Questions about our towbar options

[jymbee]

We're be starting our 7th year of travel with the Blue Ox towbar. Typically travel 5-6k miles each trip. Each year I grease the cylinder, replace rubber boots if work, lubricate, replace nuts/washers if needed etc. Blue Ox recommendation:

Blue Ox recommends servicing their tow bars every two years or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. If a tow bar is older than eight years, Blue Ox recommends replacing it.

Had some pretty rough rides haven't we all) in it's lifetime and overall I'd say it's in fair shape but like RV tires, I'm inclined to replace it even if not at the maximum timeframe they recommend. Better safe...

I think the dealer we bought it from initially now sells Roadmaster. Not sure if they do both. In any event, if we went with a different brand, could we still use the existing baseplate on our tow? Also, we presently have a Patriot Brake system. Any issues to consider there?

 

[Isaac-1]

I will only say this much I have owned a Blue Ox tow bar and a Demco Tow bar, both with similar weight ratings, and the Demco appears to be MUCH heavier duty, better built (neater welds, etc.), and a more innovative design.

 

[Laura & Charles]

We bought our first coach used and it came with a Blue Ox tow bar. I assume it was bought when the coach was new, so at about 9 years we replaced it with a new Blue Ox tow bar. If we have this one long enough to replace, I’ll have to consider a Demco, based on what I’ve read here recently.

We’ve had 3 different aux brake systems and they were all completely independent of the tow bar. But I believe there’s at least one brake system that works in concert with the tow bar.

 

[Tom]

In any event, if we went with a different brand, could we still use the existing baseplate on our tow?

Adapters are available that make Roadmaster and Blue Ox interchangeable.

We used Roadmaster for many years, but currently have Demco, which I prefer to the Roadmaster.

 

[Isaac-1]

Generally adapters are available for all the major brands

 

[Kirk]

if we went with a different brand, could we still use the existing baseplate on our tow?

Just ask for an adapter, if needed. It probably will need one.