Front Hitch Installed on Lightning - Good news

Tom Jensen · Aug 10, 2024

I had searched in vain for a front hitch for my 2023 Lariat. Several months ago, Garrett Blake posted photos here of a hitch he had fabricated. It looked solid, I asked (begged, really) if he’d make one for me, and he agreed. Bless him. The hitch arrived recently, installed in about 15 minutes, and works like a charm. It is engineered with precision, built like a tank, and will meet all my needs for boat trailer maneuvering, bike rack carrying, surf fishing gear hauling, and all the rest. Like any hand-made work of art, it wasn’t inexpensive, but it absolutely is worth every penny.

Here are some photos:

Ford F-150 Lightning Front Hitch Installed on Lightning - Good news IMG_0874

Ford F-150 Lightning Front Hitch Installed on Lightning - Good news IMG_0875

Ford F-150 Lightning Front Hitch Installed on Lightning - Good news IMG_0873

Iroc34a · Aug 11, 2024

Quality or cheap. Can't have them both.
Quality right there! Looks good too !

Tom Jensen · Aug 11, 2024

Iroc34a said:
Quality or cheap. Can't have them both.
Quality right there! Looks good too !

I believe that Mr. Blake is trained as an engineer. The design of the hitch shows meticulous attention to detail, right down to the smallest features. Even the hand-made shipping crate was a model of careful thought and execution.

Bwanapete · Aug 11, 2024

I think I want to buy one for my ‘22 Lariat. How do I make contact? What was the cost?

PrimeRisk · Aug 11, 2024

Wow, that thing is gorgeous! That is true craftmanship right there.

Ricks Lightning · Aug 11, 2024

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

Tom Jensen · Aug 11, 2024

Ricks Lightning said:
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

Yes. I keep the brackets/adapters on and remove the hitch when I know I won’t be needing it. It’s very simple and smart design. Also, I use locking pins to hold the hitch to the brackets - I don’t want anyone to walk away with this beauty. I do not know the tongue weight. My uses do not come close to pushing the probable limits. I’d encourage you to write Mr. Blake to see if he’s done a calculation.

Sneakypetie78 · Aug 11, 2024

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

Maquis · Aug 11, 2024

This thread jogged a memory from my past. 40 years ago, I was pulling my bass boat with my Jeep CJ and decided I wanted to be able to go camping on my fishing trips. Got rid of the CJ and bought an Econoline cargo van that I made into a camper. I was used to the ease in backing a trailer with the CJ. Great visibility and short wheelbase. The van was horrible in both respects. So I fabbed a front hitch bracket thinking that was the ticket for backing my boat in and out.

I tried it exactly one time before I figured out unhooking and re-hitching was way more of a pain in the ass than learning how to back up a trailer the right way using the side mirrors. Never used the front hitch again.

Tom Jensen · Aug 11, 2024

Maquis said:
This thread jogged a memory from my past. 40 years ago, I was pulling my bass boat with my Jeep CJ and decided I wanted to be able to go camping on my fishing trips. Got rid of the CJ and bought an Econoline cargo van that I made into a camper. I was used to the ease in backing a trailer with the CJ. Great visibility and short wheelbase. The van was horrible in both respects. So I fabbed a front hitch bracket thinking that was the ticket for backing my boat in and out.

I tried it exactly one time before I figured out unhooking and re-hitching was way more of a pain in the ass than learning how to back up a trailer the right way using the side mirrors. Never used the front hitch again.

Thst’s something to be proud of for sure. I find a front hitch very useful for precise maneuvering of a boat trailer into and out of my boathouse. I’ve got about 2” clearance on either side after folding the mirrors in and, to make things more interesting, the boathouse and ramp are not on the same axis; the ramp is angled about 15 degrees relative to the boathouse. So, one has to turn within that tight space. And to make it even more interesting, the length of the boathouse is about 1” shorter than the trailer and boat. When leaving the boat in the boathouse, I remove the hitch from the trailer tongue so front and rear doors can close. Even after many years of successful trailering with trucks and SUVs, I welcome the advantages provided by a front hitch. Beats the heck out of crunching transom or trailer into a wall or post. It’s also a great place for rod holders, cooler racks, and bike racks when pulling a trailer.

Maquis · Aug 11, 2024

Tom Jensen said:
Thst’s something to be proud of for sure. I find a front hitch very useful for precise maneuvering of a boat trailer into and out of my boathouse. I’ve got about 2” clearance on either side after folding the mirrors in and, to make things more interesting, the boathouse and ramp are not on the same axis; the ramp is angled about 15 degrees relative to the boathouse. So, one has to turn within that tight space. And to make it even more interesting, the length of the boathouse is about 1” shorter than the trailer and boat. When leaving the boat in the boathouse, I remove the hitch from the trailer tongue so front and rear doors can close. Even after many years of successful trailering with trucks and SUVs, I welcome the advantages provided by a front hitch. Beats the heck out of crunching transom or trailer into a wall or post. It’s also a great place for rod holders, cooler racks, and bike racks when pulling a trailer.

Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t my intention to diss your use case. What you’ve done looks fantastic and useful for all the things you plan to use it for. I’m just an old guy and it made me smile that your post jogged this memory!

Sneakypetie78 · Aug 11, 2024

Add any of the accessories the OP spoke of, and therein lies the issue.

Front Hitch Installed on Lightning - Good news

Tom Jensen

Well-known member

Iroc34a

Well-known member

Tom Jensen

Well-known member

Bwanapete

Well-known member

PrimeRisk

Well-known member

Ricks Lightning

Well-known member

Tom Jensen

Well-known member

Sneakypetie78

Well-known member

Maquis

Well-known member

Tom Jensen

Well-known member

Maquis

Well-known member

Sneakypetie78

Well-known member

Similar threads