Blue Ox towbar concern July 22, 2021, 12:25:14 pm I have owned our Blue Ox Aventa LX 10,000 lb towbar for three years and have towed the Jeep between 12,000 and 16,000 miles.When hooking up the Jeep and beginning a tow, sometimes one of the levers will not pop up. Cyndy watches as I start a slow pull and sometimes one or the other just won't pop up. I try to hook up the Jeep on level ground and with the LD and the Jeep in a straight line. In the past, we just proceed slowly and everything seems to soon lock up and tow correctly. On our last trip, I had two disconcerting events that made me wonder if the towbar is still safe. We were about five miles into our tow for the day and when driving through a series of tight turns on a mountain road, I felt a bump from the back of the Lazy Daze. I looked in the backup camera and was shocked to see one leg of the towbar pumping in and out in the turns and the Jeep swaying side to side at 30mph. I promptly pulled over and dorked around with the bars until I could forcibly pull the lever up and make it snap into a lock position. No further problem for the rest of the tow.Several days later, the same thing happened, but this time it only took about 100 feet because I had been vigilantly watching each day for this problem. I made a slow pull and a few easy S turns and it appeared lock up for the rest of the tow.Incidentally, both times this happened, the Lazy Daze and Jeep were at a very slight downhill slope and I had a very short initial pull before needing to turn out of a campsite. The failure to lock happened to both the right and left leg, and the turns at the end of each site were both right and left. Hmmmm...Now home, I have contacted Blue Ox and they want me to mail the towbar back to them and they will do a $150 inspection with additional charges if any repairs are necessary. This component is crucial to safe towing, so I am inclined to suck it up and pay to make sure it is safe to tow. However, I am also inclined to take it apart in the shop and figure out how it works and see if I can discover any problems and fix it myself. (That is the curse of having tools, time, and mechanical curiosity of a chimpanzee.)Has this happened to any other forum members and if so, how did you solve the problem?Harold
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #1 – July 22, 2021, 12:41:31 pm Harold, I agree that it’s not safe to tow with just one (1) arm locked out. I’m guessing that the mechanism inside the housing is a rather simple affair. If it was me, I’d pull it apart, examine the parts and call Blue Ox for replacement parts. And it might be less expensive to buy a new tow arm if you’re unable to repair it yourself. The replacement arms are available on Amazon and many online RV places like Dyers RV Parts. Btw, we have a Blue Ox which I recommend. Hope this help. 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #2 – July 22, 2021, 02:03:26 pm I'd verify with Blue Ox that they can repair/rebuild the Aventa LX. We stopped at the Blue Ox factory in Pender, NE, a couple of years ago to have them inspect and rebuild our Aventa LX. They basically said that it was worn, but they no longer made the parts to rebuild it. They made us a trade-in deal and we left with a Blue Ox Avail towbar. I noticed that the Aventa LX is no longer listed on the Blue Ox website. have you cleaned and lubricated the tow bar arms (under the rubber boots)?Art
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #3 – July 22, 2021, 02:47:37 pm Thanks for your reply Art,The motion of the arms seems smooth and unobstructed, but no, I have not cleaned and lubed them. I'll pull the boots back and look at the mechanism and then check and see if they still have parts prior to sending it in.Harold
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #4 – July 22, 2021, 03:25:02 pm In our case, it was primarily the coupling ball joint that had become worn and loose. I think it was that specific part that they no longer made. Hopefully they can rebuild the locking mechanisms inside the arms.Art 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #5 – July 22, 2021, 07:06:59 pm Most towbars come apart easily, keep track of the placement of the washers. Cell phone photos are suggested.I couldn't find the latching handle kit, very few Aventa parts are available online, your only hope maybe finding something that is repairable without buying new parts. Was it an older towbar?I would go ahead and disassemble the arm and see what is wrong, take photos and email them to Blue OX, allowing them to see what the problem is and if they can fix it. Good chance they will not have the parts. It might save you $150, plus shipping, that can be applied to another towbar if yours is not repairable.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #6 – July 22, 2021, 08:37:47 pm My tow bars also wouldn't lock on one side a couple years ago. The first time was a shock, but with strong helpers and two more attempts I got it. Later a good lube with T-9 fixed it, and taught me to be absolutely sure I'm completely locked before I move out traveling. Since I'd never be up to disassembling and replacing parts, I hope the lube keeps working! T-9 has saved me numerous times, I love that stuff.It's a strange relief now and then when I see someone else on this forum has a problem similar to mine. But I've had at least two disasters that I've never heard about from anyone else. It's always something.Kristin 3 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #7 – July 22, 2021, 08:54:12 pm Quote from: Kristin Lambert - July 22, 2021, 08:37:47 pmMy tow bars also wouldn't lock on one side a couple years ago. The first time was a shock, but with strong helpers and two more attempts I got it. Later a good lube with T-9 fixed it, and taught me to be absolutely sure I'm completely locked before I move out traveling. Since I'd never be up to disassembling and replacing parts, I hope the lube keeps working! T-9 has saved me numerous times, I love that stuff.It's a strange relief now and then when I see someone else on this forum has a problem similar to mine. But I've had at least two disasters that I've never heard about from anyone else. It's always something.Kristen … could you explain how you used T9 on the towbar? And perhaps share the 2 unheard disasters? Thank you.
