Create your own Blue Ox base plates by bolting these heavy-duty brackets to your bumper. Most bumpers will need to be reinforced or modified. Brackets must mount to a flat, metal surface.
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Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Ellen: Hey everybody, I'm Ellen here at etrailer.com and we're taking a quick look at the Blue Ox bolt on baseplate. This makes a pretty universal kit for a lot of different vehicles. Really the main thing that you want to have on that vehicle to make this work is a sturdy metal bumper that's relatively flat. These are going to need to attach to a flat surface, and you want to make sure that that bumper is strong enough to take the weight of your vehicle. There's a good chance you'll probably have to do some modification regardless.It does come with everything right out here on the table, so I'll go over those parts with you in just a minute in more detail to make sure that this fits for you, but really it's just going to give you that really basic baseplate. A lot of people will use these on Jeeps, trucks, FJ Cruisers, anything that has that nice flat bumper.
It might be an aftermarket bumper or something, so you do want to make sure that you check it out, make sure all the components are in good working order so you can get these guys installed.The thing that's kind of nice about this kit is that it's pretty low profile. It's just these two brackets, so really this is what you're going to be seeing on the outside of your vehicle with that hardware mounted through it, so if you're using a long bolt have these pushed through, so it's really a pretty discreet or pretty non-obtrusive addition to the front of your vehicle and it can be pretty simple, especially if you have one of those vehicles that I mentioned or a vehicle that it's going to work with. It can be a bit more of an economical choice as well, so that's always a nice component for this piece, or for this kit.So let's jump in and look a little bit closer at each of those components and talk a little bit more about how this is going to be installed. You do need to make some modifications. You need four holes drilled out in that bumper to attach the hardware here.
We have our main bracket. This is compatible with any kind of Blue Ox tow bar. It has that double lug design, so it slides right in and fits up.On the back side you do have a plate to give you a little bit more structure and stability, so you can put that through. You'll get long bolts and short bolts, so whichever one works better for you. You have a tube right behind that bumper.
Usually those longer bolts will be good. Those measure about 6-1/2" long if we go from underneath the head to the very end of it. It's really if we go from overall length about 6-3/4" long. Our short bolts are about 2" long. It does come with split washers, fender washers, and lock nuts to get that hardware installed.
The holes on these brackets are about 1/2" in diameter.As far as the brackets themselves for size, you're looking at about 4-1/2" wide and then about 1-1/2" tall. Kind of hard to see that there. These stick out about 3-3/4". The distance between the mounting holes center to center is about 3-1/4". There is a little bit of an offset as far as where those plates are welded to the bracket, so you do want to pay attention to that and to the instructions on where to place that to make sure that it's right, because it kind of depends on which side as far as which direction you want to put it just puts different stress on those brackets, so you want to make sure you do it right the first time.Of course you always want to check the hardware after a certain number of miles. About every 5,000 miles you want to go back through, torque everything down, make sure it's looking good, the holes aren't elongating or anything. It does have a capacity of 5,000 pounds, so you want to make sure that your vehicle is no more than 5,000 pounds, and also everything else loaded up on it as well is below that number.That's pretty much all there is to it for our quick look at the Blue Ox bolt on baseplate kit. I hope this has been helpful in deciding if this the right kit for you. Again, this is only one component of your complete flat tow setup. Those are all the other parts you will need. Again, you can find those all here at etrailer.com. You want to have your baseplate, which is this kit. You also want to have your tow bar, your wiring and your safety chains if they don't come with your tow bar, as well as a braking system.If you want to see more information, again we have a lot of resources available here at etrailer.com, so check them out. Thanks for watching.
Average Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (41 Customer Reviews)
Create your own Blue Ox base plates by bolting these heavy-duty brackets to your bumper. Most bumpers will need to be reinforced or modified. Brackets must mount to a flat, metal surface.
Attachment accessories for the Blue Ox hitch were as described. Bothe the hitch and connecting pieces are high quality fabrication with powder coated finishes. I would buy these Blue Ox products again.
