Simple tow bar?

[CJ7ole]

Am I the only one that still uses a simple A-frame tow bar and not the fancy-schmancy Blue Ox or Roadmaster mega buck bars? Mine's rated for 5,000 pounds and can still be purchased for under $150. Ok, I am towing a Jeep with towing shackles so that eliminates any base plate issues. It's worked fine for probably 20 trips including to FL and back from MI. Only problem is unhitching it under stress, I found that a one pound hammer and a block of wood for protection allows me to get the hitch off the ball easily.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/92012_00_07.htm

[Gary RVRoamer]

Nothing wrong with a simple A frame, ball mount tow bar, but the fancy smancy ones are a lot more convenient to hook & unhook and to stow.

In between the two are the A frame ball mount bars that have telescoping legs, like the Blue Ox Acclaim. These are still fairly simple bars but the adjustable legs make hitching up a breeze. Price is in-between the basic models and the fancy ones.

[JWT]

I've found good used ( Roadmaster 5000 series) tow bars anywhere from $100- $150 before. Most of my finds have been in the local area recycler paper and car swap meets.The expensive part is the brackets for the vehicle.

[Meandering Retiree]

I purchased a blue ox because I was towing a Suburban/Jeep Liberty and did not want to take any chances with anything getting loose.

[Bill Killen]

I got my blue ox aventa for 120 bucks. the baseplate was the pricey part for me!

I still have to give the pins a pop with something if the joint is under load. not sure you can eliminate that....

[wa8yxm]

Nothing wrong with the simple A-Frame, and yes they work well, low cost.

I happen to like that with my Blue Ox I don't need to be perfectly centered when I hook up.. Just close, not straight in line, no problem a few inches off to one side, no problem.

And when I unhook,, Just fold it up and hang it on the motor home (Bracket provided)

Very good system

But a simple A-Frame is good too, nothing at all wrong with it.

[CJ7ole]

The part I like most with my setup is the extra $500-$1000 in my wallet!

Not having used an adjustable model before, how do they work and is the adjustment something positive, like a pin?

[Sixpack98]

Something to be said about a one pound hammer to disconnect the hitch ball. I've done that in the past when towing boats. Sometimes, less is more. I do have to say that my Falcon II all terrain with the lever sure is nice when it's raining, 110 degrees or 20 degrees. To me that was worth the extra $$. But, noting wrong with a $120 tow bar unless you lose the hammer. LOL

[Gary RVRoamer]

The A-towbars with the telescoping arms allow the towbar to extend or retract several inches in length and also to swing to either side, by lengthening one arm and shortening the other. The latch on each arm is a simple lever and the arm locks in the full extended position, which is always achieved as soon as you pull the tow vehicle forward a foot or so. That gives a lot of flexibility in getting the coupler onto the ball, so the car need only be fairly close to the right position and not dead on.

See the Acclaim in this picture:
http://www.blueox.us/Towbars/towbars.htm

or read the details here:
http://www.blueox.us/Towbars/bx4330.pdf

[full-timer]

I've used the A frame fulltime since 2000. Never have had to use a hammer. No problem for me.

Joe

[billyb]

just do it correctly, as i hate to see your tow vehicle coming at me.

[CJ7ole]

billyb,

Do what correctly? Which post are you referring to?

[duflochy]

bought my roadmaster 5000 at a flea market for 40 dollars, works just fine and stows on front of toad........

[melvonnar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by full-timer I've used the A frame fulltime since 2000. Never have had to use a hammer. No problem for me. Joe

I too have the cheap A frame;;;

had the ears replaced twice (new ones welded on) have towed two toads more than 200,000 miles. I woudn't trade it for all the fancy dancy ones out there.