Community Forums

plasma800 · 01-03-2014, 05:38 PM

On my blue ox setup, I have noticed it seems Impossible to pull the pins at the car if the vehicle is not perfectly straight behind the mh. Is this normal? Or am I just weird.

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-03-2014, 05:40 PM

It is difficult. Have someone get in the toad and turn the wheel. ( one way or the other ). It works.

plasma800 · 01-03-2014, 05:45 PM

It's like the knuckles bind and clamp down on the pin. I suppose shaking the wheel on the toad might help

336muffin · 01-03-2014, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

It is difficult. Have someone get in the toad and turn the wheel. ( one way or the other ). It works.

This works, been doing this for years.

FIRE UP · 01-03-2014, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasma800

On my blue ox setup, I have noticed it seems Impossible to pull the pins at the car if the vehicle is not perfectly straight behind the mh. Is this normal? Or am I just weird.

plasma800
No, you're not weird. It's "geometry" problem. You see, as you turn, there's a fair amount of torque involve in maneuvering your toad behind your coach. There's lots of stress on all the pivot points, including the vertical ones and horizontal ones. They are all designed to take that stress and torque for most of their life.

But, if you are in a turn when you stop and then, try and disconnect, you're in the middle of all that torque and stress between the toad and hitch on the coach. Now, if you're pointed straight ahead, and have been for at least quite a few feet, there's no stress on any of the joints. The only stress would be if the coach and toad is facing up hill or down hill. But, on level ground, you'll find the tow bar system disconnects with great ease.

But, if you must disconnect in a turn, be prepared to "fight" those disconnect points. Sometimes it's SERIOUSLY hard to disconnect, depending on towbar style/type, and conditions in the stopped turn. Yes, turning the steering wheel in the toad will sometime alleviate some of the stress but, again, it depends on just how off camber the two vehicles are. If possible, always try to disconnect AFTER you've traveled from a turn, and are headed straight for at least a few feet. Good luck.
Scott

00wabbit · 01-03-2014, 09:14 PM

Do you have the telescoping arms on your tow bar?

I do, with mine I put the toad parking brake on then step on the release levers to pop the arms free. This releases the pressure on the knuckles and it is easy to take off.

plasma800 · 01-03-2014, 09:35 PM

My fear is getting stuck, needing to back up... But can't cause the toad isn't straight, or .... Not having enough room to pull far enough ahead straight to get the toad off.

I almost found myself in that situation today in a tight parking lot

StevenNSteph · 01-03-2014, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00wabbit

Do you have the telescoping arms on your tow bar? I do, with mine I put the toad parking brake on then step on the release levers to pop the arms free. This releases the pressure on the knuckles and it is easy to take off.

X2 - Use the release levers and pulling the pins becomes easy peasy.

Cat · 01-03-2014, 10:01 PM

X3 release the levers first.

UsualSuspect · 01-04-2014, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasma800

On my blue ox setup, I have noticed it seems Impossible to pull the pins at the car if the vehicle is not perfectly straight behind the mh. Is this normal? Or am I just weird.

Go to 4:45 on this video by Blue Ox. They explain what to do when this happens.