Forum Discussion

handye9's avatar
handye9
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2013

Never seen something like this.

Trailer has 1180 lbs (determined from CAT scales) tongue weight.

Hitch is Blue Ox Sway Pro BXW1500 (1500 lb trunion bars).

First pull (30 Miles round trip to CAT scales).

One of the trunion bars bent. Never seen one bend before. Have a call in to etrailer and Blue Ox.

9 Replies

  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Keep the Andersen if you like it and send the Blue Ox back to etrailer. If not, sell it and get an Equilizer. I can't say good or bad about the Anderson since I've never tried it but one observation; The only Andersen owners I've seen post negative comments about the Andersen are the ones with heavy tongue weight like you have. Seems to work fine for the lower tongue weights.
  • Park the Andersen before it tears up your transmission, drags you into a ditch, rips the receiver out from under your truck, and the front wheels fall off. You are over double the tongue weight that some people think it is good for. Just kidding, but you will probably be happier with the Blue Ox. Put the Andersen on eBay, (my friend wants one).
  • UPDATE !!!

    Overnight shipment, from Blue Ox, arrived six days late. I left (as scheduled) with the Andersen hitch, I was thinking about replacing. The trip was about 1500 miles (round trip) and the Andersen's performance was flawless.

    Now, what to do with the Blue Ox?

    Send the whole thing back (I have a return authorization)?

    Keep it for a spare?

    Use it, and keep the Andersen for a spare?

    I did an internet search for "Blue Ox bent bars" and found other folks (not a lot, but, more than just me) have had the same issue. Bars bent in same the place. Blue Ox, also replaced those bars. How timely, I don't know.
  • BenK wrote:
    Ask them for a forensic report and please if they do, post it back here

    Thanks


    I'll ask.

    Blue Ox said they are sending new bars, overnight. I'm leaving on a three week trip, day after tomorrow. Won't be able to ship the bent bar, until I get back.
  • Ask them for a forensic report and please if they do, post it back here

    Thanks
  • Spring steel does not bend unless:

    A. Poor heat treating.

    B. Not enough carbon.

    C. A little of A and B.

    I think they will give you a new set of bars.
  • Wheel Estate wrote:
    you are aware there are different ratings for equalizer bars, sorry i had to ask


    I am aware. I ordered the 1500 lb kit because of the 1100 lbs tongue weight.
  • you are aware there are different ratings for equalizer bars, sorry i had to ask
  • I've never seen one bend either but I have seen them break when there wasn't enough clearance under the trailer frame to allow them to pass underneith in a tight turn.