Blue Ox Tow Bar

[Philliec]

Hello,

I have been talking to Blue Ox about a potential problem with my Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar. I noticed that the aluminum piece that connects to the 2" hitch connector tube was loose with a gap (Hopefully the attached image will show the gap).

I contacted Blue Ox about the situation, and they sent me a new hitch connector right away. They requested that I not use the tow bar until I installed the new connector hitch, and then return the old connector hitch for their review.

I received word from Blue Ox this week that the castle nut on the back had come loose some how, some way and could have potentially caused a real problem. They also said that I could not fix this because it requires a special tool to tighten the castle nut on the connector.

Anyway, Blue Ox provided excellent support in all of this for which we are quite thankful.

[Skip426]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll be checking the two I have for similar issues.
Another thing to add to the check list.
Did you notice the jap, or did you hear an unusual noise, when disconnecting?

[Philliec]

I really did not hear anything, but the gap really did bother me. Blue Ox said that it could have been caused from a tow bar that was not level. My tow bar is level, but I use a Ready Brake that gives me quite a long tow bar. I mentioned this to Blue Ox, but they did not respond to that theory. I have noticed going over some rough bridge abutments in Houston that it was like a whip back there going up and down as I pass from normal roadway to elevated sections.

[Skip426]

I'd be more inclined to think , incorrect torque applied during assembly, or no thread locker. If having the bars off level was the issue , you'd think that we'd have heard a lot more about similar problems with their product.

[walt2137]

I have a Roadmaster Falcon all terrain 6000 lb tow bar with the same issue that I removed and will take to Perry Rally next year for a rebuild. The nut inside the 2 inch square tube takes a special thin wall socket to Remove or tighten. I replaced it with a new Blue Ox Aventa LX 10,000 lb tow bar and will sell the Roadmaster after its rebuilt.

[Philliec]

I was just really impressed with how Blue Ox handled all of this. After I sent them the picture they immediately sent me a new connector without question. They only requested that I send them the old one back (postage paid) so they could see what the real problem was. Blue Ox stands behind their products which is really good to know. I am sticking with Blue Ox from this point forward that's for sure.

[luvlabs]

I just replaced that nut on another model Blue Ox towbar. There is no "special" nut on that assembly - it is comprised of a square nut and a standard nylon lock nut. The only special tool you need is a really long 1/2" extension bar or a long enough breaker bar. You have to start the bolt on the large square nut, tighten it a little bit to take the slop out, and then install and tighten the lock nut.

[walt2137]

Yes Roger I saw a video on how to rebuild a Blue Ox tow bar but I was disappointed that the tec did not give any torque values only said how it should feel. I know I could get by with that but had rather had the torque.

[UsualSuspect]

I would have thought with my towed as heavy as it is, and as many miles as it has gone, mine would be loose, but thankfully it is tight.

[walt2137]

Here is a complete break down and parts list for the Aventa tow bar

[dennis45]

My Aventa came with the coach when I bought so I have no idea how many miles it had on it. After about 20K miles and a trip to Alaska, I decided it was time for a rebuild so I packaged the whole assembly and sent it to Blueox. My major concern was the ball was stiff and seemed to be getting worse. Turns out, BO replaced the ball assembly due to a worn ball and rebuilt the rest of the bar back to new spec for under $200 and sent it back pre paid. See if you get that service from a Made in China device.

[majfrizz]

I had the same issue happen this week with my tow bar and the separation. The tow bar is 6 years old with 32,000 towing miles on it and has always been serviced, In fact Last year it had its service done by BO at the Rally. The hitch connector is about $210 vs $800 for a new tow bar. I did find out thru some dealers that BO does offer a trade in and gives the dealer $150 credit for the old tow bar when you buy a new tow bar. I noticed the separation just when we were stopping for the night, unhooked car right away and called BO the next day.


Bob

[Philliec]

Hi Bob,

Walt2137 gives us a good manual on the tow bar assembly. I would let BO handle it, but I would really like to have the tool (deep socket) to fix it if necessary. Please let us know how BO handles this one.

[majfrizz]

does anyone have the BO Avail towbar. if I have to go the new towbar route I was looking at this model. it has some new features over the Aventa LX.