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  1. Tow Bar Base Plate
  2. Blue Ox
  3. Removable Draw Bars
  4. Twist Lock Attachment
  5. Completely Hidden
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
Blue Ox

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Part Number: BX1987
In Stock
$511.20
Retail:$635.00
You Save: $123.80
Tow Bar Base Plate

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Custom designed to fit your vehicle so it can be safely towed behind your RV, this base plate has easily removable arms that offer a seamless look when you're not flat towing. Base plate bolts directly to your chassis, so no welding is required. Great Prices for the best tow bar base plate from Blue Ox. Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms part number BX1987 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate - BX1987

  • Blue Ox
  • Removable Draw Bars
  • Twist Lock Attachment
  • Completely Hidden

Custom designed to fit your vehicle so it can be safely towed behind your RV, this base plate has easily removable arms that offer a seamless look when you're not flat towing. Base plate bolts directly to your chassis, so no welding is required.


Features:

  • Custom-fit base plate provides attachment points for your tow bar when flat towing
  • Hidden design provides a clean, seamless look
    • Arms remove with a simple twist when not in use
    • Brackets won't protrude past the front of your vehicle
  • Sturdy design spreads towing force evenly to prevent stress on your vehicle's suspension
  • Integrated mounting points let you easily attach an electrical connector plug with bracket (sold separately)
  • Receiver covers keep dirt and debris out of the base plate when arms are removed and provide a finished look
  • Durable steel construction is powder coated to resist rust and corrosion
  • Straightforward installation - no welding required
    • Base plate bolts securely to your vehicle's chassis with included mounting hardware
  • Sturdy lugs pair with Blue Ox tow bars to form a secure and reliable connection
    • Adaptable for use with Roadmaster tow bars - adapter (RM-031 or RM-031-5) sold separately
    • Adaptable for use with Demco tow bars - adapter (DM9523041) sold separately
  • Made in the USA


Specs:

  • Distance between brackets: 17"
  • Bracket height: 12-1/2"
  • 3-Year warranty


Simple, Hidden Design

Blue Ox Base Plate With Arms AttachedBlue Ox Base Plate Arms Removed

This base plate's hidden design creates a clean and seamless look. The bracket arms are easily removable, creating a slick appearance when you're not flat towing. Because the arms can be removed, you also won't have to worry about banging your leg into any protruding arms when you walk by.


Blue Ox Base Plate Removable Arms

Attaching and removing the bracket arms is a breeze. To attach the arms to the base plate, simply insert them into the receivers and rotate them until they lock into place. Once you're finished towing and want to remove the arms, pull the pin to disengage the lock, rotate the arms, and remove them from the receivers. Finally, plug up the now empty receivers with the included receiver covers to help keep dirt and debris out of the base plate and provide a finished look.


Guide to Flat Towing

Flat towing your vehicle is much more convenient than using a trailer or a tow dolly. These other options take up much more storage space, leaving you less room both at home and at the campsite. In addition, securing your vehicle to a trailer or tow dolly can be a hassle and more time consuming than hooking up with a tow bar.


There are 5 basic components needed when flat towing a vehicle: a tow bar, a base plate kit, a safety cable set, tow bar wiring, and a supplemental braking system.


Towing Basics

The tow bar links your towed car to your motorhome. It attaches to the custom-fit base plates that install on the frame of your towed car. Safety cables ensure that your towed car does not separate from your motorhome in the event that your tow bar becomes detached. Tow bar wiring allows your towed vehicle's signal lights to sync up with your motorhome's tail lights, which is required by law in most states. Finally, the supplemental braking system - also required in most states - brakes your towed car when the brakes in your motorhome are activated, preventing wear on the motorhome and decreasing braking distance for your entire setup.



