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Blue Ox
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High Compatibility: The 3" receiver and standard length make it an ideal fit for a wide range of towing vehicles, including Avail, Ascent, and Apollo models.
1769: V
356: 2
Towing Capacity: 15000
The Blue Ox BX88428 Tow Bar Hitch Connector is a top-tier, high-quality replacement part designed for heavy-duty towing. It's standard length and 3" receiver make it compatible with a variety of towing vehicles. Notably, it's crafted to work seamlessly with Avail, Ascent, and Apollo models. The hitch connector boasts a maximum towing capacity of 15,000 lbs, making it ideal for heavy loads. With this robust accessory, you can ensure a safe and dependable tow, regardless of the weight of your trailer.
Blue Ox is known internationally for recreational and commercial towing products, manufacturing in Pender, Nebraska since 1925. The line covers tow bars and vehicle-specific baseplates for flat towing behind a motorhome, sway control and weight distributing hitches, supplemental braking accessories and towing wiring, backed by patented designs and long-standing customer service.
Blue Ox has manufactured since 1925 and is recognised internationally for towing products and customer service. The company operates from Pender, Nebraska, where it grew out of Automatic Manufacturing Co., a business that started with cattle oilers and developed into agricultural equipment, tractor accessories and trailer towing hardware. That agricultural engineering heritage still shows in how the towing products are built, and the company holds patents across weight distribution, fifth wheel and tow bar designs.
Flat towing is the discipline Blue Ox is best known for. Towing a car with all four wheels on the ground behind a motorhome demands a system that stays rigid under braking, articulates properly over uneven ground, and connects to the towed vehicle at points strong enough to take the load. Blue Ox tow bars handle the first two, with self-aligning arms that latch under tension and release without a struggle when the load is off them. Vehicle-specific baseplates handle the third, engineered per make and model to tie into structural mounting points behind the fascia.
The wider flat towing range covers supplemental braking systems, safety cables and the accessories that make a complete legal setup, along with baseplate wiring and dinghy towing harnesses that pass lighting signals to the towed vehicle without back-feeding its electrical system.
For conventional trailer towing, Blue Ox weight distributing hitches with integrated sway control transfer tongue load onto the tow vehicle's front axle and resist the yaw that crosswinds and passing trucks induce.
The company describes its foundation as customer service, designing around what owners actually ask for, and it runs an RV park adjacent to the factory where customers can stay. Sister operations at the same Nebraska site include Automatic grain roller mills and MAD-RAMPS pivoting ramp systems.
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Call 888-634-9494No Warranty
The BX88428 is rated for a maximum tow capacity of 15,000 lb. However, when using this connector with a tow bar, the total tow capacity of both items together is limited to the lesser of the two ratings. Always verify the tow bar's maximum tow capacity and use the lower figure as your safe towing limit.
The BX88428 kit includes: one 3" Receiver Standard (part 62-4344), one Bolt Bag (part 63-4963), one 3/4"-16 Hex Nut with Nylon Insert, ZP (part 202-0152), one 5/8" x 5" Eff. Clevis Pin with Cotter Pin, ZP (part 229-1228), one 3/4" x 5" Eff. Clevis Pin with Cotter Pin, ZP (part 229-1243), and five 1/16" x 13/16" ID x 2" OD Plastic Spacers (part 290-0347).
You will need a 1-1/16" socket and a 1-1/8" wrench.
No. Blue Ox explicitly states: "Use only genuine factory replacement parts on your tow bar. Do NOT substitute homemade or non-typical parts." If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (in most cases Grade 5). Failing to follow this requirement will void the manufacturer's warranty. Order replacement parts through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor.
The installation requires replacement of the existing plastic washers with new 2" OD washers (part 290-0347). Five plastic spacers are included in the kit. These washers are installed between the legs and hitch connector to ensure proper alignment and operation.
1. Remove the 3/4" lock nut and bolt from the legs and hitch connector, then remove the hitch connector from the legs. 2. Replace the existing plastic washers between the legs with the new 2" OD washers. 3. Install the new hitch connector back into the legs. 4. Align the washers with the leg and hitch connector holes and reinstall the bolt through the legs. 5. Install a new 3/4" lock nut onto the bolt and tighten down until the legs are snug but can move freely by hand.
Yes. After tightening the 3/4" lock nut, the legs should be snug but must be able to move freely by hand. If the legs are too tight and cannot move, loosen the lock nut slightly until free movement is restored.
Blue Ox recommends a full tow bar service every two (2) years or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. The tow bar is subjected to road dirt and weather during use, so regular maintenance is essential to keep it in proper working condition.
Follow these maintenance steps: 1. Keep the tow bar covered when not in use (a BX88309 tow bar cover is recommended). 2. Periodically clean the entire surface with mild soap and water, then wipe dry. 3. Check for cracked welds and repair any loose, worn or damaged bolts, rubber boots or cap plugs. 4. Approximately once per year, or if legs are difficult to move, remove cable ties holding rubber boots, slide boots back, clean inner legs with silicone spray or brake cleaner, apply light multipurpose grease to each leg, and secure boots back with an 8" UV rated nylon cable tie. 5. Before each trip, check for movement in the baseplate by grabbing the baseplate tabs and moving up and down to ensure it is still secure to the vehicle's frame.
No. Only the inner legs require grease for normal operation. All other tow bar joints rely on self-lubricating washers. If these joints become too stiff, clean them with mild soap and water as directed in the maintenance instructions.
Apply a light coat of multipurpose grease to each inner leg to ensure smooth operation. This should be done approximately once per year or if it is difficult to move the legs in and out.
Use an 8" UV rated nylon cable tie to secure each rubber boot back in place after cleaning and greasing the inner legs.
Remove the small cable ties holding the rubber boots to the legs and slide the boots back. Clean off the inner legs with a silicone spray or brake cleaner. After cleaning, apply a light coat of multipurpose grease to each leg to ensure smooth operation.
Before each trip, check for movement in the baseplate. Grab the baseplate tabs and move up and down, making sure the baseplate is still secure to the vehicle's frame. This ensures the tow bar remains properly attached to your vehicle.
If the tow bar's legs do not operate smoothly or the joints become excessively loose, take your tow bar to an authorized Blue Ox Dealer or call Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 for repairs.
Failing to follow and/or altering the installation instructions in either installation or required equipment will void the manufacturer's warranty. Always follow the instructions exactly as written to maintain warranty coverage and ensure safe operation.
Blue Ox recommends the BX88309 tow bar cover to keep the tow bar covered when not in use, on or off of the towing vehicle. This will cut down on dirt buildup on the legs and joints of the tow bar.
The BX88428 is rated for 15,000 lb. maximum tow capacity. However, when used with a tow bar, the total tow capacity is limited to the lesser of the two ratings.
You will need a 1-1/16" socket and a 1-1/8" wrench.
Yes. You must replace the existing plastic washers with the new 2" OD washers included in the kit. The legs should be snug but able to move freely by hand after installation.
No. Use only genuine factory replacement parts of the same grade (typically Grade 5). Using non-genuine parts will void the manufacturer's warranty.
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