Hitches and storage

[djhoosier]

We use an Explorer pulling a 12UDST Jayco PU.  Four kids. Haul in our own firewood.  My problem always seems to be space for the firewood.  With the stuff we load in the camper for everyone and the stuff we put in the back of the explorer, we are very limited.  Really not much more we can leave out and not pack.  Anyone have any experience with front mounted receiver hitches to possibly haul something on a rack?

Thanks
DJ

[tlhdoc]

I have not seen a front receiver for an Explorer.  I would worry about it not being high enough and digging in.  What about a sort or hard topper for the Explorer?

[rmojo]

too have an explorer.  I don't have your problem though.  You might want to try somethong like this:

http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93611

I hope that this helps.

[wynot]

We use an Explorer pulling a 12UDST Jayco PU. Four kids. Haul in our own firewood. My problem always seems to be space for the firewood. With the stuff we load in the camper for everyone and the stuff we put in the back of the explorer, we are very limited. Really not much more we can leave out and not pack. Anyone have any experience with front mounted receiver hitches to possibly haul something on a rack?
 
Thanks
DJ

Well, I have a front receiver and a receiver carrying rack, but on a Tahoe.  My quick Google did pull up front receivers for Explorers.
 
As Tracy noted, the front receiver does sit lower than the rear, at least on my Tahoe.  Installation gave me two options of height, I chose the lower mount because of carrying bikes on the front.  I will also say, that I have never hit it, but I expect to - sometime.
 
If I were to put the carrying rack on the front, I would want it higher than it would sit as it is now.  It would probably sit a good 3-3.5 ft in front of the Tahoe, and that would make it very vulnerable.
 
Honestly and personally, I wouldn't waste the money on trying to find a way to haul in firewood that affects the aerodynamics of the rig.  If you put it on the front - it will play havoc with your gas mileage - plus - make you wonder where it is (You won't be able to see it mounted in front).  If you brought in enough firewood to see it, your Explorer would probably overheat...
 
If you mount it on the roof, you are adding drag and height.  Plus, most roofs are limited to some small weight.  Not to mention that you are putting most of that weight on the rear axle in an already fully loaded vehicle.  I guess you could put a couple of boxes of firewood in the camper for transport.
 
Sorry for not being more encouraging, but firewood is heavy, messy, and takes a lot of space.
 
If you want to know more about the front receivers, I'll be happy to discuss.

[tlhdoc]

If you mount it on the roof, you are adding drag and height. Plus, most roofs are limited to some small weight. Not to mention that you are putting most of that weight on the rear axle in an already fully loaded vehicle. I guess you could put a couple of boxes of firewood in the camper for transport.

I was suggesting putting clothes and stuff on the roof, so that there is room in the Explorer for the wood.  I also take my own wood (kiln dried hard wood scraps from work) sometimes.  I have a load of it in the back of the Explorer right now, waiting for labor day weekend.