BX1987 Blue Ox Baseplate - Removable Tabs

Installation Details BX1987 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles



California residents: click here


Customer Satisfaction Score:

Ratings & Reviews

4.8

3523 reviews
5 Stars
(3026)
4 Stars
(364)
3 Stars
(73)
2 Stars
(26)
1 Star
(34)
Custom designed to fit your vehicle so it can be safely towed behind your RV, this base plate has easily removable arms that offer a seamless look when you're not flat towing. Base plate bolts directly to your chassis, so no welding is required.

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See what our Experts say about this Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate

  • Does The Blue Ox Baseplate # BX1987 Come With A Tow Bar
    No, Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX1987 is just the base plate. You would need to purchase a Blue Ox compatible tow bar in order to complete the physical connection between the towed vehicle and motorhome. One of my favorites is the etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox Base Plates # e47ZR. This tow bar comes with safety cables bracketed to arms so you don't have to purchase them separately or worry about them dragging on the ground. There's also a bar mounted to one of the arms that...
    view full answer...
  • Can 2013 Smart fortwo Automatic Transmission be Flat Towed
    I pulled up the owners manual of your 2013 Smart fortwo and there is no exclusions for flat towing the automatic transmission models so it would be possible to flat tow yours. I don't have this verified for all years of this vehicle though. The first thing you need is a base plate kit like the Blue Ox # BX1987 that you referenced. In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. One of...
    view full answer...
  • 2013 Smart Car Flat Towing Component Installation
    For your 2013 Smart fortwo, I will walk though the parts listed to confirm fits and compatibility to assist. The Blue Ox base plates # BX1987 is a confirmed fit and will work well with the Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar - Motorhome Mount - 6,500 lbs # BX7380 you referenced which comes with the safety cables. For your tow bar wiring, the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267 is an excellent choice to give you the clean connection and utilize your factory wiring while...
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for Image 2 for Image 3 for
  • Parts Needed To Flat-Tow a 2014 Smart Fortwo
    In order to flat-tow a 2014 Smart Fortwo you'll need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, wiring harness, supplemental braking system, and possibly a few other items. I have attached a list of each of these components below for a complete setup. Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part # BX1987 Blue Ox Alpha 2 Tow Bar part # BX7380 Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit part # RM-15267 Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect part # RM-766 Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking...
    view full answer...
  • Recommended Tow Bar for 2009 Smart Fortwo with Blue Ox Base Plate Kit
    The tow bar I recommend for the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part # BX1987 on a 2009 Smart Fortwo is the Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar part # BX7380 which fits a tab spacing of 16-36". This will work great with your 17" tab spacing on the Fortwo. The Blue Ox Acclaim Non-Binding Tow Bar part # BX4330 isn't compatible due to the narrow tab spacing.
    view full answer...
  • Recommended Flat Towing Parts for a 2013 Smart fortwo
    To flat tow your 2013 Smart fortwo Passion you will need the following parts: Tow Bar and Safety Chains - etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar item # e47ZR Base Plate Kit - Blue Ox Base Plate Kit item # BX1987 Wiring Harness - Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit item # RM-15267 Battery Disconnect Switch - Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect item # RM-766 Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System item # BLU37TR High Low Adapter - The tow bar needs to be within...
    view full answer...
  • Grille Cut-Out Installation Instructions For BlueOx Baseplate # BX1987 On a 2012 Smart twofor
    Yes, you will have to cut holes in your grille to make the baseplate extend out. My contact at Blue Ox told me that the way this is to be done is to hold the grille up to the area where the baseplates attach and mark the dimensions on the grille with a washable white paint and cut out from there. You will want to start off small and tweak from there so you do not over-cut. Blue Ox does not have a measurement specific diagram at this time.
    view full answer...
  • Which Base Plate Installs Easily on a 2013 Smart ForTwo, Blue Ox # BX1987 or Roadmaster # 52285-1
