Blue Ox BX7475 Operating instructions

BX7475

Apollo Tow Bar

Operator Manual &

Installation Instructions

405-0848 Rev A Page 1 of 7 9/28/23

Please visit www.blueox.com for the latest version of these installation instructions.

Serial Number

Apollo Tow Bar

Class V (12,500 lb.) 2 Inch Receiver

BX7475

Apollo Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-084 Rev A Page 2 of 7 9/28/23

DO NOT INSTALL, OPERATE OR USE THIS EQUIPMENT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING

OPERATING AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN READ AND UNDERSTOOD.

CAUTION: As with any mechanical product, care should be taken during installation

   andoperationtopreventyourngersfrombeingpinched.

General Information

1. Ensurethatyourproduct(s)areregisteredonlineatwww.blueox.com.Itiscrucialtoregisteryourproduct(s)

sothatyoumaybealertedofproductoerings,updates,upgrades,maintenanceandsafetybulletins,and/

orrecalls.

1. BlueOxtowbarsshouldonlybeusedwithvehiclesthataretowableorhavebeenequippedtobe

towed.

2. Followtowingproceduresinthevehicleownersmanual.

3. Towwithsteeringwheelintheunlockedposition.

4. Besurethefrontendofthetowedvehicleisproperlyaligned.Misalignedvehiclesmaycausepoor

trackingorabnormalwearonthetires.

5. The use of safety cables or chains are required by law in most states of the United States as

well as Canadian territories and provinces. Follow state or territory recommendations. Blue

Ox strongly recommends the use of safety cables (BX88196, Class III or BX88197, Class IV)

and permanent safety cables (BX88207, Class III or BX88208, Class IV) with all applications of

towing. Please refer to their specic installation instructions for more information.

6. Checkclearancebetweenvehiclesinallturningsituations.Checktheheightdierenceinyourtowing

setupandmakeappropriateadjustmentsbyfollowingtherecommendationsofthetowbarinstruction

manual.

7. Rearlightingisrequiredonthetowedcar.BlueOXoerslightingkitstocoverallofyourlighting

needs.ContactyourBlueOxrepresentativeformoreinformation.

8. Priortousage,inspectalltowingequipmentforcrackedwelds,missingorwornpartsandloosebolts.

9. Disconnectthetowedvehiclefromthetowingvehiclebeforebackingup.Do Not Back Up while

vehiclesareconnected!Damagetobothvehiclesandthetowingsystemmayoccur.Thetowed

vehiclemayjackknifecausingabnormalstresstothetowbar,carchassis,baseplateand/orpintle

hitchofthetowingvehicle.Theseabnormalstressesmaycausedamagethatmaygoundetected.

10. Avoidsharpturnsandroughterrain.Checktowingsetupafteranyemergencysituationand/or

periodicallyonalongtrip.

11. Ifthetowbarisinanaccident,itmustbereplaced.DO NOT use it again! An accident can cause

unseendamageandusingitagaincouldresultinmoredamageorseriousinjury.DO NOT use the

towbarifitisdamagedormissingparts.

12. Do not use the towed vehicle for storing luggage, etc.; which may cause you to exceed the

towing capacity of the tow bar, baseplate, and its accessories.

13. Ensure that your towing vehicle is of adequate size to properly control your towed vehicle.

The weight and braking capacity should be large enough to handle both vehicles in an

emergency situation. Check your towing vehicle manufacturers recommendations for towing,

hitch load, and braking capacities. The hitch, ball, motorhome chassis, and safety cables

(each individual cable) need to be rated at a minimum for the weight of the vehicle being

towed.

14. Dealerorinstallerbecertaintheuserreceivestheseinstructionsheets.

15. DO NOT usetoolswhenhookinguporunhookingthatarenotrecommendedbyBlueOx.

BX7475

Apollo Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-084 Rev A Page 3 of 7 9/28/23

1. Slidethehitchconnectorintothereceivertubeofyourtowingvehiclehitch,ensuringthatthetow

barisrightsideupwiththelockinghandlesontop.Installthereceiverpinprovidedintooneofthe

twoholesofthehitchreceiver.Theinsideholeofthereceivertubeismostcommonlyused.Blue

Oxoersreceiverandtowbarlocksets(BX88101&BX88177)thathelppreventtheft.Contact

BlueOxformoreinformation.

