Blue Ox Shines a Light on Tow Bar Maintenance and Safety
It’s scary to see how many new RVers think that if they purchase high price towing equipment, they’re also purchasing some kind of one-and-done setup that they’ll never have to touch again. But, as any experienced camper can tell you, that is certainly not the case. Any kind of mechanical equipment needs maintenance — and that includes your tow bar. That’s why it is so important that you take care of your investment and replace it when the time comes.
Remember, aside from a breakaway cable and (hopefully) some safety chains, that tow bar is what’s keeping Item A attached to Item B as it cruises down highways and maneuvers back roads. And, while choosing a quality brand is a great first start, it means nothing if you never stop to check and see how your equipment is doing back there.
Choose Wisely
First things first, though. Are you using the right tow bar? There is no one-size-fits all selection out there. What you’re driving and what you’re hauling are going to determine how you tow it. “At Blue Ox, we offer a variety of tow bars to fit your specific need and towing capacity, ranging from 5,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds,” says the company.
Blue Ox recommends you always go with a heavier-duty tow bar than you originally calculate needing. A tow bar rated to pull 6,500 pounds can surely handle your brand-new truck — but can it handle all the stuff you’re inevitably putting in the bed? Besides, you can always pull a lighter vehicle with a beefier tow bar, but if you opt for a weaker unit, you’re beholden to that weight rating going forward.
Proper Installation
Take your time and seek out quality visual aids if you’re confused by the installation instructions. And be sure to call the manufacturer. You might be surprised to learn that the company has its own videos or additional resources. Even better, they might be appearing at an aftermarket, RV show, or rally near your home, where they’ll install it for you (often at little to no charge.)
“At Blue Ox, we believe loyal customers are created through great customer service, superior products, and continual education through seminars,” says the company. “Our technicians attend RV Rallies, RV and Trade Shows, and NASCAR events through the year, allowing us to offer important services face-to-face. So, stop by our booths and sign up for tow bar service, check out new products, or just say hello!”
Tow Bar Maintenance
“When I was at SEMA, I talked to Blue Ox about an issue I was having with my tow bar,” writes one iRV2 Forum user. “Basically, he said the tow bar should be serviced every 10k miles or 2 years. I was shocked!”
If you’re thinking that 10,000 is not a lot of miles for an avid RVer, you’re right. Yes, these are manufacturer-set guidelines to ensure maximum safety—and minimum liability. But companies like Blue Ox know their product. What’s more, they understand all the things that can go wrong if someone with decidedly less experience than their highly-qualified engineers is fiddling around with that product. Plus, there are a lot of variables that can factor into the lifespan of a tow bar. How often it’s used, the weight of the tow vehicle, road quality, climate, and storage are all things that affect each tow bar differently.
So, just because your cousin Ralph swears he hasn’t done a thing to his “beast of a tow bar” in 40,000+ miles, doesn’t mean that’s the case for you. Maybe Ralph lives in a really temperate climate and drives well-maintained roads to a paved campground while towing a little Ford Fiesta. Or, maybe Ralph is just an idiot. Either way, be smart and put routine tow bar maintenance on your to-do list.
In addition to cleaning and lubricating any moving parts, replacing bushings, and re-torqueing bolts if necessary, here are a few things you should ask yourself during regular inspections.
… Are there any noticeable signs of wear, corrosion, fractures, or damage? Any nicks or dings where it’s obvious that the tow bar has reached its limit in turns?
To help prevent build up of dirt and road grime, Blue Ox suggests keeping the tow bar covered when not in use. They also recommend periodically cleaning the entire surface with a mild soap and water solution.
… How do those mounting brackets look? Are you missing any safety pins?
Remember, if you are missing parts, order replacements from your nearest Blue Ox dealer/distributor. It’s important that you use only genuine factory replacement parts. Similarly, make sure you swap any old bolts with replacements of the same grade.
… Grab the baseplate tabs and move up and down. Is there any movement? Does anything feel loose? How secure do all nuts, bolts, and locking pins feel?
If you notice that the tow bar’s legs are not operating smoothly, “remove the small cable ties holding the rubber boots to the legs and slide the boots back,” advises Blue Ox. “Clean off the inner legs with a silicone spray or brake cleaner. Then, apply a light coat of multipurpose grease to each leg to ensure a smooth operation. Secure each boot back in place with an 8” UV rated nylon cable tie.”
The video below by RVGeeks is from 2012, but the process remains largely the same. The channel is a great resource for DIY and How-To videos concerning your RV setup. Additionally, the hosts, Pete and John, have a broadcast TV show called The RVers, which can be found on PBS, iTunes, and Amazon.
Uncomfortable doing tow bar maintenance on your own? Consider turning to your local dealer, RV show, or rally for service. And, if you use a Blue Ox tow bar, get yourself off to Pender, Nebraska and have it serviced at the factory. (The company even has its own RV park where you can stay.)