    Blue Ox rates the installation difficulty for their 2013 Smart ForTwo base plates, part # BX1987, such that an experienced professional installer will typically need 4 hours to complete the install. (First-time installers will usually take significantly longer to complete the process.) The installation of this product requires removal of the front bumper fascia, some trimming of the bumper and air dam and some drilling. The Roadmaster # 52285-1, Base Plates for the 2013 Smart fortwo, according...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2016 Smart fortwo Gas
    Flat towing any car requires a few components and these are noted in the linked article. The items include base plates, safety cables, tow bar, a wiring/lighting kit, braking system and often a high/low hitch adapter. Here is a listing of such parts for the 2016 Smart fortwo: Base Plate # RM-52300-4 Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-520 Safety Cables # RM-643 Towing Light kit # DM36MV Battery Disconnect # RM-766 Even Brake # RM-9400 Stop Light Switch Kit # RM-751486 12 Volt Outlet Kit # RM-9332 High/Low...
    view full answer...
  • Is The 2009 Smart ForTwo Automatic Transmission Flat Towable?
    Hello Tony. I looked over the owners manual for a 2009 Smart ForTwo, and they do state that the recommended towing method is that the vehicle be transported with all wheels off the ground using a flatbed car trailer. If this method is not available, the vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground using a tow bar connected to another vehicle. The owners manual does not mention that the automatic transmission being an exclusion, so based on this I have to assume it can be safely towed...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2012 Smart fortwo Behind a Toyota Tacoma
    To flat tow your 2012 Smart fortwo behind your Toyota Tacoma you will need base plates, a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking. First, for base plates I recommend the Blue Ox model # BX1987 because they are generally easier to install and cost a little less than the competition. For a compatible tow bar there are a couple of ways to approach it. You could go with a tow bar that costs a little more and end up saving money on the braking system or you could...
    view full answer...
  • Blue Ox Base Plate Fit for 2008 Smart car fortwo
    The Blue Ox base plate kit that fits your 2008 Smart fortwo is part # BX1987. This base plate is compatible with Blue Ox Adventurer, Aladdin, Allure, Alpha, Avail, Aventa, and Trion tow bars. Tow bars and base plates are just two of the components needed for safe and legal flat towing behind an RV. You can refer to the linked article on flat towing basics for more on the other items needed.
    view full answer...
  • Can Roadmaster Tow Bar Tow Vehicle with Blue Ox Base Plate Kit
    Yes, but you would need to use the adapter kit part # RM-031 to attach a Roadmaster tow bar to the Blue Ox base plate kit part # BX1987.
    view full answer...
  • What Base Plate and Wiring Harness Do You Recommend for Flat-Towing a 2013 Smart fortwo?
    When choosing a base plate for your 2013 Smart fortwo, I recommend the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # BX1987 over the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # 52285-1 because you will not need to purchase an additional adapter when using the Blue Ox plate with your Blue Ox tow bar. Apart from not needing an adapter, the Blue Ox has a very straightforward installation with a bolt-on process. If you need safety chains with your setup, I recommend the Roadmaster 80" Coiled...
    view full answer...
  • Parts to Tow a 2015 Smart Car and 2011 Chevy Tahoe Behind a Motorhome
    We can help with the parts you need to flat tow your 2015 Smart fourtwo. I'll list the parts I recommend starting with the Demco Commander II tow bar, part # DM9511012-BX. I like Demco's tow bars because of the built in rise or drop and the safety cables. This one in particular includes the adapters to connect to Blue Ox base plates because for your Smart car I recommend part # BX1987. The other parts I recommend are: Braking system part # BLU37TR Wiring kit part # RM-15267 For the braking...
    view full answer...
  • Flat Towing Recommendations For A 2008 Smart ForTwo Gas Coupe
    All of your choices for flat towing will work with your 2008 Smart Fortwo. Tow Bar: etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox Base Plates - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000lbs Item # e47ZR Tow Bar Wiring: Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit Item # RM-154. This wiring harness is a one time setup so you won't have to run magnetic lights to the back of the vehicle every time you want to flat tow. Base Plates: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms Item # BX1987. Braking System:...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2009 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet Behind Motorhome RV
