Blue Ox tow bar maintenance

[Possum]

Originally Posted by dennis45

I can relate, I've been told I'm too old for service also...

I don't frequent places such as that!!

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by Possum

Thanks Dennis

I called them for info (Blue Ox) and was told by them my unit was too old for them to service. I will check the serial/model number and call your the service centre in Penticton.

Dennis

Possum, exactly how old IS your tow bar? I searched their website, (Lots of pictures, short on facts) and can't find any reference to age limit on Blue Ox tow bars. Are we talking 2 years? 5 years?

Our Demco is 14 years old, been used to tow for around 129,000 miles, recently sent it in for a free checkup, they paid the return shipping and nothing was said about it being "too old".

[Possum]

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Possum, exactly how old IS your tow bar? I searched their website, (Lots of pictures, short on facts) and can't find any reference to age limit on Blue Ox tow bars. Are we talking 2 years? 5 years?

Our Demco is 14 years old, been used to tow for around 129,000 miles, recently sent it in for a free checkup, they paid the return shipping and nothing was said about it being "too old".

The unit came mounted on the vehicle I bought to replace my 94 Jeep and that was a few years ago. I called to see about getting some information on it and the boots replaced and that's what the guy at Blue Ox informed me. Too old for them to service. Being I live in Canada it was going to be very costly to ship so we were planning to take it for service while on an extended stay in the states last winter. Not a worry because I will just get an after market service kit and do it myself.

I mean what could possibly go wrong, go wrong, go wrong, go wrong, go wrong,

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by Possum

The unit came mounted on the vehicle I bought to replace my 94 Jeep and that was a few years ago. I called to see about getting some information on it and the boots replaced and that's what the guy at Blue Ox informed me. Too old for them to service. Being I live in Canada it was going to be very costly to ship so we were planning to take it for service while on an extended stay in the states last winter. Not a worry because I will just get an after market service kit and do it myself.

I mean what could possibly go wrong, go wrong, go wrong, go wrong, go wrong,

Which bar do you have? After letting this rumble around in my old brain for a bit, it hit me.
A couple years ago after our AK trip, I decided to do a service on my Aventa bar. (That is the 10,000 Lb rated one). As I was looking, I found the shaft that goes into the tube with the bolt that is deep inside the tube looked like it was crooked. I called Blueox to order a new ball and they told me the same thing.
I ended up sending the whole thing back. They found the shaft was bent starting to crack and replaced the whole assembly. They covered the shipping one way and I had to pay one way. Total bill was around $200 (US) but I ended up with virtually a new tow bar.
I think the reason they ask to have the bar returned is liability. Although as you and I know, litigation is the furthest thing from most people's mind these days.
I took mine to Oroville and shipped it from there and had it returned to Oroville. The shipping cost was about half of what they sting you for on this side of the line.

[Possum]

BX4322 5000# capacity which is about 1200 more than my Suzuki.

[Possum]

Originally Posted by dennis45

I can relate, I've been told I'm too old for service also...

Well me, you and my Blue Ox Tow Bar are all too old for servicing. The people from Jason's business told me to contact Blue Ox directly and see if they will ship to me and that's if they have the parts in stock.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by Possum

Well me, you and my Blue Ox Tow Bar are all too old for servicing. The people from Jason's business told me to contact Blue Ox directly and see if they will ship to me and that's if they have the parts in stock.

Well, I guess the only other option is to "Trade er in on a Yeller Dog and Shoot the Dog".

[Possum]

Originally Posted by dennis45

Well, I guess the only other option is to "Trade er in on a Yeller Dog and Shoot the Dog".

You heartless basket. now you want me to shoot "Old Yeller!"