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11-29-2009, 07:59 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: South Carolina, Aiken
Posts: 170
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Baseplate tow bar brackets uneven
I recently traded toads and had Roadmaster baseplate installed on my new Saturn. Didn't notice till I got home but it appears the newly installed baseplate brackets are uneven making the crossbar not parallel to the front of the vehicle. I had to look at it from just the correct angle to notice but I'm sure the one bracket is about 1 to 1.5 inches longer than the other.
My concern and question is this. Is the fact that the crossbar is uneven a problem/danger? Will towing the toad with uneven baseplate bracket cause unnsafe or dangerous situation, cause non dangerous problems like premature tire wear, or is it a moot point and doesn't really make a difference?
I'd appreciate some expert advise. thanks
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Tom and Ellen
2016 Fleetwood Bounder 35K 30th Anniversary Edition
2015 GMAC Acadia
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11-29-2009, 08:36 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,519
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I can't think of any legitimate reason for them to be uneven. Not sure what the effect, if any, would be when towing but I would want it installed correctly. A phone call to Roadmaster Tech Support might get you some support for insisting the installer correct it.
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Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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11-29-2009, 08:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 799
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If by longer you mean one sticks out futher than the other, then your toad will not track straight behind the motorhome. I think the toad's front tires will wear out quickly. I would return to the installer and demand they install it correctly.
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11-30-2009, 08:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: DFW Area, TX
Posts: 2,040
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I'm with Gary. I'd start with Roadmaster. I installed my own baseplate on our 05' Vue and had a couple of situations while lining it up that I didn't like I ended up sending them pictures. I had several information exchanges before I was satisfied.
I'd do that before I went back to the installer. Roadmaster should be able help you determine if you do or do not have a problem. You might not get that figured out easily by talking to the installer.
__________________
2000 Georgie Boy Landau 36' DP
2018 Equinox toad
KF5-NJY
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12-01-2009, 06:01 AM
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#5
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Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
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I agree with Norm.
It will lead to excessive tire wear and may over stress the towbar/baseplate.
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Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP
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12-01-2009, 10:16 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,339
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary]
I can't think of any legitimate reason for them to be uneven. Not sure what the effect, if any, would be when towing but I would want it installed correctly. A phone call to Roadmaster Tech Support might get you some support for insisting the installer correct it.
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RV Roamer has exactly the right and complete response... Technically, no worries... Appearance wise, well, I can not think of any reason for them to be off either, which might imply an installation gaffe.
So, call Roadmaster, but here's the engineering and why those tow-bars are triangular in design with point/ball attachment points.....
Because we are talking free moving "point" attachments and not fixed/rigid connections and - here's the key point - a single pulling point (on the RV), the toad can never be pulled or dragged off parallel (i.e. dragged side to side scuffing tires) no matter what is going on with the baseplates.
Further, toad attach points not "in line" or parallel on the toad simply means the tow bar "triangle" will shift from directly on the center line of the rv/toad to slightly off. However, the pulling force will STILL be directly parallel to the toad and the toad will track dead "straight" BUT the toad will ride slightly off center to the RV. Hence, there is no tire wear issue. Aren't triangles and point attachments a wonderful thing?
Do make absolutely certain that the height from the road of the basplates and your RV hitch (at running height) are the same +/- 2". This is the key specification (beside weight ratings).
Warning - Engineering freebody top-view diagrams 101 follow.
unequal baseplates
(note how toad has shifted/rides to the right)
(in order to maintain equal tow bar lengths but is still pulled "straight")
..................toad
======X=============
================X===
========X========
.............RV
will pull as "straight" to the road as
(equal "length" baseplates)
.............toad
===X==========X===
========X=========
.............RV
So, no worries on tire wear or any other handling issues or any meaningful difference in baseplate forces (RoadMaster would have to be the final judge on that though).
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2007 and 7/8ths Newmar Essex 4502
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12-01-2009, 12:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Melbourne & Marathon, Florida
Posts: 1,537
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__________________
2005 Safari Cheetah 38PDQ - 2009 Ford Flex
Me (Gatogonow), The Boss (DW), Honey Bunny, Maggie May and Mollie Kay (The Gatos)!
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12-01-2009, 12:28 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SOUTH LOUISIANA(GOD'S COUNTRY)
Posts: 645
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The best solution to this problem is go to BLUE OX. I just installed a BLUE OX on my third toad and am truly satisfied. I had a problem, I called them and they were very courteous and helpful.
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07 PHAETON, FREIGHTLINER, CAT, FOUR SLIDES, JEEP WRANGLER TOAD
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12-01-2009, 05:19 PM
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#9
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Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
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Tom,
Let us know what Roadmaster says.
__________________
Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP
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12-02-2009, 07:25 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Home on the hill in Georgia
Posts: 2,742
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Is there a way to e-mail a thread like this to a manufacturer?
Wouldn'd that be great.
__________________
Jerry Potter, Taz
1999 Coachman Catalina Sport
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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12-02-2009, 08:47 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Melbourne & Marathon, Florida
Posts: 1,537
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wizard
Is there a way to e-mail a thread like this to a manufacturer?
Wouldn'd that be great.
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In Roadmaster's case, it would make no difference, their arrogant and could care less!
__________________
2005 Safari Cheetah 38PDQ - 2009 Ford Flex
Me (Gatogonow), The Boss (DW), Honey Bunny, Maggie May and Mollie Kay (The Gatos)!
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12-02-2009, 11:42 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,339
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wizard
Is there a way to e-mail a thread like this...
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I'll stick to the question/topic asked...
Yes, if you have a pdf printer on your PC use it OR use a free webpage to pdf utility like
Convert Web/HTML to PDF Free Online — PDF Download by Nitro PDF Software
and then email the pdf to whomever...
I've attached that pdf output of this thread for your use...
__________________
2007 and 7/8ths Newmar Essex 4502
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