Forum Discussion

Ski_Pro_3's avatar
Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
Jul 24, 2016

Help identifying this tow bar set-up

I got this tow bar set up off craigslist. I can not find any information on it and hoping folks here will recognize it. Looks like a Blue Ox based on the locking arm mechanism. However, the way the arms bolt to the hitch and the whole stowing system, I do not know for sure. The arms also have a different method for attaching the ends of the arms. The Blue Ox welds on a double tang. This has a threaded arm with a locking nut. Here are photos with captions;

Here is an overall image;



Close-up of how the arms attach to the ball mount


Close-up of how the tow bar attaches at the passenger side. It lifts and drops into place;


Close-up of the arm assembly where there is a bolt set up instead of a weld on current model Blue Ox.


Another view of how tow bar attaches to the stowing device. At the top is a couple tabs that had a lock through it to keep the bar from coming off. The lock was exactly like those sold by Blue Ox.


This image shows the driver side attachment point. Notice it's a 'L' shape that slips behind a large vertical weld pin.


Sure hope someone can shed some light on what I got.
Thanks!!
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    It's a DUNCAN. We have one and it's been trouble free. I might still have the instruction sheet. Duncan was the (or very close to) originator of the folding towbar. They were made by Automatic Equipment, who also makes Blue Ox. Blue Ox bought Duncan and then shut it down. I believe they did it to get a competitor off the stage.

    Essentially same idea as a Roadmaster Stowmaster, and I'm sure Blue Ox has an equivalent. We're now using a Roadmaster Falcon RV mounted towbar because the only storage I had for the Duncan was inside the RV, under the Dinette.

    The left end of the bar, the notchy part, is called the "claw" and it's held down in the bracket by a pin with a locking spring clip. We often used a long-hasp padlock.

    The black bar is an adapter bar that lets the Duncan mate up to other brand baseplates. If anybody needs the Duncan bar, adapter bar, or extra brackets that I have, let me know.
  • rr2254545 wrote:
    Wow looks scary- best of luck I would not use it


    X 2
  • Really have no idea as I have never seen anything quite like it, but some comments to think about. You are right that some things look like a blue ox. (I have use blue ox for nearly 20 years) The attaching piece looks like a roadmaster part that is on some road master hitches. Wonder if someone combined parts of different tow bars to make it "one of a kind". One thing I do know is I would not use it if I couldn't find out more details. Compared to my current 10,000 lb rated blue ox, this one looks very light weight.
  • I would just be very careful that that every part of that old tow bar is in working condition before you hitch a toad to it. :W
  • looks like an old A-Frame setup with a ball hitch on the MH side.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,106 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 26, 2025