Towbar Baseplate Problem

[david brady]

Rick,

Thanks for the heads-up. I tow a 2006 Honda Pilot. The Honda's
have had a history of baseplate issues. Thanks for the reminder to
go out and check it again.

Another parameter which can really put a lot of strain on the
baseplate is the angle of the tow bar. It should be as close to
level as possible. If it's not, the bar can transmit tons of force
into the baseplate.

David Brady
'02 LXi, NC

Rick A. wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
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