Tow Tracking

[PeteDr]

I have a 2019 Ventana LE 3709, using a Blue Ox tow bar, pulling a 2018 GMC half ton pick up. All is well. As an improvement I would like the tow to track tighter on turns such that it stays well within the tracking of the coach rear dual tires. To this end I am trying to determine if adding an extension between the tow bar 2 inch male hitch and the coach female hitch receiver will help. My thought is a one foot Blue Ox extension which will keep me in the reduced weight limit of the setup.

Anyone have real world results from extending the Blue Ox or other tow bars as I described above. Other proven approaches to the same goal would also be appreciated.

[Dutch Star Don]

I think the farther you push the toad back behind the vehicle, the worse you'll make it. The tail swing of the coach is what pushes the front end out to one side or the other. I think you're chasing after something that can't be changed. I think the toad would actually track more true, the closer it is to the coach, but then you'll be clipping the corner of the coach.

As you make certain turns, your position going into the turn can determine the "following" by the toad. A sharp turn makes the tale swing more dramatic and pushed the toad father to the outside of the turn. Over the years, I've learned to make certain turning maneuvers, which will put the toad where I want it. Anything over a certain speed doesn't matter.

[amosnandy]

You are correct Don. The further back the wheels of the tow vehicle are from the center of your drive axel the wider the tow vehicle will swing. Example. Making a left turn with a lot of overhang and long tow bar will push the front wheels way over to the right. So much so that it is possible to push the front tires up over the right hand curb. I’ve seen it happen following another coach. The rear tires on the toad are at such an angle the hang over the left track of the coach. Think of it like this. You push the front way out to the right leaving the rear wheels way off to the left. You have an 18’ truck ain’t a 60% angle across the back of your 8’6” coach.

The only real world experience I have is driving semi’s and farm equipment. On the semi, we would slide the 5th wheel as far forward as possible, hence the pivot was as close to the rear wheels of the tractor, and then slide the trailer wheels as far forward as possible. The term “shortening it up” allowed us to make tighter turns. The only thing you had to worry about was tail swing.

Same thing with farm wagons. Many had sliding draw bars. Out in the field we would stretch them out, but back in the yard we slid them as sort as possible to get around buildings.

I think the OP should leave the tow bar dimensions to the engineers who built it.

[FIRE UP]

Great answer Don,
So many RV'ers don't see the geometry in towing situations. I have probably the worst case scenario of what the OP is thinking of doing. I have a Versa Hauler that I use to carry a motorcycle on the back of our coach. And, I attach the tow bar of our Jeep, to that Versa Hauler. I haven't actually measured it but, If I did, I think that Versa Hauler actually extends the connection point of the tip of the tow bar, by around 3' or so.

So, talk about "Pushing" the toad front end SIDE TO SIDE when in tight turns, due to the actual *tail whip* of the coach, yep, I have no doubt about it. When I'm approaching a tight city-type RIGHT turn, at a controlled intersection, I more than likely might piss some people off due to the fact that I almost take some of the left lane next to me prior to making the turn. Then, I take a wide sweep in making that turn.

This allows for the least amount of lateral push of the Jeeps front end, and lets it just track behind the coach as best it can.

To the OP, yep, Don is correct in his analysis of what you're thinking of doing and, what will be the end result.
Scott