What to do with the tow bar?

[AJMike]

We flat tow a Jeep with the Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar, but I am not sure whether to leave the tow bar on the RV when not towing, or whether to remove it and keep it in the garage.

We generally take a trip every 3-4 weeks, some only for 1 or 2 days, some for up to 3-4 weeks, but when we return I don't know if it is best to leave the tow bar on the RV or remove it. We store our RV in covered storage, but the back of the RV sticks out from under the roof since the space is only 25 feet, as is our RV without the tow bar.

We keep the tow bar inside 2 covers to try to protect it, but it still gets the Arizona sun in the summer and the rains during our rainy season. We try to use waterproof bags to protect it but I am not sure leaving it on the RV is the best solution.

What do those of you with this problem do when not towing? Remove it? Or leave it on the RV?

[ChrisDParise]

I was in the same quandary 3 years ago when I started towing - Blue Ox Ascent tow bar was/is so pretty. Just take it off when it's in extended storage.

First season I took it off between trips now I just take it off during winter storage season Novemberish through February.

Mines always covered with the Blue Ox storage bag which is vented on the bottom. As long as your covers aren't trapping condensation your good. With your heat some ventilation is a good thing especially on the rubber.

I would recommend cleaning the arms and the boot with silicone spray annually and treating the boot whenever you give it a bath - there's a few YouTubes on how to maintain a towbar.

If you don't have a hitch receiver locking pin you might consider getting one to discourage theft. I've got the blue ox keyed locking pins and they're nice and waterproof, of course I've lubricated them.

[Crasher]

Our Blue Ox tow bar also had a nice heavy vinyl fitted cover than snapped together. It protected the tow bar from all elements. I suspect Roadmaster has one for theirs as well.

[MRUSA14]

My tow bar has not been off the coach in years. No need to. I have a Roadmaster tow bar and Roadmaster makes an excellent cover which I use whenever it is subjected to the elements .

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by AJMike

We flat tow a Jeep with the Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar, but I am not sure whether to leave the tow bar on the RV when not towing, or whether to remove it and keep it in the garage.

We generally take a trip every 3-4 weeks, some only for 1 or 2 days, some for up to 3-4 weeks, but when we return I don't know if it is best to leave the tow bar on the RV or remove it. We store our RV in covered storage, but the back of the RV sticks out from under the roof since the space is only 25 feet, as is our RV without the tow bar.

We keep the tow bar inside 2 covers to try to protect it, but it still gets the Arizona sun in the summer and the rains during our rainy season. We try to use waterproof bags to protect it but I am not sure leaving it on the RV is the best solution.

What do those of you with this problem do when not towing? Remove it? Or leave it on the RV?

Well,
In reality, this is YOUR decision. Yep, the AZ sun in many cases, has the same affect on stuff like parking on the sun, HOT! The sun won't hurt the steel parts, only primarily the rubber boots and nylon washers. And the rain won't hurt them unless the powder coating/paint is chipped off. Then there's the rust thing. If your tow bar is locked on, the theft thing is probably not an issue. I say "probably" because stolen tow bars don't bring a heck of a lot of money in sales.

But, I make a few covers for stuff around our AZ home out of Sunbrella and it's great stuff. It handles our Havasu sun with great success. If you're not worried about the theft thing, then a good cover is all you need. Although, If I had to keep mine in a storage lot, I'd simply remove it and put it in a compartment. That way there's no question on preservation.
Scott

[NLOVNIT]

Always took ours off & stored it in a bay when not in use.

[dvspl]

I think either way is fine. Choose whichever makes you feel best. I leave my tow bar on the motorhome almost all the time, but typically remove it during winter storage since the snow can get higher than it.

[Dutch Star Don]

Years ago, I had fabricated a Harbor Freight 2-wheel dolly into a holder/dolly for my tow bar. Every time we returned from a trip, I would remove it, place it on the dolly and store it in my shed. After a couple of years, I decided that it just wasn't worth the effort. Now, I leave it on and place a black trash bag over it and the cables. When I wash the coach before a trip, I remove the bag and clean the tow bar.

[n2zon]

We take ours out for the winter and put it in a shed I have seen too many drawbars get rusted into the hitch receiver, never to be removed again without the use of LOTS of heat and maybe a big press, but of which require removing the hitch from the towing vehicle. Removing and replacing it once a year makes it easy to monitor its condition.

[bigb56]

I remove mine and lay it next to the MH because if I leave it in I'd have to pull too far forward to clear the garage door and I only have about 3 feet to walk in front of it as it is! Hoping I never forget and close the door on it!

[ArtJoyce]

When traveling I leave in on the MH. We lock it with a hitch pin lock. When home we remove unless we're heading out in a few days. I just figure weather and UV shorting the live of it.

[Dodge Guy]

I just recently purchased a used Roadmaster Blackhawk 2 All Terranin town bar. The guy kept it on the rear of his MH, never removed it and it shows. I tore it down and stripped it down to bare metal and will repaint it as well as rebuild it.
I was using a Roadmaster stow master which is car mounted. I also bought it used but it looked like new because the guy always had it stored out of the elements.

The the new one may stay on when it goes to indoor storage, but again, that is indoors. It will also stay on the rear when on a trip.

It all depends on how you take care of it.

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

My tow bar has not been off the coach in years. No need to. I have a Roadmaster tow bar and Roadmaster makes an excellent cover which I use whenever it is subjected to the elements .

Yep, ours has been on since we bought the RV new in 2026. Cover it with the Roadmaster cover, give the tow bar a good bath and lube 2-3 times a year.

[Craig1960]

I use to take mine off when I had my other m/h but don't anymore. I use the cover that came with it now and don't worry about it.