Community Forums

jbikes1 · 12-21-2016, 04:35 AM

Regrets for a likely repeated topic, but I can find the exact thread. My coach is 1 inch lower then my toad. I just read from blue ox that the coach should NEVER be lower than the toad..... so,,, really? I need to get a 2 inch rise extender to be safe?

Brockx · 12-21-2016, 04:54 AM

My tow bar instructions read +or- 2 inches from center. I would not worry about a one inch variance unless your Toad is unusually heavy or the tow vehicle is a light duty unit. Your tow bar manufacturer is concerned about lift in heavy braking, if you have a good brake system on your toad that should be a minimal concern at a 1 inch variance. Flat is always better.

computerguy · 12-21-2016, 10:32 AM

This is a sticky for the forum and will cover many questions

Physics of a Towed

FIRE UP · 12-22-2016, 09:13 PM

The "inch police" will normally respond here on this subject. On our last 8 Jeeps, I kept the tow bar as close to level as possible. But, on this present one, we're sitting about 3.5" higher than the attachment point on the coach. I don't feel there's any earth shattering issues with that. That JKUR is trying to push around a 30,000 coach when it's coming to a stop. It's up to each individual to comply with the tow bar manufacturers recommendations or not.

I've taken pics of folks's setups while they were registering in camp ground office. I've seen 45 degree angles between the coach and toad, BOTH WAYS several times. That is, the toad is quite a bit higher than the coach and, the other way, the toad is quite a bit lower than the coach. One or two I actually talked to about their tow-height differences and, they said they'd been doing it that way for years and years. It takes all kinds.
Scott

vsheetz · 12-22-2016, 09:27 PM

An inch or two or so either way is OK. Much more that this and a high/low, or a larger or smaller high/low, should be used. IMHO.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-24-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

That JKUR is trying to push around a 30,000 coach when it's coming to a stop.

Precisely, and it cannot, so if the toad is higher than the coach, it tends to "climb" instead. The tow bar acts as a lever, lifting the front of the toad. The faster the deceleration, the more force the towbar "lever" exerts. At 1" height, it's probably not much, but who knows will happen in a panic stop?

Conventional wisdom is that 1-2" of height is not a problem. Your mileage may vary.