Drop Hitch recomendations

[Dog_Trainer]

I am going back to towing 4 down. I recently purchased an HHR that will fit my needs nicely.
I have towed an HHR with my old MH for many miles and trips it makes a great toad.
The problem I am seeing is the height to CL of my MH hitch from the ground is 24" the height of my HHR base plate mount holes is 12.75" inches. That leaves about an 11.25 " difference. I own a ready brute brake that I will use it has a 2" drop. so the difference is down to 9.25" if my math is right. I can purchase a Roadmaster 6" drop and get the difference down to 3.25"
The HHR is very light weighing only 3300 dry so I can loose some capacity with the stack and still be OK.
So I see many F53 chassis on Newmars, Tiffins, Bounders and others all towing 4 down. How are they solving the towbar height difference safely.

[Dog_Trainer]

I went with the Blue OX 8" drop. The Tow bar that I bought has a sticker stating that the height diff must be 4" or less TV above the toad and no height toad above the TV was acceptable so it looks like we will be all set.

[dramsey1]

Last year I had my motorhome weighed on all four points by a RV safety organization (RVSEF I think). I learned that the 8" Blue OX drop I am using is rated at 5000 pounds but many of the competitor drops are rated at 2500 pounds so recommend you be careful to know the rating of your drop whatever it is.

[MRUSA]

OldF**t wrote:
I used a 10" drop for many years with no real problems. The only thing to watch out for is digging trenches in the pavement going in and out of gas stations and the like.

For that reason I would go with as little drop as you need to get within 3” of level.

[et2]

If you haven't thought of it, make sure your coach is aired up before measuring the difference. Also I'd suggest a system to take the slop out of the drop hitch on the MH receiver end and also the end the tow bar goes into. Otherwise your going to have a lot of movement. Blue ox makes one we use it the MH reciever where the tow bar connects, Blue Ox Immobilizer.


http://www.blueox.com/towing-accessories/bx88224/

[Hank_MI]

I'm using an 8" drop. This moved the towbar out from the back of the MH a lot. I drilled new holes in the drop receiver and the towbar to bring it back in where it would be without the drop receiver. That should reduce the sideways torque back to where it would be without the drop receiver. Towed our '07 Malibu over 10,000 miles that way with no issues.

[wildtoad]

I had a similar problem with my Sonic, ordered the Roadmaster 6” drop and all is good.

[OldF__t]

I used a 10" drop for many years with no real problems. The only thing to watch out for is digging trenches in the pavement going in and out of gas stations and the like.

[Dog_Trainer]

I spoke with Blue OX tech this morning. I was informed that up to 3 " above the toad was acceptable With a 10" drop I am within 2. I think that should work out fine. Thanks for the replies. I will be looking at the hitch mounting to the MH to watch for stress related problems.

[afrescopXx]

I towed a 2013 Ford C Max behind a 2013 35' Itasca gasser for at least 15,000 miles. My Blue Ox setup included a Blue Ox 10" drop. Absolutely no issues with hitch, drop or tow bar in all those miles.

[wa8yxm]

I may have a 13" but. That's too long

Blue Ox can make one any size you need.

BUT WARNING.. A drop hitch places a TORQUE load on your receiver and the cross arm it is welded to.. This can rip it right off the frame rails. So inspect the ends of the cross bar the cross bar and the hitch often LIke every time you tow.

How do I know this.. The hard way of course. the company that rebuilt mine (Simpson and Sons' Servie in Indiana as I recall. S.E. of I think Batesville. (Along that highway) next door to an RV dealer. about All I can recall today)

Well. let' just say the job they did makes the job the factory did look like a joke. They WAY over built those brackets.

[Tom_M1]

Here's a 10" drop available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-45110-Class-Ball-Mount/dp/B0007M308A/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qi...