Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Motorcoach & Motorhome > Class A Motor Coach
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-03-2018, 03:33 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
DenverTransplant's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Colorado
Posts: 388
THOR #5190
Roadmaster vs Blue Ox - Why the crossbar

We are looking at moving from our Mini that requires a tow dolly to a Jeep Cherokee that we can pull 4 down. I've been researching tow bars and have noticed that Roadmaster generally requires a cross bar at the toad while Blue Ox does not.

I'm a bit puzzled by the difference. The cross bar seems to be an inherently stronger design, but its another piece of equipment to deal with. Does anyone have knowledge of practical differences? Can you get a Roadmaster version without the crossbar?

__________________
Rick
2017 Thor ACE 30.1
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain
RVi Brake 3
DenverTransplant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2018, 05:23 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Aria 3901
State: Idaho
Posts: 695
THOR #9660
Roadmaster uses the crossbar depending on the strength of the mounting points on the vehicle. For instance, on our Durango, it does not. I do not know about the Blue Ox equipment as I have no personal experience with them.
__________________
m1noel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2018, 05:37 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Mr Sunshine's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
I've had both. The Blue Ox baseplate on my '02 Miata had a crossbar built in that was hidden behind the grill. There wasn't a Blue Ox available for my '11 Miata, so it has a Roadmaster. I think the welded crossbar is an inherently stonger design.

If you ever pass through Pender, NE, you can tour the Blue Ox plant. They offered to take my 5 year old tow bars into their shop and overhaul them at no charge to me! Great service!

PS. I have a Blue Ox baseplate for a pre-2003 Miata, make me an offer!
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
Mr Sunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 12:00 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Tennessee
Posts: 297
THOR #7227
Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverTransplant View Post
We are looking at moving from our Mini that requires a tow dolly to a Jeep Cherokee that we can pull 4 down. I've been researching tow bars and have noticed that Roadmaster generally requires a cross bar at the toad while Blue Ox does not.



I'm a bit puzzled by the difference. The cross bar seems to be an inherently stronger design, but its another piece of equipment to deal with. Does anyone have knowledge of practical differences? Can you get a Roadmaster version without the crossbar?


I think it depends on the toad. I have the crossbar for my Roadmaster but I have no need to use it when I tow my wrangler.
__________________
JamJanTan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 12:51 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Illinois
Posts: 212
THOR #5112
2016 jeep patriot had blue ox with cross bar . 2017 jeep cherokee trail hawk has blue ox with no cross bar. as said before it depends on toad not how strong one or the other is.
__________________
tigwelder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 01:34 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
I use a blue ox to tow an HHR, no visible crossbar, but the base plate structure provides that needed strength laterally. Its all hidden behind the front grill etc. of the car, but the equivalent of that crossbar is there. The tow pins, attach directly to the base plate.
__________________
Laco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 01:42 AM   #7
gmc
Senior Member
 
gmc's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverTransplant View Post
We are looking at moving from our Mini that requires a tow dolly to a Jeep Cherokee that we can pull 4 down. I've been researching tow bars and have noticed that Roadmaster generally requires a cross bar at the toad while Blue Ox does not.

I'm a bit puzzled by the difference. The cross bar seems to be an inherently stronger design, but its another piece of equipment to deal with. Does anyone have knowledge of practical differences? Can you get a Roadmaster version without the crossbar?
Roadmaster now offers more choices without the crossbar... A few years ago - I had to get the crossbar with my Wrangler - now there is a choice...
For a Jeep - the strength is certainly there in the chassis - the no-crossbar option would be simpler (that is the only pain in hooking up - though I think I have gotten around that a bit.)

Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 12:46 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
We have a blueOx Alpha setup that I've used over 100,000 miles since Aug 2014 for both our '14 Ford Fiesta and now our '14 Ford Focus, both FWD Automatic cars. I also used it for many thousands of miles while transporting new coaches from the factories to dealers, pulling either of these toads. No issues. Easy hookup. Folds up nicely.
blueOx, in Pender, NE, provided a $35 rebuild last summer, while we were on our way to Canada and Alaska.
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
TurnerFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2018, 01:36 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laco View Post
I use a blue ox to tow an HHR, no visible crossbar, but the base plate structure provides that needed strength laterally. Its all hidden behind the front grill etc. of the car, but the equivalent of that crossbar is there. The tow pins, attach directly to the base plate.
Exactly. Towbar assemblies form a complete triangle in order to provide pulling, stopping, and turning forces. The leg of the triangle across from the hitch (closes to toad) is there in one way or another. Yours sounds like a nice clean-looking system, and at other extreme I've seen a few towbars attached semi-permanently to bumpers of Jeeps and other vehicles. Regardless of how it's done, you're correct that the "equivalent" of the crossbar is there.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 05:16 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2