Matching Receiver and Base Plate Height Using Drop Receiver

[TwoPines]

I have a 2002 PT Cruiser and will be installing a Blue Ox base plate. I'd like some info on matching the height of the RV receiver and the base plate. The centerline of my hitch receiver on the RV is 19" above the ground and the literature on the Blue Ox base plate says the tab height is 12.5".

Should I get a 6" hitch drop receiver for proper towing?

I already have an 8" drop receiver which would put the receiver and thus the tow bar at the RV end below the tab height on the car, which I've heard is a no-no. I've also heard that the receiver needs to be even with or within a couple of inches above the base plate attaching points.

I have an Aventa LX tow bar.

Need some advise on the subject.

Thanks

[et2]

I'm sure you measured with the air bags inflated.

[gotsmart]

Basically the more out-of-level the toe bar is, the more stress that is placed on the tow bar arms. This is made worse by the weight of the toad during braking.

An extreme example: During heavy braking of any vehicle the front end goes down and the rear end goes up. This is normal for any vehicle - the nose dives and the rear flies. Now add a tow bar to the back of a MH that is too far out of level with the toad. It doesn't matter if you have an H1 that is 14 inches higher the receiver, or my smart car that is 4 inches lower than my receiver. The tow bar's U-joint doesn't have a tongue weight rating. It's not designed to carry the weight of the toad. It's designed to have the toad push into it. Granted, the front end of a toad may get air from time to time - usually on bad campground roads (happened to me in Coeur d'Alene) - and the tow bar companies know this. It's the sustained stress on the U-joint and tow bar arms from an out-of level towbar that needs to be avoided.

I drive a former Cruise America rental unit that is already low to the ground - by design. I have a 4 inch drop extension on the receiver for my rolling snot bubble. I don't have training wheels on the receiver. Every driveway and curb cut that that I enter, I do it slowly and at a 45 degree angle. If I cannot enter without bottom-ing out then I don't enter at all.


This is from Roadmaster:

This is from Ready Brake: http://www.readybrake.com/faq.html

Ready Brake's FAQ wrote:
What other issues could I run into?
Tow bars need to be level to the ground when installed correctly. The National Standard for correct tow bar levelness is (+) or (-) 2" inches. This allows for a forward push by your towed vehicle. Having the tow bar too far from level puts a great deal of stress on your towing system and can also cause you to lose control of your RV in adverse conditions when heavy braking is applied. To measure levelness just subtract the difference in height of the center of your RV receiver from the ground with the height of the center of your baseplate tabs on the towed vehicle from the ground. Most baseplate brands list an approximate tab height for each vehicle on their websites if you do not have a baseplate installed to measure yet. If a drop or rise is needed we also manufacture hitches for this.

[TwoPines]

Imgoin4it, I took your advise and sent an email to BlueOx. They suggested using the 6" drop receiver. That way there's only 1/2" difference between the two heights. Nevertheless, I'm taking willaid's advise and installing the base plate before committing to a new drop receiver.

Thanks everyone for you help.

[willald]

I would get the base plate installed on your PT Cruiser and do some measuring on it and the RV before you decide what drop receiver to use. Sometimes, the measurements they give on the height can be a bit off from reality. 🙂

Also understand, contrary to what some say, it does NOT have to be perfectly level. As long as you come close, you'll be fine. I would agree that you'd never want the RV end lower than the car end, but it is OK if RV is a little higher.

Also keep in mind, there is a huge downside to using larger drop receivers. The more the drop and the longer your MH's rear overhang is, the more likely you are to s****e or drag the back of your MH when going in and out of driveways, gas stations, etc. Too much 'drop' can put you at so much risk for tearing up your reciever or tow bar, you're better off to live with the tow bar not being quite as level.

With ours, I use a 4" drop, and it is not level (MH is maybe 1-2" higher). However, there is NO WAY I will use any lower of a drop. I already s****e a little when backing into our driveway and other places. if I went any lower, I'd probably tear the hitch receiver or tow bar clean off (or get it stuck).

[j-d]

For our coach-mounted tow bar, Roadmaster says 3-inches either way. Different brand, but a tow bar is still a tow bar. I'd imagine BOx has a spec as well. Unless you're in a real hurry and don't have time to order the 6" drop in, I'd say at least get it all connected and see how it rides with the 8". We;re going to be facing that when I get our Corolla set up. Problem I see is that the drop will snag on the road backing out from our parking area. I'd hate to have a motor-home-mounted bar that I still have to take off.

[imgoin4it]

Ideal ie even / both the same height. Think you are correct tow vehicle connection should never be above the receiver on the coach and I believe two inches or so above is ok. You will get answers all over the subject with some saying plus or minus xx inches is ok. Best thing to do is call blue ox and follow there guidance. That what I have always done and gotten different answers than people post here. I think what I said above is what blue ox told me BUT, call them and go with their guidance.