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**TucsonJim** · 11-22-2023, 08:03 PM

I had the Weigh safe hitch and Blue Ox hitch in the past few years. To comfortably attach or remove the spring bars, I had to lift the trailer nearly as high as it would go.

Jim

**Jlawles2** · 11-22-2023, 08:39 PM

Get the instructions for the hitch and follow them.

On my Blue OX, I could hitch an unhitch without issue. Note the strength of the bars directly affects how much flex to get the loading correct. I did have the stiffer bars so it took less flex to get the loading correct.

IIRC another member was having issues with their Blue OX and found out they had the weakest bars. Upgrading the bars directly affected and corrected a lot of their issues.

**howson** · 11-23-2023, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by RV2600RB View Post

I’m convinced the dealer that installed/setup my Equalizer hitch did it incorrectly.
I had to literally lift the rear wheels of my truck off the ground to disengage the spring bars at the campground. Hence my previous post on no spring bars.
However, I can see the positives to using one.

So my question is: How much do you have to lift the rear of your truck to engage/disengage the spring bars?

My 315RLTS' tongue weight is quite heavy -- I've seen it as high as 1,800 lbs. With the Blue Ox OEM setup I had a heck of a time removing the chains without drama. With Lippert's Straptek system, it's easy and drama-free. If interested, see https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...st-impressions

Howard

**Strider** · 02-09-2024, 04:33 PM

I have the same trailer as you and I have almost always had to jack the back of the truck to ludicrous heights. I have a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch with 1000 lb spring bars. I just ordered 1500 lb bars to try to improve the jacking challenge. BTW my tongue weight is around 900 lbs, so it is at the top end of the spring bars rating and that is why I ordered the higher rated bars. I will try then out at the end of March beginning of April and I will let you know my results if you want.

**howson** · 02-09-2024, 04:56 PM

Originally posted by Strider View Post

I have the same trailer as you and I have almost always had to jack the back of the truck to ludicrous heights. I have a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch with 1000 lb spring bars. I just ordered 1500 lb bars to try to improve the jacking challenge. BTW my tongue weight is around 900 lbs, so it is at the top end of the spring bars rating and that is why I ordered the higher rated bars. I will try then out at the end of March beginning of April and I will let you know my results if you want.

LCI's Straptek's turned my love/hate relationship (love the sway performance but hated the chain hookup/disconnect process) with Blue Ox to a love/love one. If you haven't heard of them, check out https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...st-impressions

They are worth every penny IMHO. https://store.lci1.com/straptek-weig...-system-335852

Howard

**guest2** · 02-09-2024, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by Strider View Post

I have the same trailer as you and I have almost always had to jack the back of the truck to ludicrous heights. I have a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch with 1000 lb spring bars. I just ordered 1500 lb bars to try to improve the jacking challenge. BTW my tongue weight is around 900 lbs, so it is at the top end of the spring bars rating and that is why I ordered the higher rated bars. I will try then out at the end of March beginning of April and I will let you know my results if you want.

Yes, please let me know.
Rich

**JPS350** · 02-13-2024, 12:09 PM

You can pretty easily check to see if it's set up right using a tape measure on the front and rear of the truck. The procedure and how to make adjustments should be in your owner's manual for the hitch.

**guest2** · 02-13-2024, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by JPS350 View Post

You can pretty easily check to see if it's set up right using a tape measure on the front and rear of the truck. The procedure and how to make adjustments should be in your owner's manual for the hitch.

It is and the dealer set it up totally wrong. I’ve made adjustments and will test in the spring when weather warms up. I don’t have any level area on my property that’s large enough for the truck/trailer combo. I just used my “calibrated eye”. Road trip will tell.
Rich

**reubenray** · 02-14-2024, 07:51 AM

I have the Blue Ox TrackPro Weight Distributing Hitch on my truck. At times I had to practically pick up the truck to get the bars off. For some reason the passenger side was always harder to get off. It is easier if the truck and trailer are fairly level with each other. The location that I park the trailer at on my property is not level, so it is harder to remove the bars. When I bought the bigger trailer I got the bigger spring bars for it. After reading this thread I am hoping the bars will be easier to remove. Having to remove the spring bars has made me do more no-disconnect overnight stops due it being a PITA sometimes.

**Jlawles2** · 02-15-2024, 02:46 AM

reubenray I don't use the BlueOx any longer, but I wish I had the StrapTech Howard mentions in post #6. Might be worth investing in a set.

As for disconnecting on property, if your truck will handle it for the short duration, you might try finding a flat plane (does not need to be level) on entry to the property where the truck and trailer are in line with each other to disconnect, then park.

One other think I noticed with the BlueOx was the chain cams tend to get a bit stiff. I used white lithium grease sprayed liberally between the rotating cam and the tongue adapter. Also kept a spray lubricant handy and would spray the cam locks and between the cam and adapter. the combination of white lithium and spray lube seemed to help with the stiffness.

**reubenray** · 02-15-2024, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post

reubenray I don't use the BlueOx any longer, but I wish I had the StrapTech Howard mentions in post #6. Might be worth investing in a set.

As for disconnecting on property, if your truck will handle it for the short duration, you might try finding a flat plane (does not need to be level) on entry to the property where the truck and trailer are in line with each other to disconnect, then park.

One other think I noticed with the BlueOx was the chain cams tend to get a bit stiff. I used white lithium grease sprayed liberally between the rotating cam and the tongue adapter. Also kept a spray lubricant handy and would spray the cam locks and between the cam and adapter. the combination of white lithium and spray lube seemed to help with the stiffness.

My truck can handle it. I drive from my storage lot to my home every time without the spring bars connected. The route is on curvy and hilly back roads and I barely get over 30 miles. I do have a spot behind my house that I can disconnect the spring bars when coming back from a trip. I live in the middle of a circled road and I own both lots in the circle. My Blue Ox model does not have chains. I do have a bar to help put the bars on and off of the trailer that I have not used before.

**guest2** · 02-15-2024, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by reubenray View Post

My truck can handle it. I drive from my storage lot to my home every time without the spring bars connected. The route is on curvy and hilly back roads and I barely get over 30 miles. I do have a spot behind my house that I can disconnect the spring bars when coming back from a trip. I live in the middle of a circled road and I own both lots in the circle. My Blue Ox model does not have chains. I do have a bar to help put the bars on and off of the trailer that I have not used before.

It sounds similar to my Equal-i-zer.
Rich

**Jlawles2** · 02-15-2024, 09:29 PM

reubenray Been a while since I looked at the BlueOx site and not familiar with their non chain models.

Looking at the pics of the hitch on the site, it almost looks exactly like the equalizer style hitch down to the bar lifting tool. I think the chain models are easier to tension especially if you have a way to incrementally set the tension.

**reubenray** · 02-16-2024, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post

reubenray Been a while since I looked at the BlueOx site and not familiar with their non chain models.

Looking at the pics of the hitch on the site, it almost looks exactly like the equalizer style hitch down to the bar lifting tool. I think the chain models are easier to tension especially if you have a way to incrementally set the tension.

When I bought my previous new travel trailer this was the only brand/model the dealer had. I have never had one of these before and my thought was the chain model would be harder to do. The dealer installed it also as part of the deal when I bought the Reflection. They adjusted the hitch for the new trailer also.

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How High? (Mod edit: Regarding hitch spring bars)

How High? (Mod edit: Regarding hitch spring bars)

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