tow bar receiver

[Pete Masterson]

The instructions with the tow bar should describe the geometry of the
connection. The Blue Ox tow bar I have suggested that the connection
should be "level" (when parked on level ground) with a tolerance of
plus or minus 2 inches.

After taking some measurements, I purchased a 9" drop receiver to
lower the RV end of the tow bar. (The attachment point on my tow
vehicle are rather low.) Once installed, the bar was very close to
level, but the drop receiver was _so_ low that I was concerned about
the receiver hitting the pavement on dips in the pavement. I then
purchased a second drop receiver that was 2" shorter (a 7" drop
receiver) plus I purchased a roller that attaches on the bottom of
the drop receiver. Even so, I've hit the pavement a few times
activating the roller. Probably saved me from burying the receiver in
the road.

I understand the design of the base plate -- it is surely not very
obvious on the front of the car -- but I wish the connection was
higher up so that I didn't need so much of a drop on the receiver.

Since I have supplemental brakes on the towed, it's unlikely that it
will be forced up under hard braking unless the supplemental brakes
fail. Since the relative weight of the towed and the RV are so
significantly different (48,000 lbs vs 3,200 lbs), I have the towed
brake system set to only 'kick in' during hard braking.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Lockhart Texas



On May 21, 2007, at 10:42 AM, jim riordan wrote:

> David,
>
> I was told that the tow bar should angle down from the coach to
> the towed vehicle. I guess that the thought is that on hard braking
> the towed will not be forced up.
>
> Jim Riordan
> 88 WBWL xxv
> Stuart, Fl.
>
> David Brady wrote:
> Folks,
>
> If you own an LXi I could use your help. I'm installing a Blue Ox
> base plate on my Honda Pilot but notice that the tow bar connection
> points are quite high (25 inches). I know that on my LXi, the receiver
> is quite a bit lower than this. I'm away from the coach so I can't
> measure it directly. Can someone please air up their LXi and tell me
> what the distance is from the ground to the bottom of their hitch
> receiver so I can buy a Blue Ox drop receiver.
>
> Thanks, I very much appreciate it.
>
> David Brady
> '02 LXi Smokey
> NC
>
>