Curt 31998 Front Mount Hitch Review

I use my truck for towing quite often, and have found it useful to have the option of using a front mount hitch. Having recently purchased my Tundra I decided to install the Curt 31998, and have to say I'm a bit disappointed. The hitch significantly hinders removal of the stock skidplate, the instructions recommending cutting a hole to allow for oil filter changes. Instead I've opted to replace it with an aftermarket unit from RCI Engineering.

Perhaps the most annoying thing however is how far back the hitch receiver sits. Using a 12 inch shank triple ball trailer hitch I'm unable to even insert it, and if I could the ball will be sitting beneath the front bumper. Utilizing an extender cuts the allowed weight in half, and using a drop hitch will lead to ground clearance issues. I definitely feel like they could've put a little more thought into this design!

 

Maybe a longer custom shank could allow for more front bumper clearance? I don’t know but I’d either take it back or build a longer shank out of ½” steel. That’ll make it so your load capacity is not cut in half.

 

Yeah, Reese makes a 16" shank hitch that may work, although I'm gonna keep searching for a long triple ball.

$44 Reese 80232 Hidden Hitch® Angle-Cut Class III Ball Mount - 16" x .75" x 2", 6000 lbs.

https://amazon.com/Reese-80232-Hidden-Hitch-Angle-Cut/dp/B004R39XIG/

 

That seems really impractical. I have welded up and used front receivers on several trucks and they are sure useful for positioning trailers into tight spots. I don’t think that rating would bother me since you’re never gonna be on the road or going over 2 mph. Biggest drawback is how crappy the front clearance and approach angle is now. Plus, it looks like you’re gonna have to crawl under the front end to insert or pull the pin. I would return it and get one fabricated that is more reasonable.

 

^^^^

 

The stock bolts were long enough. I just happened to have longer ones I took off the wife's 2017 RX300 that bolted the Transportation Tie Down Bracket to the underneath of the car. These bolts were removed and not needed installing a Curt Mfg hitch to the RX350. I measured the bolts diameter at 12mm, the length of the bolt on my Tundra was 31.9. The usable length of the RX bolt is 35.3. Both bolts are flanged, have a captive washer and a 17mm hex head. I ordered two more bolts just to keep things matching. Toyota Part Number 90119-12391

2008 Toyota Tundra Limited Double Cab 5.7 & Leveled. This hitch is heavy. It will mash anything before any other cross members. Stiffens front end. Great place to store ball mount, It's tucked in not like the rear where my shin hits it. Not going to store ball mount inside the cab with me, last thing I need hitting me in the head.

If I had a skid plate I would bend the front mounting tabs down to mate with back of hitch. I would drill and tap holes to mount skid plate to hitch.