Community Forums

BPoland · 04-06-2015, 08:01 PM

My Bay Star is 20 inches to the center of the receiver, my Jeep Cherokee Limited is 21 inches to the center of the attach points. I think 1 inch difference is not a problem, but could the fact that the jeep is higher than the coach, cause me problems?

As always, thanks for your opinions.

Mr_D · 04-06-2015, 08:11 PM

Not a problem. 4 inches high or low is the limit though and I'd try for even.

Dutch Star Don · 04-06-2015, 09:34 PM

One inch will have no impact. Keep mind as you drive, the coach is moving up and down a few inches.

Mr_D · 04-06-2015, 09:42 PM

On RoadMasters site I've seen a diagram that shows the difference and the amount of extra force applied to an out of level towbar. Quite revealing.

Waiter21 · 04-07-2015, 04:27 AM

Quote:

My Bay Star is 20 inches to the center of the receiver, my Jeep Cherokee Limited is 21 inches to the center of the attach points.

I was under the impression that the coach needed to be higher than the TOAD.

This would prevent the TOAD from climbing up on the MH in a hard stop or rear end collision.

twinboat · 04-07-2015, 04:42 AM

I would say, the toad brakes would prevent the toad from climbing up, during a hard stop. The toad should stop better then the MH.

A rear end collision, all bets are off. At either angle, I think the base plate will fold.

Any body rear ended, with toad?

Waiter21 · 04-07-2015, 04:56 AM

Brakes should handle it, but these will also be effected by TOAD/MH height difference;

the TOAD brakes mainly on the front wheels so if the TOAD front is lifting during a stop, they become less effective. if the TOAD front is being pushed down, they become more effective.

***

with TOAD lower than the MH, the front of the TOAD will try and dive under the MH, but it must lift the rear of the MH.

If the TOAD is higher, The front of the TOAD will lift and could simply pol-vault into the back of the MH.

paz · 04-07-2015, 06:02 AM

The sticky at the top of this forum titled "Tow Bar Angle and Height Difference" will explain the danger of too great a difference.

Normally a difference of less than 4" is not considered to be a problem.

**TonyDi** · 04-07-2015, 06:07 AM

One inch is not a big deal. The inequality in the suspensions of the coach and the toad would be more then an inch while driving.

Waiter21 · 04-07-2015, 06:13 AM

Paz, Thanks. I knew I seen that somewhere:

The OP indicated the TOAD was 1 inch higher than the MH

Quote:

The tow bar should never be angled "up" towards the car from the coach.]

As per Blue Ox, The MH should be higher than the TOAD, up to 4 inches is OK

twinboat · 04-07-2015, 08:36 AM

Waiter21;

I agree with your tow bar settings.

But, why would the toad front be lifting, if the brakes are applying. If there is that much force being generated against the hitch, the brakes are way out of balance.

ShapeShifter · 04-07-2015, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

As per Blue Ox, The MH should be higher than the TOAD, up to 4 inches is OK

And Roadmaster says +/- 3 inches, either end can be higher. So how do you reconcile the difference?

Personally, being within one inch sounds good enough for me, regardless of the direction. It's going to be real hard to find a drop/raise adapter that's less than 2 inches.

Mr_D · 04-07-2015, 04:33 PM

I ran into that with both the Jeep GC behind the Dutch Star. The Jeep was higher so I had to buy a drop and turn it over. The Magna hitch is higher than the Odyssey so I had to buy a 4" drop while at Phoenix so now I have two of them and no it's not for sale!

Wayne M · 04-07-2015, 04:50 PM

The Blue Ox Manual says plus or minus 3 inches, but if you call Blue Ox they will tell you plus or minus 4 inches. (That is what I was told when I called.) So i doesn't mater, according to their instructions if it is 4 inches below or above the MH.