Community Forums

rsnyder · 03-14-2011, 11:11 PM

I am new to 4 down towing so please bear with me. My 2004 Olds Alero, towable with fuses pulled, measures 13.5" from the pavement to the center of the tow bar attaching holes on the base plate. My Canyon Star measures 23" pavement to the center of the receiver. Will a 8" Reese drop ball mount work or do I need a 9 or 10" ??

Thanks,
Bob

2010 Newmar Canyon Star
2004 Olds Alero
US Gear UTB brake

UFO Pilot · 03-14-2011, 11:19 PM

Based on what I have read on here, I would go with the 8" one. That should put you about 1 1/2" high at the receiver and I think it's better to be a little higher than any amount lower.

BobGed · 03-15-2011, 12:25 AM

I don't know that anyone makes a 9", but I would agree with choosing an 8" rather than a 10" for your situation.

justimagination · 03-15-2011, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsnyder

I am new to 4 down towing so please bear with me. My 2004 Olds Alero, towable with fuses pulled, measures 13.5" from the pavement to the center of the tow bar attaching holes on the base plate. My Canyon Star measures 23" pavement to the center of the receiver. Will a 8" Reese drop ball mount work or do I need a 9 or 10" ??

Thanks,
Bob

2010 Newmar Canyon Star
2004 Olds Alero
US Gear UTB brake

........Have you considered one of the "MULTIBLE ADJUSTING" inserts ? By the time you pay for a 8" or 10" drop, for a little more $$ you can buy an insert that you can adjust to what you actually need, Good luck.
David G.

Luv2go · 03-15-2011, 06:53 AM

Blue Ox recommends 0 to 4" above the car towbar mounting height, so you should be fine with the 8". As you may know, the reason why you want the car mounting height lower is you want the car pushing up on the towbar when you stop, not the other way around. I remember someone posting that they had seen where a toad pivoted up and smashed into the rear of a coach because the car mounting point was higher than the RV's hitch

.

bdaball · 03-15-2011, 07:22 AM

Don't forget, Your drop bar usually becomes the lowest point of your coach especially when entering or exiting driveways.

wa8yxm · 03-15-2011, 09:22 AM

The rule is , I think 3 or 4 (not sure which) so the 8 inch (levaing about a 1.5 inch difference) will do fine. The 9 might be better... but much more expensive

CAUTION: when you put a drop hitch on the receiver you greatly reduce the capacity (towing) of the receiver due to torque..

In 2009 as I was headed west on a freeway in Ohio a driver pulled beside me and said the tire on my bicycle was on fire.. The bike rides on a hitch hauler.. I got out and found the main cross bar that holds the hitch receiver had broken off the motor home.

A quick to Simpson's service in Indiana (just across the border) and I had the bar re-attached with brand new extra heavy duty brackets that are far stronger than the OEM's .... Thankfully the US GEAR unified brake decelarator system I had on the towed.... WORKED AS DESIGNED and stopped the car without damage.

Now all I need is a new Car... (Different problem that had nothing to do with this,, IT died of.... Old age)

Finhawk · 03-15-2011, 09:39 AM

You can go 3" + or - from the center line of your lock pins on your Toad and the center of the receiver on the hitch according to The Roadmaster web site and still be safe
Roadmaster makes a roller that fastens under the drop that you might check out. It is to keep the drop from digging into the road.