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05-18-2005, 06:02

One of these links (with a cut and paste) might work for pics.
http://community.webshots.com/scripts/misc.fcgi?
action=invitePickup&uri=album/348146188CyWPhY

http://community.webshots.com/album/348146188CyWPhY

The road set up a fairly severe front/rear
bouncing of the coach before I could slow down (Spartan Chassis 2
axle). I was thinking to myself I might lose a air bag as I was
slowing, but did not think tow bar. This was on a back street in
Lawton OK versus hi-way or interstate, speed probably 30 MPH. This
is my second motorhome (83 FC35 first one), and the most severe
bounce I have experienced.

Even though perhaps a "freak" occurence, I now advise a drop
receiver hitch to reduce height differences. Blue Ox and Towing
World have a 10,000lb rated drop receiver in various heights. The
next problem may be entry and exit on steep ramps with the drop
receiver dragging. I am debating a 2" drop, or a 4" drop. Will
likely go 4" drop with a drag wheel.

Dan
94 BMC37'

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "rrob@t..."
wrote:
> Good info Dan. I had my Excalibar modified (with Demco permission)
to
> adjust for height difference on my SOB to 4 inches. Now that I
have the
> Bird I think there is more like 6 inch difference. I always
thought the
> manufacturers wanted the heigh difference minimized to prevent the
> possibility of the toad diving under the RV in the event of severe
braking
> with resultant RV nose dive & rear up. Wasn't aware the height
diff could
> cause breaking and failure of a tow bar. I do agree you are doing
the right
> thing with a 10000lb bar. In the case of tow bars I believe 'more
is
> better' IMHO.
>
> Rob 94 WLWB
>
> Original Message:
> -----------------
> From: Dan Weaver dweaver907@c...
> Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 17:09:56 -0000
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Tow Bar Height Difference coach to tow
car
>
>
> >
>
> > When using a tow bar and towing a car 4 wheels down, Blue Ox > recommends a max difference of 4" from coach receiver to attachment > point on the toad. None of our Birds are even close to this with > 95% of tow cars. > > I "had" a 10 inch difference, using a aluminum Blue Ox Alladin tow > bar rated at 5,000 pounds, towing a Geo Prizm approx weight 2500 > lbs, total towing miles about 10,000 in 3 years. > > Last week on a trip, I hit a series of large bumps and dips that > were not readily visible, so I did not slow down in time. The Blue > Ox sheared at the exact entry point into the receiver on the coach, > so the car and the rest of the tow bar broke loose attached only by > the safety cables. "Luckily", this was in a safe area to pull over > rather than the 1 lane interstate construction I had just left, > where I would have backed up traffic for miles, and likely had > greater damage. > > To complete the trip I bought a Blue Ox Aventa II steel tow bar > reated at 10,000 lbs. I will be sending the aluminum broken bar to > Blue Ox, and they will repair it at no charge other than my shipping > cost. That still leaves me 2 bars, and a damaged tow car. > > I will be buying a 4" drop hitch, and am changing to a taller tow > car (was doing so anyway), and plan to keep and run the 10,000 pound > bar and sell the 5,000 pound bar. > > If you are towing 4 down, check your height difference, and consider > a drop receiver hitch. > > Dan > 94 Bluebird BMC 37' > > > > >
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
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