Community Forums

fcurci · 05-08-2025, 07:56 PM

I have a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I tow behind my Foretravel. The tabs that attach the base plate to the tow bar are impossible to pull out. They turn in the base plate but are stuck inside and I can not pull them out. Any ideas on this? When I first had this installed several months ago it worked properly, but now they will not budge. I have cleaned the inside of the base plate and that doesn’t seem to be the problem. The tabs look fine, could it be a bad base plate?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Skip426 · 05-08-2025, 08:14 PM

Are you describing, a hidden Bule Ox base plate with the extenders , that rotate to lock in place prior to hooking up the tow bar ?

Have you contacted Blue Ox ?

FIRE UP · 05-08-2025, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcurci

I have a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I tow behind my Foretravel. The tabs that attach the base plate to the tow bar are impossible to pull out. They turn in the base plate but are stuck inside and I can not pull them out. Any ideas on this? When I first had this installed several months ago it worked properly, but now they will not budge. I have cleaned the inside of the base plate and that doesn’t seem to be the problem. The tabs look fine, could it be a bad base plate?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

First,
We have to make sure we're on the same page here. Your title mentions "Blue Ox". Now, typically, Blue Ox uses those very heavy, insert and twist to lock pins for connection to the base plate and adapt to their tow bar. Then, when it comes time to remove them, there's typically a ring, which is attached to a spring loaded pin-lock. You have to pull on that ring which releases the pin-lock and at the same time, twist the main rather large adapter the opposite direction you twisted it to insert it.

Once you're at that point, that big pin should pull right out. That's how that thing typically works.

Now second, you state when it was all setup some months ago, everything worked correctly and those adapter pins would insert, twist to lock, then twist to UNLOCK, and be able to be removed, correct? Now, you say they won't come out. I'm going to assume you're still releasing the pin-lock to reverse twist them before trying to remove them, correct?

Third, you say you have "cleaned the inside of the base plate", correct? Hmmm, I'm wondering, HOW can you clean the in INSIDE of the base plate IF the pins are still inserted????
Scott

P.S. I have linked a couple of pics to help make sure we're talking on the same page here. In the first pic, it's a layout of one of my tow bars and related equipment. In the lower part of the picture, just a bit to the right of center, you'll see those (2) large adapter pins that are the twist-to-lock adapters. Are those what you're speaking of?

And in the second pic, although it's a tad bit vague because it's BLACK and blends in with that part of the frame, it has a plug in the end of it, it's the recently installed left side base plate on our '21 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab Ecodiesel.

Traygar · 05-09-2025, 01:26 AM

I agree with the others that it's difficult to picture what is happening based on the way it's described. The word "tabs" doesn't sound like (but could be) the heavy chunks of steel that we insert, and then turn until it clicks. To remove those, we pull the pin, turn, and then pull out. It's hard to imagine those things turning until they stop, and then getting stuck from that point.

There are also pins that connect the tow bars to those heavy steel inserts, and if you're not on an even surface, they can be put in a bind and difficult to pull out. If you could post a picture of what you're talking about, it would be helpful and get you a better answer.

fcurci · 05-09-2025, 04:30 AM

Sorry that I wasn’t very clear on this. This is what I am describing:

“Now, typically, Blue Ox uses those very heavy, insert and twist to lock pins for connection to the base plate and adapt to their tow bar. Then, when it comes time to remove them, there's typically a ring, which is attached to a spring loaded pin-lock. You have to pull on that ring which releases the pin-lock and at the same time, twist the main rather large adapter the opposite direction you twisted it to insert it.”

These pins will rotate when I pull the ring but will not pull out. They are stuck. I can not pull them off even though they are rotated. I thought maybe there was some dirt inside, that is what I meant by I cleaned the inside.

Just frustrated that I can’t get them out.

MRUSA14 · 05-09-2025, 04:57 AM

Hard to imagine what is causing this to happen. I would call Blue-Ox, Alternately. I would tap the tabs with a rubber mallet to see if that would release them.

daveh5525 · 05-09-2025, 05:08 AM

I know the issue. Had the blue ox on old toad, dirt would accumulate inside the base plate making the stainless steel addapters hard to remove. I would be able to wiggle and pull them until they were free. Clean them up with WD40 and sand the addapters with emery cloth until they were shiny again. If they are left in the steel base plate will start to rust and the paint will breakdown had the addapters get hump up.

Dashus · 05-09-2025, 08:09 AM

I just had this problem after towing my Jeep for about 1209 miles. I shot some wd40 into the area hoping it would seep back to where the pin has the locking toggle. After letting it sit for a couple minutes I started pulling and wiggling the pins they both eventually came out.
Upon examination of the locking toggle I noticed the edges were raised slightly, like heavy pressure caused the metal to compress making the fit tighter.
I used a metal file to bring those edges down (wasn’t much). I am now able to insert pin, twist to lock, twist to release with no problem.

ChrisDParise · 05-09-2025, 09:18 AM

Send us pictures of your issue showing them in the locked and fully inserted position and also of them unlocked and rotated.

Dutch Star Don · 05-09-2025, 10:27 AM

First, operate them like a bad key in a lock, rotate and pull from various positions versus the full unlock position.

Next, I would call Blue Ox and see if they have a trick for getting them out. They may even send you some new ones if they're having an issue.

If no help from Blue Ox, I would lube the heck out of the inserts and then while putting pressure, like you're pulling them out, whack them with a rubber or nylon hammer to give them a jolt.

Worst case scenario, if you know they're legitimately stuck, you could put a rachet strap around them and then attach it to something solid, like a tree or pole. Let the vehicle roll back until the strap is snug (not piano string tight) but more pressure than you could apply with arm strength.

Don't stand in the path of the strap, throw a blanket over the strap and then strike the insert again with rubber mallet.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-09-2025, 12:22 PM

I had that problem with my last toad with thew Blue Ox base plate. They hadn't been removed for nearly a year and were stuck. Knowing how the twist & pull mechanism is supposed to work, I figured it must be rusty enough inside to prevent it from turning all the way to the unlock position. Step #1 was to apply a lot of penetrating oil/lube and letting it soak a bit. Did this a couple times to let it work in. Then used my large-sized, curved jaw, Vise-Grips and worked it back & forth until eventually the pin turned far enough to fully disengage and pull out. It was fine after that - slipped in/out just like new.

fcurci · 05-15-2025, 06:47 AM

Thanks for all the helpful tips. Finally got the tabs free. As it turns out there were burrs on the end the tab (the part that turns and locks it in) and this was preventing the tab from being removed. I was able to steel wool and file the burr off and they now work fine.

Thanks again.