Roadmaster StowMaster 910003-10 Guide

Replacement Instructions
ROADMASTER, Inc. 6110 NE 127th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98682 800-669-9690 www.roadmasterinc.com
ALL SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
part number 910003-10
25-3620-01 08-08
1-800-669-9690
www.roadmasterinc.com
StowMaster bushing and Autowlok™assembly
Figure 1
Figure 2
Note: to replace an Autowlok button only, it is not necessary to disassemble the tow bar. See “To replace an Autowlok
button” on page three.
CAUTION
If both Autowlok assemblies will be replaced, work
on one tow bar arm at a time. The inner arms are not
interchangeable. If the inner arms are not replaced
correctly, the tow bar will not center the towed vehicle
behind the motorhome, which may cause severe tire
damage, as well as other consequential, non-warranty
damage to the towed vehicle.
To replace an entire Autowlok assembly…
1. Disconnect one of the inner arms (Figure 1) — first, re-
move the 3/8" safety bolt and nut (Figure 1) on the outer
arm (Figure 1). Then, drill out the 1/8" pop rivets (one on
each side — Figure 1) holding the rear bushing.
CAUTION
After drilling out the pop rivets, clean the interior
of the outer arm to remove any metal shavings from
the interior of the outer arm. The shavings may impair
the operation of the sliding arms, as well as score or
otherwise damage the plastic bushings.
2. Hold a piece of cloth over the end of the outer arm.
Press the Autowlok button (Figure 2) down and slide the
inner arm out of the outer arm.
CAUTION
The spring inside the Autowlok assembly is under
pressure. It will eject a pin when the spring and pin
clear the outer arm, and the pressure is released.
To avoid injury, hold a cloth over the end of the outer
arm and stand to one side, clear of the pin and spring,
as the Autowlok assembly clears the outer arm.
3. Discard the old spring and pin (Figure 2).
4. If the button stem (Figure 2) will not be replaced, proceed
to step 5.
If the button stem will be replaced — first, insert the new
button stem flat side up (Figure 3), into the opening near the
inner front bushing. Then, slide the inner arm into the outer
arm until the top of the button stem is visible through the hole
in the outer arm.
continued on next page
Figure 3

continued from preceding page
Turn the tow bar arm over and move the inner arm for-
ward or backward slightly, if necessary, until the button stem
drops through the hole in the outer arm. Then, draw a straight
line with a pencil across the bottom of the inner arm (Figure
4), 3/4" from the edge of the outer arm.
Slowly close the inner arm until the edge of the outer
arm is even with the pencil line you drew. This position will
stabilize and support the button stem.
Turn the tow bar arm back over and attach the Autowlok
button to the button stem, following steps 6 through 8 under
“To replace an Autowlok button…” on page three.
After the button has been attached, slide the inner arm
out of the outer arm.
5. Remove the old inner front bushing (Figure 3). Apply a
light coat of lubricant to the inside of the new inner front
bushing. Use a dry silicone aerosol, such as LubeMaster
(part number 747).
CAUTION
Do not use petroleum-based products to lubricate
the tow bar. Petroleum will attract dirt and dust, which
will impede the operation of the inner arms and/or other
components. Certain petroleum products may also cor-
rode non-metallic components.
With the gap in the new inner front bushing facing down
(Figure 3), slide the bushing into position (Figure 3) on
the inner arm.
Test the fit — insert the inner arm into the outer arm and
slide the inner arm forward and backward, to its fullest
extent.
If the inner arm does not slide smoothly, or if the new
bushing is too wide to fit, use a grinder to trim a small
amount from the edges touching the inside of the outer
arm. Trim an equal amount from each side, test-fit the
inner arm and trim more, if necessary, until the inner arm
slides forward and backward easily.
6. Remove the old rear bushing (Figure 3).
7. Insert one of the new springs (Figure 2) into the open-
ing near the inner front bushing.
8. Lubricate the bottom of one of the new pins (Figure 2)
thoroughly. As before, use a dry silicone aerosol. Then,
position the new pin, rounded side up (Figure 5), on the
new spring.
9. Hold the pin down flush to the top of the inner arm,
and insert the inner arm into the outer arm. Slide the arm
forward until the Autowlok button snaps into the locked
position (Figure 6).
10. Apply a light coat of lubricant to the inside of the new
rear bushing. As before, use a dry silicone aerosol. Then,
with the gap in the bushing facing down (Figure 3), slide
the new rear bushing onto the inner arm and forward, until
the edge of the bushing is flush to the edge of the outer
arm, as shown in Figure 6.
If the new bushing is too wide to fit into the outer arm,
use a grinder to trim a small amount from the edges
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
ing the inside of the outer arm. Trim an equal amount from
each side, test-fit the bushing and trim more, if necessary,
until the bushing fits.
1 1 . With the Autowlok button in the locked position, reat-
tach the 3/8" safety bolt and nut you removed in step 1.
WARNING
Ensure that the arm is locked before replacing the
3/8" safety bolt and nut. Unless the arm is locked
before the bolt and nut are replaced, the Autowlok
mechanism will not function — the tow bar arm will
not lock

