Do you tow a lifted Wrangler?

[bvaughn4]

Just got a Wrangler as a replacement toad and it's lifted about 3". I believe the recommended guideline for the height difference between the motorhome hitch height and the toad is appx 2". What are you doing to accommodate this on your lifted Jeep(or other vehicle)? A drop hitch adapter inserted inverted maybe? Haven't hooked up to the moho yet, but based on old toad height, I'm thinking I'll be about 5" out of horizontal.

Thanks,

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by bvaughn4

Just got a Wrangler as a replacement toad and it's lifted about 3". I believe the recommended guideline for the height difference between the motorhome hitch height and the toad is appx 2". What are you doing to accommodate this on your lifted Jeep(or other vehicle)? A drop hitch adapter inserted inverted maybe? Haven't hooked up to the moho yet, but based on old toad height, I'm thinking I'll be about 5" out of horizontal.



Thanks,

Roadmaster calls for less than 3" in either direction. Others may differ.

The tow bar must be within the ‘Safe Zone’ — no more than three inches above or below level. Towing with an out-of-level tow bar will cause significant wear and tear on the tow bar and mounting brackets, and on the towed vehicle’s suspension and frame. (See the section titled “Stay within the ‘Safe Zone’” for further information.)


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[vsheetz]

I have 2005 TJ Rubi, with 4" suspension lift and 1" body lift. I have Blue Ox bolt on brackets affixed to aftermarket bumper. Motorhome attached Blue Ox tow bar. On my coach this is a pretty level setup.

On a previous coach, which was lower in the rear and I was using a toad attached tow bar using a 2" ball draw bar on the coach. In this case I inverted a 3" drop draw bar to get level.

[scenic route]

Here's good info on tow bar angle:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/tow-b...nce-16631.html

The forth paragraph hits the nail on the head.

[AZDave]

I tow a 2006 Wrangler with a 4" lift. Did not want brackets below the bumper so use the Blue Ox off road adapters to attach to the after market bumper D ring mounts. Means I have to use a 6" drop hitch inverted to get the draw bar level.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by scenic route

Here's good info on tow bar angle:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/tow-b...nce-16631.html

The forth paragraph hits the nail on the head.

scenic route


I believe that the recommended "tow bar +/level/- figure" is because:
1.) The weight of the toad lifts the rear of the coach when braking....
(if the coach end of the tow bar is to high).
2.) The the weight of the toad pushes down on the rear suspension of the coach when braking.... (if the coach end of the tow bar is to low).

Both of which create an unsafe condition while braking the coach.

Mel
'96 Safari

[vsheetz]

I don't think the OP is questioning the need to be level, rather asking how those with lifted jeeps get it to level.

[FIRE UP]

OP,
Towing any lifted vehicle is no big deal. Your major concern is, as you know, getting the tow bar as close to level as you can. You do what you have to do, in order to accomplish that task. We've towed seven different Jeeps over a 25 year period and, each and every one of them were lifted to various heights. Our last one, an '04 TJ Rubicon has 6" of lift.

I manufactured the bumpers, front and back. I incorporated tow brackets into the design of the bumper. All I needed was a riser out of the hitch on the coach, high enough and strong enough to handle the lateral difference. I forgot the exact measurements but, if I recall, the riser was in the neighborhood of about 9-10" or so. It was a gusseted riser that was plenty strong for the application. But, in the end, the tow bar ended up dead level.

I even ran a "Ready Brake" using that setup and it worked flawlessly. It really doesn't matter whose or, what brand of tow bar, base plate etc. you use, as long as it's as close to level as you can get, within the parameters of requirements. Good luck.
Scott

[SarahW]

I wish our Jeep was lifted; we have to use an 8" drop hitch to get our towbar level. Of course, then I'd need a boost to get me into the Jeep.

[bvaughn4]

Thanks all! I was hoping the drop hitch inverted would be a simple solution and it sounds like many of you are using one. I think 3" one will get me within the desired tolerances. I'll be sure to get a high end one rather than cheap out given the stress.

[Statgeek]

Originally Posted by AZDave

I tow a 2006 Wrangler with a 4" lift. Did not want brackets below the bumper so use the Blue Ox off road adapters to attach to the after market bumper D ring mounts. Means I have to use a 6" drop hitch inverted to get the draw bar level.

This is what I do too (8" inverted Blue Ox drop hitch). Mine was the jeep that started those adapters for blue ox. The photo on their webpage is my jeep. :-) I must add that you should compare the quality of different drop hitches. I have and I'm convinced that Blue Ox has the strongest ones on the market by far. They are pricey but worth it.

[cucotx]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

OP,
Towing any lifted vehicle is no big deal. Your major concern is, as you know, getting the tow bar as close to level as you can. You do what you have to do, in order to accomplish that task. We've towed seven different Jeeps over a 25 year period and, each and every one of them were lifted to various heights. Our last one, an '04 TJ Rubicon has 6" of lift.

I manufactured the bumpers, front and back. I incorporated tow brackets into the design of the bumper. All I needed was a riser out of the hitch on the coach, high enough and strong enough to handle the lateral difference. I forgot the exact measurements but, if I recall, the riser was in the neighborhood of about 9-10" or so. It was a gusseted riser that was plenty strong for the application. But, in the end, the tow bar ended up dead level.

I even ran a "Ready Brake" using that setup and it worked flawlessly. It really doesn't matter whose or, what brand of tow bar, base plate etc. you use, as long as it's as close to level as you can get, within the parameters of requirements. Good luck.
Scott

I like the way you carry your toys. I have a 4-door Unlimited Sahara now and I love it. I have also been investigating having a Honda Trike for my future trips. I didn't know it was feasible to take both the Jeep and the Trike together?

What are the limits to worry about with your setup?

[chuckftboy]

I tow a 2006 TJ with a 4" lift and its perfectly level with my tow bracket on the bottom of the front bumper

[mel s]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

OP,
Towing any lifted vehicle is no big deal. Your major concern is, as you know, getting the tow bar as close to level as you can. You do what you have to do, in order to accomplish that task.

bvaughn4

FIRE UP is correct.

Either a "drop hitch" or a "hi/lo receiver" can be "inserted inverted" to raise the coach end of the tow bar.

BTW my earlier post should have read:
"If/when the coach end of the tow bar is HIGH... when you apply the service brakes the weight of the toad pushes down on the hitch, rear suspension and rear tires of the coach".
"If/when the coach end of the tow bar is LOW...the weight of the toad lifts the rear of the coach when you apply the service brakes".
Sorry.
Mel