Community Forums

deasnealy · 01-15-2016, 08:37 AM

I am at the Tampa RV show and having my 2nd blue ox service on a 5 year old Aladdin. I had one done about 2 years ago in Perry. No problems were identified at that service. The tech called me and said the part (not sure the technical name) that attaches the tow bar to car has a wobble and he cannot repair it. Offered 150 dollar trade. Said it could fail. I pull a CRV with it behind a Tiffin Red. No drop required. I find it hard to believe the tow bar could fail in 5 years. I have used it quite a bit, but when not in use its always covered. Is this something I should believe or is it salesmanship in the tech. Maybe they are too busy to repair it. I do not want to commit to a new tow bar here as I may be trading the car soon and want my options open.

I am going by the trailer as soon as the monsoon stops to discuss. If anyone has any thougghts please share! I appreciate your advice. I am aware it has a 3 year warranty, but really think I have not abused it and it should at least go for 7 years if maintained!

UFO Pilot · 01-15-2016, 03:24 PM

I had the same problem with my Aladdin at 5 years of age. Blue Ox finally gave me about $500 trade credit on a new Aventa. I wasn't happy but felt I had no other options.

Mr_D · 01-15-2016, 04:03 PM

Shouldn't be happening at that early an age.

Our RoadMaster Sterling was put into service in early 2005 and I've had it service by RoadMaster three times but they haven't had to replace any major parts, just some nylon spacers.

FIRE UP · 01-15-2016, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deasnealy

I am at the Tampa RV show and having my 2nd blue ox service on a 5 year old Aladdin. I had one done about 2 years ago in Perry. No problems were identified at that service. The tech called me and said the part (not sure the technical name) that attaches the tow bar to car has a wobble and he cannot repair it. Offered 150 dollar trade. Said it could fail. I pull a CRV with it behind a Tiffin Red. No drop required. I find it hard to believe the tow bar could fail in 5 years. I have used it quite a bit, but when not in use its always covered. Is this something I should believe or is it salesmanship in the tech. Maybe they are too busy to repair it. I do not want to commit to a new tow bar here as I may be trading the car soon and want my options open.

I am going by the trailer as soon as the monsoon stops to discuss. If anyone has any thougghts please share! I appreciate your advice. I am aware it has a 3 year warranty, but really think I have not abused it and it should at least go for 7 years if maintained!

Well Sir,
I certainly agree, 5 years is a bit too early for failure of parts. Blue Ox is a pretty well known brand and, has a somewhat good reputation. For one to fail at this early in life, does not promote that rep. I definitely would go to the repair center that has your tow bar and have them explain, in detail and show you where it's destined to fail and, just why it cannot be repaired. I've had two Blue Ox tow bars completely apart for my own inspection so, I'd definitely challenge them to show me the problem and why they cannot do anything about it.
Scott

PanJH · 01-16-2016, 06:43 AM

I had our Blue Ox in for service at the Tampa show also.... they called me to show the play between the arms and sleeves. They said it was excessive, about 1" and normal is less than 1/4". I did notice a lot of slop in the bar, that's why I took it in. Our bar was 15 years old so I just went with a new one, no sense in wrecking my new pickup due to a worn out tow bar.

chuckster52 · 01-16-2016, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deasnealy

I am at the Tampa RV show and having my 2nd blue ox service on a 5 year old Aladdin. I had one done about 2 years ago in Perry. No problems were identified at that service. The tech called me and said the part (not sure the technical name) that attaches the tow bar to car has a wobble and he cannot repair it. Offered 150 dollar trade. Said it could fail. I pull a CRV with it behind a Tiffin Red. No drop required. I find it hard to believe the tow bar could fail in 5 years. I have used it quite a bit, but when not in use its always covered. Is this something I should believe or is it salesmanship in the tech. Maybe they are too busy to repair it. I do not want to commit to a new tow bar here as I may be trading the car soon and want my options open.

I am going by the trailer as soon as the monsoon stops to discuss. If anyone has any thougghts please share! I appreciate your advice. I am aware it has a 3 year warranty, but really think I have not abused it and it should at least go for 7 years if maintained!

Probably would now go over to the Roadmaster both and but the Sterling, if that is the answer Blue Ox wanted to stay with....Not the great customer service I heard they were noted for.....Things must be changing!!

rream · 01-16-2016, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster52

Probably would now go over to the Roadmaster both and but the Sterling, if that is the answer Blue Ox wanted to stay with....Not the great customer service I heard they were noted for.....Things must be changing!!

Not necessarily OP said 5 years wear is based on use/miles towed - I replaced mine after 46,000 towed miles

Easyrider · 01-16-2016, 11:29 AM

I would do as already suggested, go look at the bar and have the tech show and explain what is worn, then based on what you find out, you can decide whether to purchase a new tow bar, fix the old one, or take it somewhere else and get another opinion.

UsualSuspect · 01-16-2016, 11:30 AM

I wonder how many miles were on the tow bar? In 5 years they can see little to ni use, or 100K of use.

Mr_D · 01-16-2016, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rream

Not necessarily OP said 5 years wear is based on use/miles towed - I replaced mine after 46,000 towed miles

Our Sterling is about that or higher and I have no plans on replacing it although I would like the new, non-binding one.

PanJH · 01-17-2016, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanJH

I had our Blue Ox in for service at the Tampa show also.... they called me to show the play between the arms and sleeves. They said it was excessive, about 1" and normal is less than 1/4". I did notice a lot of slop in the bar, that's why I took it in. Our bar was 15 years old so I just went with a new one, no sense in wrecking my new pickup due to a worn out tow bar.

btw, We had about 110,000 miles on that bar

brobox · 01-17-2016, 05:43 PM

I have to agree with the tech. My Aladdin was a piece of junk, it snapped in half. Believe the tech and replace it before some serious damage happens. After my experience, I replaced the Blue Ox with a Ready Brute. Much better tow bar with a lifetime guaranty.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/tow-b...ml#post1860041

wa8yxm · 01-18-2016, 07:31 AM

This is kind of dependent on how you feel about your tow bar.. If you are willing to trust it for a few more months.. There is a a little town in Nebraska named Pender.. There is a factory in Pender. The road entering the factory is , as I call, on the east side of the building but on the north side (Cross road) is a nice little campground.

Plan on spending a week night or 3 there.. And during business hours hike over to the factory and chat with the good folks who MAKE Blue-ox Products... They can most likely fix it

rream · 01-18-2016, 09:00 AM

There are many things you are not supposed to do with a tow bar IE backing ups and using them on really rough roads - however people still do these things and then blame the product.

I have personally seen people backing up