NOTE: Thecongurationoftherearofyourtowingvehiclewilldeterminehowfaryoucanslide

thehitchconnectorintothereceivertube.Later,whenthetowbarisfolded,youmayneedto

changewhichsetofholesareusedinthehitchconnectorororderalongerhitchconnector.

Tow Bar Installation

1. Positionthetowingvehicleonalevelsurfacewithastraightdrivewayaheadandengagethe

parkingbrake. Positionthetowedvehiclebehindthetowingvehicleintheapproximatetowing

position.

2. Partiallyextendoneleg.Thelegsareheldinwithaninternal“soft”latch.Pullingoutontheleg

willdisengagethislatch.Placethetriplelugbetweentheattachmenttabsonthebaseplate,and

securewiththe1/2”pinandquickpin.Besurethe1/2”pinisinstalledcorrectly through the

attachmenttabwiththenosetowardsmiddleofthebaseplate.Repeatforbothlegs.

3. Onthetowedvehicle,disengagetheparkingbrakeandsetupthetransmissionfortowingand

unlockthesteeringwheel.Pullforwardwiththetowingvehicleuntiloneorbothofthelocking

handlesareengagedandlocked(whenlockedtheywill“pop”up).Ifonlyonelockinghandleis

locked,turnthetowedvehicle’ssteeringwheeltowardstheunlockedtowbarlegapproximately

1/2to3/4turn,beforecontinuingforward.Drivethetowingvehicleforwarduntilthesecondleg

locksintoplace.

Hooking Up to Towed Vehicle

CAUTION: Itisimportantthattheattachment

pointsatthecenteroftheattachmenttabsandthe

centerofthecoach'shitchreceivershouldbeof

equaldistance.Ifadeviationmustoccur,thenitis

recommended that the hitch receiver be no more

than3”aboveorbelowtheattachmenttabsofthe

baseplate.

Note:Insomesituationsextralengthmayberequiredfromthetowbarreceivertothetowing

vehicle’sreceiverhitchtoachievesucientclearances.However,BlueOxonlyapprovestwo

or less connection points between the towing and towed vehicle, with a length no greater than

13.5”(hitchpintohitchpin)ontheextension/dropreceiver.

Example:Havingatowbar,dropreceiver,andhitchextenderisNOTrecommendedasit

exceedsthemaximumtwopointsofconnection.

UsingyourBlueOxtowbarsystemwithextensionsthatincludemorethantwoconnection

pointsoralengthgreaterthan13.5”(hitchpintohitchpin),orinanyothermannerthatis

contrarytoorotherwisenotconsistentwiththerecommendations,approvalsorpoliciesof

BlueOx,constitutesadangerousmisuseoftheproductandwillvoidanyandallwarranties

ontheproductbothexpressandimplied.

3”

BX7475

Apollo Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-084 Rev A Page 4 of 7 9/28/23

1. Parkthetowingvehiclewithvehicleintow,in a straight line, on a level surface to ensure

minimumpressureisexertedonthetowbarlegs.Thiswillaidintheremovalofthe1/2”pins.

Engagethetowingvehicleparkingbrake.Placethetowedvehicleeitherinparkforautomatic

transmissionsorsecurelyinrstgearformanualtransmissionsandengagetheparkingbrake.

Unhookthelightingandsafetycables.

2. Disengagetheleglatchesbypushingdownonthelockinghandles.Removethequickpinsand

1/2”pinsattachingthetriplelugstotheattachmenttabs.Youmayneedtotapthe1/2”pinsoutif

thereisstillpressureonthem.Compressbothlegscompletelyuntiltheylockinplace.Placethe

1/2”pinsbackintothetriplelugsandsecurewiththequickpinstoavoidlosingeitherofthem.

