Toad lock pins won't come out

[Droberts9747]

When unhooking my blueox the pins are so tight I have been driving them out with a hammer and smaller dia. Pin. I see with the newer blueox set ups there is a release lever. My old falcon 5200 has buttons to do that but they are to tight to press in. Has anyone dealt with this?

[topdownman]

The Falcon comes with a release lever to press the buttons. It's separate from the tow bar. That said, the pins on my Falcon are often difficult to remove if there's the slightest bind or tension in the system.

[Air Baron]

Mine won't come out either if the weight of the toad is pulling or pushing against the pins. Try releasing the load...

[Shellback1]

Originally Posted by Droberts9747

When unhooking my blueox the pins are so tight I have been driving them out with a hammer and smaller dia. Pin. I see with the newer blueox set ups there is a release lever. My old falcon 5200 has buttons to do that but they are to tight to press in. Has anyone dealt with this?

I keep a hammer and drift pin in the trunk. Unless I'm really level I have to drive them out, pain in the A$$$$$.

[JohnBoyToo]

just like with any hookup, pull up or back a bit to relieve pressure and don't hammer it, may deform pins and make it even harder

obviously you've tried some lubricant to clean up the pins and holes of any rust, etc ?

[TomandGloria]

Same thing with mine. I usually release tow bar tension then move my car forward or back to release tensions they always come out without any problem.

[Statgeek]

I used to use the hammer until I realized a much simpler and safer process...turn on the ignition to the toad (to power up the steering) and then turn the steering wheel right or left. One way will make it looser and those pins will come right out. It's a torque issue.

Also--any incline or decline will torque the pins too so you need to be level.

[Statgeek]

Oh--and Tom is absolutely correct in releasing the arms of the tow bar itself. Anything that releases torque...

[wilanddij]

Never have a problem getting the pins out with my Aventa II. Usually, one locking handle will be easy to release and one side will be hard. 1) put the toad in gear or set the parking brake, 2) release the lever that has the least binding and loop your safety cable or a bungee over it to hold it down, 3) release the other side and hold it down the same way, 4) start the toad and move it ahead a couple of inches, 5) pull the pins without hammering.

[Bigd9]

Just in case you didn't know, Blue Ox will inspect and recondition your tow bar for $35, or at rallies will do it for free. If the bar needs major parts they will charge extra for them. Or like for mine, the technician took mine apart, called me and came over to my campsite and showed me dangerously elongated holes he found in the bar and gave me an option of repairing my existing bar or $200 off the price of a new one.

Also Blue Ox has a nice campground with full hookups at their manufacturing facilities in Pender, Nebraska. This campground is free if you are getting any work done on any Blue Ox products. They also give factory tours.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by Droberts9747

When unhooking my blueox the pins are so tight I have been driving them out with a hammer and smaller dia. Pin. I see with the newer blueox set ups there is a release lever. My old falcon 5200 has buttons to do that but they are to tight to press in. Has anyone dealt with this?

Droberts9747
I don't know about the Blue Ox tow bars but my Roadmaster Falcon "All-Terrain" towbar has "release levers".
Back when I had a Roadmaster "Falcon 2 5200" tow bar I smacked the "release buttons" with a rubber hammer if/when the bars/pins "bound up".
Mel
'96 Safari

[Old Scout]

Dont know about abating rust but dont think Blue Ox advocates lubricating the pins. Most lubs tend to collect dust and grit which adds to the normal wear factors....

[TonyDi]

I have the Aventa LX and I just push the release arms and it solves the problem. If not start the toad and and use the engine to take the tension off. The pins will slide right out.

[JMonroe]

99% of the time releasing the lock levers will allow me to pull the pins. Once in a blue moon I may have to move the Jeep an inch forward or back, depending on the incline I might be on. I've never had to resort to a hammer.