Community Forums

PushedAround · 07-22-2014, 05:47 AM

No, that coupling is supposed to be attached to a tab on the baseplate so that the quick disconnect crossbar (not fully seen in the picture) has a backup point of attachment. Through the two cables, it creates a complete secondary safety system between the frame mounted baseplate on the toad and the receiver on the MH.

Nowayout · 07-22-2014, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PushedAround

No, that coupling is supposed to be attached to a tab on the baseplate so that the quick disconnect crossbar (not fully seen in the picture) has a backup point of attachment. Through the two cables, it creates a complete secondary safety system between the frame mounted baseplate on the toad and the receiver on the MH.

I think they are using the HEAVY DUTY zip ties!

You are correct. The cables can connect to the QD crossbar as long as it has another connection back to the frame. Since the QD crossbar is removable, it can't be the sole attachment point for the safety cable. It has to have another tie to the frame.

This page from the Roadmaster pdf shows it correctly. They use a shorter length of cable that goes back to the baseplate that is bolted to the frame.

roadmasterinc.com_pdf_85-2715-05.pdf

anotherone · 07-24-2014, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krivanj

Everyone here hopefully knows that if you take your Blue Ox to any show where the company has an appearance, which is most RV shows, for $25 they will inspect it and re lube and tighten everything while you are at the show.....

Well not quite right. At the sarasota rally the blue ox rep told our friend he needed this ,that and this was worn out. $900 later. Hello the demco tow bar no charge for anything ever ; verified by me for complete rebuild NO CHARGE . There is a message there.

Nowayout · 07-24-2014, 04:31 PM

Update: I just received my Blackhawk 2 tow bar (thank goodness for Amazon Prime free 2 days shipping!) and I have to say I am seriously IMPRESSED! The level of manufacturing and quality is very evident, even still in the box. I will get the base plates swapped out and test it in the next couple days.

Pigman1 · 07-24-2014, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anotherone

Well not quite right. At the sarasota rally the blue ox rep told our friend he needed this ,that and this was worn out. $900 later. Hello the demco tow bar no charge for anything ever ; verified by me for complete rebuild NO CHARGE . There is a message there.

Yeah, I agree. Not quite. We have about 60,000 pull miles on our Blue Ox Aventa II and the knuckles that are at the end of each arm where they attach to the toad are badly worn. About .040 to .050" on the tripple ear end and the bolts that joins the knuckle to the arm are so loose that I have 2 pieces of .050" steel shim stock into the holes and still have over .060" looseness. This is the second set of knuckles for this bar and there's not going to be any more. I've paid my $25 each year at Quartzsite but these parts wear way too fast. Wear is definitely in the cast parts, not the pins or bolts. Bolts and pins are only worn .002-.005"

I just ordered a Roadmaster Blackhawk2. Sure hope it's more durable than the Blue Ox.

mchero · 07-24-2014, 07:53 PM

I have been using a Blue Ox for the last 4 years between an 07 Discovery and a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Zero problems. I installed the baseplate myself.

I keep a CLOSE eye on ALL the pins after a stop, IDIOTS like to remove them! Wonder if original poster had that problem?

I did a coast to coast run and back, 7K miles in 3 weeks! We where ALL OVER the mountains in Colorado and no problems with the Blue Ox. This was when I was driving the 93 Pace Arrow Diesel pusher (FS)

Might be prime time to upgrade. Going to get a newer toad so will be needing a new baseplate as well

RM

Nowayout · 07-24-2014, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchero

I keep a CLOSE eye on ALL the pins after a stop, IDIOTS like to remove them! Wonder if original poster had that problem?

I did a coast to coast run and back, 7K miles in 3 weeks! We where ALL OVER the mountains in Colorado and no problems with the Blue Ox. This was when I was driving the 93 Pace Arrow Diesel pusher (FS)RM

It is very possible the first failure in the Midwest was due to someone removing the pin. We had stopped at several places over the day and I can't say I checked it every time. We did travel over 5000 miles on that trip.

I am 99.9% confident this didn't happen on this last failure as we were leaving the Havasupia reservation. We came back from a multi day hike to the falls and I did a very careful walk around immediately before leaving. It is a pretty quiet area with no one around, so am very sure no one removed it after I did my walk around. I specifically remember checking the pins. 30 minutes later we had the problem on a very remote road that was very rough. No stops in between.

Going to play it safe now, padlocks on all hitch pins.