NOTE: Eachlegisequippedwithamagneticlatchinsidetheend.Slideeachleginwarduntilthey

areheldinplacebythemagneticlatch.

Unhooking from Towed Vehicle

1. Utilizingthehooks,attachthecablestoasolidpartofthechassisonthetowedvehicleorthe

conveniencelinksofthebaseplateinacrossingpatternunderneaththetowbar.Verifythesafety

snapclicksbackagainstthehookinordertopreventdisconnection.

2. Adjustslackifneededallowingenoughroomforturns.Cablesshouldnotcomeincontactwith

the ground, pintle coupler or the locking handles; damage could occur! DO NOT USE DAMAGED

CABLES! Routecablesawayfromthelockinghandles.Safetycablecontactwithalockinghandle

could cause the leg to become unlatched and collapse, leading to major damage to one or both

vehiclesandtowingequipment.DO NOT WRAP SAFETY CABLES AROUND THE LEGS!

3. Verifytheloadcapacityofcablesorchainsusedmeetstheneedsofthetowingsetup.

Safety Cable Installation

IMPORTANT:Checktoensurebothlegsarelatched

properlyandpinsaresecuredproperlybeforetowing.

Whenproperlyinstalledthequickpinringwillsnap

backontoitself,andthechamferedsidewillbe

facingoutwards.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.

CorrectCorrect

IncorrectIncorrect

BX7475

Apollo Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-084 Rev A Page 5 of 7 9/28/23

Tow Bar Storage Position

Figure 1

Figure 2 Figure 3

1. Swingthelegsinwardstowardseachother(Figure1).

2. Withlegstogether,swingthemuptowardsthetowing

vehicle.(Figure2).

3. Rotatethelegsdowntoeithersideuntiltheearsof

thelegcapturetheholduptabofthehitchconnector

(Figure3).

Thistowbarrequiresperiodicmaintenance.Itwillbesubjectedtoroaddirtandweatherduringuse.Werecommend

afulltowbarserviceeverytwo(2)yearsor10,000miles.Thefollowingtipswillhelpmaintaintheconditionofyour

newtowbar.

1. Keepthetowbarcoveredwhennotinuse,onoroofthetowingvehicle.Thiswillcutdownonthedirtbuildup

onthelegsandjointsofthetowbar.ABX88308towbarcoverisrecommended.

2. Periodicallycleantheentiresurfaceofthetowbarwithamildsoapandwatersolution.Wipedrywithaclean

cloth.

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itisdiculttomovethelegsinandout,removethesmallcabletiesholding

therubberbootstothelegsandslidethebootsback.Cleanotheinnerlegswithasiliconesprayorbrake

cleaner.Applyalightcoatofmultipurposegreasetoeachlegtoensureasmoothoperation.Secureeachboot

backinplacewithan8”UVratednyloncabletie.

Note:Onlytheinnerlegsrequiregreasefornormaloperation.Allothertowbarjointsrelyonselflubricating

washers,ifthesejointsbecometosticleanasdirectedwithsoapandwater.

5. 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.

 CalltheCustomerCareDepartmentat402-385-3051tolearnhowyoucanhaveyourtowbarservicedforafee

byaBlueOxTechnicianatrallies,byvisitingourPenderfacility,orbymailingyourtowbartothefactory.They

canalsohelpndaBlueOxDealertohelpserviceyourtowbar.

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 for repairs.

Tow Bar Maintenance

BX7475

Apollo Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-084 Rev A Page 6 of 7 9/28/23

Replacement Parts

ItemNo. PartNo. Description Qty.

