Boots or no boots?

[weird]

I recently serviced my Blue Ox tow bar. It has rubber boots covering the extension rods (don't know what they are called). The extension rods were surprisingly clean and worked freely despite me not cleaning them for a few years.

I've noticed that other tow bars leave the extension rods exposed.

Without getting into, "Mine is better than yours", comments, do you feel the boots help or hinder? Just curious.

[TonyDi]

Anything that keeps road grime and dirt out of the tow bar is good.

[GWBGE]

You basically answered your own question in your first paragraph. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[weird]

Then why don't other manufactures do the same? It does seem like an obvious thing to do.

[Mike8253]

Don't know about today's Blue Ox towbars, but on the one I previously owned, you were supposed to apply a specific type of lubricant to those extension tubes that are enclosed in those boots. I renewed that lubricant each year. Those boots kept road dirt and grime out of that lubricant.

Edit: Just found the instructions below for the Ascent Towbar:
Approximately once per year or if it is difficult to move the legs in and out, remove the small cable ties holding the rubber boots to the legs and slide the boots back. Clean off the inner legs with a silicone spray or brake cleaner. Apply a light coat of multipurpose grease to each leg to ensure a smooth operation. Secure each boot back in place with an 8” UV rated nylon cable tie.

[bentjm]

I don't see how it makes much difference either way.

The bars are locked as you are going down the road - they are not sliding in and out.

How many times a year does the average RVer use their tow bar? My bars might slide in and out 20-30 times a year as I attach and unattach the TOAD.