Towing Advice - Jeep Liberty

[RussWhite]

I need some advice and tips from experienced drivers. The attached picture pretty well shows the ugly situation. Here are the numbers:
Ground to center of receiver: 9"
Ground to center of connection at the Jeep: 19 1/2"
Difference is 10" higher at the Jeep.
Maximum allowable according to Roadmaster is 3"
Coach Ride Height at bottom of the 1" railing: 12 1/2" ( I am told this is correct )

My tow bar supplier says the Safe Zone is up to 3" higher at the Jeep than the center of the receiver. So, I'm not even close!

Now I figure I cannot be the only guy that has faced this problem. What are my options? I really can't lower the front of the Jeep. I doubt there is much I can do about the ride height of the coach, but some additional clearance sounds good, but what does that do to handling and safety?
So that leaves some kind of receiver adapter - hitch receiver riser. I have found some in the 4.5" rise range, but still leaves me 2.5" shy of the minimum rise of 7".

Maybe there are adapters out there with more rise - if so please help me find one.

I was hoping to get on the road soon, but not until this is safely resolved. All advice and suggestions appreciated and considered.
Russ
2255

[rheavn]

Russ,
Here is a 6" drop hitch. I just flip it over.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/6-high-low-drop-hitch/21578

Here is a 10" drop hitch.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=10+drop+hitch&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1440&bih=785&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17370321125112469072&sa=X&ei=5NDC

Ride height on a Newell is 12". You don't want to just raise it as the driveshafts are very short and you don't want too much driveline angle.

[RussWhite]

Thanks Steve!

Since you found a 10" and that is what I need to be level I think I will go with that. I'll have to watch the length of the safety cables to be sure they are long enough. I may look at an 8" as well if the cables look like they are a problem.

Russ

[afrench45]

Russ,
I use a 10" drop hitch like Tom posted and flip it over to tow my Hummer. I did the same thing with my Prevost, and haven't had any issues in 100k+ miles.

[rheavn]

Russ,
You will probably find that both the 8" & 10" will add the same length to your hitch set up. PPL has the 8" drop hitch. On mine the safety cables were a little short so I just added some of the chain links--like the ones in the photo that screw on.

[RussWhite]

Good idea on the "D links" to extend the cables if necessary. I am still struggling to find the dimensions - my concern is that it is long enough such that when inserted into the existing receiver and pinned, it does not contact the fiberglass of the engine cover door. Are you guy confident it will clear?

Thanks,
Russ

[folivier]

Hey Russ, look at these: http://www.readybrake.com/accessories.html
At the bottom of the page, they have 8000# rating. I had to use the straight extension when I added the readybrake (lever would hit the fiberglass when braking) and found that most other brands had a 5000# rating. Very well made.
Give them a call and they should be able to help with your questions.
I also used grade 8 bolts instead of a pin.

[rheavn]

Russ,
Mine clears no problem. If I want to open the engine cover I have to remove the drop hitch pin & pull back about 3-4 inches.

[RussWhite]

I pulled the trigger on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UC8LGG/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002UC8LGG&linkCode=as2&tag=affiliatechie-20">Blue Ox BX88132 Hi Low 10" Drop Receiver</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=affiliatechie-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002UC8LGG" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />. After looking at the pictures and at my engine cover I feel confident it will clear. I can pull the pin and move it out to open the engine cover I think. Thanks to all!
Russ

[Richard and Rhonda]

Russ,

I used a 10 inch to pull a Honda CRV. It would not clear on my rig. I never tried to pull it with the bar tilted down that far.

On the other hand, I pulled my Subaru with the bar tilted down about 3 inches. It really did a number on the front tires. I used a two inch drop, and pull it with no problems now. It does seem to pull a little better ( not so much wag) with the bar almost level.

[RussWhite]

Hello Richard,

I don't understand about "it would not clear my rig". Are you saying the 10" drop/raise receiver would not clear when you tried it on your rig?

No, I never pulled the Jeep. We drove separately to an empty parking lot. Hooked up and saw the problem. I did circle the lot a few times checking lights, tire pressure monitoring systems, minium turn radius clearance, and auxiliary brakes proper operation. We then unhooked and got all this great advice from the group and I am hopeful the 10" Blue Ox receiver adapter will get us going with a nice level tow bar.

Thanks,
Russ

[folivier]

Russ, I think Matt (express1) uses a drop bar to tow his car. Check with him about the clearance.

[rheavn]

Russ,
In looking at the picture of the Blue Ox there appears to be 6-8 inches from the 5/8" hitch pin hole to the back of the receiver. Unless your hitch sets a whole lot further in than mine, it is a Newell, then the back of the drop receiver should sit up about the bottom of your license plate and out about 2-4" from the engine cover.

[RussWhite]

Totally agree! Now Amazon, just get it here as soon as possible. Russ

[Richard and Rhonda]

I don't understand about "it would not clear my rig". Are you saying the 10" drop/raise receiver would not clear when you tried it on your rig?

The rear engine access hatch will not clear the ten inch rise adaptor. Even though the adaptor is offset to the rear, the hatch swings out as it rises on the parallelogram arms.

I have dragged the bottom of the adaptor in some places, but it makes a good skid plate !!!!

Get out your biceps if you try to take the riser and the tow bar off as a unit. I am guessing together they weigh close to 75 pounds.

[RussWhite]

That is clear and kind of what I am expecting. The tow bar will have to separate from the riser when removed. Thank goodness for my biceps that they can be handled separately. I'll post a picture to this thread when the riser is installed with the tow bar and Jeep. It is still a little shocking how low the receiver is on the Newell. Glad to hear the riser can take a scrape or two, and the good thing is, it is replacable if the scrape is a big one. Thanks again.... Russ