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Tow Bar Age

FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Explorer
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
32 REPLIES 32

crawford
Explorer
Explorer
I sent in my Demco tow bar they redid it over no charge it is not 20 years old. looks like new.
Change from a c class to a A class Georgetown 07 triple slide

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
FWIW, I bought my Roadmaster stowmaster 5000 (its a 6000lb rated bar) used. the owner used it once and put it in the garage until I bought it. I paid $300 for it with a brake system for the toad. the bar did look like new. no wear anywhere to be seen. I wouldn't hesitate if it looks good and shows no signs of abuse, damage or wear.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Explorer
enblethen wrote:
Blue Ox instructions use to have procedure for cleaning, lubing and servicing tow bars. Look at their website and didn't find true support page.
When servicing use brake clean to remove dirt and old lube material.
Aluminum bars need to be inspected for cracked welds.
This may help!
Servicing


Thanks for the link! Mine is the Steel Aventa bar.

Al

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Blue Ox instructions use to have procedure for cleaning, lubing and servicing tow bars. Look at their website and didn't find true support page.
When servicing use brake clean to remove dirt and old lube material.
Aluminum bars need to be inspected for cracked welds.
This may help!
Servicing

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Explorer
dodge guy wrote:
I don’t think I would want to buy from a company that won’t even stand behind their product even after they rebuilt it. If they only have a life span of 8 or so years with no repairs or maintenance available then I don’t want it.
I guess no more Blue OX products for me.


That's kind of my thought as well. I'm in the forensic investigation world, and have been for almost 15 years. So I'm not the type of guy who believes that just because someone says something it means it right or OK. In this case, the tow bar was used about 7 years, towed a Jeep (the bar is a 10,000 pound rated bar) for about 50,000 miles, and then stored for the next 8 years or so. In my mind, it is only, say, 50% used. I have done investigations where the manufacturer of equipment (switchgear, circuit breakers, boilers, and so on) have said the item HAS to be replaced, but in the end we (my company and/or my engineers) have been able to have it repaired back to where it was prior the the incident. I understand the liability aspect (half my clients are Attorneys) but the statues have run out on this one.

The person who told me they would not even look at it was a sales person, NOT an engineer or designer, and she offered me a $150 credit if I bought a new one. So a couple of red flags went up for me right away. So there's the reason for my question on the first post. If folks here said they've been using theirs for 10-15 years with no issues, and so on then that would be enough anecdotally for me to probably move forward with using it. At this point it appears to operate smoothly with no binding. I might cut off the plastic tie that secures the boot over the two extensions to inspect the seals, and if they are not cracked or show any signs of wear re-secure the boot and use it.

And like you, if I buy a new tow bar it probably will be a Roadmaster.....

Al

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
I don’t think I would want to buy from a company that won’t even stand behind their product even after they rebuilt it. If they only have a life span of 8 or so years with no repairs or maintenance available then I don’t want it.
I guess no more Blue OX products for me.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

camperdave
Explorer
Explorer
If everyone just bought used and rebuilt, they would not sell many new towbars! Come on, support the economy. Throw away good stuff and buy new stuff.
2004 Fleetwood Tioga 29v

K_Charles
Explorer
Explorer
I just rebuilt a blue ox. All the wear items are readily available, use only blue ox parts.

hypoxia
Explorer
Explorer
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.
Jim

2007 Monaco Signature Noble III ISX 600HP

grldst
Explorer
Explorer
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.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
The manufacturer is saying replace. Why don’t you believe them?
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

rr2254545
Explorer
Explorer
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
2012 Winnebago Journey 36M Cummins 360
2014 Jeep Cherokee
492 Campgrounds,107K miles driven in our Winnebago motor homes and 2360 nights camping since we retired in July 2009, 41 National Parks

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
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.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

grldst
Explorer
Explorer
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.

Janss
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 32V
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara