[rheavn]

I thought this is an important thread that popped up on the WanderlodgeGurus forum.

http://wanderlodgegurus.com/Thread-ALERT...6#pid51506

[Dmatz]

Ouch, that can be a real disaster. Thanks for the awareness

[qcj]

I have a 8 year old Roadmaster. Has anyone had any problem with them? It is steel.

[lbrachfe]

Chappell,
Unless you pull a trailer and back up a lot your tow bar should last a long, long time. I have seen many who pull a trailer break tow bars . Never in 14 years on the road have I seen a broken blue Ox or Roadmaster broken pulling a car four wheels down and I have seen some pretty old bars out there. Backing up creates so much stress on the bars that they are not mean't to handle well

[rheavn]

Tow bar use and maintenance would be a great subject for a seminar at the rally. It would be nice to have a Blue Ox, Demco or Roadmaster rep attend.

[folivier]

Or Demco

[Chester Stone]

I tow with a Roadmaster Black Hawk 2, All Terrain, tow bar. I love the non-binding aspect. However, last year while traveling at about 60 MPH I observed in my side mirror that my tow was visible and it should not have been. When I sped up, it went back to where it belonged, but when I braked, I saw it again. The tow bar did not break, but the a nut came loose which controlled the locking pin to the effect that one arm would not lock. I now have two nuts locked together to keep this from happening again. Those of you who use this tow bar should check to see that these nuts are secured.

[ccjohnson]

I only back up very short distance & only very straight line. As in getting out of truck stop parking place. Otherwise we ALWAYS unhook tow car to get out of a bad spot before it gets in any bind.

[qcj]

I never back up and the jeep only weights 4,000 lbs. I don't remember if it is a black hawk or falcon. I do remember it is rated at 8,000 lbs. A seminar would be great.

[Dmatz]

After reading this I called road master I have an all terrain bar. Their technician told me the life of a bar is 70,000 miles or 10 years. If it has been serviced regularly it's is still the same. Did not offer much conversation or explanation.

I called blue ox spoke to their technician who said life of their bar is 100,000 miles and or 10 years as well. He explained that service every 2 to 3 years is necessary and the life of the bar will change based on environment and terrain traveled. Failure happens due to metal fatigue and welds breaking. The aluminum bar has a shorter expected life of 7 years with the preference of conditions. He also noted that very cold weather and salt air environment will shorten the life as well.

I need to place new plates on a new vehicle. My current bar has well over 50k on it and is 7 years old. Hmmmmm what to do!