Towbar Baseplate Problem

[Rick A.]

This is a reminder for everyone to check their towbar system on a regular
basis,
especially the baseplate where it bolts to the tow car frame. After returning
from a trip
this past weekend the front of my wife's 2003 Jeep Liberty literally fell off!
Luckily it
happened within 1 block of where I park the bird.
Studying the Blue Ox towbar system, which has been on for over 3 years, I see
a
possible design flaw in the baseplate system. The baseplate itself has 3/8inch
holes and
calls for 3/8 inch bolts to go into the frame, which mine had. But the frame on
the Jeep
Liberty is a unibody type, very thin stamped steel, with 1/2inch holes. Looking
closely at
the Jeep frame the 1/2inch holes are now very elongated from the bigger hole
size and
movement related to 3 years/20,000 miles. The bolts on one side of the baseplate
came
completely out causing the towbar frame to pull the front end of the Jeep off
and causing
the Jeep to swerve to one side. Again, luckily all this happened at 10mph and
within 1
block of my parking spot. Another disturbing discovery is the 10,000 lb safety
cables do
nothing in this case to prevent a runaway vehicle as they are attached to the
same
baseplate.
So, this is a reminder to everyone to check your baseplate bolts for
tightness on
whatever vehicle you might tow.....and if you tow a Jeep Liberty.....check the
bolts and
bolt holes immediately.

Rick Archie
85PT40 "Fort R"
Fort Worth