Dutch_12078 wrote:
I noticed some years back that the 1/2" pins that attach our ReadyBrute Elite tow bar to our Blue Ox base plate always work themselves in the same direction while underway, and some wear could be seen on the retainer clips from the side pressure. I've since marked the bar ends so that I always insert the pins so they'll work themselves towards the handles rather than towards the retainer clips. After many thousands of miles now, there is zero wear on the retainer clips, and watching the pins in the lower rear camera suggests that even if the clips were removed, the pins would still stay in place. If you have similar tow bar and pin setup, I'd suggest checking on that to see if you might add a bit more safety just by inserting the pins in the best direction.
I agree completely and my pins did the exact same thing. I always install my pins from the inside, as looking at the front of the toad, to the outside. This puts the retainer clips on the outside of my connection and have never been a problem. Whenever I stop for the day my pins are always bearing against the bend and never against the retainer clips. This pictures shows how my pins are installed when the tow bar is connected.
