Yahoo Message Number: 29693 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/29693)
I need help with setting up a tow bar. This past year we got our motorhome and did not have a car suitable for towing. I well the past weekend we found a 98 Saturn Station Wagon that is a perfect fit for us. I got lucky as a previous owner had towed the car so it had the wiring and frame brackets. This worked out great because I got a used Roadmaster tow bar at Thanksgiving and it has all the top end brackets that I need. Based on the geometry of the motorhome and car it looks like I will need a dropped receiver to get the tow bar close to level.
I measured from the bottom of the receiver to the ground and it is about 26 inches. Does this sound about right? My motorhome is not parked on the levels and my measurement is not that accurate. Does anyone know what that measurement is when the motorhome in travel mode? The motorhome is a 2000 Magna. Then the tow bar is mounted on the car it is about 16 inches. Based on the 26 inches receive height I would need a 10 inch dropped receiver. Does that sound right for a small car?
Thanks
Frank and Dana
2000 Magna 5766
Yahoo Message Number: 29694 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/29694)
First I just did this and I have a $168.00 8" Drop hitch you can have for $50.00. But first something sounds wrong. When you have the RV lined up with the Saturn the Saturn receivers are down below the bumper correct? That has got to me enough height for you to clear curbs etc. when leaving gas stations etc. So the rule is the ball of the receiver and the connection to the Saturn should not be more that 1.5 inches from parallel. If the angle is to great then when you stop you pushing up or down as the case may be. But if the hitch has to be so low you then have the bottom out issue. I have seen several Saturn's in tow, and though I have not noticed the drop hitch they are seem to have plenty of clearance. I am suspect of the hardware you have for the Tow.
Having said that it could all work out. Make sure you have at least a 6000# tow rated hitch, and if you live in CA near Irvine feel free to give me a call.
Yahoo Message Number: 29695 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/29695)
Frank,
There were several postings within the last couple of months covering this subject, so you might go back and review them.
Briefly, as I remember some of them, and from our experience, you need to drive your coach to a level spot and have the suspension system aired up and in the "travel" mode. This will give you the height of the coach receiver when it is "going down the road." The optimum situation is for the motorhome end of the tow bar to be slighly higher than the toad end. No more than 6 inches, but no lower than flat level. Roadmaster's site, or a call to the factory, 800-669-9690, can give you more specific information from the manufacturer.
Brad Ward
2000 Magna 36' 5916
Yahoo Message Number: 29702 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/29702)
F&D,
Actually, I think your measurement is probably going to be about right.
I tow a saturn with a roadmaster sterling tow bar and bought a 6" drop receiver (Camping World $65.) and realize that a 10" would have been better.
Also, keep in mind that the drop receiver will move your toad back and maybe cause your blue safety cables to be to short. You might have to buy longer cables or use short chain extensions off the back of your mh.
Jim
2005 40' Inspire #51225
Yahoo Message Number: 29703 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/29703)
sorry my drop hitch is 10000 #. thus the price
Yahoo Message Number: 29704 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/29704)
I bought an 8" for my saturn and now works well with the Odessy I tow now. Whats great is by intalling same it moves the car back enough I dont have to worry about the car hitting the rear of the coach in a hard turn anymore.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731