Towbar/tab failure
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Apr-05-2017 07:27 AM
Turns out, our 12 year old tow package had a failure: one of the tabs protruding from the front of the car that interlocks with an arm of the towbar broke off, leaving the car attached by only one arm of the tow bar. This allowed the car to swing more widely, side-to-side, which is exactly what I saw looking at it in the rear view camera.
We were fortunate in many ways, one of which is that we were able to stop without any damage to either vehicle, by allowing the coach to coast, allowing the car to 'snuggle' up against the rear of the coach, and to then come to a stop. We unhitched the car, and drove it the rest of the way home.
Click For Full-Size Image.
Click For Full-Size Image.
Click For Full-Size Image.
The tow unit was a Blue Ox, Aventa II, towbar that mated with a baseplate for a 2001 Acura MDX. Here are some photos of the failed tab -- note especially the hairline crack on the intact tab. It's in exactly the same place as the break point of the broken on.
We reported this incidence to Blue Ox, who has responded as well as one might hope. They are shipping a new set of tabs, and paying to have us ship the old one back to them for inspection.
1995 36' CC Intrigue
WHTAL!FE
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Apr-07-2017 04:54 AM
Mile High wrote:
Mine are definitely not aluminum, heavy as heck.
sorry, they are steel
2013 Ford Focus Toad
Haigh Superstar
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Apr-06-2017 08:41 PM
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed
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Apr-06-2017 04:08 PM
gat75 wrote:
My first thought is that this would probably never had happened if this part had been machined out of solid bar stock.
Off course, it requires much longer time (hence more money) to fabricate parts from solid stock.
What do you think they are machined from, they aren't cast, or permanent tool mold, they are in fact machined from solid Aluminum Bar stock. Not sure what your looking at
2013 Ford Focus Toad
Haigh Superstar
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Apr-06-2017 03:13 PM
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Apr-06-2017 01:03 PM
gat75 wrote:I can't imagine that Blue Ox would ever make this piece with out machining it from solid bar stock.
My first thought is that this would probably never had happened if this part had been machined out of solid bar stock.
Off course, it requires much longer time (hence more money) to fabricate parts from solid stock.
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Apr-06-2017 01:00 PM
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Apr-06-2017 12:03 PM
Tinstar wrote:
I have tried to get in touch with Blue Ox but they don't respond to email. How do you contact them?
Their website has their address and phone number. Write them a letter or give them a phone call.
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Apr-06-2017 11:49 AM
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Apr-06-2017 09:09 AM
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed
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Apr-06-2017 07:09 AM
With my setup in particular, utilizing a READYBRAKE/ELITE and coupled with a DEMCO baseplate, I just can't see anything such as this, ever happening, so it might be time to take a good look at the design in general and no matter how many new ones, BLUE OX is willing to send you for replacements.
07 Revolution LE 40E_Spartan MM_06 400HP C9 CAT_Allison 3000.
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER.
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (Sold)
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Apr-06-2017 06:58 AM
Safe travels,
MM.
2021.5 Pleasure Way Plateau FL Class-B on the Sprinter Chassis
2018 Mini Cooper Hardtop Coupe, 2 dr., 6-speed manual
(SOLD) 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach, 45 ft, 500 hp Volvo
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Apr-06-2017 06:54 AM
No, we did not drill them in; they were in the original tabs we installed a dozen years ago.
Yes, they were definitely the site of the cracks one can see in the intact tab, so they do seem to have created a weak point in the tabs.
1995 36' CC Intrigue
WHTAL!FE
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Apr-06-2017 06:46 AM
Bumpyroad wrote:
did your toad braking system help out?
bumpy
The car was still attached to 1 arm of the tow bar, Bumpy,
so the aux. braking system was not activated.
1995 36' CC Intrigue
WHTAL!FE
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Apr-06-2017 04:47 AM
Thanks for the post and I'm glad it wasn't worse for you.