bumper mounts but we're not sure how much they can handle on their own.

Even a bike rack shouldn't put too much stress on it but we're thinking of a 4-bike rack and being directly in the front in the wind don't want to put extra stress on those mounts if they aren't really designed to handle it.

Any thoughts on this? As always, thank you for the feedback!!!

Mickey

Those are Enersorbers and they were designed to support a bumper mounted hitch. In the 70's, removable bumper mounted hitches were still common and they were designed to support that load. Enersorbers were used by GM starting in 1973 on the front and 1974 on the rear (on passenger cars).


Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
Re: Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246894 is a reply to message #246181] Wed, 09 April 2014 12:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
verg is currently offline  verg   United States
Messages: 54
Registered: September 2006
Location: Gettysburg, PA
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Member
Here is a picture of the welded on heavy support with front hitch. Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6587/medium/Front_hitch_bumble01.jpg


John Novicki
near Gettysburg, Pa

Looking for Glenbrook Yellow Plaid Material

'75 Glenbrook 26' "Bumble"
'86 300SL

[Updated on: Wed, 09 April 2014 12:27]

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Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246920 is a reply to message #246253] Wed, 09 April 2014 17:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kingsley Coach is currently offline  Kingsley Coach   United States
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Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
Senior Member
Ken

You wrote, "Fords Suck..."

Try not to bring Rob Ford and his brother into this ! <g>


FYI: Rob is the drunken, crack using, overweight, belligerent Mayor of
Toronto here in Canada <VBG> His brother is his biggest fan.

Mike in NS


On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 4:23 AM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> roy1 wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:39
> > I notched the front bumpers to accept the square hitch unit .when not in
> use the license plate mounts into it. This way it doesn't take away from
> the front appearance .
>
>
> I like that idea. Did you mount the license plate on a separate drawbar?
>
> The only problem here is we do not have front license plates. (We are
> trying to save the planet by cutting our aluminum consumption in half). I
> guess I could get a front plate with a political comment line Fords Suck or
> something.
>
> If the receiver has a connection to the frame, you also could use it, with
> the right drawbar, as temporary tow hook.
>
> I really do like that idea because you are not going to use it running
> down the road so why not hide it most of the time.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

* At my age, getting lucky means walking into a room and remembering what I
came for.
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Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246925 is a reply to message #246920] Wed, 09 April 2014 18:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMC.LES is currently offline  GMC.LES   United States
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Senior Member
And even with that sort of reputation, the media reports indicate that he still stands a good chance of getting re-elected!



Les Burt
Montreal
1975 Eleganza 26ft
A work in Progress



On Apr 9, 2014, at 6:50 PM, Kingsley Coach <kingsleygmc@gmail.com> wrote:

Ken

You wrote, "Fords Suck..."

Try not to bring Rob Ford and his brother into this ! <g>


FYI: Rob is the drunken, crack using, overweight, belligerent Mayor of
Toronto here in Canada <VBG> His brother is his biggest fan.

Mike in NS


> On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 4:23 AM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> roy1 wrote on Thu, 03 April 2014 00:39
>> I notched the front bumpers to accept the square hitch unit .when not in
> use the license plate mounts into it. This way it doesn't take away from
> the front appearance .
>
>
> I like that idea. Did you mount the license plate on a separate drawbar?
>
> The only problem here is we do not have front license plates. (We are
> trying to save the planet by cutting our aluminum consumption in half). I
> guess I could get a front plate with a political comment line Fords Suck or
> something.
>
> If the receiver has a connection to the frame, you also could use it, with
> the right drawbar, as temporary tow hook.
>
> I really do like that idea because you are not going to use it running
> down the road so why not hide it most of the time.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

* At my age, getting lucky means walking into a room and remembering what I
came for.
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Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246939 is a reply to message #246925] Wed, 09 April 2014 19:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
Senior Member
""And even with that sort of reputation, the media reports indicate that he still stands a good chance of getting re-elected!



Les Burt
Montreal
1975 Eleganza 26ft
A work in Progress""

It's a very strange behaviour. Someone actually told me that people sometimes buy a Ford again too Smile


Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper [message #246949 is a reply to message #246939] Wed, 09 April 2014 19:56 Go to previous message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
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I, for one, don't expect to EVER buy a Government Motors vehicle again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*




> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: NEXT2POOL@AOL.COM
> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 19:20:30 -0500
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Mounting a hitch to the front bumper
>
>
>
> ""And even with that sort of reputation, the media reports indicate that he still stands a good chance of getting re-elected!
>
>
>
> Les Burt
> Montreal
> 1975 Eleganza 26ft
> A work in Progress""
>
> It's a very strange behaviour. Someone actually told me that people sometimes buy a Ford again too :)
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ

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