Blue Ox BX7380 Operating instructions

Brand: Blue Ox

Model: BX7380

Type: Operating instructions

Blue Ox BX7380 is a heavy-duty tow bar designed for vehicles up to 6,500 lbs. It features a 2-inch receiver and is compatible with most vehicles equipped with a standard 2-inch hitch receiver. The BX7380 offers a safe and secure connection between your towing and towed vehicles, ensuring a smooth and controlled towing experience. With its durable construction and user-friendly design, the BX7380 is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient tow bar.

BX7380

Alpha® 2 Tow Bar

Operator Manual &

Installation Instructions

405-0663 Rev H Page 1 of 7 10/9/23

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

Serial Number

ALPHA® 2 Tow Bar

(6,500 lb) 2 Inch Receiver

BX7380

Alpha® 2 Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-0663 Rev H Page 2 of 7 10/9/23

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.

BX7380

Alpha® 2 Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-0663 Rev H Page 3 of 7 10/9/23

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”

Note: The Alpha® 2 tow bar is recommended for baseplates with a maximum tab width of 32”

BX7380

Alpha® 2 Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-0663 Rev H Page 4 of 7 10/9/23

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.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"soft"latchinsidetheend.Pushinoneachleguntiltheyare

heldindetentbythesoft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.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that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

BX7380

Alpha® 2 Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-0663 Rev H Page 5 of 7 10/9/23

Tow Bar Storage Position

Figure 1

Figure 2 Figure 4

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BX8875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

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

2. Withlegsspreadslightly,approximatelyashoulderwidthapart,swingthem

up towards the towing vehicle until the hold up bolt passes through the gap

inthehitchconnector(Figure2).

3. Whilecontinuingtopushtowbartowardsthetowingvehicle,holdonelegin

placeandrotatetheotherlegdowntotheside.Thiswillengagetheholdup

boltintothesidenotch(Figure3).

4. Rotatethesecondlegsdowntothesidetomeettherstleguntiltheholdup

boltengagescompletelytothesideofthehitchconnectorslot(Figure4).

Figure 3

BX7380

Alpha® 2 Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-0663 Rev H Page 6 of 7 10/9/23

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

1.................................84-0052(shown)................HitchConnector,Standard2”..........................................1

2.................................84-0222.............................LegAssembly,DriverSide...............................................1

3.................................84-0223.............................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”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:

11...............................84-0089.............................TowBarWasherReplacementKit...................................1

12...............................84-0102.............................TowBarRubberBootKit.................................................1

13...............................84-0191.............................TowBarLatchHandleKit,DS.........................................1

14...............................84-0195.............................TowBarLatchHandleKit,PS.........................................1

15...............................84-0179.............................TowBarLatchRetainerKit..............................................2

4 10

BX7380

Replacement Parts

Item No. Part No. Description Qty.

1 84-0052(shown) Hitch Connector, Standard 2" 1

2 84-0053 Leg Assembly, Driver Side 1

3 84-0054 Leg Assembly, Passenger Side 1

BX88154 (Triple Lug Kit)

4 299-0736 Offset Triple Lug 2

5 229-0520 1/2" Pin 2

6 62-3213 Quick Pin 2

7 201-0645 1/2"-13 x 2" 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:

11 84-0089 Tow Bar Washer Replacement Kit 1

12 84-0102 Tow Bar Rubber Boot Kit 1

13 84-0178 Tow Bar Latch Handle Kit 2

14 84-0179 Tow Bart Latch Retainer Kit 2

Replacement Parts

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.

BX7380

Alpha® 2 Tow Bar

Operation Manual & Installation Instructions

405-0663 Rev H Page 7 of 7 10/9/23

2” Receivers

84-0051

84-0052

84-0047

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DestinationAmerica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.

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 BX7380 Operating instructions

Blue Ox BX7380 Operating instructions

Blue Ox BX7380 Operating instructions

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