towbar problems

[anon125]

we have an old sterling towbar.
we see other folks who do NOT have to have the vehicle EXACTLY in line before we can unhitch the towed car.
with ours we have to have the car exactly in line or we cannot remove the metal rods that connect it to the thing on the front of the honda.
thanks all

[anon125]

Yes I saw that
I do not want to ruin the 21 year old steering gear by turning when the vehicle is not moving.
thanks

[DFord]

Did you watch the videos and see the trick they shared where if your towbar is in a bind and you can't release the arms you're supposed to turn the steering wheel back and forth to see if that will allow you to operate the release? That sounds like something to remember for the next time you're having trouble getting unhooked.

[wa8yxm]

MDKMDK wrote:

pauldub wrote:
Here's video that shows you how to disconnect.

After watching that video, I'm glad I've got Blue Ox equipment.

It does not look any harder to disconnect than my blue ox except if hte latches are hard to release the blue ox I can stomp on 'em.

I don't like that big hulking bar in front of ther car.. but the rest of it was very easy.. I like the roadmaster safety cables. In fact I like 'em so much I'm using Roadmaster Safety Cables on my Blue Ox tow bar.

[anon125]

our has extendable arms
thanks

[DFord]

Then you're missing something. I would never want to good back to the ancient technology of a fixed arms where you have to bring your car up to the exact spot necessary to engage your pins or drop the receiver on the ball. I don't have that much faith in towing a vehicle with a trailer hitch. You're asking an awful lot of that ball doing so. After I got away from a fixed towbar and started using my Blue Ox with extendable arms, I'd never consider going back to mess with a fixed towbar again.

To each his own. That's why they make so many different models of things.

[anon125]

Thanks
I see no improvement over what we have already!

[DFord]

Nice how to videos:

Blue Ox Towing PART1-Towing_Accessories

They show connecting the towbar in this video:
Blue Ox Towing PART2-Towing_Hookup.wmv

[anon125]

Thanks all.
watched the video
that is the set up we have, and that is how we disconnect.
but it is not that simple if the car is even slightly askew.
how is a blue ox different?
thanks

[wa8yxm]

Blue Ox. Roadmaster, Demco and Ready Brute (With Ready Brake)

All have telescoping arms. USUALLY I can release the latch(Blue ox) and unpin from the car. Sometimes I have to put my foot down (on the safety cable) to pull the car forward a fraction to un-pin.. rare but it happens some time.

[DFord]

You might want to consider getting a nice Blue-Ox (my preferred brand) or Roadmaster towbar with arms that can be collapsed and extended for towing. They allow you just get close and then the arms extend so you can put the pins in. When disconnecting, you can release the tension on the arms if you're not straight and then pull the pins. They're much easier to use than any of the fixed length bars like yours sounds like.

You may need adapters to permit you to connect the brackets on your towed to the new towbar.

You can often find good towbars used on Craig's list for under $400.

[phil-t]

MDKMDK wrote:

pauldub wrote:
Here's video that shows you how to disconnect.

After watching that video, I'm glad I've got Blue Ox equipment.

Not all Roadmaster equipment is of that design. 🙂

[MDKMDK]

pauldub wrote:
Here's video that shows you how to disconnect.

After watching that video, I'm glad I've got Blue Ox equipment.

[pauldub]

Here's video that shows you how to disconnect.

[drsteve]

Search for the model number on Google, and see if you can find an owner's manual.