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Old 07-23-2018, 07:26 AM   #1
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Blue Ox Tow Bar Failure

Thankfully this happened at low speed and close to home. Factory reminded me that tow bars have 10 year 70,000 mile lifetime. This one was purchased in 2006.
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Old 07-23-2018, 07:29 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by teekay View Post
Thankfully this happened at low speed and close to home. Factory reminded me that tow bars have 10 year 70,000 mile lifetime. This one was purchased in 2006.
Had you had it serviced? Just curious if that would extend its life.
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Old 07-23-2018, 07:35 AM   #3
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That towbar looks like it has seen better days.
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Old 07-23-2018, 07:38 AM   #4
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Wow Was it just the tow bar that went bad or did it also damage the base plate? Never knew about that 10 year 70,000 mile lifetime - thanks. I started using a Blue Ox tow bar last Nov. and have about 7,000 miles on it.
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Old 07-23-2018, 07:43 AM   #5
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Looks like i'm due for a new one.
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Old 07-23-2018, 07:55 AM   #6
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Thankfully this happened at low speed and close to home. Factory reminded me that tow bars have 10 year 70,000 mile lifetime. This one was purchased in 2006.
What model tow bar is that, and what do/did you tow with it? Just curious as I have one that is 6 years old and about 50,000 miles on it.
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Old 07-23-2018, 08:05 AM   #7
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We got our first Blue Ox Aventa in 2006 but it was the version before the ball connection. We only had the bar services one when we were at an Escapade.

In 2016 we replaced the bar with a new Aventa with the ball connection. We replaced the original bar but not because it wasn't working. We wanted to do some rebuilding, new bolts, washers, spacers, and new claws. By the time we added up the parts, it was getting to be a big number.

We got a good price on the Aventa and got new 10K safety cables to boot.

I guess we just meet the 10 year mark.

I would recommend that if you are ever in an event where Blue Ox has a booth, take advantage of the inspection deal. It is well worth it.

With the exception of some rust on the claws, the bar in the photo didn't look that bad, just the shaft lock didn't hold.
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Old 07-23-2018, 08:17 AM   #8
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Is it possible the safety cables snagged the release lever??
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Old 07-23-2018, 08:19 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Dale & Mark Bruss View Post


With the exception of some rust on the claws, the bar in the photo didn't look that bad, just the shaft lock didn't hold.
Or perhaps it just never locked ?
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Old 07-23-2018, 08:56 AM   #10
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Here's my Blue Ox towbar cracked saga from a few years ago:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/blue-...ph-155643.html

Did you make a real tight turn just before it failed?
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Old 07-23-2018, 09:07 AM   #11
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Yeaaah, I'll stick with my $90 Reese towbar with lifetime warranty.
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Old 07-23-2018, 09:12 AM   #12
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Here's my Blue Ox towbar cracked saga from a few years ago:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/blue-...ph-155643.html

Did you make a real tight turn just before it failed?
Did you ever hear anything from Blue Ox on that failure.
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Old 07-23-2018, 09:20 AM   #13
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The original poster picture looks like something on my Blue Ox from the other day. After I hook up I back up the TOAD gently and DW watches the release handles. One will always click and sometimes both. According to Blue Ox, just turn the wheel in the direction of the one that did not click in place and pull forward and that should lock it in place.

Well, either by mixed signals or just plain my fault (not really) I turned the wheel towards the one that did lock. Pulled forward and the tow bar looked like the one the OP posted. Got in the car, turned the wheel toward the collapsed bar and pulled forward with the MH again. All was well with both bars extended and locked.
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Old 07-23-2018, 12:57 PM   #14
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A few year ago we were leaving for Q and just like the OP one of my levers would not lock. I created a crude Rube Goldberg device with some hose clamps and wire ties. Used a square tube under the lever. Made it to Q and took the TB to the Blue Ox tent. Next day and $25.00 later was like new. Whenever we go to Q I take the tow bar to their tent and have it checked out.
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