fly2low Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 Earlier today we were headed up the Dalton Highway. This is a haul road, and per instructions, I was watching ahead and behind for trucks. Several times I pulled over to let a truck past that was coming up behind us. In every instance, this was well before they had caught up to us. I was driving slow, 30 - 45 mph. The gravel portions of the road are a little rough, the blacktopped portion are full of RV eating potholes. As we were climbing a hill, after just crossing the Arctic Circle, I glanced in the rear view mirror, and saw our jeep pulling out to pass us. Being on my game, I knew this was not normal. Fortunately, since we were climbing, all I had to do was slow down and pull over. For the last 3 years and 30,000 miles, we have been pulling our jeep with a Roadmaster Falcon tow bar setup. System has been so good and reliable that I never worried about it. The arm on the drivers side had fractured where it enters its' sleeve. The break was clean with no corrosion, so was acute. Other than the broken arm, no damage was done. Would have been a different story on a downhill segment. Reading Roadmasters site, one of the things that can shorten the life of a tow bar is driving on roads in Alaska or Mexico. Don't know about Mexico, but can verify the Alaska statement. Will spend tomorrow trying to find a new tow bar in AK or arrange to have one sent up here Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 Sorry to hear about this problem. I hope you can find a good and quick solution. Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted June 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 Quote Thanks Linda In the grand scheme of things, not a big deal. No body hurt, RV and Toad are fine. Money will fix this issue. Real problems are when there is an issue that money can't fix. Just wanted to raise awareness that this could happen. Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 With it only 3 years old, I'd still contact Roadmaster to see if they will do anything as they do have a good reputation. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill w/bus Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 To my thinking that appears to be a defect. As Kirk wrote "contact Roadmaster". They may cover the replacement cost. Also you may be covered by your insurance. I can't imagine that Alaska roads are in worse shape than a lot of roads in the lower 48. On Blue OX towbars there is an annual cleaning, inspection and lubrication. Does Roadmaster has a similar suggestion. Good luck, Bill. Bill & Lynn Baxter MCI102A3 Conversion, Detroit Diesel S50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 2 hours ago, Bill w/bus said: I can't imagine that Alaska roads are in worse shape than a lot of roads in the lower 48. Until you've been there, no, you can't imagine. Once you've been there, you will understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted June 22, 2018 Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 We towed our Jeep all over on the Alaskan trip including the gravel roads of Top of the World Hwy and the drive to Teklanika campground in Denali but not on the Dalton Hwy. We had a Blue Ox. No damage to either vehicle on the whole trip.... no dings or broken windshields. For other gravel roads we toured them in the Jeep only as day trips. There are roads in the lower 48 that we wouldn't tow the Jeep. Park and then do the touring. The reason not being the tow bar but towing a car on rough gravel roads could lead to windshield or hood damage from rocks and LOTS of dust. Hope you get the new one fast. Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted June 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2018 Been in contact with Roadmaster this AM. Sent them pictures of the parts, New one on its' way to me from Roadmaster. Will work out details later ab out sharing the cost. Now I just need the part. With Roadmaster tow bars, I cleaned and lubed more that once per year. Inspection is recommended less frequently. I am sure that no inspection would have helped here. Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted June 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 As I mentioned earlier, I had contacted Roadmaster. As Kirk mentioned , Roadmaster has a reputation of making good products, and taking care of their customers. Because the product failed earlier than expected, they offered a discount that I am OK with. Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 That sure looks light duty compared to my Blueox Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted June 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 old one was rated for 6,000 lbs, new one is rated at 8,000. Should be enough. If the system is stressed to the breaking point, I would prefer the failure occur at the hitch or behind it. I would not want a hitch/tow bar that is so robust that the failure point would become the frame of the RV Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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