The tech that installed the tow-bar brackets on my new CR/V showed me cracks in the mounting plate of my Roadmaster tow bar.

This most likely happened when I made a sharp turn with only one of the two bars fully extended in the locked position. The recommended procedure is to lock both bars in position by backing up the dinghy. I always did it by pulling the rig forward. A $600 lesson. I cannot recal the manual offering this advise.

arne

Oh man, thanks for the tip.

Being a fairly new RVer, I just assumed it was ok to let the arms lock by themselves . I even think that's what the guy who installed the brackets and showed me how the tow bar works, told me how it happens. I never thought to back the car up against the bar to lock the arms.

I guess I better start doing that.

I never back my toad up to lock the arms....I always drive my motorhome forward to lock the arms and sometimes make a turn before both are locked.

This is the first I have EVER heard of backing up the dingy to lock the arms.

Arne, a little more information if you would.. Where and of what magnatude were the cracks. Were they easily visable?.. I also, have always "just let them lock up" as I pulled away.. Thanks for the caution...rgr...

I think Arne means hook up the toad and then with the RV parked and stationary get in the toad and back it up slightly until the bars lock.

The men who installed mine told me to just drive the RV slowly forward until they lock into position.

I have a Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar ...

After attaching the tow bar to the toad, I back up until one of the arms lock, then I cramp the wheels of the toad slightly in the direction of the arm that did not lock ...

As I drive forward the toad will extend the unlocked arm until it locks ...

I always do a "wiggle-waggle" and look back in my mirrors as I drive away to make sure that the front wheels of the toad are castering (turning) correctly

Since most of us use a tow bar I would like to see a photo of the area where the cracks are in your tow bar or CRV brackets.

-Tom

IMHO, a good habit would be to stop after moving the MH ahead a bit, and walking back to the toad to insure both arms are locked, and the drive train is free wheeling.

I have seen quite a few skid marks left by the toads of folks who thought they were ready to go, but were not.

Unfortunately my Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow-bar is already on the scrap heap, so I cannot post a picture. As best I can describe it, the (heavy duty) triangular piece of metal to which the two tow bars were attached wast twisted. This caused a 1/2" tear on the right side if the plate. I found the problem when I was unable to placethe tow-bar into its folded storage position.

Hope this helps.

arne

Arne, did you back up your motorhome with your toad attached?