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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Toads -> Service Life of a tow bar and toad brackets?
Post Info TOPIC: Service Life of a tow bar and toad brackets?
Old Snipe


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Service Life of a tow bar and toad brackets?
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Just being careful, is there any way to tell if a tow bar and/or toad brackets have reached the point where they are worn out and should be replaced?

I have a Roadmaster Tow set up and have been careful to keep everything a s clean and lubed as possible, but recently when I took off my toad brackets after an extended use, a bunch of rust flakes came out of the inside of the brackets.  I could not tell if there was too much lost metal, still looks to be about 1/4" thick.

So just to ensure that I don't have a failure on the road, what have others found on how long these expensive things last?

Best Regards!

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Paul D
2007 Winnebago Journey 39K, Cat C7
 AKA "R-SANITY III"
2003 Honda Element 4WD Toad
 AKA "JRNYZ-END"
www.rsanityrvtravels.blogspot.com
Jim01


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I doubt if some rust will be a problem, but when is some rust too much?

You could contact Roadmaster at http://roadmasterinc.com/ and see if they have any advice for you.

I talked to them last fall about a little problem I was having, and they were very friendly and helpful at that time.

Jim

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Jim and Linda
Full-timers from 2001 to 2013
http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 
2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT
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May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
Luvglass


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Generally speaking these things are engineered to have a very long service life and you shouldn't be concerned with a little surface rust coming out of recessed spaces. It might be a good idea though to visit an auto supply store and get some rust inhibitor to treat the rusting areas.

Most likely your hitch will need replacement when the areas of attachment begin to wear sufficiently and you experience a sloppy fit.

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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
bjoyce


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Both Roadmaster and Blue Ox go to many large rallies, including Escapees Escapades, and they will check and adjust their towbars for free. You just have to sign up, tell them where you are parked and leave the towbar unlocked.
If you are in the Portland, OR area then you can go to Roadmaster yourself. Blue Ox is in Pender, NE and has a very nice free campground for their owners.

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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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Serengeti2001


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Just yesterday I saw a MH leaving the CG that we are at and the tow bar between the MH and the toad was at about a 20 degree angle.
He was on level ground and I just shook my head.
We know that this will not last long as the industry is very firm in having a level towing system.
We have a Demco system and just this spring I took it apart and cleaned and inspected it, at the same time we replaced the dirt boots.
Also sprayed it with silicon.
I believe that proper maintenance is a must and it will save you equipment.

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