Blue Ox vs ???

I used the Blue Ox Aventa and it's predecessor for over 200,000 tow miles and have now gone to the Roadmaster Blackhawk. In the past, Blue Ox was the only first class bar, but in recent years I've found attachment knuckles wearing way too fast. In addition, the bolts were wearing their mating surfaces to the extent that I had to install steel shim material twice and they still loosened up. In addition, the ball on the Aventa wore and needed to be refit every year. I had the bar examined every year at Quartzsite by Blue Ox people and little or nothing changed. The bad was so loose at all joints that it would clunk when towing.

While on a trip to Alaska 2 years ago the Blue Ox baseplate was loosening during each days run and had to be re-tightened. On return, I contacted Blue Ox and they were less than helpful. Their first try was to blame faulty installation, but I installed it myself, EXACTLY in accordance with BX instructions. I found that due to a lack of adequate hardened washers, the attach bolts were thinning the truck frame and cracking it. I fixed it with doublers and welding.

I have over 4000 miles on the Roadmaster and am well pleased with it. I will not go back to Blue Ox unless there's a major improvement in their designs, material used, and their overall attitude gets back to where it used to be.