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07-29-2013, 03:35 PM
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#1
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Steelhorzz
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 235
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Tow Height Question....
We are new to the Class A world, having just purchased a 2012 Georgetown 360. So I am learning as I go....
We are flat towing a 2007 PT Cruiser. I've installed Super Springs "Sumo Springs, on both front and rear of the coach, (GREAT PRODUCT !) a U.s Tow Unified brake system, Remco trans pump, (the PT is an Automatic), and a complete Blue Ox tow system. I know the height difference of the tow bar between the RV and the toad should not be over 4 inches. However on my setup, it's 12! The PT Cruiser is a very low vehicle... as compared to others. (Stock height, nothing modified). We just got back from a 6,000 mile trip, and no harm that I noticed due to the difference in ride height, BUT I have to unhook the Toad BEFORE I level the coach! The height differential becomes even more dramatic, AND if I need to drive the Toad... tough to unhook. I know I could / should purchase a drop receiver... The back of the RV is slanted up, and extends far beyond the rear axle. The back of the coach will drop close to the ground as I pull out over driveways. In one case I had to cross an "elevated" railroad track on our trip, and on the downward portion I actually scraped the 7 wire factory mounted electrical connector on the ground breaking it and had to replace it on route. Had I installed a Drop receiver, I would have "furrowed a trench" in the asphalt, or broken something else. Lots of folks tow PT Cruisers, so here is the question(s). How have other owners addressed the issue in tow height? A slight adjustment.. maybe a 2 or 4 inch drop receiver... don't worry about it?
I called Blue Ox and they told me to "get a 8 inch drop receiver". I told them about dragging the back end.. They told me again... "get a 8 inch drop receiver". Feedback?? Thanks!
__________________
2012 Georgetown 360DS Fire Mist
2007 PT Cruiser Auto-stick (4 wheel tow)
Remco Trans Pump /Super Springs Sumo Springs
Blue Ox Tow System / U.S. Gear Unified Tow Brake
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07-29-2013, 04:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 125
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steelhorzz
We are new to the Class A world, having just purchased a 2012 Georgetown 360. So I am learning as I go....
We are flat towing a 2007 PT Cruiser. I've installed Super Springs "Sumo Springs, on both front and rear of the coach, (GREAT PRODUCT !) a U.s Tow Unified brake system, Remco trans pump, (the PT is an Automatic), and a complete Blue Ox tow system. I know the height difference of the tow bar between the RV and the toad should not be over 4 inches. However on my setup, it's 12! The PT Cruiser is a very low vehicle... as compared to others. (Stock height, nothing modified). We just got back from a 6,000 mile trip, and no harm that I noticed due to the difference in ride height, BUT I have to unhook the Toad BEFORE I level the coach! The height differential becomes even more dramatic, AND if I need to drive the Toad... tough to unhook. I know I could / should purchase a drop receiver... The back of the RV is slanted up, and extends far beyond the rear axle. The back of the coach will drop close to the ground as I pull out over driveways. In one case I had to cross an "elevated" railroad track on our trip, and on the downward portion I actually scraped the 7 wire factory mounted electrical connector on the ground breaking it and had to replace it on route. Had I installed a Drop receiver, I would have "furrowed a trench" in the asphalt, or broken something else. Lots of folks tow PT Cruisers, so here is the question(s). How have other owners addressed the issue in tow height? A slight adjustment.. maybe a 2 or 4 inch drop receiver... don't worry about it?
I called Blue Ox and they told me to "get a 8 inch drop receiver". I told them about dragging the back end.. They told me again... "get a 8 inch drop receiver". Feedback?? Thanks!
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I had similar situation towing Miata behind our Georgetown with an 8 inch drop receiver. II had to be careful to cross inclines or dips slowly and at an angle. Only dug it in once, no damage. it was something to worry about though. I don't know of any other solution, as the PT may try to dive under during hard braking.
Except for the drop receiver, it sounds like you have a really nice setup for towing!
__________________
2011 Georgetown 378 towing 2011 Chev HHR 2LT
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07-29-2013, 06:46 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 143
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I had an 8 inch drop and went to a 6 inch drop since I was dragging everytime is entered a gas station. With a 6 inch drop I'm 5 inches from level on the towbar...no issues and Blue ox seemed to think it would be fine. We tow a Ford C-Max Energi
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07-29-2013, 08:19 PM
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#4
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,169
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We tow a 2006 Pontiac G6 and it's connecting points for the Blue Ox system are pretty low.........can't believe your PT Cruiser is that much lower.
