Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Toads and Motorhome Related Towing
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-11-2010, 09:20 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Lakeman1's Avatar
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lakemurray,SC
Posts: 1,400
Blue OX Aladdin tow bar

I have a Blue OX Aladdin tow bar and I have noticed when the bar is extended all the way (locked) there is a lot of "slop" in the bar. You can move it all over. Is this normal or is this thing worn out?
__________________
2004 Pace Arrow 37-C WH W-22 (sold)
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
US Navy, USS Ranger CVA-61, 61-64
Lakeman1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 11-11-2010, 09:43 PM   #2
bnb1313@aol.com
 
BigSkyBob's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Western Montana on the Divide
Posts: 1,561
My Blue Ox Aventa II had some slop in it when it was brand new. I've been towing with it three years and it hasn't changed any. I notice in my rear view camera my truck wanders just a little when I'm towing but nothing I'd be concerned about. I had some slop where my 8" riser mounted into the 2" receiver on the coach so I installed a Hitch Quieter on that and it's tight now.
__________________
Bob Retired Army Traveling alone now, had to put Charlie the Beagle down :(.
2008 Camelot 40 PDQ 4 slides ISL400 towing a 2020 1500 GMC Sierra Denali 4x4 Crewcab
Western MT in summer, AZ, NV in winter
BigSkyBob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 08:37 AM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 28,503
Doesn't sound normal to me & we have a Blue Ox Aventa LX.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 10:16 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 799
When I bought a Blue Ox Aladdin in 1999 I noticed a very slight (normal) amount of movement in the arms when they were extended. Once a year I had the tow bar serviced by Blue Ox and each year the arm movement (or slop) got a little worse. In September I once again asked Blue Ox to service it at a rally and their technician said something like "Oh my goodness, those arms are getting ready to pop out. Your tow bar is unsafe."

So after 11+ years and 107,000 miles towing I decided it was time to replace it. Blue Ox gave me their "show price" for a new Aladdin, minus a $150 trade-in credit, minus another $60 discount for a quanity purchase. (A friend also bought one.)

The newest Aladdin tow bar has heavier arms than the old one and is much stronger and built to last. If it last another 11+ years and over 100,000 miles I will be happy.
Norm4015 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 06:25 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Lakeman1's Avatar
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lakemurray,SC
Posts: 1,400
Norm I will have to check it again, wasn't too concerned before. How much is too much? I think I'll drop Blue OX a line also. Thanks for the heads up.
__________________
2004 Pace Arrow 37-C WH W-22 (sold)
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
US Navy, USS Ranger CVA-61, 61-64
Lakeman1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 06:54 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 799
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete & Linda View Post
Norm I will have to check it again, wasn't too concerned before. How much is too much? I think I'll drop Blue OX a line also. Thanks for the heads up.
If you're like me and extend the arms and check the movement and think "This is not normal", then it is probably time to replace the tow bar. I was at a large rally in September and Blue Ox had a sales booth and a technician doing service. When he looked at mine he said it was worn out and unsafe. (He didn't charge me the normal $25 service fee.)

I bought a new heavier weight Aladdin tow bar and it came with new safety cables and new pins. The technician brought it to my motorhome and installed it in the hitch and took my old one away. He said my old Aladdin would be returned to their plant in Nebraska and destroyed because it was unsafe to tow a car.

He told me an Aladdin tow bar should get 60K - 80K miles before needing replacement. Mine had 107K.
Norm4015 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2010, 06:57 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Lakeman1's Avatar
 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lakemurray,SC
Posts: 1,400
Thanks Norm
__________________
2004 Pace Arrow 37-C WH W-22 (sold)
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
US Navy, USS Ranger CVA-61, 61-64
Lakeman1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Blue ox tow bar resindiana Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 11 12-18-2010 11:59 AM
08/09 Jeep Liberty Tow Bar Bracket picture joneldbrat Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 1 03-15-2009 08:05 PM
Blue Ox, Tow bar rubber arm covers!! Tenn.Vol. Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 6 03-30-2008 04:57 AM
Blue Ox Tow Bars Mikeeg Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 8 02-03-2008 06:53 AM
Blue Ox tow bracket failure-Anyone else experience it? JanBCarter Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 43 01-28-2008 08:32 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.