continued from preceding page
when the tow bar arm extends for towing, and the in-
ner arm will separate from the outer arm.
The towed vehicle will not be held in place if the
tow bar arm separates, which may cause a loss of ve-
hicular control, a traffic accident or loss of the towed
vehicle, resulting in property damage, personal injury
or even death.
12. With the safety bolt attached, test the operation of the
inner arm — press the Autowlok button down and slide the
inner arm forward and backward, to its fullest extent.
If the inner arm does not slide smoothly, trim the rear
bushing — remove the 3/8" safety bolt, press the Autowlok
button down and slide the inner arm out.
As before, trim an equal amount from each side of the
bushing. Then test the operation of the inner arm and trim
more, if necessary, until the inner arm slides forward and
backward smoothy.
13. With the safety bolt attached, the Autowlock button in
the locked position (Figure 6) and the rear bushing flush
to the edge of the outer arm (Figure 6), drill two 1/8" pilot
holes for the pop rivets (Figure 6).
Secure the bushing in place with two 1/8" pop rivets
(one on each side).
14. If necessary, repeat steps 1 through 13 for the other
tow bar arm.
To replace an Autowlok button…
1. It is not necessary to disassemble the tow bar to replace
an Autowlok button.
First, open the tow bar and extend both arms until the
buttons on both arms snap into the locked position.
Note: if the button is missing, it will be necessary to lift
the button stem (Figure 2) up slightly as you extend the arm,
so that the button stem will clear the inner arm weldment and
inner arm bushing.
2. Set the coupler on any object that will allow the tow bar
arms to rest at a convenient height to work on the button.
3. With the arms fully extended and locked, draw a straight
line with a pencil across the top of the inner arm (Figure 4),
3/4" from the edge of the black outer arm (Figure 4).
4. Depress the button (or the button stem, if the button is
missing) and slowly close the arm until the edge of the black
outer arm is even with the pencil line you drew in the previous
step.
Quality Towing Systems since 1974
ROADMASTER, Inc. • 6110 NE 127th Ave. • Vancouver, WA 98682 • 800-669-9690 • www.roadmasterinc.com
This position will stabilize and support the button stem
so that the new button can be properly attached.
5. Remove the old button (if present) with pliers or channel
locks, being careful not to scratch the button stem.
6. Clean any residue that may be on the exposed surface
of the button stem.
Note: for easier attachment to the button stem (step 7,
below), drop the button in boiling water for five minutes. The
heat will make the button more flexible.
If you choose this method, dry the button completely
before applying the glue.
7. Follow the instructions on the supplied package of epoxy
glue to mix and activate the glue, then apply enough to lightly
cover the inside of the button. Next, apply enough glue to
completely fill the grooves at the top of the button stem.
Within 30 seconds, position the button over the top of
the button stem, and tap the button down over the stem, as
far as it can go, with a rubber mallet.
CAUTION
Ensure that the button is tapped completely down,
as far as it can go. If the button is not completely down,
it will not depress the pin and spring far enough to lock
or unlock the tow bar arm.
8. Allow 24 hours for the epoxy glue to set. The button can
be depressed and released after approximately 10 minutes,
but do not pull on the button for 24 hours.