Blue Ox BX7322 - Manual (Page 2)

© 2003, 04, 07, 08, 09 Blue Ox Division, Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. • One Mill Road, Industrial Park
Pender, Nebraska 68047 • Phone 402-385-3051 • Fax 402-385-3360 • www.blueox.us
DO NOT INSTALL, OPERATE OR USE THIS EQUIPMENT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING
OPERATING AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN READ AND UNDERSTOOD.
This symbol is used to bring attention to safety precautions and instructions. When you see this symbol, be alert
and pay attention to all instructions. YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
SAFETY
1. Blue Ox Tow Bars should be used with cars designed or
modifi ed to be towed.
2. Set the transmission for towing according to the owner's
manual. Verify recreational towing procedures in the
vehicle owner's manual.
3. Unlock the steering wheel for towing to allow the front
wheels of the towed vehicle to “track”.
4. Be sure the front end of the towed vehicle is properly
aligned. Unaligned vehicles will cause poor tracking and
abnormal wear on the tires.
5. The use of safety cables or chains is required by law
in some states of the United States and territories
of Canada. Check with the states or territories that
you plan to travel through prior to your trip. Blue
Ox strongly recommends the use of safety cables
(BX88196, Class III or BX88197, Class IV) and our
permanent baseplate safety cables (BX88207, Class III
or BX88208, Class IV) with all applications of towing.
Please refer to their specifi c installation instructions
for more information.
6. Check clearance between vehicles in a turning situation.
7. Rear lighting is required on the towed car. A BX8811 (Wiring
Kit), BX8847 (Wiring Kit) or BX8869 (Bulb & Socket) is
recommended.
8. Prior to a towing trip, check to be sure all the towing accessories
and attachment points are secure. Check for cracked welds and
loose bolts or pins on baseplate and tow bar. This is important
on all occasions, but particularly on a new installation, when
they should be checked just prior to initial towing and again after
100-200 miles of towing.
9. Do Not Back Up when towing. Damage to both vehicles and
towing system may occur.
10. Avoid sharp turns and rough terrain. Check installation after any
unusual event and periodically on a long trip.
11. Do not use the towed vehicle for storing luggage, etc.; you may
exceed the towing capacity of the Tow Bar and its accessories.
12. Do not substitute other devices if the pins and clips are lost.
CAUTION: As with any mechanical product, care
should be taken during installation and operation, to
prevent your fi ngers from being pinched.
1. Blue Ox Tow Bars are designed for the coupler to be parallel
to the ground when it is attached to both the towed and
towing vehicles. If the Tow Bar coupler is at an angle,
damage or an accident could occur.
2. Adjust the coupler for proper fi t to the ball (See Figure 3).
For added security, place a lock, pin or bolt through the hole
provided in the coupler locking lever.
3. Position the Tow Bar with its tabs aligned inside the base-
plate tabs and insert the 1/2" pins. Insert quick pin clips into
the pins to hold them in position. (See Figure 2)
4. Center the coupler with the tow bar legs, (See Figure 4)
and tighten the four coupler bolts completely. The leg width
may be adjusted to no less than 16" to not greater than 34".
Check that the hex bolts are snug but not so tight as to bend
the tow bar attachment lugs. After a few hours of use and
periodically thereafter check all bolts for tightness.
5. DEALER OR INSTALLER: BE CERTAIN USER RECEIVES
INSTRUCTION SHEETS.
TOW BAR INSTALLATION - EXISTING BLUE OX BASEPLATE
WARNING: Ensure that your towing vehicle
is of adequate size to properly control your
towed vehicle. The weight and braking capacity
should be large enough to handle both vehicles
in an emergency situation. Check your towing
vehicle manufacturers recommendations for
towing, hitch load, and braking capacities. The
hitch, ball, motorhome chassis, and safety
cables (each individual cable) need to be rated
at a minimum for the weight of the vehicle
being towed.
Page 2 of 5 292-1263 Rev. H 8/19/09