Drilling holes in tow hitch stingers/drop hitch stingers

georgeb · 06-02-2009, 01:14 PM

I have a Falcon II hitch. Just bought a four inch drop to turn upside down/invert to get the motor home end of my hitch a little higher than the toad end. This puts my toad approx 14 inches further behind the rig.
I want to have a hole drilled in the Falcon stinger and the 4" drop stinger to keep the toad as close to the same distance as I can. I read that Roadmaster wants four inches between holes. I can easily get the 4" on the Falcon but only 2 1/4 on the drop stinger (part #048-4). The stinger on the four inch drop is solid. Called Roadmaster last week but no return call. Can any one please tell me if this is OK or not???

Thanks for your help....
georgeb
2005 Journey 350Cat
2001 Jeep Cherokee

Hikerdogs · 06-02-2009, 07:15 PM

If 4" between holes isn't possible a good machine shop can make a plug for the original hole, press it in, and weld it in place. Once they do that it's like the original hole never existed. Then you can have a new hole drilled where ever you'de like it.

A good machinist should be able to make the plug, weld it in grind it off, and drill a new hole in about an hour

Sixpack98 · 06-02-2009, 07:19 PM

The smart money would be to get a confirmation from RM. I had to place a few calls into them to finally corner them. I drilled about 3/4" from the gusset on the 4" drop hitch and have towed a 4k lb toad for about a year without issue. I got rid of the drop receiver when I found out I was about an inch too high on ride height and am now a little under 4" from the coach to the toad. Don't miss the drop hitch at all. Even with the relocated holes in the drop receiver and stinger I was still about 14" further out than without the drop receiver.

georgeb · 06-02-2009, 09:48 PM

Good information and thank you very much. Actually, I complied with what both of you had to say.... Still trying to contact Roadmaster and talked with a machine shop today and they said no problem plugging and redrilling...althought they don't think the plug is necessary. Thanks again.

AFChap · 06-02-2009, 10:31 PM

Good advice on having the orignal holes plugged to retain strength if drilling new holes.

I originally bought a RM 4" drop, and used it for a couple of years. I drug the hitch a few times, once shredding a safety cable. The RM drop reduced my 10k hitch & towbar to 5k capacity. I replaced the 4" RM drop with a 4" Blue Ox drop which is rated for 10k like my hitch and towbar, and took several inches off the length of the hook up. I have never drug the hitch again.

Sixpack98 · 06-03-2009, 07:59 AM

Paul brings up an excellent point. The Blue Ox drop receiver sits much closer to the coach than the RM drop receiver. Even after drilling the RM the Blue Ox is about 2" closer.