trouble disconnecting

[Fred B.]

Have a brand new Aladdin towbar & a new base plate (Blue Ox) & when I go to unhook one or the other arms cannot be released without disconnecting the free one & then putting the car in gear (either forward or reverse) to get the arm to release. never had a problem with the old Roadmaster towbar with the no bind feature. Blue Ox says turn your wheels, but that doesn't work. I'm tempted to put the old RUSTY Roadmaster towbar back on. Is there some trick or is this normal?

[mfire1339]

Fred, Mine does the same on occasion. Drives me nuts sometimes. Seems if it has a slight pulling load it is easier to release.

Mike

[AFChap]

I have a Blue Ox Aventa II. As long as I am not in a hard turn I have no problems disconnecting. If one side is too tight, turning the steering wheel toward that side normally does the trick. However, if on an incline, I do sometimes loop my safety cables over the levers to hold/pull them down, then put the car in gear in the uphill direction to take the pressure off.

[mrschwarz]

With my Adventa II, I find if I put the car in drive and apply the parking brake, I can hit the release levers with my foot and they always loosen up. I haven't had to do it on a hill in the past 4 years so I cannot comment on the difficulty of that.

[GaryKD]

Hi Fred B.,
Try starting the toad and turning the steering wheel all the way to the right or left. If one way does not work turn the steering wheel the other way.

[BigSkyBob]

I've experienced the same problem with my Aventa II tow bar since it was new a year ago. Even if I'm relatively level and straight I still have to play with the release levers to get it to release. I've taken to wrapping a Velcro strap around the loose lever and wrapping a bungie around the other then turning the wheels one way or the other until it releases. I also had a Roadmaster All Terrain that released no matter what position I was in, but alas.

[chasfm11]

We have a Falcon2 and occasionally it is very difficult to release. From using it for more than 5 years now, I believe:

1. No tow bar is going to release if the toad is "downhill" from the MH. If I'm on a grade, with the toad lower, I don't even bother trying to release until I start the toad, nudge it forward an inch or so and put the emergency brake on the toad. Now, I've got a fighting chance.
2. The same can be true if the toad is more uphill than the MH. I actually believe this can be more difficult to deal with. Simply starting the toad and trying to back up is harder to gauge when I've "unloaded" the tow bar.

I'd agree that if the tow bar is out at a slight angle, one of the bars will release easily and the other is a real pain. The technique of starting the toad and turning the wheels side to side will often cure this problem, however.

I don't know about yours but Roadmaster recommends periodic lubrication of the Falcon2. I've learned that life gets better when I follow their recommendation.

Charlie

[Fred B.]

Thanks to all, I guess I'll either have to put up with this or the Rust on the old Roadmaster All Terrain with the blue ox brackets. I really don't like putting it in gear even with the emergency brake on.

[Submustang]

My old Duncan was a bear unless it was perfectly level. I would have to work the truck back and forth in gear until I had it just right. My Sterling All-terrain always releases.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I seldom have a problem with my Blue Ox Adventa LX, but I always try to unhook on level ground with the coach & toad in a straight line. There is usually a good spot somewhere in a campground if you keep your eye open for it.

[Techie]

Usually it is only a problem for us if there is a significant angle between the rig & toad.

If turning the steering wheel doesn't release it then on the rare occasion when we have a problem we'll back the toad, but it in park but parking brake off. That provides a little give to the arms although it may allow the toad to move forward a bit when you unlock. Blue Ox Adventa II is our bar.

[wa8yxm]

I have the blue ox.. Sometimes I need to get kind of forceful to make it release. but usually it means the car is pushing on the tow bar, You can put your well padded part against the bumper of the car with your legs slightly bent, then straighten your legs, and that will relieve the pressure on the bar.