Blue Ox BX4335 User Manual
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. 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. A BX8860 padlock is recommended.
8. Check clearance between vehicles in a turning
situation.
9. Most states require rear lighting on the towed car. A
BX8811 or BX8869 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.
COUPLER FIT ADJUSTMENT
(Unlocked Position)
Locking Lever
(Locked Position)
Housing
Pin & Chain
(Optional)
11. Do Not Back Up when towing. This may damage
the tow bar assembly or the towed cars 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
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. Slip the
end of the hook through the neoprene keeper to
prevent the hook from unhooking. (See Fig. 3)
NOTE: It is best to have permanent chains that
connect the convenience links to the frame of the
car. (See Fig. 2)
2. Cross the two safety cables under the tow bar. (See
Fig. 1) NOTE: Do not wrap around legs or damage
could occur to rubber boot.
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. Slip the end of the hook
through the neoprene keeper to prevent the hook
from unhooking. (See Fig. 3)
Ball
Clamp
Lock Nut
Light Spring
Heavy Spring
Channel Lock
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.
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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 (5000 lbs.).
INSTALLATION / ADJUSTMENT
CAUTION: As with any mechanical product, care
should be taken during installation and operation, to
prevent your fingers from being pinched.
INSTALLATION
1. Refer to figure 1 while installing the tow bar. Hold
the Tow Bar 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 Extending Tow Bar)
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.
3. Fold the tow bar for storage. (See Unhooking /
Folding section)
4. DEALER OR INSTALLER: BE CERTAIN USER
RECEIVES INSTRUCTION SHEETS.
Figure 2
Figure 1
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HOOKING UP / EXTENDING
HOOKING-UP TO THE TOWING VEHICLE
Make sure you are able to identify the tow bar parts,
(Figure 1), before proceeding.
1. Release the clip.
(Figure 3) Using your
right hand, raise the
front end of the tow
bar and begin to slide
the DS pivot arm
across the chrome
bar. Important:
Keep the front end of
the tow bar up to keep
pressure off of the
slide rail.
2. Slide the DS pivot arm all the way to the right side
(drivers side), over the safety stop on the forward
side of the chrome bar, and against the edge (Figure
4). Once against the edge, roll the front of the tow
bar forward and down. The tow bar leg is now
locked into position and ready to use.
HITCHING UP COUPLER
1. Position the towing vehicle on a level surface with
approximately 100 ft. to 200 ft. of straight driveway
ahead and engage the parking brake. (Later, You
will be driving straight ahead to latch the legs when
extending the tow bar.) Position the towed vehicle
behind the towing vehicle in the approximate towing
position and engage the parking brake of the towed
vehicle.
Figure 3
EXTENDING TOW BAR
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 below.
1. On the towed vehicle; disengage parking brake, set
up the transmission for towing, (See SAFETY
section - Page 1, Item 2) and unlock the steering
wheel. Drive the towing vehicle straight forward
approximately 50 ft. to100 ft. or until the locking
handles are engaged and locked. (When locked they
will "pop" up)
NOTE: If only one locking handle is locked, simply
turn the top of the towed vehicle's steering wheel
towards the unlocked side, approximately 1/2 to 3/4
turn, before continuing forward. Check to insure both
legs are latched properly before towing.
IMPORTANT: The steering wheel on the towed
vehicle must be unlocked at all times while being
towed. Failure to do so will create hazardous driving
conditions.
2. Install safety cables or chains and lighting. (See
safety cable installation - page1).
2. Adjust the coupler. (See Cplr Fit Adjstmnt - Pg. 1)
3. Pulling from the coupler, the arms will now telescope
out for self alignment. Place the coupler on a 2" ball
and lock the coupler by pushing down on the locking
lever. (See coupler fit adjustment) Important: For
safety, you should put the pin provided, a padlock, or
a bolt with nut through holes on the coupler lever. A
BX8860 padlock is recommended.
Figure 4
Safety Stop
DS Pivot Arm
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