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Tow Bar Age

FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Explorer
I was given a Blue Ox 10,000lb tow bar by my neighbor. They full-timed for 7 years, then it sat in their garage for 6 or 7 years. Everything appears to be in working order. No binding, and the arms extend smoothly and lock. I emailed Blue Ox to see if they would refurb it for me (just to be on the safe side), and they said no, they recommend replacement after 8-10 years so I need to buy a new one. So who out there is using an older tow bar, and have you had any issues? Should I just buy a new one? Thoughts?

Al
32 REPLIES 32

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
crawford wrote:
No it means if you are the original owner Demco just want's a copy of your bill off sale. Maybe if other company's do what you are saying that's them.


You missed the scarcaism. :W
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

Hikerdogs
Explorer
Explorer
We used our original RoadMaster Sterling (prior to the Sterling All Terrain) for over 14 years and 140,000 miles before it was destroyed in an accident. We would still be using it today if the Jeep we were towing hadn't been hit from behind.
Hikerdogs
2013 Winnebago Adventurer

Bill_Diana
Explorer
Explorer
I have a RoadMaster Sterling All-Terrain that is 17 years old. I tow a Honda CRV. Frankly, it never occured to me that a tow bar should be replaced every 7 or 8 years. Mine still looks and feels the same way it was new. I'm having a difficult time understanding why it should be replaced. JMHO

FloridaRosebud
Explorer
Explorer
OK, going to do it myself, however, any suggestions on the type of grease to use on the ball that connects the male receiver fitting to the rest of the tow bar? It's got a bit of corrosion on it from sitting in the garage for 7 years....

Al

crawford
Explorer
Explorer
No it means if you are the original owner Demco just want's a copy of your bill off sale. Maybe if other company's do what you are saying that's them.
Change from a c class to a A class Georgetown 07 triple slide

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
^^^ A "Lifetime Warranty" these days means as long as its working you're good. As soon as it dies its lifetime is over, and so is your warranty.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

Horsedoc
Explorer II
Explorer II
crawford wrote:
my Demco came with a life time deal, I even sent if back they took it apart rebuilt it like new and send it back no charge now that's a company. They sent me a letter saying they were happy to do it and making me happy was there day.


Interesting. Glad a company stands behind their product. Hope they continue with that.
I am seeing more and more 'lifetime warranty' is defined by the selling company and not how long the buyer lives. Bought a GPS with 'lifetime' updates. Not the case, Garmin does not support that model anymore.
I will no longer support Garmin
horsedoc
2008 Damon Essence
2013 Jeep Sahara Unlimited
Blue Ox tow

crawford
Explorer
Explorer
my Demco came with a life time deal, I even sent if back they took it apart rebuilt it like new and send it back no charge now that's a company. They sent me a letter saying they were happy to do it and making me happy was there day.
Change from a c class to a A class Georgetown 07 triple slide

bjbear
Explorer
Explorer
Over the last couple of years, there have been a few reports of Blue-Ox tow bars failing. It is always the connection to the car. Not sure if the failures where on a specific model. One thing you could do, is take your bar to a NDT company and have a die penetration test done on the connectors.
2006 Monaco Camelot 42-DSQ
09 Blazer 20' Covered Trailer
Toad - 2019 Wrangler JL Rubicon Unlimited
My Website

irishtom29
Explorer
Explorer
Over rigging is a waste of effort and money.

luv2tup
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Demco Aluminator and an Excalibar, both are close to 20 years old. I do my own maintenance every other year and replace all fasteners. I recently bought a new tabless base plate and Demco supplied the new adapters so I can continue using both tow bars. They stand behind their products no matter how old.

Gjac
Explorer III
Explorer III
I have the Demco Excalibur rated for 10,500 lbs made out of steel, it is heavy. It is 15 years old and towed about 100,000 miles. I bought the steel one because it was rated higher than the Al one. I removed the shafts to clean them and all the parts are original, just cleaned and lubed every 3 years or so. My tow car only weighs about 2500 lbs so it is over designed for the vehicle and has plenty of safety margin. I will use it until the parts wear out. Every company wants you to by new, Al is lighter and easier to remove but steel is a lot stronger. I choose the heavier weight for a higher safety margin.

mfinnerty
Explorer
Explorer
I rebuilt my 14 year old Blue OX tow bar before our trip to Alaska in 2017. I took it completely apart, checked all welds for cracking, had it sandblasted, repainted it, and replaces all fasteners, washers, and springs. Now it's good as new.
Mike & Linda Finnerty with Finn & Rosco (Golden mix brothers)

mike_brez
Explorer
Explorer
demco aluminator 20 years old
1998 36 foot Country Coach Magna #5499 Single slide
Gillig chassis with a series 40
02 Ford F250 7.3 with a few mods
2015 Wrangler JKU