1.................................BX88427(shown)...............HitchConnector,Standard2”..........................................1

2.................................84-0224.............................LegAssembly,DriverSide...............................................1

3.................................84-0225.............................LegAssembly,PassengerSide.......................................1

BX88154 (Triple Lug Kit)

4.................................299-0736...........................OsetTripleLug..............................................................2

5.................................229-0520...........................1/2”Pin............................................................................2

6.................................62-3213.............................QuickPin.........................................................................2

7.................................201-0645...........................1/2”-13x2-1/4”HexHeadBolt........................................2

8.................................202-0143...........................1/2”-13EssnaJamNut,ZP.............................................2

84-0140 (Pins w/Clips Kit)

9.................................229-0520...........................1/2”Pin............................................................................2

10...............................62-3213.............................QuickPin.........................................................................2

Additional Kits Available (Not Shown):

11...............................84-0229.............................TowBarRubberBootKit,2”............................................1

12...............................84-0191.............................TowBarDSLatchAssemblyKit......................................1

13...............................84-0195.............................TowBarPSLatchAssemblyKit......................................1

14...............................84-0221.............................TowBarLatchRetainerKit..............................................1

15...............................84-0194.............................TowBarHandleGripKit..................................................2

16...............................84-0196.............................TowBarWasherReplacementKit...................................1

17...............................84-0204.............................PivotShaftBushingKit....................................................1

Important:

Useonlygenuinefactoryreplacementpartsonyourtowbar.DoNOTsubstitutehomemadeornon-typicalparts.Ifaboltislostorinneedof

replacement,foryoursafetyandthepreservationofyourtowbar,besuretouseareplacementboltofthesamegrade(InmostcasesitwillbeGrade5,

pleasereferencethepartslistabove).ReplacementpartsmaybeorderedthroughyournearestBlueOx®DealerorDistributor.Failingtofollowand/or

alteringtheseinstallationinstructionsineitherinstallationorrequiredequipmentwillvoidthemanufacturer’swarranty.

ITEM NO.

PART NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

QTY.

61-8186

WLDM'T, OUTSIDE LEG, DS, BX7470

61-8188

WLDM'T, LEG PIVOT, BX7470

61-8425

WLDM'T, HITCH CONN, 2" SQ. SOLID,

12.5K, BX7470

62-3213

QUICK- PIN

62-4234

LEG ASS'Y, W/ LOCK HANDLE, PS,

BX7470

107-4036

LATCH RETAINER, BX7470, ALUM.

190-0179

SPLIT BUSHING, PIVOT SHAFT, AVAIL

190-0223

SPACER, 1.365 OD X .563", PLASTIC

200-1483

PIN, Ø 5/8" 3" EFF., W / CLIP

201-0504

1/4-20 X 1/4 SET SCREW, KNURLED,

201-0644

3/4-16 X 3-1/4 HX BLT, ZP, SHRT THRD

201-0645

1/2-13 X 2 HEX BOLT, SHORT THREAD

201-0688

3/4-16 X 3-1/2 HX BLT, ZP, SHRT THRD

201-0953

1/4-20 X 1-1/2" SOCKET HD CP

SCREW, ZP

202-0143

1/2-13 ESSNA JAM NUT, ZP

202-0152

3/4-16 HEX NUT W/ NYLON INS, ZP

207-1031

HANDLE, LATCH, AVAIL

207-1177

LEG, INSIDE, BX7470

220-0015

SPRING PIN, 3/16" X 2"

220-0016

SPRING PIN, 3/16 X 1 3/4

222-0150

SPRING, TORSION, LATCH, DS, AVAIL

229-0520

PIN, 1/2 X 2-5/8 EFF.

229-1067

MAGNET, 1 1/4" DIA. ADHESIVE

BACK

250-0271

CAP, 11/32" X 3", VINYL

250-0311

RUBBER BOOT, 2", TOW BAR

290-0275

8 INCH NYLON CABLE TIE

290-0347

SPACER, PLASTIC, 1/16 X 13/16" ID X

2" OD

290-0364

CABLE TIE, BLACK, .3 X 9

290-0381

WASHER, 0.O51 X 0.523 ID X 1.363

299-0640

PIN, LATCH, AVAIL, Rc30-35, ZP

299-0736

CASTING, OFFSET TRIPLE LUG, PNT

299-0737

207-0981, PIVOT BLOCK, AVAIL, PNT

299-0738

207-0982, PIVOT SHAFT, AVAIL, PNT

BX7475

Apollo Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-084 Rev A Page 7 of 7 9/28/23

