Community Forums

Planemann · 04-07-2015, 09:35 PM

I'm setting up my MH (2004 Newmar Mountain Aire) to flat tow a 2008 Honda CRV. I'm using a Blue Ox base plate with Alpha tow bar. I will be using the RVI braking system. The MH receiver is 10" higher than the base plate attach pins. My question: Is it better to use a 10" drop receiver to get the tow bar to level. Or would it be better to use say an 8" drop receiver which would give less torsional loads and still be within the tow bar manufactures specs for towing. An additional advantage of the 8" drop would be less tendency to scrape when transitioning to inclines.

Mr_D · 04-07-2015, 09:42 PM

While level is ideal I might go with the 8" drop IF it will get you within the specs.

paz · 04-08-2015, 04:48 AM

Planeman, there is a sticky at the top of this forum titled "Tow Bar Angle and Height Difference" that explains the geometry of tow bar angles.

Blue Ox recommends the toad end of the bar should no more than 4" below the motorhome end, but that the toad end should not be higher than the motorhome. From your description, it sounds like 8" would work with the toad ending up only 2" below the motorhome. As you say, going to the full 10" drop will create a higher tendency for the motorhome end of the tow bar to drag, so I would go with 8".

MisterT · 04-08-2015, 05:44 AM

i had same issue with my FordFiesta, but I had to INCREASE
my hitch/bar height by 8" - works great...
Palazzo sits at about 15" road height-
Fiesta connectors sit at 23"

Waiter21 · 04-08-2015, 05:52 AM

TOAD should be slightly lower, so I would say an 8 inch drop will do nicely.

I just flipped my receiver over and re-installed the ball to reduce from about 5 inches down to about 2 inches

Bumps · 04-08-2015, 07:26 AM

Quote:

...Blue Ox recommends the toad end of the bar should no more than 4" below the motorhome end, but that the toad end should not be higher than the motorhome...

X2. Stay as level as possible, never putting the base plate higher than the hitch on the MH, and never more than 4" lower than the hitch on the MH. \ken

ShapeShifter · 04-08-2015, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Planemann

Or would it be better to use say an 8" drop receiver which would give less torsional loads and still be within the tow bar manufactures specs for towing. An additional advantage of the 8" drop would be less tendency to scrape when transitioning to inclines.

I would go with the 8" drop, for exactly these reasons.