Community Forums

Matt D · 02-13-2017, 05:57 AM

Good morning,

A few days ago, I needed to return the coach to storage solo, so I began hooking up my pickup to the Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar.

I noticed a significant amount of up and down movement, in spite of the use of a tow bar clamp.

I haven't had time to remove the towbar from the receiver to determine which has loosened up, but something certainly has.

I post this as a PSA to others to take the time to perform a check of your towbar.

On paper, we are due for a new towbar but we shall see. We got the towbar used in late 2011 with an unknown life prior to that. In 2014, we went to the Blue Ox factory for a complete rebuild.

I can only hope our receiver isn't damaged.

-Matt

Tall Tex · 02-13-2017, 06:05 AM

Please post your findings.

brobox · 02-13-2017, 06:35 AM

Matt, EXCELLENT post and reminder. Here is my personal experience with a 10 year old tow bar that died of metal fatigue. Happened on the way to Entegra to take the factory tour in 2013. Not saying the Ohio Turnpike is rough or anything.

I have moved on to a lifetime warranty tow bar that I lube and service annually. Like tires, I will no longer let a tow bar age out. Once was enough.

Matt's post is right on, again, just my personal experience.

spuds · 02-13-2017, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

Good morning,

A few days ago, I needed to return the coach to storage solo, so I began hooking up my pickup to the Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar.

I noticed a significant amount of up and down movement, in spite of the use of a tow bar clamp.

I haven't had time to remove the towbar from the receiver to determine which has loosened up, but something certainly has.

Matt,

If you find the issue is the shank of the towbar that goes into the coach receiver, replacement shanks are available (as are rebuild kits for the arms). The Blue Ox rebuild is generally just the plastic washers, not the full shank.

We bought our parts from etrailer. Of course since you mention not knowing the exact age of your towbar, a new one could give you better peace of mind. IIRC Blue Ox has a trade-in program.

Michelle

Matt D · 02-13-2017, 07:37 AM

Chuck, I know you mentioned it elsewhere, but I'd like to know what bar you're using now?

Michelle, thanks for that tip. This tow bar is pretty old and frankly I'm inclined to simply replace the assembly, but I will let you all know.

I'm trying to line up replacement parts while I'm out of town. Can anyone with a late model Aspire give me the manufacturer and P/N of the receiver?

Thanks in advance,

-Matt

Electra 225 · 02-13-2017, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Matt, EXCELLENT post and reminder. Here is my personal experience with a 10 year old tow bar that died of metal fatigue. Happened on the way to Entegra to take the factory tour in 2013. Not saying the Ohio Turnpike is rough or anything.

I have moved on to a lifetime warranty tow bar that I lube and service annually. Like tires, I will no longer let a tow bar age out. Once was enough.

Matt's post is right on, again, just my personal experience.

Hello Chuck,
I remember your tow bar failure thread, I too have an aging Blue Ox. I don't recall the make/model of the new one you just mentioned. Could you refresh my memory on that? I like the sound of a lifetime warranty and a unit I can service myself, does it have zirks to grease etc?

Thanks, and thanks OP for this thread.

Regards,
W.D.

brobox · 02-13-2017, 08:02 AM

The tow bar that broke was a Blue Ox Aladdin. I upgraded to a Ready Brute Elite tow bar that has lifetime warranty. The CS of Ready Brute has been fantastic compared to the experiences I have had with Blue Ox. I also had one of their brake systems that was a complete flop and was pulled off the market without any customer satisfaction, $1,200 in the trash.

Yes the Ready Brute does have Zerks and I spray silicone all of the moving joints before each long trip inspecting the tow bar as I go along.

Matt, I did have the pin hole in my drop down receiver woller out causing the type of play you are experiencing. Changed toads got rid of the drop down.

If your receiver is bad, it should still be under warranty, hopefully it is a worn out tow bar that is easily replaced and probably due.

Grower15 · 02-13-2017, 08:59 AM

While at Quartzsite this year we traded our Aladdin (purchased in 2011) for a 10,000 Hitch. Blue Ox gave us $250 for the Aladdin. The rep stated they were trying to get the Aladdin Tow Bars, which are aluminum, off the road.

brobox · 02-13-2017, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grower15

While at Quartzsite this year we traded our Aladdin (purchased in 2011) for a 10,000 Hitch. Blue Ox gave us $250 for the Aladdin. The rep stated they were trying to get the Aladdin Tow Bars, which are aluminum, off the road.

They should, they are an accident waiting to happen. You did much better than I did, they gave me the number of the nearest dealer 65 miles away where I could replace the tow bar at full retail.

Magic-carpet · 02-13-2017, 09:57 AM

Hi Matt,

This should be the part number for the entire tow bar assembly.

The part number for what they call the hitch connector is "84-0097".

http://blueox.com/wp-content/uploads...1/BX7445-1.pdf

Hope this helps.

Jeanne

Bigd9 · 02-13-2017, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grower15

While at Quartzsite this year we traded our Aladdin (purchased in 2011) for a 10,000 Hitch. Blue Ox gave us $250 for the Aladdin. The rep stated they were trying to get the Aladdin Tow Bars, which are aluminum, off the road.

They are still making them and still selling them.
Tow Bars | Blue Ox

Mr_D · 02-13-2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

They are still making them and still selling them.
Tow Bars | Blue Ox

It's also possible they have redesigned the bar and are just trying to get the older ones replaced.

spuds · 02-13-2017, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic-carpet

Hi Matt,

This should be the part number for the entire tow bar assembly.

The part number for what they call the hitch connector is "84-0097".

http://blueox.com/wp-content/uploads...1/BX7445-1.pdf

Hope this helps.

Jeanne

Jeanne,

There are 3 different shank lengths available as well, in case anyone needs to order a slightly longer one than what comes standard on the tow bar, "BX84-0098" is the part
Blue Ox Aventa Shank | etrailer.com

Michelle

UFO Pilot · 02-13-2017, 01:35 PM

When I arrived at Indio last month, I found my Blue Ox Aventa to be very sloppy. It looked like something was missing from the ball that the arms rotate on. I had the tow bar inspected and serviced at the FMCA Rally where they found the ball was in fact "coming apart". Blue Ox replaced the shank and ball assembly under warranty. The new ball is made of a different material.

I have had the tow bar serviced every January since purchase 4 years ago.