Flat Tow Question

[mihiggie62]

Blue O. Says you need to be plus or minus 3 inches of height from toad to coach. I'm looking at a 1 to maybe 2 inches difference. This puts me in a situation of getting a drop receiver or not. Asking for problems or not?

[lass]

Your 1 or 2 in. is less than the +/- 3 “ limit. You’ll be fine with the angle.

[Ramona]

Originally Posted by lass

Your 1 or 2 in. is less than the +/- 3 “ limit. You’ll be fine with the angle.

x2

[mihiggie62]

Maybe I miss spoke the question. I'm looking at 1 to 2 inches over the 3 plus or minus. Issues??!!

[TJDave]

Originally Posted by mihiggie62

Maybe I miss spoke the question. I'm looking at 1 to 2 inches over the 3 plus or minus. Issues??!!

I may be wrong, but if the tow bar angles up towards motorhome, you would probably be ok. If it angles down towards the RV, maybe not. Think about the pole vaulter effect during an emergency stop.

Why not just get the correct drop/riser?

[tmw188]

I’d get a 4” drop in your case. Shoot for level if you have to buy something. Go to a parking lot and measure.

[Gumpster808]

X whatever on the drop or riser being needed. I would not run it without being within the limits needed. As close to level as you can get is better all the way around.

[MSHappyCampers]

You're good!

[F4Gary]

I'd go with a 4" drop also. NSA makes some pretty nice drop receivers.
I'd also get a couple of hitch derattlers too, to tighten up any play between the receivers and your towbar.

[aether_one]

The problem with a drop or riser is that it puts additional torque on the hitch receiver. There have been cases of receiver failure most likely caused by this. So my advice is to have your receiver inspected by a profession for fatigue, bad bends, bad welds if you run with a drop/riser.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I'm with TJDave. Upward is probably ok, but downward definitely not.


The reason to get a 2" drop receiver rather than 4"-5" is the receiver torquing concern. If the toad is relatively light, no big deal, but if its several thousand lbs (pick-up truck, big SUV), then you want a really sturdy receiver and dropper. The drop manufacturer will say to de-rate the receiver for every x inches.

[Granite17]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I'm with TJDave. Upward is probably ok, but downward definitely not.


The reason to get a 2" drop receiver rather than 4"-5" is the receiver torquing concern. If the toad is relatively light, no big deal, but if its several thousand lbs (pick-up truck, big SUV), then you want a really sturdy receiver and dropper. The drop manufacturer will say to de-rate the receiver for every x inches.

Blue Ox makes drop down or ip receivers in different sizes. Not cheap but I would go with the name brand.

[pete5016]

Always try to be as level as possible. My toad was only 2" off from level, but I still bought the drop hitch and now it is exactly level. The drop hitches are not expensive, and better to be as close to exact specifications as possible.