Tow bar height

[Branchman]

I just installed a Roadmaster baseplate on my 2015 Kia Soul.

I am using a Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and towing with a Forest River FR3.

The hitch is about 2 inches higher than the baseplate connection.

As I understand it, the tow bar and hitch should be level.

It is my first tie towing.

Is it that critical that the bar and hitch be level?


Thanks

[conceptumator]

Check the Roadmaster site - there are usually tolerances (up and down from level) that are acceptable. If you want it level, just purchase a step receiver for the correct offset and use it on the tow vehicle. Also remember that if you intend to use any sort of protective screen to shield the front of the toad it can change the allowable tolerances. Not a big issue at all, just a little research. Good luck.


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2015 Legacy SR340 360RB with 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Toad
Gigi, Poppy and Sadie the Jack Russell (all 14 lbs of her)

[waiter21]

Check the tow bar recommendations.

My tow bar tilts up slightly, about 2 inches (the MH side is about 2 inches higher than the TOAD side).

I prefer this over level or TOAD higher. Here is my logic:

On very hard braking, the front of the TOAD will be pushed down. This increases the effectiveness of the TOAD brakes. If the TOAD brakes have failed or are not engaging, the TOAD attempt to dive under the MH and lift the back of the MH up. This isn't happening.

However, if the TOAD is higher than the MH:

On very hard braking, the front of the TOAD will raise up. This decreases the effectiveness of the TOAD brakes. If the TOAD brakes have failed or are not engaging, the TOAD could catapult up and into the back of the MH.

[FroggyRon]

Not sure about the Road Master. I have a Blue Ox Alpha and the installation instructions say, "It is important that the attachment points at the center of the attachment tabs and the center of the coach's hitch receiver should be of equal distance. If a deviation must occur, then it is recommended that the hitch receiver be no more than 3” above or below the attachment tabs of the baseplate." I had to put a drop receiver on my coach to get it nearly level. I would assume that Road Master has some similar tolerances.




2014 Georgetown 377XL
2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4X4 Toad

[halla]

Our Blue Ox is about 2" low. 6000 miles with no issues. On our Thor I had to use a drop receiver, it was 6" plus.


2016 Dynamax Force. Just-Rite2