Drop Hitch Receiver

[volvik]

Typically a drop hitch results in the receiver being further away from the coach. This distance appears to increase with the length of the drop.

My problem is that the motorcycle carrier I use is 29" off the ground making it difficult to load/unload the bike. If I use a standard style of drop hitch it results in the whole carrier being an additional 10" away from the rear of the coach which is not what I want. (using an 8" drop hitch)

Is anyone aware of a drop hitch receiver (that I haven't been able to find) that drops the receiver but has the lower receiver set back towards the coach so that the connection is same distance away as the upper?

Hopefully that makes sense....

Thanks!

[Tom-NC]

Hi,
Camping World has one that drops it straight down and it is adjustable.

[volvik]

Originally Posted by Tom-NC

Hi,
Camping World has one that drops it straight down and it is adjustable.

Thanks for the reply Tom....now I have seen the ones that appear to be ' in line' and drop, I think the longest drop that did that was a 6". If we're referring to the same type it still results in the carrier being at least 6" further back.

In order for the lower receiver to be on the same 'line' as coach's receiver the tang that connects to the lower portion of the hitch would have to be sloped back towards the coach instead of away from it.

The images in the Blue Ox ad show that the 6" drop has the shortest set back at 6.25" long.... :>(

http://blueox.com/p-1158-bx88128-bx8...receivers.aspx

[wa8yxm]

Every drop hitch I've seen extends the hitch only by the length of the receiver itself, (What, perhaps six inches) all the "Drop" is straight up/down... Of course the drop hitch on my rig is a custom made Blue ox.

If you have one custom made you can eliminate even that increase, I can tell you hot if you like but you will have to find a weld shop willing to make it (Hard to do)

Take a regular Blue-Ox drop hitch, cut the receiver off it just at the top of the receiver, weld the receiver back on so the upright is just behind the "Ring" at the inlet end of the receiver. You now extend it what, 1/2 inch.

There is, however, a danger in doing this if you bottom out.

[AKJohn]

Find a company in your area that sells/services utility trailers. Most likely they will have a welder on staff that can fabricate a custom drop receiver for you. It's very simple, would take a competent welder about 10 minutes to make.

[volvik]

Thanks! I'll check into a local shop...

[Loren Rice]

I was in a mc shop the other day a saw a mc hauler that goes into a standard hitch receiver. I had a hydraulic jack on it, so you release mechanical lock and the whole tire runner dropped to the ground. Next you wheel you cycle on and strap it on. Then you pump the jack back up to the hauling height lock the mechanical latch and you're off. If this sounds good to you I think you should be able to find them in some of the cycle mags or perhaps in the internet. This also make a great place to adjust and lub chains.
Loren

[volvik]

Thanks Loren, I have seen that model but as I have a carrier now and am happy with it I think the custom hitch is likely the best solution.

[VrrmmRydr]

This might be what you are looking for. It goes from a 10" rise to an 11" drop. This is the one I use for all my "towables"

8-in-1 Adjustable Ball Mount Hitch



I hope this helps.

[Tom-NC]

Volvik,

The hitch I had in mind was the one above this post which is sold by camping world. I know they make it because it is what I am using. I did put a nut and bolt in place of one pin and a hitch lock in the other hole. My is dropped 10" so I can have my Tow Dolly level.

In fact I even have ,my bike rack on it.

[volvik]

Alrightie...thanks for the suggestions. I went around to a local welding shop that does hitches for the RV dealersl etc and explained the problem. When I take the coach out of hibernation at the end of the month I'll pop around so he can have a better look but at this point what he feels would be a solution is to weld and gusset another receiver immediately under the existing one with whatever drop I need.

Stay tuned....

Thanks again.....Ron

[wa8yxm]

Here is a diagram that might help

Original drop hitch as purchased from say Blue Ox

In this drawing all periods are really spaces
====
. . . .=
. . . .=
. . . .==== <-Receiver

After rebuild
====
. . . .=
. . . .=
.====<-Receiver

The danger here is if you bottom out that modified receiver can DIG IN and give you serious issues.. So the solution here is to add a piece

\receiver

That way it will tend to ride up and not dig in as much.
like this
====
. . . .=
. . . .=
\====<-Receiver

[volvik]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Here is a diagram that might help

Original drop hitch as purchased from say Blue Ox

In this drawing all periods are really spaces
====
. . . .=
. . . .=
. . . .==== <-Receiver

After rebuild
====
. . . .=
. . . .=
.====<-Receiver

The danger here is if you bottom out that modified receiver can DIG IN and give you serious issues.. So the solution here is to add a piece

\receiver

That way it will tend to ride up and not dig in as much.
like this
====
. . . .=
. . . .=
\====<-Receiver

You're on the ball! That's exactly what the guy said at the welder/hitch shop....put an angle on the bottom inside to safeguard against such an event.



Ron

[Cat320]

Be sure to check the hitch's capacity. On many hitches, a drop receiver has a lower capacity.