Community Forums

StuartS · 10-05-2016, 08:37 PM

Time to pull the trigger between Roadmaster or Blue Ox..
I am only looking at 10,000lb tow bars & will be setting up a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Have heard about failures with BlueOx but not sure if the failures were with the 10,000lb tow bars or the lighter rated ones.

Roadmaster or Blue Ox ??
What to do...

Dale & Mark Bruss · 10-05-2016, 08:48 PM

Been using a 10K Blue Ox for 10 years.

2 Stroker · 10-05-2016, 09:07 PM

We just got the Ford Edge wt. 4800 lbs + or - had and older Roadmaster 6k tow bar to close for comfort so we got the BlackHawk 10k, great tow bar. I like the added support of the cross bar.
2 stroker

FIRE UP · 10-05-2016, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartS

Time to pull the trigger between Roadmaster or Blue Ox..
I am only looking at 10,000lb tow bars & will be setting up a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Have heard about failures with BlueOx but not sure if the failures were with the 10,000lb tow bars or the lighter rated ones.

Roadmaster or Blue Ox ??
What to do...

Well Sir,
First of all, in reality, there's not been all that many "failures" of the Blue Ox. And, what there has been, is primarily applied to the Aluminum ones. I had one for 6-7 years and it worked flawless 'till I recently sold it. I also have the Blue Ox Aventa II and, it's the 10,000 Steel unit. It's a fair bit heavier to handle but, not all that bad.

What may influence your decision is the way either one hooks to the toad. There may be differences that are more appealing to you on one or the other. They're both a collapsable tow bar and one more thing, you'll have to determine whether you want the kind that stay with the coach when disconnected or, stays with the toad. My older Roadmaster was one that stayed with the toad. But, they may have another model out now. Good luck.
Scott

Pigman1 · 10-05-2016, 09:43 PM

HIGHLY recommend the Roadmaster Blackhawk. We used Blue Ox for many years but they began to wear so badly that I had to shim the pivot points and bolt holes with steel shim stock at an increasingly rapid rate. We had our tow bars services annually by Blue Ox at Quartzsite and even new parts did not solve this issue. We tow a full size pickup and when fishing in Alaska we return with the truck in the 8,000 pound range. An additional positive point for the Roadmaster is that it can be disconnected without the coach and tow having to be in the same straight line.

JFXG · 10-06-2016, 12:16 AM

When I bought our '02 DS four years ago it had a similarly aged Roadmaster Sterling included. Very robust assembly. I just had to buy a proper baseplate for our toad. By last winter (~25K miles) the extension arms were getting quite stiff, and as far as I could tell it had never had any maintenance other than cleaning.
The tech folks at Roadmaster were extremely helpful and knowledgeable with their advice and instruction, and sent me three small parts kits that basically comprised a complete rebuild other than the body tubes and extension arms. My Roadmaster is now like new.

Short version: solid, robust product, easy to maintain DIY or shop service, great customer service, parts readily available, and sharp, helpful techs.

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12 02 DS40, FL, Cat, '04 Element NHSO RVM103

Arch Hoagland · 10-06-2016, 12:27 AM

I think either one will serve you fine. I've been on several RV forums for years and have seen very few complaints about either product.

I use a Sterling towbar and it claims to be "Never Bind." Wrong.

I try to be on the level and straight when I disconnect else-wise it can be hard to release.

twojayhawks · 10-06-2016, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Stroker

We just got the Ford Edge wt. 4800 lbs + or - had and older Roadmaster 6k tow bar to close for comfort so we got the BlackHawk 10k, great tow bar. I like the added support of the cross bar.
2 stroker

The new Edge must have gained some weight my 2014 is a shade over 4000 lbs.

Busskipper · 10-06-2016, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartS

Time to pull the trigger between Roadmaster or Blue Ox..
I am only looking at 10,000lb tow bars & will be setting up a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Have heard about failures with BlueOx but not sure if the failures were with the 10,000lb tow bars or the lighter rated ones.

Roadmaster or Blue Ox ??
What to do...

I've had both and the Blue Ox is the better of the two in every way.

JMHO,

Hit_the_Rhod · 10-06-2016, 07:24 AM

Google "tow bar failures" and start reading. Without going into manufacturer bashing, there are definite trends on failures there.

You might also consider the Demco tow bars. Lifetime guarantee and free routine maintenance on their tow bars. You can either schedule an appointment at the factory and drop it by, they'll go through it while you watch free of charge, find them at a rally, or mail it in. Our last time it cost about $25.00 to ship it in, they replaced seals, inspected etc, and shipped it back for free! And we're the 2nd owner. Just a thought.

trimacon · 10-06-2016, 07:36 AM

My N=1 with Blue Ox Aventa on first trip, about 1200 miles travelled. Buyer beware.

trimacon · 10-06-2016, 07:40 AM

dbeth52 · 10-06-2016, 08:41 AM

We have a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Red 37PA and tow a 2015 Jeep Wrangler and we use the Roadmaster Sterling All-Terrain tow package. Easy to hookup and easy to unhook. We've traveled throughout the Midwest with no problems at all. Highly recommend it.

2 Stroker · 10-06-2016, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twojayhawks

The new Edge must have gained some weight my 2014 is a shade over 4000 lbs.

Well the next time I go by the truck scales on hwy 30, I will go across again to double check. My wt was 5050lbs with the 2 of us in it, I know the wife said I need to lose a few lbs
2 stroker