Hard to unhook toad

Topic: Hard to unhook toad (Read 1111 times) previous topic - next topic

Hard to unhook toad

June 08, 2017, 09:06:00 am

I have a 2003 Acura which I pull with a blue ox tow bar using the standard setup. I have a heck of a time unhooking. I almost always must hammer the pins out the holes even when I have been careful to straighten the toad behind the coach. This can't be right so I'm must be doing something stupid. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #1 – June 08, 2017, 09:11:20 am

Are you releasing the levers on the tow bar to release the pressure on the tow bar?

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #2 – June 08, 2017, 09:16:22 am

Obviously there is pressure on the pins. Try backing (maybe just putting the trans in reverse) the toad up just a hair to relieve the pressure and then apply parking brake to hold position. If it seems it may need to come forward do the opposite. Sometimes I just use the relief handles one at a time, and that works.

John

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #3 – June 08, 2017, 09:29:26 am

A trick we learned was to start the toad, then turn its steering wheel all the way one direction, all the way the other, then back to center. This helps take pressure off the tow bar. Do this before you release the tow bar arms.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #4 – June 08, 2017, 10:08:00 am

It's really good to have the procedure down as RVs have been lost because of a flat tire fire on the toad. Head the coach into the wind and unhook as quickly as you can.

Pierce

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #5 – June 08, 2017, 11:35:59 am

Having the coach and tow in a direct line is often necessary to take the pressure off the release pins.

I have seen newer tow bars that mention having greatly increased leverage in their designs to positively/easily release the pins

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #6 – June 08, 2017, 12:21:37 pm

Towed an '06 Acura for 5 years and never once needed to hammer out a pin. Always made sure car and coach were inline, set emergency brake in towed, relieve pressure in tow bar arms, if needed I would put car in drive, (think pre load )then try again. If I could shake the tow bar arms and they are loose the pins should come out fine.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #7 – June 08, 2017, 01:06:21 pm

I usually had trouble with Blue Ox bars and it helped to follow their recommendations: 1st, if possible slow to a stop without using the brakes. This allows the toad/coach to "equalize" any pressure. 2nd, as mentioned above turn the toad wheels one way then the other. Actually try turning them and leaving them turned and undo the side that is easiest then turn the wheels the other way and that might help.

The easiest thing I found is to dump the Blue Ox bars and buy a Demco. The release catches are easy to "pop" free and allow the pins to be easily removed. Over a year and I'd never go back to anything Blue Ox.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #8 – June 08, 2017, 01:30:48 pm

We get coach and towed straight. If we are on level ground or slightly tail-high I can unhook myself. I unhook everything but the actual bars, then release the handles and thus release the pressure on the pins. Then I get in the Jeep and set the brake. Then I put the Jeep back in gear. ONLY then do I release the pins. If we are nose high I unhook everything except the actual bars, then set the brake on the Jeep and put it in gear. By that time Jo Ann is available, and I have her take over in the Jeep. I hold the release handles while she moves the Jeep ahead a couple of inches. That's all it takes to get the pressure off of the pins.

My biggest problem is that the safety rings on the retaining pins like to bite my fingers when I'm not looking.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #9 – June 08, 2017, 04:39:27 pm

I've had the same problem. My tow bar doesn't have the pressure release option I've seen on the newer versions. I'll try turning the direction of the wheel to see if that helps. Meanwhile using a spare pin helps punch the stubborn pin out.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #10 – June 08, 2017, 06:58:31 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – June 08, 2017, 01:30:48 pm

We get coach and towed straight. If we are on level ground or slightly tail-high I can unhook myself. I unhook everything but the actual bars, then release the handles and thus release the pressure on the pins. Then I get in the Jeep and set the brake. Then I put the Jeep back in gear. ONLY then do I release the pins. If we are nose high I unhook everything except the actual bars, then set the brake on the Jeep and put it in gear. By that time Jo Ann is available, and I have her take over in the Jeep. I hold the release handles while she moves the Jeep ahead a couple of inches. That's all it takes to get the pressure off of the pins.

My biggest problem is that the safety rings on the retaining pins like to bite my fingers when I'm not looking.

Well thats the thing. I cant release the handles. They are usually stuck solid. If I could then I suspect that would put enough slack into the connections that it be simple to unhook. will try turning the wheel.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #11 – June 08, 2017, 07:52:58 pm

When I get around if I can't press the release with my hand I put my foot on it to release it

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #12 – June 08, 2017, 08:09:11 pm

Here's what you need to release the toad. My old Blue ox came with one.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #13 – June 08, 2017, 09:18:42 pm

No load on the tow bar. Straight behind the coach. Move the tow forward and back until in the middle. Put the tow in neutral and put on the parking brake before releasing the brake pedal.

Do the releases work without being hooked up? If so you need to figure out how to have no load

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #14 – June 08, 2017, 09:43:27 pm

I bought their new version of their tow bar. It is brown and two inches longer and does not bind up. I can release it with one finger. I think they call it the Avail model.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #15 – June 08, 2017, 09:53:35 pm

Yes, I've had to step on the release handles a time or two. I think one time I did have to have Jo Ann put the Jeep in gear and creep ahead an inch or so to take the pressure off, but usually I can release them by hand. Using both hands to release both handles at once usually makes things easier.

I always use work gloves when hooking/unhooking. They keep my hands cleaner and provide a bit more grip when pulling the dirty pins, cables, etc.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #16 – June 09, 2017, 11:10:53 am

I want to thank everyone who took time to help. I will certainly try the wheel turning technique as a way of taking load off the tow bar. And now I know I can use my foot on the release handles. Clearly I was being too gentle:) I have tried gently moving the toad, didn't work and I was afraid of damaging the tow bar. Reading your responses has learned me that I am gonna have to get the squeeze outta the coach and we will probably have to tag team the problem. Thanks everyone!

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #17 – June 09, 2017, 12:04:53 pm

We don't tow, but sitting in my chair outside, full time, I've seen some combos come in, calmly un- hook and re-connect when leaving, with just the geezer. Yup, I've also seen the GZ and the DW come close to a marriage ender trying to get the toad back in place. "Experience rules!" We all have to start somewhere.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #18 – June 09, 2017, 06:34:55 pm

If it is at all possible, disconnect when the vehicles are in a straight line. If you even suspect that you're going to have to unhook for maneuvering, bite the bullet and do it before you get turned...even a little. It's much easier to unhook & hook straight, than fight one after you start a turn and find that you can't quite make it.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #19 – June 09, 2017, 06:46:31 pm

I love this thread because I have had the same problem. I bought my blue ox tow bar used and thought it was just a problem with mine. But the strangest thing occured the last two times I used it. It worked perfectly. Prior to that I do what everybody else has done, even driving the pins out. I have able to release the handles ok but the bar does not free up. I only spent $40.00 bucks for this thing. If I wasnt so cheap I would buy a new one.

Re: Hard to unhook toad

Reply #20 – June 11, 2017, 11:04:02 am

I keep a strip of Velcro wrapped around each arm of the tow bar. If there is pressure on the pins I release the handle and wrap the Velcro around it to keep the pressure off then move the Jeep forward or back a couple of inches and the pins pull out easy.

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