SAFETY ALERT: INSPECT YOUR BASEPLATE FAILURE | Blue Ox | Roadmaster Tow Systems (TOAD)
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
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CHECK YOUR NUTS!!
Don't be a victim of a catastrophic runaway TOAD due to neglect! This video discusses the critical importance of conducting routine safety inspections of your Tow System Baseplates.
Roadmaster 524431-5 Direct Connect Tow Bar Baseplate Kit:
amzn.to/3TZuZw9 - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Another fantastic safety video. This should be mandatory viewing for people towing.
Thank you, Richard...I agree!
Good info and video Steve, This is one of my frequent inspection and touch points. I flat tow a 2021 Ranger. Blue Ox did make an design and engineering change in early 2022, to the side plates and fasteners, they also include supplemental safety cables, at least for the Ranger design. As a mechanical engineer, vehicle dynamics and road load, I'm always cautious with aftermarket products, not knowing their testing and signoff protocol. I really like you content. Thanks!
Thank you for the compliments; I appreciate you watching as well as your comments. You're well ahead of the game, and correct about changes Blue Ox has made. I just inspected a couple installs for some friends, and even pointed out the new cabling to one who didn't even realize they had been installed! So, YES...it's incredibly important to add this to your pre-trip inspection.
I also have a Raptor todd. I attached a large U bolt around my frame and then the turn on chain-link to the U bolt. Then the safety cable. I think I like how yours is done better. I may rethink this in the near future. Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for watching, Timothy. It’s great to collaborate ideas to come up with a good solution!
Seems Roadmaster didn’t properly design the baseplate for the Ford F-150.
I don’t think you should even involve Blue Ox in this design flaw.
I been using Blue Ox Baseplates and tow bars since 2003.
My first Blue Ox Tow bar and Baseplate was on my 2004 Jeep Liberty which I pulled safely for 110,000 miles.
I installed an all new Blue Ox Baseplate and Tow Bar for my new 2022 Jeep Wrangler and pulled it over 12,000 miles this year without a problem
The key for Blue Ox is correct installation.
All issues with Blue Ox Baseplates was the design flaw of the automaker design of the frame. Most issues were frame stress and not baseplate failure.
All Tow Bars will have Metal fatigue that will not be noticed. that is why Blue Ox recommends only 10 year use on any Tow Bar. Then replace the Tow Bar. Metal fatigue failure will be sudden with no pre failure warning.
Thank you for your comments. Let me be clear, however, that BOTH of the recent PLATE failures I mentioned were Blue Ox. They were NOT anything to do with frame. Both were installed professionally in the same manner as instructed per manufacturer. What happened was the bolts loosened, which caused shock-stress and movement, causing the baseplate to fracture. A lot of "metal experts" weighed in on the first incident when it happened earlier this year; giving their reasons based on metallurgy. The latest incident was the same thing; a Blue Ox plate on a completely different vehicle, yet had the same problem of a fractured plate. So, I'd like to correct your statement about all issues being the automaker's design flaw. ADDITIONALLY, there were NOTHING wrong with my Roadmaster baseplates, only that the bolts had loosened, so that was the reason for concern and this video.
With the RM on the Raptor, interestingly enough, the points of attachment are the exact same ones used for the factory tow hooks. Now, one could claim that there's a difference between the temporary use of a tow-hook to pull a vehicle from the sand, versus full-time towing the truck behind an RV. So, to blame Ford on frame design isn't something I would claim as the problem.
Please notice that I was very articulate to not BLAME any manufacture, whether the vehicle or the system. I did, however, mention that improvements are made over time just as so many other companies do, to make it better and stronger. That's my point.
Incidentally, both of these failures occurred on BO installs that were less than 2 years old! Your successful history is great, but not typical of the many I've talked to, who feel that replacement every 3 years is prudent...certainly not 10 years though, let alone 110k miles.
But the biggest point I was trying to make is to inspect ANY system, no matter what. It was intended to be a generic warning to inspect, rather than post blame. I hope you got that out of my efforts. Thanks for watching.