Community Forums

jrj89134 · 09-12-2020, 06:54 PM

I have a 4 month old blue ok and one arm does not seem to lock. Does the lever need to lock so you cannot move it. Maybe I’m confused on how it operates? Thanks for any help.

RVThere · 09-12-2020, 07:27 PM

Both sides should lock as you move the coach away from the toad.

Make sure the release handles are pulled up so the lock can engage.

AllanK · 09-13-2020, 08:22 AM

It was suggested to me to push your toad back once you are hooked up to make sure both arms lock.

Randy125 · 09-13-2020, 08:38 AM

Pull on both arms to see if they lock in and feel and sound the same.

AllanK · 09-13-2020, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy125

Pull on both arms to see if they lock in and feel and sound the same.

but be careful not to pull on the boot, they are not attached very well and are a little tricky to get secured again.

Old Scout · 09-13-2020, 08:53 AM

...if you hook up on a slight angle, one of the arms is unlikely to lock.....if locking spring is intact--arm should eventually lock....on occasion, I have to pull the towed FORWARD a few feet so the towed aligns squarely behind RV which allows both arms to be centered so they can lock in place....

Bigd9 · 09-13-2020, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrj89134

I have a 4 month old blue ok and one arm does not seem to lock. Does the lever need to lock so you cannot move it. Maybe I’m confused on how it operates? Thanks for any help.

What model towbar do you have?
When not connected to the toad, can you pull the arms out and see/hear them lock?
Is the bar new, or did you buy it used 4 months ago?
If the toad is hooked to the bar, is it at an angle to the RV, or is it inline with the RV?

Normally when we hook up to the toad, Sharon pulls the Honda forward into position, and I hook the towbar to the toad, then signal for her to slowly back up until the arms lock. If for some reason the Honda isn't inline with the coach I have to gently pull the coach forward until I see the bar arms lock.

jrj89134 · 09-13-2020, 09:27 AM

Thanks

Mike8253 · 09-13-2020, 09:28 AM

All the prior commitments are right on. But to be completely clear, both towbar arms must absolutely be locked when towing your vehicle. If one fails to lock, or if compression causes it to unlock when you brake, your toad will move off to the side of the locked arm as the unlocked arm compresses. That risks damage to your toad. Presuming you do not have a hardware issue with your lock mechanisms (you need to make sure of that), there are a few procedures you can use to assure and test that both arms are locked before you drive off. And you do need to test they are locked every time you hook up. All the major towbar manufacturers have YouTube vidoes that you should watch on the subject. That way you get a clear picture of what needs to be done before you head out. And you can watch it as many times as you want.