Problem installing Blue Ox Bedsaver™

[KTM Guy]

Since I once forgot to close the hitch before towing an old bumper-pull travel trailer, I thought a Bedsaver might be a smart investment for my 5th-wheel hitch. This Blue Ox product protects your truck in case the trailer king pin slides out of the hitch before the front jacks are down.

The Bedsaver is supposed to slip over the hitch crossarm and bolt in place -- maybe a 20-minute job. But on the unit I received the brackets that fit the crossarm are misaligned. Laying a straightedge across the flat surfaces that rest on top of the hitch crossarm shows that they are tilted downward along their inner edges and are not in the same plane. This prevents insertion of the outboard bolts. Since the crossarm tapers outward, I was able to mount the Bedsaver by spreading the arms with a jack (maybe a ton of force) until the crossarm no longer obstructed the outboard holes. The installation was far from the simple "place and bolt" procedure outlined in the installation manual.

Has anyone else had this problem? I sent Blue Ox an email about it.

[MonacoMama]

KTM Guy...Did you hear back from Blue Ox yet?

[KTM Guy]

I got the following message this morning. It sounds like they take customer feedback pretty seriously. I'll post more when they contact me again.

"Your e-mail has been forwarded to our Product Management Team as well as the VP of Marketing and Sales, and, the President of Blue Ox. Thanks for taking the time to write this e-mail."

[KTM Guy]

This note came in from Blue Ox while I was out skiing today. I must say they took my comment seriously. I will send them the measurement they request. They seem like a good company.

Blue Ox note follows:
I want to thank you for your comments about the installation of your Bedsaver. We have looked into the situation here at Blue Ox and here is the report that was given to me:

"The Jig and Bedsaver in the jig match the print. We also check finish goods inventory and found no issues with any dimensions.
His recommendations for tack weld are currently what we do.”

It was also brought to my attention that some hitches do vary in size slightly so some modification can be possible. Since you had to spread the arms apart can you measure the distance from the outside arm to the other and send that measurement to me? I will forward that on to our production department for further review.

We appreciate feedback from customers which helps us in making a quality product. In appreciation of your comments we would like to send you a complimentary folding trash bag. If you would provide your address I will send that out to you.

Thank you for being a Blue Ox customer.

[norty]

I installed one on my hitch and did not have any problems. Went on like the instructions showed but I did have to rheem out a couple of holes to get the bolts to go in freely. I did have to drop it one bolt hole on my hitch which is a 16k Draw-tite. It still is there if ever needed but clears when hitching and un-hitching.

Good peace of mind for a guy who dropped his twice. Ouch!

[KTM Guy]

Peace of mind is right! Twice I forgot to lock the hitch on my bumper-pull travel trailer. Luckily it had enough tongue weight that it didn't come off the ball. I shudder to think what might have happened.

The moment I saw the Bedsaver I knew they made it for me.

[norty]

First it could never happen to me, then it could never happen to me twice. I walked inside and ordered the bed saver after that.

[Firecapt]

Something must be wrong with the Bed Saver, or you got the wrong model for your hitch. Mine went on in about 15 minutes and lined up perfectly.

[KTM Guy]

I confirmed with Blue Ox it's the right model. It just has a slight misalignment. No big deal if it were wooden, but with steel even a sixteenth of an inch can mean trouble.

Now that it's on I never think about it anymore.

[Firecapt]

I know mine brings be great piece of mind! Anyone can make a mistake or equipment can fail and I don't want to be on the receiving end of a costly repair.