[PlanetPluto009]

NuBee here

Hello folks. Great forum.

My first post is a question about the addition of a front mounted 2" receiver hitch to a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel with air-suspension. From time-to-time I want to use my small hitch-mounted 9000 lb. winch on the front of the truck.

Who makes a compatible front bolt-on for this puppy?

PlanetPluto009

 

[zoomie]

Welcome to the forum, lots of great people and information here.

 

[Haulin]

Awesome.

Welcome!

 

[dravas]

etrailer.com - 2013 Ram Pickup Dodge Front Hitch Products front reciever hitch

 

[zoomie]

etrailer.com - 2013 Ram Pickup Dodge Front Hitch Products front reciever hitch

That looks pretty simple. I thought attaching a hitch to the front would be more difficult than that.

 

[RAM_Guy]

That looks pretty simple. I thought attaching a hitch to the front would be more difficult than that.

I guess that's because of how uncommon it is to do and how much more complicated the front end is that the rear, but of course it all comes back to bolting to the vehicles frame.

 

[Accused]

Welcome to the show, quick google turns up a ton of viable links...

Dodge Ram 1500 Front Hitches - Free Shipping @ Shop RealTruck.com

I'm fairly certain most generic units will make the nut as well...

 

[PlanetPluto009]

Thanks everyone for helping out here. Unfortunately these reseller web sites don't give all the info needed. The problem I'm running into is the 2015/ecodiesel/air-suspension combo.

I didn't think of this as an uncommon application since having an easy-to-remove winch that can also fit other front hitch equipped vehicles works well.

Draw-Tite: I talked with the local Draw-Tite dealer who had to call the factory and was told theirs does NOT fit this combo...maybe in the future but for now only 2500+

Curt's website doesn't like it either...only allows 2500 models.

HiddenHitch says that theirs will NOT work on Ecodiesel and/or air-suspension, just "regular 1500's"

Reese also says that theirs will NOT work on Ecodiesel and/or air-suspension, just "regular 1500's".

So does anybody have any other ideas?

PP009

 

[rem26]

I would bet it would work. 'Regular 1500's' have the same frame and body work.

 

[Accused]

Thanks everyone for helping out here. Unfortunately these reseller web sites don't give all the info needed. The problem I'm running into is the 2015/ecodiesel/air-suspension combo.

I didn't think of this as an uncommon application since having an easy-to-remove winch that can also fit other front hitch equipped vehicles works well.

Draw-Tite: I talked with the local Draw-Tite dealer who had to call the factory and was told theirs does NOT fit this combo...maybe in the future but for now only 2500+

Curt's website doesn't like it either...only allows 2500 models.

HiddenHitch says that theirs will NOT work on Ecodiesel and/or air-suspension, just "regular 1500's"

Reese also says that theirs will NOT work on Ecodiesel and/or air-suspension, just "regular 1500's".

So does anybody have any other ideas?

PP009

have you been able to discover why exactly ecodiesel and air susp are excluded? I can't think of significant differences where you would mount???

 

[PlanetPluto009]

Accused,

Clueless here...don't know why. Take a look at Draw-Tite's website, enter 2014 Dodge Ram 1500, all models, and see what ya get.

(2015 year only allows 2500's)

PP009

 

[PlanetPluto009]

To the forum,

If anyone manages to install one of these front-mounted receiver hitch kits on a 1500 Ecodiesel with air-suspension please let the rest of us know. Be specific with make/model of the kit and any installation observations you might have such as retaining of factory tow hooks, fishing bolts through the frame, interference issues, hitch height above ground, etc.

Thanks in advance,

PP009

 

[jdn112011]

Just an educated guess here, but my best bet would be the case of the diesel's upgraded cooling system. The front clip could be relatively redesigned to accommodate the diesel.

Second guess is that even a front mounted hitch needs to be rated at a said capacity. Well coil springs on a front end of standard 1500 is relatively simple to establish capacity. But the air suspension is relatively new and I'm sure the companies for liability purposes have to say that it is not compatible as the new front air shocks are not rated to handle said tongue weight with the addition of the addition diesel engine weight.

So it could be as simple as being untested or it could be that the front air suspension is only equipped to handle weight distribution of the diesel engine and passenger capacity. Leaving the payload and hauling to the significantly better equipped rear air system.

Again this is just an educated guess as to why the companies are saying it is incompatible. Which of the cases may be true is unknown to me. If any.

Hope it helps for anyone that finds themselves attempting an install though.