Keeping Tow Bar Setup Tight

[TFell]

I do run my Derattler in that position. It’s the only way I can orient it so that it doesn’t interfere with the surge brake on the Hercules.

moisheh
The truck is about 5300lbs. It was 5600 with me in it and some junk in the bed. My coach has an 8000lb hitch and a 23000lb GCWR. The coach is 16000 lbs reasonably loaded, so I have a 1700lb ish cushion. Subtract 100 or so for the tow bar and drop hitch. So it’s OK…like I said, it’s not a toad I’d want to pull across the country, and I don’t.

[SuperGewl]

Originally Posted by TFell

Hi, I’m new this year to motorhoming. I’ve been struggling with keeping the slop out of my hitch connections on my flat toad vehicle.

Setup:
2021 Fleetwood Flair 29M
Towing 2014 Silverado 1500 4x4 crew cab
Roadmaster 4 inch drop hitch
NSA Hercules tow bar with ready brake built in
I only tow on relatively short trips since the truck is a pretty heavy toad for a gasser…though I am within the weight limits.

I have this Blue Ox clamp on the MH hitch and the drop hitch. It’s bent and one of the tabs has had to have been rewelded. I can reef on it and get it tight but it quickly loosens and another tab just broke off. It’s not up to the job. This is the crux of my side to side movement, which causes me to feel the truck pushing the coach from side to side. I can see it happening in the camera.
https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-...x/BX88224.html

At the Roadmaster to Hercules, I have an NSA derattler. There is a tighter fit here and the derattler seems to do its job. I would buy another to replace my Blue Ox but I need the side to side immobilization.

I really want to robustly stabilize this setup. Any tips on how to get the Roadmaster hitch to be fixed to the MH hitch more solidly?

Just with the information that you have given us. To start you are over towing your MH.
Yes your hitch is rated at 8klbs but you only have 5klbs of towing capacity per the MH Specs GCWR 23klbs; GVWR 18klbs; Your truck weighs ~ 4600-5200lbs.
Take your MH to a scale and weigh it and weigh the toad also., Togehter and separate.
Just because the hitch can handle 8klbs does not mean the MH can.
Most MH MFG's add to the wheelbase in support of the back of the MH and put on a heavy duty hitch (8klbs) or even 10klbs hitch.
Your Axel to over all length ratio is 51% and that is not good and affects handling.

Personally you need a lighter Toad.
But that is just MHO

[RichardE]

Hmmmmmmmm,

You have a very heavy truck on the end of a long fulcrum. The drop hitch adds length, and the ready brute adds even more.

Not long ago, a Wanderlodge owner with a very similar ( almost identical) setup had an on highway incident when the hitch failed from the sideways torque imparted by the long fulcrum.

The constantly slipping hitch stabilization devices are trying to tell you something.

Sorry to be so blunt.

[TFell]

Originally Posted by SuperGewl

Just with the information that you have given us. To start you are over towing your MH.
Yes your hitch is rated at 8klbs but you only have 5klbs of towing capacity per the MH Specs GCWR 23klbs; GVWR 18klbs; Your truck weighs ~ 4600-5200lbs.
Take your MH to a scale and weigh it and weigh the toad also., Togehter and separate.
Just because the hitch can handle 8klbs does not mean the MH can.
Most MH MFG's add to the wheelbase in support of the back of the MH and put on a heavy duty hitch (8klbs) or even 10klbs hitch.
Your Axel to over all length ratio is 51% and that is not good and affects handling.

Personally you need a lighter Toad.
But that is just MHO

The 5000lb capacity you’re referring to is 23k-18k, however, that’s not how capacity is calculated. My coach is 16.5k loaded, so in order to hit GCWR, I have 6500lbs to work with. 23k-16.5k

Granted, like I’ve said, it’s not ideal but it’s not over the limit.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by TFell

The 5000lb capacity you’re referring to is 23k-18k, however, that’s not how capacity is calculated. My coach is 16.5k loaded, so in order to hit GCWR, I have 6500lbs to work with. 23k-16.5k

Granted, like I’ve said, it’s not ideal but it’s not over the limit.

I pull a 5340lb F-150 toad with my 2017 22Klb GVWR / 26Klb GCWR F53 chassis coach. I'm over on my tow capacity by 340lbs but under on my GCWR. I used to pull a 4600lb Wrangler JKU before the F-150 and I can't tell a difference.
The modern F53 drivetrains are more than capable. The reason for derating from 8Klbs to 5Klbs on some of these units is due to any frame extensions that are added. Owners need to keep an eye on that and make sure that they have a good braking system on their toad.
An 8Klb tow rating on a 2021 means that you either have no frame extensions or the chassis builder gave up on that rule.