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tow bar

I tried mating up the coach and the Tracker today and it didn't go well.  I have a 2" drop hitch but the connection at base plate is about 11 1/2 inches off the ground whereas the hitch is about 17-18 inches off the ground.  I'm guessing the angle (see picture) is too severe.  What is the typical drop on a U225 or U240?  Then whoever welded the base plate to the vehicle has chains (see photo) connected on the tow bar near the vehicle but I don't see any obvious place to connect them (presumably to the tow vehicle).  The safety cables on the coach end are the right length to connect on to the hitch.  Then there is the electrical connection.  On the coach I can see a square type connector that was used at one time but PO secured that up under the bumper and spliced in and mounted a round connector with four pins inside.  I bought the adapter to connect to the four prong flat connector on the vehicle end.  The thing never would go together as the pins didn't seem to line up and I ended up pushing the pins in on the coach end so now I've taken that apart and will have to get new guts to put in so hopefully the pins on the replacement will all line up then and I can see if the lights all work.  The old four prong the PO bypassed was more square so the four prong flat connector on the vehicle side wouldn't mate up to it.  As I'm new to the toad thing...any advice appreciated. 
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: tow bar

Reply #1 –
Dwayne,

You're right, that is way too much drop.  4" is max allowable.  I'd forget the Draw Tite rig and get a modern Roadmaster or Blue Ox tow bar system and have the base plates mounted level with the coach hitch.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: tow bar

Reply #2 –
As Amos posted, 4" is the allowed differences up or down for the two hitches.  You can add a drop hitch like this one, 6"

Class 3 Dual Length Ball Mount [45240] - .35 : The Hitch Store, Trailer

Wiring has more options, you can do a flat 4 on both ends, or square 4, or round any number, choose your pattern.  My coach had a FT wiring pattern diagram for the hitch.  I rewired my new coach plug to standard pattern, and then made a flat four wire from the toad to the coach and use an adapter at the coach end.  On my other toad, I use the standard round on the wire, from the round on the truck to the round on the coach.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: tow bar

Reply #3 –
Dwayne,

The more angle on the bar, the greater are the stresses. As the hitch moves up and down while the coach travels, an angled tow bar will jerk the towed vehicle forward and backward with respect to the coach. The greater the angle, the greater the stresses. Also, under hard braking, an angled tow bar exerts additional effort up or down, depending on the angle. With extreme angles and extreme braking, the towed vehicle could be lifted up into the back of the coach or the force could pry the hitch off the ball.

The Blue Ox site has several informational articles that apply to four down towing. You can start here: Towing Physics 101 Look near the bottom of the page for several articles on towing.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: tow bar

Reply #4 –
We tow a 1996 Geo Tracker with our 1989 Grand Villa with no problems atall.
I have an older Blue Ox towbar that came with two mounting brackets that go on the toad.
I mounted (after having them slightly modified to fit) so they come out just below the main bumper in the larger opening. They are bolted and chained to the frame. The tow bar is almost perfectly horizontal and the Geo tows like it isn't even there! I bolted on chain brackets to the frame right behind the tow bar mounts.
For lights I used a converter box mounted on the tow bar and with a flat four connector/four strand wire right to the bumper. I then ran wire to the back of the Geo, thru the frame to the backend. I mounted a set of LED lights onto an aluminum bar that I can bolt to the back side of the center brake light. Remove a wing nut and I can remove the light bar. It has enough wire and a flat four connector to connect to the flat four down near the bottom of the rear bumper.

Your tow bar might not work like mine does as yours needs a bar across the front end of your toad to keep from pulling the frame together. Our tow bar has a "closed" triangle instead of the separate toad mounted base plate.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: tow bar

Reply #5 –
Dwayne,

My 95 Sidekick came with a Blue Ox Rangefinder II BX4322 already mounted similar to Nighthawk"s.  The bar is approx. 17" off the ground , only weighs about 55lbs and folds up nicely in front of the bumper.  It is very simple to operate and maintain and hookups only take a couple of minutes. They aren't made anymore but I've seen used ones in the $100-$300 range on ebay etc. 
Quote from: Dwayne –
I tried mating up the coach and the Tracker today and it didn't go well.  I have a 2" drop hitch but the connection at base plate is about 11 1/2 inches off the ground whereas the hitch is about 17-18 inches off the ground.  I'm guessing the angle (see picture) is too severe.  What is the typical drop on a U225 or U240?  Then whoever welded the base plate to the vehicle has chains (see photo) connected on the tow bar near the vehicle but I don't see any obvious place to connect them (presumably to the tow vehicle).  The safety cables on the coach end are the right length to connect on to the hitch.  Then there is the electrical connection.  On the coach I can see a square type connector that was used at one time but PO secured that up under the bumper and spliced in and mounted a round connector with four pins inside.  I bought the adapter to connect to the four prong flat connector on the vehicle end.  The thing never would go together as the pins didn't seem to line up and I ended up pushing the pins in on the coach end so now I've taken that apart and will have to get new guts to put in so hopefully the pins on the replacement will all line up then and I can see if the lights all work.  The old four prong the PO bypassed was more square so the four prong flat connector on the vehicle side wouldn't mate up to it.  As I'm new to the toad thing...any advice appreciated. 
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: tow bar

Reply #6 –
When we went to the Blue Ox factory about four years ago to see about getting some mounting brackets for the toad end of our setup they didn't even want to discuss it, only wanted to sell us a complete new setup. So, that is why I had to modify the base brackets that we got with the bar from a friend.

We took the tour with a young lady for our guide. She wasn't sure about a couple machines so I explained the difference. She said I should be conducting the tour as I knew more about what each machine did than she did.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: tow bar

Reply #7 –
I ordered the 6" drop hitch and the new four prong round plug to repair the damaged one on the coach.  I've also had a few offers to sell me towbars.  The Draw Tight connected up fairly easily but that could have been beginer's luck so after I give it another go next weekend I may be in touch for the easier Blue Ox.  I am hoping not to have to relocate the bracket on the Tracker.  I now see that it would have been better had it been mounted higher but it is where it is and is very unobtrusive.  I hope a lower drop on the hitch does the trick.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: tow bar

Reply #8 –
Dwayne,

I want to add to my last post that I would worry about the towbar bottoming out when going over dips in the road or in campgrounds etc. if your only 11 inches from the ground and below your bumper.  Just something to consider.

Good luck,

Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: tow bar

Reply #9 –
The tubular steel engine protection on my coach bottoms out before this towbar will.  I know Brett removed his and altered it so it doesn't hang down as low.  I have to be very careful when going into sudden changes in grade.  My driveway, which is barely sloped, always scrapes a little.  I wonder what kind of RV the PO of the Tracker used to tow with the baseplate that low.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060