Question about hitches

[Jon]

I have a 1986 Subaru that I have adapted a regular hitch to. But I have
found that when towing it that when I make a tight turn slowly and when
I complete the turn the steering does not want to come back to tracking
behind the motor home itself.

Ok now I bought a drop down hitch that will lower the receiver down 6
inches will this help with this tracking problem?

And does anyone here use one of these after market receivers?? Thank Jon

Jon
Rebel Bird
Bremerton Washington

[Gary Smith]

Jon,
I don't believe changing the attachment height will have any effect on your
steer wheels on the Subaru. The problem is caused by the steering geometry
design of the Sub, not the towbar.
Gary
SOB
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon"
To:
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 2:11 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Question about hitches


I have a 1986 Subaru that I have adapted a regular hitch to. But I have
found that when towing it that when I make a tight turn slowly and when
I complete the turn the steering does not want to come back to tracking
behind the motor home itself.

Ok now I bought a drop down hitch that will lower the receiver down 6
inches will this help with this tracking problem?

And does anyone here use one of these after market receivers?? Thank Jon

Jon
Rebel Bird
Bremerton Washington





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[Pete Masterson]

Some models of Subaru do not have sufficient caster in their steering geometry to make them good tow cars. The symptom you describe is exactly the result of this situation. There is no practical fix for the problem. Newer Sabaru's no longer exhibit this behavior.

I use a drop receiver with my tow bar. In general, most tow bar manufacturers suggest that the bar be nearly level (when parked on level ground) between the base plate and the hitch for best performance. However, a 6" drop receiver may create a problem negotiating dips, causing the hitch to hit the road. In a worst case, this could severely damage your hitch and receiver.

I now use a 2" drop receiver instead of the 6" drop receiver I originally used -- and ruined -- after going through a deep 'dip' for drainage while entering a business in Texas. Fortunately, I didn't have my toad attached nor did the incident damage the main receiver. The 2" receiver puts the tow bar barely within the mfg. spec, but it's preferred over the alternative. My Toyota Camry tows quite well despite the angle of the tow bar.

The only time my toad did not recover its steering properly was on a very sharp turn at low speed in an RV park on loose gravel. There was insufficient friction between the gravel and the wheels to pull them back into track.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Apr 25, 2008, at 11:11 AM, Jon wrote:

I have a 1986 Subaru that I have adapted a regular hitch to. But I have 

found that when towing it that when I make a tight turn slowly and when 

I complete the turn the steering does not want to come back to tracking 

behind the motor home itself.

Ok now I bought a drop down hitch that will lower the receiver down 6 

inches will this help with this tracking problem?

<snip>