    We can help you get your 2009 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet ready for flat towing behind your motorhome. For reference, the linked article on the basics of flat towing, as well as the two others that cover specific components, are a great place to start your towing prep. As always, it is a good idea to check your Smart owner's manual for details on flat towing. I checked an online edition and it covers this subject on page 204. Let's get going! Starting with base plates for the Fortwo, we offer...
    view full answer...
  • Recommend Tow Bar To Flat-Tow My 2008 Smart Fortwo
    I can see how the size of the Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar could be a concern, but the tow bar only weighs 37 lbs and remains stored on the hitch of your RV when you are not towing. Another great feature about this tow bar is that it is non-binding, which allows for easier hookup and disconnecting. In addition to a tow bar, you will need a base plate kit, safety cables, wiring or lighting, and a supplemental braking system to complete your flat-towing setup. The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, part...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2008 Smart fortwo Behind Motorhome
    We can help you get your 2008 Smart fortwo Passion ready with the parts needed for flat-towing behind your RV. Do be sure to check your owner's manual to confirm that your particular car can be safely flat towed, since some may require special preparation steps or have specific limitations. The linked article details the components needed to flat tow a vehicle behind an RV. I also included articles specifically concerning braking systems and hitch adapters, both of which are required,...
    view full answer...
  • Flat Tow Package For A 2012 Smart ForTwo
    Yes we do, Robert. Here is what I recommend for flat towing your 2012 Smart Fortwo: - Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # BX1987 - etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox and Curt Base Plates - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6K lbs # e47ZR - Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267 - Roadmaster Battery Disconnect with Switch for Towed Vehicle # RM-766 - Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System # SM99251 - Smart Car Brake Pedal Adapter For Demco Braking...
    view full answer...
  • Items Needed to Flat Tow 2010 Smart fortwo
    For your 2010 Smart fortwo, you will need 5 basic items to flat tow, Base Plates, Tow Bar, Safety Cables, a wiring solution for your indicator lights and a supplemental braking system. - Base Plates, Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, # BX1987 - Tow Bar, etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox Base Plates, # e47ZR which includes needed safety cables - Wiring, Tow Ready Tail Light Isolating Diode System with 4-Pole Connector, # TR118821 - Supplemental Braking, Brake Buddy Stealth Supplemental...
    view full answer...
  • Recommendations for Taillight Wiring and Base Plates on 2010 Smart fortwo
    The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, # BX1987 is a confirmed fit for your 2010 Smart fortwo. This will work with the Blue Ox Tow Bar. The Tow Ready Tail Light Isolating Diode System with 4-Pole Connector, # TR118821 is the correct part for your 2010 Smart fortwo. With this kit, the towed vehicle's brake lights will function as both the brake and turn lights. A Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter, # 118158, sold separately, along with 2 additional diodes, Roadmaster Hy-Power Diodes, # RM-792,...
    view full answer...
  • Recommend Base Plate and Tow Bar For 2010 Smart For Two
    For your 2010 Smart For Two, we have the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit, part # 52285-1, and the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, part # BX1987. Both the Roadmaster and Blue Ox base plate kits feature removable drawbars, so that the base plate kit is less visible when you are not towing the vehicle. Both the Roadmaster and Blue Ox base plate kit would be a good option for your 2010 Smart Car. In addition to a base plate kit, you will need a tow bar, safety cables, wiring or lighting, and a supplemental...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2015 Smart Fortwo Pure
    All of the parts you mentioned are compatible for your 2015 Smart fortwo. Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar - Motor Home Mount - 6,500 lbs - BX7380 Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms - BX1987 Blue Ox Tow Bar Wiring Kit - 4 Diodes - BX8848 I am not a huge fan of the AutoStop braking systems so I would recommend you go with a Blue OX Patriot part # BRK2012 instead. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BRK2019, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the...
    view full answer...


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