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #8 – July 22, 2021, 09:37:47 pm Good to know about the potential for tow bar latches to fail…. On a related Tow Bar cautionary note, our first BlueOx tow bar (an Avail), suffered a premature death. Once, while driving with the ~one year old tow bar stowed, the arms bounced out of the stowed position and skidded on the ground until a passing trucker flagged it to my attention. The knuckles and arm ends were badly damaged. Blue Ox explained that 1) the stowed position is not intended for use when traveling, and 2) it is the owner’s responsibility to replace washers, tighten fasteners at least once per year. They kindly agreed to give me a 30% discount on a new Avail. We’ve of course been more diligent about maintaining the new tow-bar. We’ve also taken to securing the arms on rare occasions when we travel without the Toad attached.Tow safe out there…Warren 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #9 – July 23, 2021, 10:49:44 am I had a nice chat with Rebekah in customer service at Blue Ox in Pender NE. She says they are out of washers for my towbar, but will have them in in three weeks. I asked about other parts and she reported that they stock all the parts for the tow bar, including the parts in the ball, and commit to being able to service it for eight years. I asked about the ball parts and she said they have the parts, will no longer send them to customers because they have had too many customers re-assemble the ball improperly.She also recommended removing the boots and lubricating the arms with white lithium grease, which I will do today.Thanks again to members for your comments, personal experience, and suggestions.Harold 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #10 – July 23, 2021, 10:29:15 pm Today I removed the small cable ties on the boots of the legs on the tow bar, pushed the boots back, slid the bars all the way out, and inspected the parts. There was a very thin film of light lubricant on the arms and the latches actuated and locked properly in the full in and full out positions.I applied a light coat of marine grade wheel bearing grease to the arms, worked them in and out a few times and watched the levers actuate at each end until I was satisfied that everything works as intended, and re-installed the cable ties on the boots on each extendable arm. I'm satisfied that the tow bar will be safe for towing in the future. Doing this minor service took less than 30 minutes, satisfied my curiosity, and probably ought to be done every year or so, according the paperwork I received with the tow bar when new.Upon re-reading all of the paperwork, Blue Ox specified that when one of the arms doesn't lock up, to turn the wheel of the coach in the direction of the unlocked arm while the rig is stationary, and move forward to lock that arm.Harold 2 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #11 – July 25, 2021, 12:45:46 am Quote from: Ed & Margee - July 22, 2021, 08:54:12 pmKristin … could you explain how you used T9 on the towbar? And perhaps share the 2 unheard disasters? Thank you.I don't know about you, but of course I tried turning the wheel and driving to lock the stuck arm, and tried everything else imaginable, but obviously it didn't do the trick. Sounds so easy. The T-9 lube worked into the sliding mechanism until it was loose did work and has continued to be effective. It also fixed the manual step to the front door perfectly after it locked up. Also the crank for the hitch on my 60-year-old Airstream when I couldn't even turn it anymore.By the way, my towbar is from Demco, and the brackets and adapter are special-made by Roadmaster.Other LD disasters: (anybody else ever have these issues? And this was BEFORE I took the LD four-wheeling in the wilderness.)1. The glass door to my oven shattered into hundreds of little pieces without even touching it. No replacement available, but after tightening up the hinges a bit, it still works fine without the glass to this day.2. My Shurflo 4008 water pump began running too often before it suddenly quit. Turns out that all the screws holding it together actually FELL OUT! By replacing them with bolts-and-nuts it still works fine, and the replacement pump I ordered already got those stupid screws replaced with bolts too.Kristin
