Quote:
Originally Posted by jrpend
Greetings -
We've successfully towed our Smart Car behind the MH with a 10inch drop receiver - which puts the tow bar level.
While we haven't had any trouble yet, I am nervous about possible bottoming out the drop receiver and the gap between the MH and the tow makes for a very large hole between the MH and the Tow Defender cloth stone shield.
I am thinking I should change the 10inch drop for a 6" or even a 4" drop, but that would put me out of spec with Roadmasters tow bar recommendations of 3" max.
But the Smart is such a light thing at 1800lbs...
I am wonder what other Smart Car Toadowners out there have in the tow bar drops? Is it safe to go with a 4" or even a 6" drop?
The equipment is Roadmaster Sterling on back of a Ford F53 chassis currently with a Roadmaster 10" drop receiver, Road Master Tow Defender and soon-to-be-acquired Roadmaster Guardian.
Thanks,
Jerald Pendleton
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Jerald,
Well Sir, this will go against the grain with many on here but, no biggie to me. I'm presently towing an '03 Jeep Rubicon that's lifted about 3.5" from stock with 33" tires. That puts the Jeep up considerably higher than the horizontal center line of the tow receiver on the coach. I have 4" riser on the coach which, at this time, still puts the tow height difference at about 4-5". In other words, the tow bar is still almost 5" high from horizontal.
Yes, the typical recommendations are for your tow bar to be as close to level as possible or, a max of 2" up or below, level. While on many trips, I observe many folks with motor homes towing toads, going into and out of camp grounds, RV parks, rest stops, Parking lots, and many other places. And you'd be amazed at the tow bar relationship I've seen.
I've seen some as much as 12" or more difference in connections. And, that's been in both directions. That is, the toad is 12" lower than the receiver or, 12" higher than the receiver. You know what, they're still motoring down the road and no one's died. Is it right? Well, no it's not but, again, they appear to have gotten away with it for however long without any issues.
If it were me and I had that much of a drop, I too would be worried about plowing up the pavement each and ever time I entered or exited a fuel station, parking lot, unlevel camp ground entrance and many other predicaments. I would not have a drop that low. I would cut back some and, live with the difference. Especially a Smart Car.
Scott
2018 Goldwing Tour DCT Airbag
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