From the factory hitch height on the Georgetown, I installed a 4" drop hitch to bring the tow bar and mounts more in line, as instructed by Blue Ox.
Under certain situations, you REALLY NEED to assess entrance and exit dips and inclines when you have a big rig with toys in tow..........it's just part of the job.
For safety sake......make sure your tow bar is as close to level as possible!
__________________
Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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07-29-2013, 08:38 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
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Steelhorzz
Love to see a picture of your car hooked up.
Here is mine and I'm using a 8" drop with my setup.
I could have gotten a 6" drop but too late after I ordered.
It is a made by Roadmaster 10,000 lb GTW and 400 lb Trailer weight
$105 from etrialer Part # RM-048-8
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07-29-2013, 11:36 PM
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#6
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Steelhorzz
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 235
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Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll have to wait until my RV gets back from the dealer. After our last trip I had a laundry list of items that needed to be worked on. Thank goodness it's still under warranty.... I'll take some pics, (hooked up), and also some more measurements. I have a Georgetown 378, that parks near me at the storage facility, that I can compare some hitch height placement to my 360. I know I have to do some drop "adjustment", but was I REALLY concerned when I bent one of the rear bars on the side of the hitch receiver, and wiped out the trailer connector socket going down that incline over the RR tracks. The pic below shows the PT behind the coach with just electrical hookups. Blue Ox was not attached. (I was doing some electrical checks). But you can see the height difference is pretty considerable.
__________________
2012 Georgetown 360DS Fire Mist
2007 PT Cruiser Auto-stick (4 wheel tow)
Remco Trans Pump /Super Springs Sumo Springs
Blue Ox Tow System / U.S. Gear Unified Tow Brake
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07-30-2013, 12:51 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: oregon
Posts: 206
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howdy: how in the world did you wipe out the 7 pine connector for your wiring, on my 2012 378 there is drag bars on both sides off the hitch that hang down a long ways. they will hit first. Pete
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07-30-2013, 12:59 AM
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#8
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Steelhorzz
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 235
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Pretty easy it seems. When I picked up the coach, I noticed the bracket welded to hold the connector was bent. I straightened it out.
Then as I s-l-o-w-l-y drove down the incline over the tracks, I heard a scraping noise. When I could pull over, one of the drag bars was bent, and the bottom back side of the connector was "polished away" by the asphalt. I guess when ya drag 22k, on the ground, somethings got to give... Just seems like a lot of coach behind the rear axle. Better I lost some plastic and wiring, I could easily fix and nothing REAL important.. like my hitch OR my Toad. LOL
__________________
2012 Georgetown 360DS Fire Mist
2007 PT Cruiser Auto-stick (4 wheel tow)
Remco Trans Pump /Super Springs Sumo Springs
Blue Ox Tow System / U.S. Gear Unified Tow Brake
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07-31-2013, 01:46 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: oregon
Posts: 206
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wow that is unreal. I tow a jeep Rubicon with a 4 inch drop and have never hit anything I guess aim lucky, I use a ready brute tow bar and ready brute brake works good.5000 miles so far. Pete
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07-31-2013, 10:02 AM
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#10
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Retired US Army CW4
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Fullerton, California
Posts: 148
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The 7 pin connector on mine lasted about 15 minutes. Picked it up at the dealer, drove home and wiped the connector almost completely off going up my driveway. I checked it when I picked it up because of problems I had with my previous rig and it looked like it had plenty of clearance. I cut the old mount off and welded a new one on top of the crossbar. It's really out of the way now.
__________________
2014 Georgetown 329DS
Towing a 2011 Jeep Wrangler JKU w/ReadyBrake
Yorkie guard dog on the dash
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07-31-2013, 11:05 AM
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#11
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Steelhorzz
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 235
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That was my next move to cut off and weld the connector brackets above the cross bar. I have 2.... a 6 pin, and the 7 pin that came with the coach. still doesn't solve the fact that the hitch will hang lower. Still nervous about getting a drop hitch, but no way around it at this point. I don't want the PT nosing under the RV in case of an emergency stop. (But have you ever tried to stop a 38 foot RV, with toad, in an emergency)? Those brakes just don't make me feel like I'll stop on a dime... even with the toad brakes working... more like half a football field or so... - LOL
__________________
2012 Georgetown 360DS Fire Mist
2007 PT Cruiser Auto-stick (4 wheel tow)
Remco Trans Pump /Super Springs Sumo Springs
Blue Ox Tow System / U.S. Gear Unified Tow Brake
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