Forum Discussion

curt_love's avatar
curt_love
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014

Flat Towing small vehicle

Has anyone ever welded a 2" drop receiver to a 10" drop receiver to make one solid 12" drop. My tow vehicle is still 4.5 inches below the so called safe zone of 3 inches. The OEM, says never to use two or more hitch connections. I've seen the 12" drops with a ball vice the receiver, but to make that work, I'd have to purchase a tow bar that connects to the drops w/ball connection. My vehicle base plate arm connectors measures 12.1" off the ground the MH hitch measures 26" off the ground, so I need a at least a 12 to 13" drop to bring my tow bar with the safe zone. Any ideas?

Thanks
Curt
Class A

19 Replies

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  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jun 12, 2014
    I would not recommend that but you can get a 12 inch drop receiver if you wish.

    Just be aware that the longer the drop, the greater the torque on the tow vehicle receiver and it's cross bar. this can easily tear the hitch right off your Motor home even with a fairly LIGHT towed vehicle.
  • curt_love's avatar
    curt_love
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2014
    Two vehicles are
    Winnebago Adv 38Q (26" hitch ht) - Nissan Versa (12" base plate ht)
  • curt_love's avatar
    curt_love
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2014
    Yes, I've found numerous 12" drops as well, but they only with those types with the ball not the receiver, that my tow bar comes with. Don't really want to use any drop over 6" due to probable grounding out events that damage the hitch, towbar, my toad, and RV. Blue ox said that I'd be ok up to a 4" difference, just drive slow and very cauiously. Safety, gotta get there, right?


    Curt
  • hipower's avatar
    hipower
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2014
    The best solution for situations like this would be a height adjustable tow bar, although I have never seen one commercially available. I have seen height adjustable tongues on trailers though.

    The biggest concerns when using rise or drop connectors in receiver hitches are the twisting forces being applied to the hitch from dragging and also from starting and stopping. Those loads are not part of the rating of any hitch and the greater the rise or drop the greater the twisting forces become.
  • curt_love's avatar
    curt_love
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2014
    Thanks Bob, yes I'm very concerned about the low clearance, I used to bottom out on occasion with my class C, seems like my only safe approach would be to get a larger tow vehicle that would not require the low drop. Thanks much for your thoughtful response. Curt
  • bob_b's avatar
    bob_b
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2014
    Just be real careful with the resulting low ground clearance! My friends had a six inch drop that would sometimes rub the ground when negotiating low driveways. They never worried until the ball mount broke and their tow broke loose! What a disaster. Bob

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