Sightseer 35J towing Jeep Wrangler

modo · 07-25-2013, 02:51 PM

Hi All, I have purchased a 2010 Sightseer 35J(replaced 2005 Meridian) and wish to tow a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. The MH has a measured hitch receiver height of 27 inches from the ground and the Jeep hitch attachments(Demco) are 18.75 inches or nearly an 8 inch difference. I have read that the dinghy can be lower than the RV but no more than 4 inches. Therefore do I need a 4 inch drop down hitch? Have any readers towed using a drop down hitch? What are the issues involved?

MODO
2010 Sightseer 35J
2013 Jeep Wrangler

vsheetz · 07-25-2013, 03:27 PM

Yes, a drop is common. No particular problems in doing so. See your tow bar vendor for their recommendation as to allowable inches from level.

Clifftall · 07-25-2013, 03:32 PM

I use a 10" and have to be careful and avoid certain driveways. You shouldn't have any issues with a 4" especially with the height
of your receiver.

LEHAFER · 07-25-2013, 05:03 PM

I have an Adventurer 35A towing a 2010 Ford Escape. The difference was also 8". I bought an 8" receiver drop from my dealer to fit my Blue Ox and have been towing for two years with no issues.

John Mo · 07-25-2013, 06:01 PM

Winnebago recommends a maximum 4" drop. Per Winnebago, the issue is torque on the receiver: the larger the drop, the greater the torque because the lever is longer. I didn't get an exact formula out of them, but the tow capacity is reduced with drops larger than 4". I use a 6" drop for my Suzuki XL7 and don't worry about the reduced rating because the 'zuki is well under 5,000 lbs. I have dragged my tail a couple of times in driveways, so that's another factor in favor if smaller drops.

go6car · 07-26-2013, 07:31 AM

We also tow with a drop hitch. Was told that you want the equality between rig and Jeep to be no more than 2" difference (with less being better).

Clifftall · 07-26-2013, 08:02 AM

I believe Blue Ox recommends a 4" max.

modo · 07-29-2013, 05:56 PM

Hi All, Thank you for the helpful replies. I will be using the DEMCO recommended 6" drop hitch with my DEMCO hitch and base plate.

davismills · 07-30-2013, 06:58 AM

I use a 4 inch drop on my Sightseer 33C and have scraped a few times on poorly designed driveways. It's very rare that I do scrape. The 4 inch drop allows my tow bar (ReadyBrute) to be almost perfectly level.

CbtEngr · 08-03-2013, 09:40 AM

Lift the Jeep

Of course I don't have quite the distance but I did a lift on the Jeep and bigger tires to make my distance level recommended by the tow bar manufacturer and Winnebago.

I know you already have a solution just want to be funny.

Hikerdogs · 08-03-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mo

Winnebago recommends a maximum 4" drop. Per Winnebago, the issue is torque on the receiver: the larger the drop, the greater the torque because the lever is longer. I didn't get an exact formula out of them, but the tow capacity is reduced with drops larger than 4". I use a 6" drop for my Suzuki XL7 and don't worry about the reduced rating because the 'zuki is well under 5,000 lbs. I have dragged my tail a couple of times in driveways, so that's another factor in favor if smaller drops.

I spoke to a Winnebago customer service rep at length about the same situation with our 2013 Adventurer and Jeep Wrangler. Through the course of the conversation admitted this was a common problem with the motorhomes built on the latest generation F53 chassis.

In an effort to reslove the problem Winnebago is now manufacturing their own hitches. According to the rep they are considerably stronger than the ones they had been purchasing. In addition they no longer use lighter frame extensions at the rear (at least on the Adventurer) but rather lengthen the frame by adding a section of the same size and strength material just behind the transmission.

Before our conversation ended he agreed that a 6" drop receiver would be acceptable on the 2013 F53 frame when the towed vehicle is equiped with a non-surge style braking system. He also said to expect to see the official recommendation change from a 4" drop to a 6" drop in the very near future.

We're using a 6" drop reciever rated for 10,000 lbs and a Roadmaster Brakemaster 9060 braking system to tow our 04 Jeep Wrangler which weighs in at a little less than 3,800 lbs. After about 5000 miles of towing all is well.

SamSter0077 · 08-08-2013, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CbtEngr

Lift the Jeep

Of course I don't have quite the distance but I did a lift on the Jeep and bigger tires to make my distance level recommended by the tow bar manufacturer and Winnebago.

I know you already have a solution just want to be funny.

Lift the Jeep, replace the stock front bumper or mount the tow bar up higher! I like the answer above best, "lift the Jeep!"

CJ7ole · 08-09-2013, 01:05 AM

You got it right. Jeeps were made to be modded. I have a 3.5" lift and 33" tires on my CJ7 and use an a-frame tow bar that attaches to shackle points on the middle of a rock style bumper. I actually had to flip the hitch up to get an extra 3" of height to level it out.