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #12 – July 25, 2021, 02:39:44 am Hi Kristen; I'm sure other ovens get broken glass. You should be able to get a piece of 'I'll call it Pyrex' glass cut down to fit somewhere. and installed. I just got a 4008 Shurflo to replace my original pump. The gaskets started leaking slowly. So the new pump has a drip tray and a water sensor. I hope the screws stay where they are. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #13 – July 25, 2021, 12:11:33 pm Kristi,You are not alone with your water pump screws.One evening Cyndy noticed that the water pump sound was different. When I pulled it out, I discovered one screw holding the pump to the motor had fallen all the way out and the other three were loose. Replacing the screw and tightening the rest solved the problem.Harold
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #14 – July 25, 2021, 12:34:30 pm A few years ago, we were driving on Hwy 395, near Mammoth, when the Cherokee’s tow bar did the same thing, with one arm collapsing. The lock pin had broken and there were no repair parts nearby. To temporarily fix it, a 3/8” hole was drilled through the bad arm and extension and locked together with a 2-1/2” long, 3/8” bolt and nut. It worked fine and got us home where the towbar was dissembled and rebuilt. At this time, the other arm was drilled for the same use, just in case it happened again.I have not figured out a similar fix for the Wrangler’s Roadmaster Sterling tower yet, the locking mechanism seems to be stout.A few hose clamps around the arm maybe?Larry
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #15 – July 25, 2021, 01:35:32 pm Personally, I would be a little concerned about drilling holes in the arms due to the possibility of weakening them. The Blue Ox arms are fairly small diameter. However, using hose clamps is an interesting idea to use in a pinch. I have used two big hose clamps to hold a shaft seal in position on my propeller shaft, one backed up against the other, and they have been under compression and haven't moved for the last nine years and nearly 1000 hours of running.Two more hose clamps will be added to my spare parts bin.Harold 2 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #16 – July 25, 2021, 01:43:09 pm "I have not figured out a similar fix for the Wrangler’s Roadmaster Sterling..." LarryLazyBones2 and I are still using the same 16 year old Roadmaster Sterling Tow Bar that we started with. We've never had an issue with it and it's only had one refurbishing at the Roadmaster factory in all that time. 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #17 – July 26, 2021, 09:48:56 pm Harold Do you have a photo of the hose clamps on your blue ox?My blue ox wouldn’t lock when I was on highway driving from Ga coast. I travel solo. We were stopped in traffic. I got out and could not get it straight or move it. Traffic moved so I drove slowly and spotted a motorhome towing a car a couple cars ahead. Next time we stopped I got out and asked if he could help me. Together with me turning rv wheel and moving forward and him turning car wheel we got it straight but it wouldn’t lock. He got a bungee cord and wrapped it. I pulled off Highway at next exit and drove very slow but had to turn around in hotel parking lot. Towbar failed and my car hit the passenger side LD bumper. My blue ox was about a year and a half old. My car is small. I had to mail it to blue ox and they tried to say it was my fault. I called them and they said because of bungee cord it was my fault. I’m paranoid about keeping it perfect now but not mechanically inclined and I’m a senior. I have a new one now which blue ox gave me.
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #18 – July 27, 2021, 12:12:42 am Catnap,Sorry to hear about your towbar malfunction. That must have been both frustrating and scary.My hose clamp solution is not on the Blue Ox tow bar or the Lazy Daze. The clamps I mentioned hold a dripless shaft seal on a propeller shaft on our boat. I'm not certain it would hold a tow bar arm that refused to lock, but in a pinch it would be something to try. In the case of the boat, it is holding a spring loaded hose up against a face seal so that the ocean doesn't come into the engine room while the shaft is spinning.Harold 1 Likes
Re: Blue Ox towbar concern Reply #19 – August 06, 2021, 09:22:55 pm Came across this video with instruction from a Blue Ox representative that may be helpful:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7s6X48P3RQ
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