Community Forums

Fogbelly · 02-13-2020, 07:36 AM

Why should I spent the extra money for a premium tow bar such as Blue Ox when I can get a Reese plain jane for hundreds of $ less?

What justifies the increased cost?

aether_one · 02-13-2020, 07:45 AM

That's a good question and one I can't answer since I went the Reese sub-$100 route. Maybe due to the movable length arms for "easy" hookup?

I can hookup my fixed length arms Reese in a couple of minutes. Way easier driving forward in a toad than backing a truck to a fixed trailer hitch.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-13-2020, 11:25 AM

It's not the brand so much as the level of convenience. Blue Ox makes plain jane models too. Personally I feel the high end models (motorhome mounted, swivel arms, etc) are so much easier they are worth the price. Especially as you get older and place more value on your time & effort. Your mileage may vary.

EA37TS · 02-13-2020, 11:54 AM

Get two motorhomes side by side on uneven ground on an incline with one having the low end towbar and the other having a higher end non-binding RoadMaster or Blue Ox. Disconnect the 2 and you should have your answer.

As with everything, buy what you feel confortable with but if you buy 100.00 don't complain about getting 100.00 value or capability. You get what you pay for in quality and ease of use.

For the record, I use the RoadMaster Sterling non-binding all terrain towbar and I am very happy with the decision to do so. I can be rolling down the road while others are still fighting their hook-up.

Fogbelly · 02-13-2020, 01:14 PM

I understand now. Convenience certainly does add value.
I'm old enough to not want a balky hitch.

Thanks

doc · 02-13-2020, 01:23 PM

Gary is right. Imagine a rainy morning, your site is not yours anymore after 12:00 noon, the road is narrow and you are trying to hook up and stay dry. That cheap A frame tow bar can be aggravating lining it up center wise and distance wise. After about the 5th try that adjustable expensive bar gets to looking better.

**Lt Dan** · 02-13-2020, 02:33 PM

Our friends have a Jeep with a fixed tow bar which I have towed a few times. I'ts a PITA to hook up as you have to line up the ball hitch exactly. It's not easy to do even with one person guiding and almost impossible by yourself. On the other hand, with our Demco tow bar I don't have to be exact with line up, just hook up and back the Jeep up until at least one bar locks. Then when you pull out weave back and forth a couple of times and the other bar locks. Very easy to do by myself.