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WARNING:
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF TOWING VEHICLE CONTROL,
SEPARATION OF THE TOW BAR FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, SEPARATION OF THE TOWED VEHICLE
FROM THE TOW BAR, CAUSING SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
NOTE: The dimensional variations between otherwise
identical vehicles can be considerable. Some minor
modifications may have to be made to ensure a
proper fit.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION ITEMS
DEMCO products and accessories are intended to
be installed by professional installers with experi-
ence, proper equipment and the ability to do modifi-
cation work. Installers with these qualifications can
be found in RV and Automotive Service Centers.
If the car to be towed has been in an accident, the
chassis may be damaged in an area where the Base
Plate attaches. It may no longer be suitable for
towing. Extreme caution and careful examination
are required in such a situation. It is also likely, even
from a minor accident, that the hole alignment will be
more difficult due to hole alignment problems.
Many DEMCO Base Plates are designed to use
existing holes and hardware to mount the Base Plate
to the towed vehicle. Even though the bolt is there,
however, do not assume it is adequate for mounting
the Base Plate. Manufacturers make many changes
in hardware both within and between model years.
Be sure the bolt is long enough to protrude past the
nut a distance no less than 1/2 the diameter of the
bolt, after the Base Plate is mounted. The threads
should be in good condition. We require that
" Blue" be used on all bolts. If a new
bolt is required, be sure it is SAE Grade 5 or Metric
8.8.
R
1b. On one side only, remove two bumper bolts on the front
of bumper, out side of tow hook. These bolts will not
be reused.
1a. On Excursion and ‘03 F250, remove bumper brace bolt
from each side before going to step 1b.
Safety is of utmost importance at all times. There are several items that
must be checked each time before using and while using a tow bar.
Before allowing anyone to hook up or operate a tow bar, be sure they
have read and understand the proper operating procedure.
DO NOT use worn or damaged cables and/or pins.
Be sure the SAFETY CABLES are hooked, chassis to chassis, to both
the towing and towed vehicles using the crisscross method.
Check clearance between vehicles in a turning situation.
Check base plate mounting bolts for tightness and frame for metal fatigue.
Do not load the towed vehicle with anything as you may exceed the
towing capacity of the tow bar.
Keep fingers away from pivot points to prevent personal injury.
Be sure the steering components of the towed vehicle are properly
aligned.
NOTE: This unit can be backed up in moderate increments. Any
severe backwards cornering could result in damage to the Tow Bar
and/or towed vehicle chassis.
For automatic transmissions: Consult your vehicle owners manual
for towing suitability with the drive shaft connected. Otherwise, the
towed vehicle will have to be equipped with a transmission pump or
drive shaft disconnect.
Check to make sure that all lights are in proper working order.
The information on towability of vehicles is reprinted with permis-
sion of MotorHome
©
Magazine, and is believed to be reliable. How-
ever, Demco does not warrant the information to be correct. Always
consult your towed vehicle owner’s manual and follow towing in-
structions. Each year, MotorHome
©
Magazine, compiles a list of ve-
hicles that can be towed four-down behind a motorhome with no
modifications required. This guide contains only those vehicles that
have been approved by their manufacturers for towing. This list is
enclosed with this manual.
Caution: MotorHome
©
Magazine left out any vehicles that have
towing speed limits slower than 55 m.p.h., or distance limits of less
than 200 miles. At a minimum, these vehicles require significant modi-
fication, such as the use of an aftermarket product, to make them
towable. The availability of a Demco Tow Bar Base Plate does not
imply that these vehicles can be modified or that there is an aftermar-
ket product available. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or con-
sult your dealer to determine whether your vehicle can be modified to
make it towable. Failure to observe this precaution could result in
property damage or personal injury.
CAUTION