Blue Ox Hitch

[firedog]

Sorry this is Firedog’s wife asking this question, so please bare with me. When we park unhook from the RV and lift the bar to place it in the locking bracket, it won’t go in without using a lot of force, sometimes pounding. My husband says not to worry, he know me better than that so I’m asking for any suggestions. We have 2010 Monticeto using Blue Ox tow bar. Thank you for all the help you give. Ann

[PastorCharlie]

Sounds like the stud that latches into the slot is a little bent and scrubbing the edge of the slot. If it cannot be straightened then a new one is needed. I would mark the point of contact and try hitting it with a hammer to see if that will correct the problem. I have the same Blue Ox Aladdin 10,000 lb. bar.

[Westenthal]

I would spray some WD-40 on pivot and it should loosen up.

[enblethen]

Looked at one on web.
I am thinking that the nut that allows the arms to pivot is hitting the storge plate. When you push down with extra force the plate defects slightly. Slight adjustment with hammer may correct issue.

[firedog]

Its a Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar.

[enblethen]

OP's wife is saying the storage latch, not the arms.

[Ductape]

I understand you to mean the sliding arms resist sliding into the larger recessed part of the arm. Pretty common. Solution is to remove the rubber boots, clean the rust and dirt from the arms then grease the arms and reinstall boots. Blue Ox offers a refurbish service for $30 at events where they do all that and replace any worn bits. Can cost extra for parts depending on what they replace. Or you can ship it to them.

Tell hubby BFH for sticking mechanisms is not the long term solution. 😉

I see there was a clarification while I composed this. I still stand by the previous paragraph. 🙂

[firedog]

Thank you (enblethen) yes this is the problem. I will tell him to try your suggestions . Thanks again Ann
I didn't know how to reply just to you so I did it this way. 🙂

[enblethen]

Which model of tow bar?
Looking closer at one model, storing could be hitting on the large nut. One I am looking at does not have a spring. to release. The storage retainer may need to be bent away from the nut.

[firedog]

Maybe I didn't explain the issue very well (not surprised) 🙂 Or I didn't understand your responses. We have A Blue Ox tow bar to tow our car. When we unhook, raise the two bars, close them and lay them to the side and slide into the latch for storage they won't go in without a lot of pressure. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question Ann

[enblethen]

I am reading it as he is having problem storing the tow bar.
Has he tried storing it in the other direction?
I think some Blue Ox bars have a spring behind the bracket. Loosening the large nut on storage bracket can allow it to move more.

[Tripalot]

Have you tried putting a bit of lubricant on the ball part? The mechanism should move fairly easy but still require a little effort.

[Macrosill]

And a long breaker bar with 1" socket instead of the short wrench it comes with.

To the OP. Are you talking about the bar that has the chain on one end and placing it into the hitch head on your truck? It should go in pretty easy, with maybe a little force to get the retaining pin to latch the bar in place but nothing that I would call "pounding".

Or are you talking about turning the chain brackets into position until the latch catches?

[justaboutretire]

I would raise the front up pretty high to get the tongue weight off the bars. Should be Easier to unlock or lock into place.