FIRE UP
Ramona, CA. USA
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Joined: 03/08/2004
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Ladies and Gents,
We recently headed out to a local desert for a weekend getaway and it was our maiden voyage for towing our 2011 Honda CRV. I acquired a Blue Ox Aladdin Tow bar with cables, cover and electrical connection off ebay. The tow bar itself seems to be in pretty good shape. Not very much play or wear in any one particular point. It's the aluminum version so, toting it around prior to hookup is sure a lot easier than the "Stowmaster" I used to have.
Well, it did not come with the 1/2" pins for connection to the base plate so, I made some out of 1/2" stainless steel bolts. I drilled them for the spring loaded clips that keep them in place while towing. But, here's the deal. Upon arrival at our desert camp spot, I had a pretty difficult time getting those pins out. Based on the terrain conditions, the angle of the car to the coach, and the general condition of all the components, it sure seemed to be pretty tough to get them out. Pushing down on the release levers didn't seem to do almost anything.
So, I just grabbed a large set of channel locks and pulled on the heads of the bolts/pins and they came out. The car did not seem to react too much indicating it may have had forward or reverse pressure on the pins. So, just wondering, you Aladdin owners, do you have any issues disconnecting? Are you always dead straight and dead level when disconnecting? Thanks.
Scott
Scott and Karla
San Diego Fire Department RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad
2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing
KI60ND
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Acampingwewillgo
USA
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Joined: 11/15/2002
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I dont have the Aladdin but a Roadmaster and I find exactly the same thing, commonly know as "binding". Unless I am perfectly straight and level, at least one Pin is a pain to get out. As I understand it now, some tow bars are non binding such as the All terrain bars. I generally carry a hammer and a spike to knock out the other pin when I run into this situation.
96 Vogue Prima Vista 37' CAT 3176B
Our Babies: Mollie, Rubie, Cassie and Maggie, all rescued Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Rally's and get togethers.....Lots
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klm
SIOUX FALLS, SD
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Joined: 05/26/2004
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I am a fulltimer, using a blue ox setup for 5 yrs. Yes, you really need to be level and straight to have an easy disconnect. At least that has been my experience. I have found that it helps to "ease" into your stop, as opposed to hard braking the mh. Generally, I have pretty good luck with releasing the lock levers to ease the pressure a bit. I also carry a rubber mallet to bang the pin out, and it helps if you put the pin going from the inside toward to outside - so you are not fighting for room to get to the pin.
Sometimes hooking/unhooking is so simple, and other times not so - a little practice and you will be fine. I am a solo female rv'er, and find the blue ox tow equipment very manageable.
'02 KOUNTRY STAR DP
2012 HONDA FIT "PUMPKINMOBILE"
GILLIGAN- 1ST MATE CAT - 3 HR TOUR
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rvrepairnut
bc
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Joined: 11/11/2011
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yes u need flat level ground and both arms as even as possible.
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hottubkid
SCHAUMBURG,IL
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Joined: 12/29/2004
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I just pull foward a foot or so. Also hope your homemade pins are number 8's. Soft pins can break. I use the locking pins because then noone messes with them.
hottubkid60193@yahoo.com
2004 SOUTHWIND 36E Tow 2003 CRV
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s79vette
Twin Lake.Mi.USA
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Joined: 06/03/2003
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I've never had a problem pulling pins as long as the locking levers release. I have put transfer box in gear and driven forward an inch to relieve pressure on levers. once released pulling pins by hand has always been easy and car won't roll as it's already in gear and in park. just experiment with your options, sometimes it doesn't work the same way 2 times in a row. if it did we wouldn't have this question to talk about!!
2003 Gulfstream Ultra Supreme Ford V10 2004 Jeep Liberty, Blue Ox, Brake Buddy
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RohoBorrego
Newalla, Oklahoma
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Joined: 01/10/2004
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I use a Blue Ox bar and have for the past four years. I have tried "talking" the pins out,hammering them out,shaking the bar and pulling on the pin, and many other combinations. What I have found to work best for me is to make sure the toad is as straight behind the MH as possible when I stop. I then try to press both levers down. If I can't then wife starts the toad and rocks the it back and forth until the levers will depress, then move the toad forward about an inch or two forward and then pull the pins. If I can't depress both pins,(whitch doesn't happen very often) I depress one and pull the pin and then wife steers front wheels one direction and then the other as I keep pressure on the lever. Wife will get the right combination and the lever will depress. Happy Trails.
2004 Newmar Dutch Star Model 4010 with 375 Cummins w/exhaust brake. Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 Toad. The early bird may get the worm,but the second mouse gets the cheese.
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supercub
Modesto CA
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Joined: 04/24/2005
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Just try turning the wheels to the stopping point in one direction, I don't recall which way, but one way or the other will free things up to release the levers. Moving the car is not necessary, believe it or not.
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Mr.Mark
California/Tennessee
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Joined: 09/24/2006
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I've never really had much of a problem with our Blue Ox tow bar and connections. I found that if I put the tow vehicle in drive and pull forward, the pressure is released on the pins. So far, it's work fine.
I have my Blue Ox tow bar 'serviced' in Quartzsite every year ($25). I'll be there again this year mid January with my RV group and I'll drop the tow bar off for refreshening.
Happy Trails!
MM.
Mr.Mark 
2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42.2 ft., 4 slides, 425 hp clean-air Cummins diesel
2007 Honda CR-V EXL, 4WD, w/Nav and the M&G braking system
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Lobstah
Northeast
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Joined: 06/28/2005
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s79vette wrote:I've never had a problem pulling pins as long as the locking levers release. I have put transfer box in gear and driven forward an inch to relieve pressure on levers. once released pulling pins by hand has always been easy and car won't roll as it's already in gear and in park. just experiment with your options, sometimes it doesn't work the same way 2 times in a row. if it did we wouldn't have this question to talk about!!
X2
We put the mh in park, then push the locking levers down, and move the toad forward by a few inches and pull the emergency break. Pins come out with no issues at all.
Jim
2005 Pace Arrow 36D
Very Understanding Wife
2 Boxers
4 Cats
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