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CamperDaveinPA's avatar
CamperDaveinPA
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013

Drop hitch receiver - not sure if I am doing this right

I am trying it figure this out, I measured to the center of my hitch receiver on my motor home it was 26.5 in to the ground (when on a level surface of course). I then measured to the center of my hitch pins on my baseplate it was 16.5 in from the ground (again on a level surface). It seems to me that a 10 inch drop receiver,is what would make my tow bar level, but I read on another post, someone suggested loading the motor home then measure the hitch height, it may drop a few inches. My question is do I order the 10 in drop, and hope the weight of the motor home don't move much? The blue ox manual said its ok to be out of level by 4 in above but 0 inches below, with that said do I just buy the 8 inch drop and leave it 2 in above, or am I just not measuring or think about this the right way. Any help would be appreciated. This is what I have: 2012 Itasca sunova 36 v towing a 2013 honda crv with a blue ox advanta lx bar
Thanks
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  • matski's avatar
    matski
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2013
    I bought an adjustable drop hitch receiver. It was more expensive but it will still work if I change either vehicle.
  • CamperDaveinPA's avatar
    CamperDaveinPA
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2013
    Maybe I should add a little more information, we are recreational users and it may be a rare occasion where I will be fully loaded including water and towing. We usually put enough water to get us there, then hook up. If I ever load up for boon docking its usually at a NASCAR event and we do not tow.
  • PastorCharlie's avatar
    PastorCharlie
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2013
    I would not drop it more than 6" to allow for some heighth differenct on the MH which will be better for towing. The MH will rise and drop somewhat due to loading but still allow a little more rise at the MH under heavy loads. This will also meet the 4" rise recommendation.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2013
    8" drop should be fine.

    Try filling the water tank and measure again, just to see if adding 600 - 800 pounds of water makes the rear of the RV sink about 2" more.

    You would not want the 10" drop anyway, because it will scrape on any driveway when you go into them or out of a gas station.

    Also try measuring the hitch, when it is basically level, say propped up on a box or something while attached to the Honda. See how high the ball mount would be while level.

    A uphill tilt to the hitch is OK, because in a panic stop, the front of the car will try to push up on the hitch a little bit. But 10" of tilt, and it can go under the RV. So keeping it level is safer. With the car higher than the hitch ball, a panic stop can cause the car to ride up over the hitch, a very interesting situation.

    Fred.

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