hitchball on front of Pathfinder

[ethelwright]

I have a 1993 Nissan pathfinder . I asked all the hitch places around here about a hitch put on the front of my 4x4 and they all say it cannot be done . Next week I am having some body work done on the 4x4 including a repaint of the front bumper . I was thinking of asking if they can mount a 2 inch hitch ball on the front bumper . This would be very helpful for me to put my 16 foot fiberglass boat into the garage or my back yard.The garage is a tight fit and I know it would make it easier for me to put the boat in there.I would rather put the boat into the garage for the long , cold , snowy winter than to pay for shrink wrapping . Any comments out there from the experts. Thanks .

 

[neumanns]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

Ethel, it is my guess the stock bumper would not support the stress's created (not strong enoufgh). However if you have a good wealding shop available they should be able to fabricate something to fit between the frame that would work unless the pathfinder has a unibody construction. My guess thou is it has a frame and a wealding shop should be able to do it for you. Locally it would proabably cost 150-200 USD, should rewcoupe that in one years shrinkwrapping.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

"they all say it cannot be done"<br /><br />Where have I heard that before?

 

[JB]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

It's not like you are going to tear down bad roads at 70mph in reverse, Ethel.<br /><br />I moved several boats around the yard for years with a hitch that bolted to my front bumper ('93 Ranger).<br /><br />Anyone who can mount a brush bar can mount a hitch or a receiver. They just don't want the liability risk.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Red Rider]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

I think JB's right about them not wanting a libility issue. I move boats and trailers around my yard with my 17hp Murray riding lawn mower. <br /><br />I do have one boat that is far too heavy to hook to my mower. But I have a '80 GMC pickup that I put a step bumper on the front of. It is a regular step bumper like millions of pickups have on the rear. It has a trailer ball on it and also gives me someplace to stand when I want to work on the truck engine.<br /><br />You should be able to get a brush guard installed on the front of the pathfinder and have a ball put on it.<br /><br />But be careful. The hardest thing I have ever done is go down the interstate pushing a boat on a trailer with that pickup while towing a camper. You need to have power steering, if you are going to keep up with the traffic.<br /><br />And that is the truth

 

[quantumleap]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

You Pathfinder does indeed have a full ladder frame and any decent fabrication shop could build a hitch that would tie into the front fram rails. I would avoid the brushguard mounted ball as many of these guards are designed more for looks and would probably bend at their mounting point.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

The hardest thing I have ever done is go down the interstate pushing a boat on a trailer with that pickup while towing a camper. You need to have power steering, if you are going to keep up with the traffic

please tell me yer kiddin'

 

[cdivrmike]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

[/quote]The hardest thing I have ever done is go down the interstate pushing a boat on a trailer with that pickup while towing a camper. <br />And that is the truth [/quote]<br /><br /><br />You crack me up! Can we get ome pics of this?

 

[OBJ]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

Just to throw in my .02 worth, I did a search on the Rigid Hitch site, they also build for Reese and Drawtite, and couldn't find a thing for Nissan. I installed a front hitch on my Silverado the third day I had it and wouldn't be without it.....course....I do a lot of pushing around in the yard behind the shop. But like the guys said, any good welding shop should be able to help you out with a front hitch.<br /><br />Good Luck....and do a lot of practice before pushing a boat on the highway........just kidding..

 

[DJ]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

Does your Pathfinder have air bags?<br /><br />If so, putting a hitch on the front is a VERY bad idea.

 

[dude33333]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

anyone who says strength is an issue has to be kidding, with a 16' you could mount a ball to a 2x4 bolted to the front and youd be fine just moving it around the yard....

 

[gewf631]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

Couldn't find a good picture, but the H2 comes with a front receiver standard, and their site talks about its use for low speed trailer manuvers, as well as a mounting point for a winch.<br /><br />

The front bumper also includes large, military, HUMMER-style retrieval loops; the rear bumper includes tow loops (which can also serve as tie-downs). Both bumpers have access holes for the hitch receivers attached to the chassis. The front receiver accommodates a winch, which can be plugged in, locked (just like a trailer hitch) and hooked up with an electrical connection, allowing H2 to free vehicles mired in mud or otherwise helplessly grounded. The front receiver also accommodates a regular Class 3 trailer hitch, providing additional flexibility for such tasks as pulling a boat out of the water or backing your trailer into a tight spot.

Found one, but you've got to look close!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

Yeah Ed I see it, but it's in the grille of the Dodge.

 

[gewf631]

Re: hitchball on front of Pathfinder

Ran across etrailer.com <br /><br />They carry front-mount receiver hitches for a number of applications - unfortunately, not for a '93 Pathfinder.