Wanted Tow Bar

[OldBlue61]

My truck was originally towed behind an RV when it was new. It's still got the attachment on the front of the frame for a tow bar. I'd like to find a tow bar that fits it. It's 24" from mount to mount. Most of the tow bars I see online today have a different hookup and won't work with the mount I have. Anyone have one?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Get a better pic please.

 

[OldBlue61]

Here's the connection on the truck.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Probably going to be tough to find an exact fit.

If it becomes to tough... just grab a universal tow bar and adapt it to you truck or just install new brackets.

They are pretty reasonable these days. I snuck up on one at a Goodwill store for $19.99.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-19745-Adjustable-Dinghy-Coupler/dp/B0007LVGJ6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=17YXRXL33U06H&dchild=1&keywords=universal+tow+bar&qid=1631356740&sr=8-5

 

[OldBlue61]

Probably going to be tough to find an exact fit.

If it becomes to tough... just grab a universal tow bar and adapt it to you truck or just install new brackets.

They are pretty reasonable these days. I snuck up on one at a Goodwill store for $19.99.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-19745-Adjustable-Dinghy-Coupler/dp/B0007LVGJ6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=17YXRXL33U06H&dchild=1&keywords=universal+tow+bar&qid=1631356740&sr=8-5

Thanks. Yeah I was looking at bars like this, and if I have to, I'll pick something like that up. I may only use it once or twice a year, so I was hoping I could find someone that had one laying around their garage...

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm one of those "someone" people. I don't have a use for it at the moment... but I'm keeping it for the moment I do.

They're around... keep searching your local Craigslist... yard sales and thrift type stores. I found mine that way.

 

[4x4prepper]

I have the (older) Harbor Freight tow bar, it would be easy enough to modify to suit your setup. Weld a 3/8" thick eye (1/2" diameter hole?) plate to a 1/4" plate, bolt the 1/4" mount plate to the back of the vehicle vehicle plate. The eye would slide in between the brackets on each side. Then connect with a solid rod left to right through the vehicle brackets. Use alloy washers on the outside of the brackets and use hitch pins (aka hair pins) through the rod on both the outside and inside of the brackets. Inside washers can be malleable cheap steel.

It looks like you have a Blue Ox TYPE of setup

https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar/Blue-Ox/BX7380.html

and if you check underneath the vehicle, there should be a hitch with pins so you can remove the base brackets.

 

[OldBlue61]

I agree, it looks like the Blue Ox fittings could possibly work, but no, the bracket is bolted to the frame and bumper brackets, and is a solid, one-piece unit. There are a couple of stickers on it, but nothing that identifies the manufacturer. I may just go pick up a tow bar from Harbor Freight and fab what I need to make it work.

 

[SenorNoob]

That's the way I'd go.

 

[Albqracer7]

My truck was originally towed behind an RV when it was new. It's still got the attachment on the front of the frame for a tow bar. I'd like to find a tow bar that fits it. It's 24" from mount to mount. Most of the tow bars I see online today have a different hookup and won't work with the mount I have. Anyone have one?

View attachment 65403

I have a Blue Ox Acclaim BX4330. It hooked up to a bar just like you have. It is in very good gently used condition with all hardware and safety cables. I can't seem to upload photos, please look it up online and see if it looks like it would work for you. Thanks ! ( I'll make you a great deal)

 

[OldBlue61]

I have a Blue Ox Acclaim BX4330. It hooked up to a bar just like you have. It is in very good gently used condition with all hardware and safety cables. I can't seem to upload photos, please look it up online and see if it looks like it would work for you. Thanks ! ( I'll make you a great deal)

PM sent. Thanks.

 

[Ranger Lightning]

Yes Old Blue, that looks like a Blue Ox baseplate to me. I use 'em on all my older vehicles, because they pay for themselves on the first tow.
Anyway, I mis-ordered a BX2136, which will fit a 98-99 4x4 Ranger, but NOT my factory Ranger EV, which was actually built on a 4x4 Explorer chassis. Too late to return, so it's for sale here, with installation hardware and instructions. Zero use, just some paint scratches from attempted installation. First $300 takes it with free shipping. Zoro.com lists this item for $579. Thx, Jay

 

[Fast Eddie]

It's Blue Ox. Also see Avatar.

 

[Uncle Gump]

It's Blue Ox. Also see Avatar.

Am I missing something?

I believe he was talking to Old Blue...

 

[Fast Eddie]

Am I missing something?

I believe he was talking to Old Blue...

I was agreeing with " looks like a Blue Ox baseplate to me"