Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions: Serial numbers for most major products can be found in the instructions in the upper right-hand corner.
Tow Bars: Engraved in the metal on the bottom of the driver’s side leg.
Brakes: Found on a sticker on the side of the brake.
WD Hitches: In the hitch head between the bar pivots.
5th Wheel Hitches: Engraved on the base of the hitch.
You cannot backup with your Blue Ox tow bar connected to your towed vehicle. The tow bar must be disconnected from the tow vehicle and stowed before backing up the motorhome.
You may find instructions for your Blue Ox products on the individual page for the product that you purchased. Type the product number in the search bar to go to a particular product page.
You will need:
- A motorhome with a 2″ or 2-1/2″ receiver hitch
- Blue Ox tow bar rated to match the GVRW of the vehicle you intend to tow
- Blue Ox baseplate designed to fit the vehicle you intend to tow
- Blue Ox Patriot dinghy tow brake
- Blue Ox Accessory Kit (includes wiring kit; 7-6 electrical cable; hitch locks; hitch immobilizer; and a tow bar cover
Suggested:
- Drop/Rise Receiver
- KarGard or MudFlap System
In most U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories, a supplemental braking system is required by law whenever you’re towing. In all but a few states, you MUST have a towed car braking system installed whenever you tow a trailer of a certain weight or any vehicle. A towed car brake system helps to reduce the strain on your RV’s primary brakes. Your motorhome will brake more easily and the wear and tear on the brakes will be reduced considerably by using a supplemental braking system. Also, here at Blue Ox it will put less strain on your tow bar and baseplate.
At Blue Ox, we use a 5 dimple system:
SwayPro:
- 350lb Bar – O Dots
- 550lb Bar – 1 Dot
- 750lb Bar – 2 Dots
- 1000lb Bar – 3 Dots
- 1500lb Bar – 4 Dots
- 2000lb Bar – 5 Dots
TrackPro:
- 300lb Bar – 0 Lines
- 600lb Bar – 1 Line
- 800lb Bar – 2 Line
- 1000lb Bar – 3 Line
- 1300lb Bar – 4 Line
Blue Ox does not determine if a vehicle is flat towable. This information can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or by contacting the dealership from whom you purchased your vehicle or the manufacturer.
Yes, you may back up your tow vehicle and trailer while connected to any Blue Ox weight distributing hitch.
Phone: 1-800-228-9289
Email: info@blueox.com
Live Chat: You may start a Live Chat with a Blue Ox Customer Care Representative by clicking on the Chat Function in the lower right-hand corner of any page on the website.
We recommend servicing your tow bar every two years or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Tow bars older than eight years should be replaced. We offer a $150 trade-in program with many of our dealers to help offset the cost of ensuring your tow bar is functional for the wear and tear of dinghy towing.
Blue Ox regularly attends events offering tow bar service. Check the events list here and sign up for early bird service.
- Swing the legs inwards towards each other.
- With legs together, swing them up towards the towing vehicle.
- Rotate the legs down to either side until the ears of the leg capture the hold-up tab of the hitch connector.
- Keep the tow bar covered when not in use, on or off the towing vehicle. This will cut down on the dirt build-up on the legs and joints of the tow bar. A BX88309 tow bar cover is recommended.”
Instructions: Serial numbers for most major products can be found in the instructions in the upper right-hand corner.
Tow Bars: Engraved in the metal on the bottom of the driver’s side leg.
Brakes: Found on a sticker on the side of the brake.
WD Hitches: In the hitch head between the bar pivots.
5th Wheel Hitches: Engraved on the base of the hitch.
Blue Ox does not determine if a vehicle is flat towable. This information can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or by contacting the dealership from whom you purchased your vehicle or the manufacturer.
You cannot backup with your Blue Ox tow bar connected to your towed vehicle. The tow bar must be disconnected from the tow vehicle and stowed before backing up the motorhome.
Yes, you may back up your tow vehicle and trailer while connected to any Blue Ox weight distributing hitch.
You may find instructions for your Blue Ox products on the individual page for the product that you purchased. Type the product number in the search bar to go to a particular product page.
Phone: 1-800-228-9289
Email: info@blueox.com
Live Chat: You may start a Live Chat with a Blue Ox Customer Care Representative by clicking on the Chat Function in the lower right-hand corner of any page on the website.
You will need:
- A motorhome with a 2″ or 2-1/2″ receiver hitch
- Blue Ox tow bar rated to match the GVRW of the vehicle you intend to tow
- Blue Ox baseplate designed to fit the vehicle you intend to tow
- Blue Ox Patriot dinghy tow brake
- Blue Ox Accessory Kit (includes wiring kit; 7-6 electrical cable; hitch locks; hitch immobilizer; and a tow bar cover
Suggested:
- Drop/Rise Receiver
- KarGard or MudFlap System
We recommend servicing your tow bar every two years or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Tow bars older than eight years should be replaced. We offer a $150 trade-in program with many of our dealers to help offset the cost of ensuring your tow bar is functional for the wear and tear of dinghy towing.
Blue Ox regularly attends events offering tow bar service. Check the events list here and sign up for early bird service.
In most U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories, a supplemental braking system is required by law whenever you’re towing. In all but a few states, you MUST have a towed car braking system installed whenever you tow a trailer of a certain weight or any vehicle. A towed car brake system helps to reduce the strain on your RV’s primary brakes. Your motorhome will brake more easily and the wear and tear on the brakes will be reduced considerably by using a supplemental braking system. Also, here at Blue Ox it will put less strain on your tow bar and baseplate.
- Swing the legs inwards towards each other.
- With legs together, swing them up towards the towing vehicle.
- Rotate the legs down to either side until the ears of the leg capture the hold-up tab of the hitch connector.
- Keep the tow bar covered when not in use, on or off the towing vehicle. This will cut down on the dirt build-up on the legs and joints of the tow bar. A BX88309 tow bar cover is recommended.”
At Blue Ox, we use a 5 dimple system:
SwayPro:
- 350lb Bar – O Dots
- 550lb Bar – 1 Dot
- 750lb Bar – 2 Dots
- 1000lb Bar – 3 Dots
- 1500lb Bar – 4 Dots
- 2000lb Bar – 5 Dots
TrackPro:
- 300lb Bar – 0 Lines
- 600lb Bar – 1 Line
- 800lb Bar – 2 Line
- 1000lb Bar – 3 Line
- 1300lb Bar – 4 Line