I had been using a homemade A frame tow bar on my '74 Toyota Landcruiser for years but had been contemplating replacing it for some time because it was such a hassle to hook up and release if not perfectly aligned. I finally made the move and purchased a Blue Ox Acclaim from Etrailer. It arrived in the estimated time frame and I installed it the next afternoon. I took a trip this weekend to try it out and I absolutely love it. Hitching and releasing are a simple one person procedure now, regardless how straight the two vehicles are aligned. I was towing my Toyota up a hill when I encountered a road block that I couldn't pass. The road wasn't wide enough to turn around and with my old tow bar I wouldn't have been able to unhook and would have had no choice other than to back down the hill. With the Blue Ox I put the Toyota in gear and applied the parking brake. I operated the tow bar lock levers, let the tow vehicle roll back an inch or so and unhitched the two vehicles. Simple as pie and I was then able to back both vehicles individually down the hill. What a great purchase.
Pat F - 03/04/2016These brackets are just what I needed to connect my Jeep to my tow bar. They are well finished with clear instructions.
I ordered the bx88230 bracket kit for my blue ox tow bar . bracket kit goes on my 99 jeep sport. I used an L metal to bolt my brackets too and then bolted that under bumper to frame works great and is hidden . I didn't like bolting straight to bumper. I was able to get brackets in just a couple of days and etrailer was very helpful with my order plus there videos I will use etrailer again.
I'm a full time RVer. One year ago I installed your hitch on my 86 Mustang GT. It's doing great! No problems at all. Very easy to use. I'm very satisfied. Looks good too.
it is exactly what I have been looking for. tried a different brand but failed too soon. over 10,000 miles using this flat towing my Wrangler unlimited
Richard - 09/10/2019Good instructions, great hardware and most importantly excellent service from etrailer folks. I initially ordered the wrong item, call them, and they immediately cancel and got me the correct item.
Great, I'll buy from etrailer again. It was as stated, worked great. Towed jeep over 1000 miles so far no problems. Blue ox Base Bracket Kit
Jim - 10/04/2017Great company to deal with. Thank You
I order Blue ox base plate bracket kit BX 88230 and light kit RM-155 for my 1995 jeep so I can tow it with my motor home price was great shipping was Quick . They were easy to install and made of good quality .The kits had great instructions I am very happy with purchase William in CA.
I have installed this product on 2 vehicles. A 2005 Jeep LJ with a custom bumper and a 2006 Jeep Liberty with custom bumper. I use the jeeps as tow rigs behind my motor home. Installation is easy, the brackets are strong and I have no negative comments to make.
Product was delivered quickly and not damaged. The Blue Ox parts are great and as described. Purchase was very easy and the process of finding the part with both a good price and description will make come back to etrailer in the future.
Blue Ox is the way to tow. I still have a Roadmaster that lives on my Samurai but I much prefer hooking up my Jeep with the Blue
Outstanding Quality Product and shipped fast even considering the "Covid" State of Affairs! Thank You!
great service very personal. product was just as described and technical support was unbelievable.
Robert - 01/26/2018Just exactly what I needed to install tow-bar purchased from etrailer to my Chev Tahoe with an existing plow mount great quality. Will definitely buy from etrailer again.
The parts we received were of good quality. Customer service was excellent. We are very satisfied
Arrived as requested in a timely manner. Packaging was more than adequate. Products ordered were exactly correct. Installation is pending time available, but inspection indicates no issues with quality and fitment. Thanks
After a year of use, these brackets are just like new.
Brackets arrived in timely fashion and were as advertised. Simple instructions and installation was very easy.
Raelly heavy duty, nice finish.
I was able to hook them up myself on my pull behind jeep. Worked great when we went camping. No problem!!
Fair price and exactly what I needed for my "toad" behind the motorhome.
Product came on time, was exactly as ordered, installed per instruction. I am very please with service.
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