Do you winterize your Blue Ox tab holes?

[Wrong_Lane]

I have a Blue Ox baseplate with the standard round holes in which I insert the removable tabs and twist to lock.

This is my first year with a base plate.

The base plate did not come with any covers to close the holes off when not in use. During the winter season (October to May) I drove my car with the base plate holes open to the elements.

Yesterday when I was hooking up the car for our first trip I found the tab holes full of crap, corrosion from winter road salt, They were unusable. After lots of inappropriate language, spray lube and wire brush activity the tabs were inserted and turned to lock.

So the question is -- what do Blue Ox users do to protect the tab holes in the off season?

I am thinking of maybe a grease soaked cloth left in over winter or something similar but looking for ideas.

Thanks

[dubdub07]

FC wrote:
Blue Ox sent out replacement plugs to us and other friends. We use them every winter to keep as much crud out as possible. We just sent a request and they sent it off to us.
Jm2cw.

If you ask Blue Ox, they most certainly will deliver! They are a family owned-close knit group and the guys that answer the phones are sitting next to the receptionist who is next to the COO who is right outside the factory floor. Very personable and easy to get things. I asked and they sent 4 caps and 4 rings! And a little note that said "wrap a little electrical tape around the caps so they stay in better".

Very nice people. I am proud to use Blue Ox.

WW

[FC]

Blue Ox sent out replacement plugs to us and other friends. We use them every winter to keep as much crud out as possible. We just sent a request and they sent it off to us.
Jm2cw.

[Wrong_Lane]

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately our base plate did not come with plastic covers.

Best answer -- spend the winter in warmer places! Not retired yet, still a slave to the grind, but hope to do four weeks in Florida next March.

I think I will try the rubber stoppers. I have seen them in wine making stores and hardware stores.

Again, thanks and safe travels.

[et2]

Never got plastic caps with ours. I purchased tapered solid rubber stoppers I bought at ACE hardware for a couple bucks. They are black. Just push them into the hole as far as I can. Never lost one in 4 years. Just pulled them out and throw them in the bucket when towing. Keeps water and grime out of the holes and cosmetically look like they were made for it.

Like these

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=00+rubber+stopper&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=5522857...

[phillyg]

You can avoid the problem by wintering in warmer climes.

[RetiredBob]

1 7/8" hitch ball covers.

[dalerussel]

We just bought a blue ox base plate and tow bar. It came with 2 plastic caps that we insert when the pins are not inserted.

[UsualSuspect]

You can buy replacements at eTrailer. Unless you have enough for free shipping you may want to pass on it.
eTrailer Linky

[purplekeenah]

I use rubber pipe caps, Lowes and HD carry them in plumbing dept. usually come with a screw clamp that I don't use. I put silicone caulking in the caps and press them on. They stayed on all winter,even thru many car washes. The plastic plugs that came with them were flimsy and didn't pass the car wash test.

[navegator]

Check auto part stores for rubber freeze plugs, they are used in emergency repairs, they are a two piece rubber, one is a cap and the other is on the back and expands as the bolt on the outside is tightened, I do not know if they still make them or not, haven't used one in a long time.

Or regular freeze plugs, place them in to winterize the car and remove when needed, provided that the holes and the plugs are compatible in size.

navegator

[wilanddij]

Check out any HD or Lowes for the right size round rubber chair leg covers. They will slip right over the tab connectors.

[bamcote]

Expandable pipe plugs would work for you. Clicky

[Dutch_12078]

I have black plastic plugs that I push in the tab holes when the tabs are removed. About once a year I run a rag soaked in PB Blaster through them to remove any minor rust. I seem to recall the plugs came with the base plate for our previous toad.

[sch911]

They have small plastic pop on covers that come with the baseplate when new. However these caps are easily lost. I'm sure you could get them from Blue Ox.