2-1/2” Receivers

BX88424

BX88425

BX88426

Optional Hitch Connectors

One Mill Road, Industrial Park

Pender, Nebraska 68047

Phone: (402) 385-3051

Fax: (402) 385-3360

www.blueox.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMITMENT

BlueOx®iscommittedtoprovidingyouwithexceptionalcustomercarethroughoutyourlifetime

withourproducts.Ourteamisheretoassistyouwithanyquestionsyoumayhaveregardingthe

performanceofyourproduct.Simplycall(402)385-3051andyoucanspeakwithourtechnical

serviceteam.

Additionally,pleasevisitourwebsitetoseewhichralliesourteamwillbeattending.Foranominalfee,

ourservicetechnicianwillserviceyourtowingsystemtoensureit’sinproperworkingcondition.Also,

asacommitmenttoourcustomers,shouldyouvisitourfactory,youcanstayatourfullserviceBlue

Ox®campgroundatnochargealongwithenjoyingafactorytour.

Again,thankyouforbeingourcustomerandforthecondenceyouhaveshownintheperformance

ofourproducts.Itisbecauseofcustomerslikeyouweenjoythesuccesswehavetoday.

2” Receivers

BX88427

** Using BX88427 lowers tow bar capacity to 12,500 lbs. **

Note: When comparing the maximum tow capacity of the hitch connector and tow bar,

the lesser of the two is the total tow capacity of the items together.

BLUEOXORIGINALPURCHASERS

THREEYEARLIMITEDWARRANTY

AutomaticEquipmentManufacturingCompany(“Automatic”)warrantstotheoriginal(rst)retailpurchaserthat

thisproduct,manufacturedbyAutomatic,shallbefreefromdefectinmaterialandworkmanshipundernormal

useandserviceforaperiodofthreeyearsfromthedateofdelivery.

Duringsaidthree-yearperiod,Automaticwillrepairorreplaceanypartsthathavebeenreturnedbytheoriginal

purchaser,tothefactory,transportationprepaid,andinAutomatic’ssoleandabsoluteopinionfoundtobe

defective.

LimitationsonWarrantyCoverage:

Coverageunderthiswarrantywillbevalidonlyifthecustomerwarrantycardisreturnedbytheoriginal

purchaserwithin30daysofpurchase.

Coverageunderthiswarrantywillbeeectiveonlywhenacopyoftheoriginalinvoice,showingdateandplace

ofpurchase,accompaniesanyclaimforwarranty.ThiswarrantyisNONTRANSFERABLE.

Thislimitedwarrantywillnotcover,inanywayorform,anyallegeddamagescausedbyincorrectorimproper

installation,improperuse,modicationorneglectofproduct,failuretoproperlyserviceandmaintain,misuse,

actofGod,accidentorfailureoftheusertofollowguidelinescontainedintheinstructionalmaterialprovidedby

Automatic.

Thiswarrantydoesnotcovernormalwearandtear,paintorrust.

Warrantorassumesnoresponsibilitytotheownerforlossofuseofproduct,lossoftime,inconvenienceor

anyotherdamageconsequentialorotherwise.Including,butnotlimitedtomileage,expenseoftransporting

ofproduct,returnshippingexpense,mechanicstraveltime,telephone,roadservice,towing,andrentalduring

repairs,travel,lodging,lossordamagetopersonalpropertyorlossofearnings.

REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS SET FORTH IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE SOLE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF

THE PURCHASER. AUTOMATIC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ON THIS PRODUCT. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT

PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A

PARTICULAR PURPOSE ON THIS PRODUCT IS LIMITED IN LENGTH TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY.

Pleasevisithttp://blueox.com/warranty/ to register your warranty

Blue Ox BX7475 Operating instructions

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