Launching a boat with the front hitch

[JCarroll]

One of the biggest factors behind my choice of a H2 was the ability to launch my 18 foot Legend pretty much anywhere I want to and not to have the worries I did have with my previous vehicle.



It has been suggested I use the front hitch as well.



Has anyone had the experience of using the front hitch to launch a boat? How did it go and anything about this exerience you may want to pass along?



Thanks in advance.

[duncanpa]

No experience with it, but would love to hear how it goes for you...

[Gadgets]

It's friggin' awesome!!! I used the front hitch for the first time last August, it is slick as hell, so much easier. I have also used it to park my motorcycle trailer in a very tight spot between trees with very little turning room, slid right in. When I first did the boat, it was at a public boat ramp, you should have seen the people stopping what they were doing on the beach when I came driving down frontwards. Turned a lot of heads. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... oflmao.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':rotflmao:' />

[Smasher]

I was in the boat, while Gadgets was driving..







So helpful! And hes right, talk about turning some peoples heads..

[JCarroll]

Awesome



I am also a member of Muskies Canada and we have outings where there'll be many boats at the launch.



You know where I am going witht this.



If I can I will do a practice run this weekend and hopefully I remember the camera.



Thanks all.



Any advice on the extension for the front hitch. Do you all keep it hard mounted? I am assuming it all starts with the extension I have seen in other posts.

[Gadgets]

[quote name='JCarroll' timestamp='1335219997' post='36337']

Awesome



I am also a member of Muskies Canada and we have outings where there'll be many boats at the launch.



You know where I am going witht this.



If I can I will do a practice run this weekend and hopefully I remember the camera.



Thanks all.



Any advice on the extension for the front hitch. Do you all keep it hard mounted? I am assuming it all starts with the extension I have seen in other posts.

[/quote]



I have the actual front hitch for the H2, but most guy buy a extension, and drill a additional hole in it for use on the front. If it will be crowded like it sounds, going in nose first will make you look like a pro. My son (Smasher) and I have it down to a science, we pull in not blocking the ramp, he hops out taking the front hitch with him and disconnects the hitch from the back, I turn the truck around, by then he's ready to reconnect in the front, guides me in connects the hitch, and gets in the boat, then I drive to the ramp. Only take about 2-3 minutes total from arrival to boat in the water. We don't disconnect the ball, we leave it in the hitch so it's still there for the front. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... ght_on.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':right_on:' />

[dwaxman1]

very cool photos....wow..

[JCarroll]

So I didn't have the front extender in my vehicle and I ordered one from my local GM delearship.....around $65 taxes in......and I have chatted with my best buddy that I fish with and told him all about this and he seems really indifferent to the whole idea of front launching.



Stay tuned, there will be an update, perhaps some pics and/or video but I can't help to think, and I mentioned it to my buddy, but this has to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.



So cool.

[Gadgets]

Well I was actually very surprised at how easy it makes it. Even more so getting a trailer into a tight spot, you can see where you are going. I love it.

[03H2]

My son loves it for when he helps me getting the boat out of the water as well, and yes people sure stare lol but quit soon when we are in and out in minutes.