Tow Bar Age

My RoadMaster Sterling All-Terrain was purchased new in 2009 and I see no issues with the age, everything is tight and works smoothly in fact we are hitting the road Wednesday for two weeks.

I towed with one several years and it was still strong as a dollar. It did get scratched and loose. I found another in Tennessee a guy was wanting to sell and started using it. A friend bought a MH and knew nothing about towing. I gave him the old one. Danged if he didn't sell the MH within a few months and the Blue Ox with it.

I am still using the same Demco Commander tow bar that I bought in 2008. It's still tight and sound. I recently had a machine shop friend of mine magnaflux all the welds and no problems were found. The reason Blue Ox says their tow bars need replacing is because they are aware of the build quality and want to sell you a new one.

We've had and used our Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain for about 10 years. Bought it used from an acquaintance who I think used it 3 years or so. Took it to Roadmaster to be refurbished (for a fee) about 3 years ago with no questions asked about age. I'm surprised that Blue Ox won't do that.

Maybe you could find an experienced RV repair shop or mobile RV tech that knows how to refurb or at least look it over for safety.

It depends a lot on how heavy the vehicle was that it towed. Extend the arms and see how much free play they have. If there is considerable play you will have to replace the arms or junk it. eTrailer sells replacement arms for some of the blue ox models.

If there is little to no free play in the arms when extended you should be good to tow.

If it looks like the plastics washers and bushings need replaced you can order the rebuild kit and do it yourself.

I have towed close to 200,000 miles with one ..,it was rebuilt twice.

My Roadmaster Stowmaster is nearly 20 years old. Roadmaster serviced it and then rebuilt it. They charged $100 for complete rebuild.
Some Blue ox units are fairly easy to service. Finding parts maybe issue. Many show on Amazon.

Don't you think the manufacture would know their bars - Replace it -

They are a highly reputable company with a great support history - Trust them not some guys you asked for advise from a internet forum- I have had three great experiences with Blue Ox over the past 10 years

The manufacturer is saying replace. Why don’t you believe them?

rr2254545 wrote:
Don't you think the manufacture would know their bars - Replace it -

They are a highly reputable company with a great support history - Trust them not some guys you asked for advise from a internet forum- I have had three great experiences with Blue Ox over the past 10 years

These bars don’t wear out setting around. I had blue ox tell me the same thing “buy a new one”. You would think they would ask how many miles it’s been used and how heavy a vehicle it towed.

I had a 10,000 lb rated towbar and towed a light Nissan Frontier pickup. Tow bar was very solid yet at 100,000 miles. I also towed a 3/4 ton Dodge 4wd diesel with a brand new Avanti II 10,000 lb rated bar for 35,000 miles. Tow bar was wore out.

The circumstances make a big difference.

FloridaRosebud wrote:
I was given a Blue Ox 10,000lb tow bar by my neighbor. They full-timed for 7 years, then it sat in their garage for 6 or 7 years. Everything appears to be in working order. No binding, and the arms extend smoothly and lock. I emailed Blue Ox to see if they would refurb it for me (just to be on the safe side), and they said no, they recommend replacement after 8-10 years so I need to buy a new one. So who out there is using an older tow bar, and have you had any issues? Should I just buy a new one? Thoughts?

Al

Blue Ox has made a Corporate decision which may be to increase sales or perhaps the legal department wanted it.

Blue Ox used to rebuild tow bars for about $20 which they raised to $125 recently. I have an older Blue Ox Aventa 10,000 lb. tow bar which was rebuilt by Blue Ox a few years ago and then put in storage. Although it is like new it is over 8 years old so Blue Ox will condemn it. That is a poor way to judge performance, IMHO.