To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
If you like a clean, factory look when you’re not towing, this setup keeps things tidy. The hidden design keeps the brackets out of sight, and the removable arms pull out with a simple twist. When the arms are off, nothing sticks out past the bumper, and the included receiver covers keep dirt and debris out for a finished look.
Hooking up at the campsite or in your driveway is simple. Each arm inserts into the base plate receivers and locks in place with a quick twist. When you’re done towing, pull the pin, rotate, and remove them just as easily. It’s a solid system that makes connecting your tow bar straightforward even when you’re working solo.
The base plate bolts directly to the chassis—no welding required—and uses a sturdy, reinforced design to spread towing forces evenly across the frame. That means less stress on your suspension and dependable performance through long hauls. The durable steel construction is powder-coated to resist rust and corrosion so it stays strong trip after trip.
Already have towing gear you trust? This base plate pairs directly with Blue Ox tow bars for a secure, reliable connection. It’s also adaptable for use with Roadmaster tow bars using adapter RM-031 or RM-031-5 (sold separately) and Demco tow bars with adapter DM9523041 (sold separately). Integrated mounting points make it easy to add an electrical connector plug bracket so your wiring stays neat and ready to use.
If you like doing your own installs, this kit won’t slow you down. It bolts securely to your vehicle’s chassis using the included hardware—no welding required—and lines up using factory mounting points for a straightforward fit. The brackets sit 31-1/2" apart with a bracket height of 15-1/2", giving you accurate specs for planning your full flat tow setup.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today in our 2010 Chevy Silverado, we'll be installing the Blue Ox base plate kit with removable arms, part number BX1681. To begin our install, we'll first needto remove the manufacturer's towhooks. To remove the tow hooks, there are two fasteners on each side. We'll first go ahead and remove these bolts and nuts and set them aside, as they will not be re-installed. Then once the hardware is out of the way, we can pull the tow hook out of the frame. We'll go ahead and set itaside, asthe tow hooks will not be re-installed and the base plates will sit in this position.
Next well need to markout and cut out the front fasciato allow for the base plate.Using a paint marker, we'll go ahead and mark out the area and then use a rotary tool to cut out this section. Now, with our fascia cut out, we are ready to go ahead and install the base plate. Quick tech tip: it can be a tight fit between the base plate and the inner frame wall, so we'll go ahead and lubricate it with some penetrating oil. Now we'll go ahead and install the base plate. We'll need to work it into position and pull down on the fascia as necessary to get the base plate into place.
Once we have the base plate in the frame, we can then go ahead and secure it with the hardware provided. We'll be using the half inch bolt and split lockwashers. Note each fastener will get red lock tie as recommended by Blue Ox. Once we line up the holes in the frame, with the weld nuts in the base plate, we'llgo ahead and install each one of the fasteners and then tighten 'em down. Once we have 'emtightened down, we can torque to specifications as indicated in instructions.
Now with our driver's side done, we'll go ahead and repeat the same process on the passenger's side. With both base plates installed and secured, we're now ready to install the safety cables. For this application, it will be necessary to have four quick links. Two will come with the install kit and we'll add an additional two to this install, part number 49135. To secure the safety cable to the vehicle, we'll wrap it around the frame and use the quick link to secure it.
We'll run the other end over the cross two and up to the eyelet built in to our base plate. Then we'll use a quick link to secure the cable to the eyelet. Now with one side done, we'll repeat the same process on the other side. Now with our base plate installed and secured, we'll go ahead and go over operation of the removable arms.To install the arms into the base plate, simply pull back on the locking ring, slide the removable arm into the base plate and twist until it locks into place. Then, once we want to take out the removable arm, we'll simply pull back on the locking tab ring, turn and pull out to remove the arm. That does it for the install of our Blue Ox base plate kit with removable arms, part number BX1681 on our 2010 Chevy Silverado. .
Customer Satisfaction Score:
76% were satisfied with this product
24% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. Good fit. Requires some cutting. Baseplate is heavy, so I paid an installer to do the job.
solid and simple kit for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. It really appears that the only reason the entire front trim has to come off is to drill two additional 1/2" holes in the truck frame to allow solid attachment of the base plate. If GM provided these, this kit would be sooo fast to install. :)
I had to slightly modify mounting holes as they did not line up with the vehicle. This is the 7th base plate I have installed on various cars and trucks and by far the most challenging.
Great products from etrailer. The videos were very helpful as I was determined to do the install myself. I’m 72 years old and thought I could do it and I did with the help of my lovely assistant, my wife. The tip on running the taillight wiring through the frame rail was great. The one problem I had was that I was never able to unplug the taillights no matter how hard I tugged on them so I had my wife hold each light while I spliced in the diodes. Very happy with the Blue Ox products and the finished look on my Jeep. Thanks again etrailer.
This Blue Ox Baseplate was easy to install and fit great. etralier sent me a video of my same make and year car showing the baseplate installation. Armed with the knowledge the video provided really made my installation job easy. Quality parts and quality service by etrailer.
An added bonus was that the baseplate and tow bar I ordered arrived in 2 days.
Instructions could have been better but was straight forward and easy to figure out. Had to widen two holes on vehicle a tiny bit to align up with plate. Was shorted two connectors to attach the safety cables to the vehicle and base plate. None mentioned on inventory but two were included. Picture showed using four.
Well designed and solidly built base plate. Very good product support from Etrailer and Blue Ox.
The four 1/2 inch by 1 3/4 inch bolts are category 5 bolts. I had a bag full of identically sized bolts which were category 8. But I did not have any whizz nuts that were category 8 nuts so I stayed with the standard Blue Ox Hardware. We used POR 15 rust preventing paint at every location where we cut the steel or drilled holes. The distance from the center of the attachment tab assembly holes to the ground is 20 inches on our 2025 Wrangler Rubicon JLU with "Xtreme" 35 inch tire package. Easy five stars for Blue Ox and etrailer.
The 2025 Trax license plate frame sits lower than shown in the instructions provided with this kit, to the point where it obstructs access to the 7-way electrical connector. An alternate scheme for mounting the plate will be required if your state requires the front plate to be displayed.
The Blue Ox base plate kit was installed without a hitch on our 2024 Maverick Hybrid. It was a perfect fit! It was installed by Fantasy Truck, a referred installer of etrailer, in Odessa, MO. Brett was very easy to work with and did an excellent job! I highly recommend the Blue Ox baseplate and Brett @ Fantasy Truck!
Fits my 2013 mini cooper non turbo. Does take a few hours to install this Fit was good. The hardest part is removing the front bumper and reinstalling it. You do have to cut the lower bumper grill in three places take your time locating the exact spots for cuts. I have pulled Mini Cooper about seven thousand miles now with this Blue Ox and has worked great
The safety Cable installation left a little to be desired. I'm not sure if I installed it as designed. The cables we're really long enough to go aroiund the frame rails on our Jeep, under the Radiator mount, Aluminum Frame, I was only able to go around the Raditor mount on both sides. Didn't really seam like it was the right way, but I suspect it's only for if something comes loose that there isn't a catastrophic breakaway.
I was given a Blue Ox Tow Bar and needed Base Plates for my Ford F150. In my online search, E-Trailer had the best price, so I ordered them. Delivery was a few days earlier than expected. I read the installation instructions and it sounded fairly simple to install, so I decided to tackle it myself. I began it about six pm and had the job completed and cleaned up in just over two hours. The job required removal of the bumper and tow hooks and drilling of two holes. Also William at E-trailer was of great help in the correct parts and keeping me informed of the delivery.
After installing over 500 baseplates on various vehicles, this one was probably the toughest one . It had the off road package on it . But it fit great after I had to remove a lot that had been bolted up for 27yrs.
Tried to install this baseplate. It was a challenge to say the least. It did not fit the frame of my Jeep YJ without making modifications to the mounting plates on the driver side. I had to use a cut off wheel and remove 3/16 of an inch from the driver side spacer (which is too long. See pictures) in order to get it to clear the frame. Also, instructions say to drill an additional 1/2 inch hole in the frame for a third mounting bolt. BUT....the internal frame construction doesn't allow the nut on a stick to pass under the existing reinforcements for the bolts that mount the steering gear to the frame. Nut is way too thick to pass under the internal tubing in the frame from manufacturer (AMC).
I looked into every brand/model available and this was the beefiest. There is cutting and trimming required on all brands, so why not get the strongest? If you're slightly handy with a toolbox, you can easily do the install yourself and save thousands.
This was instilled on a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 truck. I watched your video online with this exact model truck and the words I remember most was “and we did not have to do any trimming”. Well my truck was certainly different than what was on video. Guess it’s because it’s a late build 2024 (end of September 2024) and the grill system was maybe what would appear on the 2025 models? There was lots of trimming involved. I also will tell you the mounting holes both for the frame and the bumper back plate did not line up and required some modifications to fit. I would like to say this job is not for the faint of heart. I luckily have a mechanical/machinist background so was able to get the job done. Have not tested it yet but will be soon. Good luck to those of you who are planning on installing it yourself. Just remember it can be done. Just take your time.
Items arrived in 2 days, free shipping. All appeared in new undamaged condition.
The Blue Ox base plate for my 2015 Kia Soul is well manufactured and, with a little bit of mechanical skill, easy to install. It fit perfectly without issues. Brad from etrailer provides a step-by-step installation video that is outstanding and nicely guides through the process from beginning to end. I highly recommend this Blue Ox base plate from etrailer.
Well the blue ox base plate actually fits my turbo engine. The Curt didn't fit as advertised.
Super high quality baseplate for towing by Blue Ox. Instructions, videos, shipping (one day!) and overall experience was awesome. A bit pricey but their quality and the additional support by E Trailer cannot be beat! BTW (E Trailer) the baseplate fits three different Jeep configurations but did not call out the Recon package. After looking at other brands which showed there's to fit the 3 variations AND the Recon, I figured it would fit and it DID. You should definitely upgrade to include the Recon Edition.
lways great to shop at etrailer, especially the tech experts. Royce did an awesome job with our order. Everything fit perfectly and the help video provided the guidance I needed.
We installed the baseplate on our 2023 Encore GX AWD as well as the light harness and breakaway switch. A couple of items were incorrect but Royce corrected the issues with no problems.
Thanks again etrailer!
2019 Ford Ranger baseplate worked and fitted fine for me. 73 yrs old took me a couple hours but took many breaks. Younger could do it less than hour I'm sure.
Also works fine with my Blue Ox tow bar.
Good product, works well with my Roadmaster tow bar
Works great.
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