Blue Ox BX4322 User Manual
®
OPERATOR, PARTS AND
INSTALLATION MANUAL
BX4322
Rangefinder® II Tow Bar
Class III (5000 lb) 2 Inch Coupler
TOWING PRODUCTS DIVISION
SAFETY
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.
1. Blue Ox tow bars are designed for the coupler to
be parallel to the ground when it is attached to
the towed and towing vehicles. If the tow bar
coupler is at an angle, damage or accident
could occur.
2. Blue Ox tow bars are designed to tow manual
transmission cars or automatics equipped with a
transmission pump, drive shaft disconnect or half
shaft disconnect.
3. The transmission is in neutral when towing.
4. Unlock the steering wheel to allow the front wheels
of the towed vehicle to “track”.
5. Be sure the front end of the car being towed is
properly aligned.
6. The use of safety cables or chains is REQUIRED
BY LAW. Blue Ox Model BX8805 (5ft) or BX8806
(6ft) Safety Cables are recommended. The
shorter BX8805 is normally best.
7. Adjust the coupler for proper fit to the ball (see
coupler fit adjustment). For added security, place
a lock, pin or bolt through the hole provided in the
coupler locking lever.
8. Check clearance between vehicles in a turning
situation.
9. Most states require rear lighting on the towed car.
A BX8811 Wiring Kit is recommended.
10. Prior to a towing trip, be sure all towing accessories and attachment points are secure. Check for
cracked welds and loose bolts. 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.
11. Do Not Back Up when towing. This may damage
the tow bar assembly or the towed car’s chassis.
12. Avoid sharp turns and rough terrain. Check
assembly after unusual events and periodically on
long trips.
13. Do not use towed vehicle for storing luggage, etc.;
you may exceed the towing capacity of the tow
bar.
SAFETY CABLE INSTALLATION
COUPLER FIT ADJUSTMENT
(Unlocked Position)
Housing
Ball
Clamp
Lock Nut
1.Using a 3/4" socket, tighten or loosen the nut
until firm contact between coupler and ball is
established.
2.Check ball to housing tension periodically and
tighten if needed.
3.Lightly lubricate the ball.
Locking Lever
(Locked Position)
Pin & Chain
(Optional)
Light Spring
Heavy Spring
Channel Lock
292-1190 3/01 1 of 6
1. Using the cable hooks, attach the cables to a solid part
of the chassis of the towed vehicle or to the bracket
convenience links on unibody cars. NOTE: It is best
to have permanent chains that connect the convenience links to the frame.
2. Wrap each cable once or twice around their respective
tow bar leg and cross them under the coupler area.
3. Using the cable hooks, attach the opposite ends of the
cables to a solid part of the chassis of the towing
vehicle if at all possible.
4. Adjust slack so that the cables cannot touch the
ground or become caught beneath the ball. If either of
these things happen, the cables may become damaged and ineffective. DO NOT USE DAMAGED
CABLES!
5. If BX8805 or BX8806 cables are not used, be sure
each cable or chain used has at least the load rating of
the coupler.
INSTALLATION / HOOKING UP
3. Fold the tow bar for storage. (See Unhooking /
Folding section) Check for retainer pin and receiver
tube alignment. NOTE: If adjustment is required,
the retainer pin can be adjusted by loosening the
bolts labeled "D". Be sure to tighten the bolts when
finished.
4. DEALER OR INSTALLER: BE CERTAIN USER
RECEIVES INSTRUCTION SHEETS.
Hooking up:
Figure 1
CAUTION: As with any mechanical product, care
should be taken during installation and operation, to
prevent your fingers from being pinched.
Installation
Refer to figure 1 while installing the tow bar.
1.
the Rangefinder II in position with its tabs aligned
inside the baseplate tabs. Insert the 1/2 in. diameter
pins, provided with the baseplate, through the holes
labeled "A". Be sure to secure the pins with the
hairpin clips provided.
NOTE: If the tabs do not line up, the mount angles
on the tow bar can be adjusted by loosening the
bolts labeled "B". Be sure to tighten the bolts when
finished.
2. Fully extend the tow bar. (See Operating Instructions) Hold the coupler parallel to the ground and
rotate the tow bar up or down until the top surfaces
of the mount angles are parallel with the coupler.
Insert the 5/16 in. diameter pins through holes
labeled "C" in the baseplate and the nearest hole in
the tow bar tab.
NOTE: On baseplates manufactured prior to 1991,
these holes "C" must be drilled. Using a 3/8 drill bit,
drill holes on the center line of the baseplate tabs, 1
7/16 inches from the center of the existing hole.
(Figure 2) Be sure to secure the pins with the hairpin
clips provided.
Hold
Refer to figure 1 for part names.
1.
towing vehicle parking brake. Position the towed
vehicle behind the towing vehicle in the approximate
towing position and engage the parking brake.
Engage the
Figure 3
Refer to figures 3 & 4.
2.
the front of the towed vehicle. Remove the hair pin
clip from the tow bar retainer pin. Swing the coupler
up and away towards the passenger side until the
driver side leg latch locks in place. (Latch is locked
when rubber seal is not exposed. Figure 5) Slide the
driver side leg towards the driver side until the cross
brace latch locks. (Figure 4)
3. Unlock the driver and passenger side leg latches and
compress the tow bar.
unlocked by sliding the collar back to expose the
rubber seal under the collar. (Figure 5)
coupler to the towing vehicle's 2 inch ball and lock in
place. (See Coupler Fit Adjustment On Page 1)
Face the folded tow bar on
NOTE: Leg latches are
Attach the
Figure 2
Caution: It is possible to extend the tow bar by
driving away with the towing vehicle. As you drive
away, the towed vehicle will wander around until,
eventually, both sides may lock. Even though they
may lock this way, we DO NOT recommend towing
any vehicle until the operator has confirmed that
the leg latches have been properly locked as
outlined in the following step.
292-1190 7/96 2 of 6
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