Community Forums

Floridakamper · 08-04-2014, 09:13 AM

I just had a 2014 Equinox set up to tow with Blue Ox gear. Towed for the first time today and all seemed well except looking in the rear view camera, the car seemed off center, slightly more to the passenger side. My wife followed in another car to check lights, etc. She said the car tracked steady behind the MH but she noticed it slightly off center also. We towed a Vue with a Roadmaster tow bar before this car and it was centered right behind. Visually checking the tow bar and base plate, everything looks good and square to the eye. Any ideas? I'll be watching for tire wear and checking any thing I can think of. Thanks. Bob

CJBROWN · 08-04-2014, 10:52 AM

Likely an optical illusion. You can put a tape on the hitch and towbar arms on full extend for any discrepancies. They are locking out fully, right?

Floridakamper · 08-04-2014, 11:09 AM

The next time we tow is next Monday. I'll check everything again next week.

CoCoDave · 08-04-2014, 11:37 AM

Bob,

The first time I towed using a new Blue Ox Aladdin 7,500 lb tow bar one of the bars failed to lock and it did indeed track off to one side. I've learned to turn the toad steering wheel to the left or right after connecting the tow bar.

Leave the toad wheels turned in the direction of the unlocked bar. That way when you start to move the toad will pull in a way to extend the unlocked bar to the locked position.

Turning the toad steering wheel is also handy for taking the tension off the bars when trying to unlock them in the process of unhooking.

FWIW

**TonyDi** · 08-04-2014, 01:10 PM

I always make sure the arms lock into place. To double check, after travelling about 1/4 mile, I stop and inspect to make sure all is well.

Floridakamper · 08-04-2014, 01:18 PM

After hooking up each arm I always push the car back. That checks to make sure the car is in neutral and it locks one arm. I try to go left and right when starting off to lock the arms. I also hit the brakes hard enough to activate the Brake Buddy thinking that would also check locking of the arms. When stopped, I'm not sure how you would visually know the arms are locked except maybe measuring.

bruceisla · 08-04-2014, 01:21 PM

And also make sure the steering wheel is unlocked.

Floridakamper · 08-08-2014, 02:14 PM

I towed again yesterday. On a narrow road at slow speed, it still seemed like the car was tracking off center. When I got on a multi-lane highway at highway speeds, everything looked good to me viewing the rear view camera and to my spouse following me. I'm thinking all is well. Part of the issue might be my increased attention because of a new car and because of switching tow systems to Blue Ox. On the Equinox, I think it world be hard to have the key in the wrong position. After I put the car in neutral, turning the key fully counter clockwise should have it in the accessory position, and the key cannot be removed with the shift lever in neutral. At least that's what it looks like to me.