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Front Tow hitch?
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 6:33 am
by canderso
Just recently purchased a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder for towing and hunting. I plan to tow a utility trailer and a 16' mod-v john boat for hunting. The some of the ramps I use in the winter are unimproved dirt ramps. Depending on tide level, the dirt can be soft dirt or mud. I was thinking about adding a front hitch mount so that I can pick up a winch and put it in a cradle mount. I am not completely interested in having a winch mounted permanently to the front of the truck. But if I am out with jjust my son and I and we are the only truck around, it would be nice to know that I can get unstuck from some mud if that became an issue.
After some google searching, I found that Curt makes a front hitch (#31241). Does anyone have experience with mounting a front hitch to their R51 Pathfinder?
Thanks in advance.
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 9:24 am
by doctahjones
don't have that kind of experience. i might be interested though too. i plan on doing some offroading and would love to have a winch, but i don't want it permanently mounted since i don't have a nice grill to go with it.
only thing i have currently is the front OEM recovery hook.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/51110p-hoo ... 62799.html
don't they make "free standing" winches that hook inbetween a recovery hook and a tree (or another vehicle)? if not then i have a patent idea....
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 8:36 pm
by cgray
They make what you are talking about (limited to 1000lb capacity though). Would probably be enough to get un-stuck.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Warn-Pul ... MgodCn0AmA
or the old fashion come-a-long. cheap and effective
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Big-Red-4-To ... Zrp-uDbCa4
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 9:41 pm
by doctahjones
totally forgot the come-a-long.
i think that's some pretty cheap 'insurance' and will probably buy one if we end up meeting up this weekend for the trails. i don't think we'd be doing anything that a tow rope couldn't fix, but i'd rather not rely on just that.
Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:06 am
by canderso
My personal recovery system right now is a 10,000lb come-a-long and a couple of yellow recovery straps. Was thinking about "moving up" in the world. But as far as space and additional work to modify the truck, a come along wil continue to work just fine.
I don't get stuck that often anyway! Wait, maybe that's one of those things you are supposed to say or think outloud.