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deputydog · 07-09-2020, 08:47 PM

I just received my Blue Ox Ascent tow bar and did a trial hookup and have a question. The manual (as well as several Youtube videos I've watched) say that after you hook it up you slowly move the RV forward and when the arms lock the release arms will "pop up". Some of the videos say that they can watch this on their rear view cameras.

This has me totally puzzled since without the bar hooked to the toad and with the arms totally collapsed the lever mechanism is in exactly the same position as it is when the bar is locked. If you look at the side of the mechanism opposite the release handle you can see a circular disk with a segment cut out and a black stop pin that rides within the cut out segment. The pin is at the end of the segment when fully collapsed and also when in the fully extended position and anywhere in between except when transitioning the locking area. The only time the pin is not stopping the lever is when it is in the process of locking where the lever moves down as the arm approaches the locked position and then pops back up to it's original position once in the fully locked position. I find it hard to believe folks can see that through the video camera since the angle is from overhead.

One video has a rep of Blue Ox and he says the lever will be slightly higher when latched which is not possible based on my towbar.

Unless the arm is moving across the locking mechanism there is no way to tell if the arm is locked or just before locking begins. The only way I can see to be sure is to mark and measure the tow bar arms when fully extended and locked by hand and then measure each time you hook up.

I'm gonna call Blue Ox tomorrow, but any thoughts are appreciated.

**TonyDi** · 07-09-2020, 09:44 PM

When I hook up I back the toad up. You can hear it lock into place with your windows down. I start the toad and put it into gear at idle if the arms are not locked you will move forward. If you don't move they have locked. This is the point I put the toad into neutral. On my Wrangler I then test to make sure I'm in neutral.

weighit · 07-09-2020, 10:03 PM

I don't think I can make the arms lock by pulling the rods. I do know that when I hook up the car and move the motorhome less than a few inches the arms lock like they should. Have to depress the levers down to make them free again when I'm ready to unhook.

harleyjt · 07-09-2020, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

When I hook up I back the toad up. You can hear it lock into place with your windows down. I start the toad and put it into gear at idle if the arms are not locked you will move forward. If you don't move they have locked. This is the point I put the toad into neutral. On my Wrangler I then test to make sure I'm in neutral.

Pretty much what we do. Wife backs Jeep up slightly while I watch and the levers pop. You can see it and hear it. Then we shift the t/case to N, etc.
jt

Spk64 · 07-10-2020, 07:19 AM

This is my procedure when solo.
Connect tow bar
Back up Toad slowly till it stops
If only one side locks toad will pull slightly more on unlocked side.
Turn steering wheel slightly towards unlocked side
Toad in neutral, and finish prep for towing

Carefully observe toad when taking off in mirrors and camera.

Quick and easy, no problems.

Crasher · 07-10-2020, 07:22 AM

If you are not in direct line when hooking up, it's possible for just one side to latch when backing up. Not a problem. Just slowly drive the MH ahead with slight turns from side to side. The second side will hook when it can.

deputydog · 07-10-2020, 08:00 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I think what they (Blue Ox) are describing is the fact that the levers go down and then back up when they lock. It's just that they act like they "pop" up further when locked which is not the case. They are only at a different height when they are in the process of locking.

Pigman1 · 07-10-2020, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spk64

This is my procedure when solo.
Connect tow bar
Back up Toad slowly till it stops
If only one side locks toad will pull slightly more on unlocked side.
Turn steering wheel slightly towards unlocked side
Toad in neutral, and finish prep for towing

Carefully observe toad when taking off in mirrors and camera.

Quick and easy, no problems.

Yep, that's the procedure we use. An added note, once you start the rig and toad forward, watch the camera as you steer gently to one side than the other. If one of the arms isn't locked it will be immediately obvious. This whole check can be done in about 10 feet.

deputydog · 07-10-2020, 04:35 PM

I extended the arms manually until they locked and then measured from the hookup arm bolt to the latch assembly and cut a dowel to that length - now I can just put the dowel against either arm and instantly tell if it is latched.

The range over which the levers are active is about an inch so it's easy to tell with the dowel.

Kinda fool proof (until I loose the dowel). By then it won't be new to me and I will be able to do it like you guys and be confident of it being latched.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions!