Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
This item does not fit your vehicle
2006 Lincoln Mark LT
These items fit your vehicle
2006 Lincoln Mark LT
To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.
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:
78% were satisfied with this product
22% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Mike L.
9/9/2026
Thanks Douglas, nice truck you've got there! Nice job on the install.....
Nick S.
1/5/2026
I am glad you were able to get it installed with no issues and a little help from our video! What kind of coach are you pulling the Kia Soul with?
Roger
12/12/2025
Still the same no issues...fine product
Matthew
10/12/2026
Its been two years since installation of the Blue Ox Baseplate. Since then, Ive flat towed the CRV from NJ to FL and back three separate times with many other shorter trips in between. Paired with a Blue Ox Tow Bar, the system has worked flawlessly since installation.
Jameson C.
10/12/2026
Kate F.
12/17/2025
Thanks for the detailed review Chris, and the pointers! This will be most helpful to others. What was your favorite stop in those 7,000 miles? Where did you go, what did you see?
Perry
10/1/2026
Follow up. Ive put about 8000 miles on the setup and its been great. A 34 ton suburban pulls nicely behind my Dutch star, and they dont have a steering lock so its nice not to have to retrieve keys when stopping for the night. I have used the safety cable attachment a few times for straight line pulls with a small shackle when working as a rally racing volunteer, its been fine but I wouldnt side pull on it.
Nick S.
12/1/2025
I am glad it worked well for you! What kind of coach are you pulling that Jeep with?
Andrew N.
10/21/2026
Hey Luis, thanks so much for the detailed response and photos. Install looks great on your Mini Cooper! I know the instructions sometimes aren't perfect, but I'm glad you got it installed correctly!
James
10/16/2025
Perfect
Jon J.
5/21/2026
It has been a good system. I would still give it 4 stars a year later just because it was a difficult job to install. Not for the faint of heart. So far have about 6k miles of towing with it. Would I do it again….Yes as it was worth the effort.
Do you have a question about this Tow Bar Base Plate?
Info for this part was:
At etrailer we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Heather A.
5/1/2026
The install looks great Ed! Where are you planning on taking the Encore? I will let Royce know you reached out.