Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms
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2013 Ford Expedition
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2013 Ford Expedition
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This base plate is made with durable steel and bolts directly to the chassis for a secure, no-weld setup. The sturdy design spreads towing force evenly to help prevent stress on the suspension during long trips. With a 24" distance between brackets and a bracket height of 15", it gives you a solid foundation for a dependable tow connection every time.
When you’re not towing, the low-profile reinforcements keep the front of your vehicle looking streamlined. The crossbar support beam blends in with the bumper, so you’re not left with bulky brackets or exposed hardware. It’s a clean look that also helps protect the front frame from unnecessary clutter.
This kit is designed for an easy bolt-on install—no welding required. It mounts securely to the chassis using the included hardware, making it a practical weekend project for anyone who’s comfortable with basic tools. Clear alignment points take the guesswork out of getting everything square and tight.
The sturdy lugs pair directly with Blue Ox tow bars for a reliable, secure hook-up. If you already have a different system, it’s also adaptable for use with Roadmaster tow bars using adapter RM-031 or RM-031-5, or with Demco tow bars using adapter DM9523041 (each sold separately). This flexibility makes it easy to integrate into an existing towing setup without starting over.
A powder-coated finish helps protect the steel from rust and corrosion through changing weather and road conditions. It’s made to handle repeated hook-ups and long hauls while keeping its structural strength trip after trip. Backed by a 3-year warranty, it’s built for years of confident towing.
Ratings & Reviews
Etrailer.com shipped the item quickly. The baseplate arrived on time. Installation was easy and all the parts fit perfectly. We towed our Cherokee the very next day to Arizona from California. Everything worked perfect.
I thought price was a little high, but they worked very well. Fit perfectly and looked good. Came with clear installation instructions. The nuts on steel wires made it possible to slide them deep inside the frame where the support plates bolted on without any trouble.
My blue ox base plate kit came right on schedule. I met my mechanic at the shop and with a hydraulic lift and air tools we had it installed and secured in about 30 minutes. I could have done it alone at home in about 1.5 hrs. It fits perfect and looks like it was part of original car frame.
Thx
Installing it today. I was impressed with the quality of components and construction. I test fitted and it slid right in. Now to drill the holes. Another thing was the quick delivery and packing. I definitely order from etrailer again.
The predrilled holes didn't quite match up which required drilling out a little. Other than that it went quite well. It took this eighty year old man about two hours to get the whole thing mounted.
The Blue Ox BasePlate has worked out very well. We've traveled over 3,000 miles on 4 separate trips....with multiple hookups and detachments. Great system. The only constructive comment is the electric hookup for lights/turn signals was a little wonky but my mechanic worked it out with the manufacturer.
Installed this on a 2014 Chevy Express 3500 15 passenger van. Install was time consuming, as holes needed to be drilled (went through 2 drill bits) and the nuts must be fished through the frame, then "caught" by the bolt. I think there were 12 of them! Instructions were clear, though, and I've safely towed without incident over 7,000 miles in the past year. Definitely rock solid! Paired up with a Blue Ox Aventa 7,500 lb tow bar.
Easy enough install on my 86 samurai. Had to do some persuading but nothing major. I did need to notch the bottom of the bumper in two spots to clear the mounting brackets. Seems awfully expensive when you see what you get.
Quality built product! And outstanding customer service by Ashley!!
I had a simple ball hitch setup for my 1999 Jeep Wrangler for towing behind our RV. Our first trip out with it, the bolts that attached the bar connectors to the front of the Jeep came loose. I was fortunate that they didn't come out completely and cause a major accident. I was able to tighten them again, and we had no additional issues on our trip. Of course, this made me extremely nervous with my 'budget' route to tow the Jeep so I began looking for a better, more reliable solution.
Blue Ox was the name that kept coming up so I purchased the BX1120. The build quality is outstanding, it's extremely solid and very durable. Installation time was about an hour and a half once I had the right tools, couldn't find my 1/2 inch socket set! I'm using the Blue Ox Alpha tow bar with this setup.
I will say that having a second set of hands to install is valuable, my son had to come help me get the drivers side bolts in while I held the steering housing in place.
All in all, I'm very pleased with the product. It went in easy and should save my nerves on our next road trip!
1999 Jeep Wrangler Sport
After market front bumper (Plenty of clearance with this specific mount)
A well-built, stout and heavy-gauge base plate with beautiful welds. It brings peace of mind for towing my Cherokee Sport cross-country behind my Class C without worry of mechanical failures on the open road. Because so much money and liability rides in tow, Blue Ox is the first choice.
First of all, the staff at etrailer has always been there with answers with anything. Fitment, installation, usage etc. Second. The install was easy with the enclosed instructions. I did it by myself with only getting help to raise and lower the bumper. After several thousand miles of towing, still tight and still looks great
1 year later, it’s been used for over 1500 miles and held up great. I did the install and had a weld shop tax the bolts do they wouldn’t back out.
I'm not giving the products the stars as much as the woman who helped me select them and turned me onto the "road-master" product line. Road-master had a "towed-car" hitch for my 2002 Mazda Protege. It was a blessing to have met her acquaintance.
Base plate is well built and fit well. As I would expect from Blue Ox products. My only complaint and the reason for 4 stars would be the horrible instruction. Pictures are absolutely horrible. Not a big deal for the mechanically inclined, but not everyone fits that category.
Very simple to install, just need to drill a few holes in the frame. Comes with everything you need except a couple basic washers (mine came with 3 lock washers and 2 standard flats for 4 bolts)…
Would be nice to have the torque specs also in the instructions but the busted bolt is on me!
Perfect fit, well built of high quality materials. In my mind you just can't get much better than Blue Ox. The only issue is that the BX1120 doesn't have removable twist lock tabs. The fixed draw bar mounting tabs are at just the right height and position to play havoc with your shins when the draw bar is not installed. I solved that problem with a shin guard I made of 2 inch schedule 40 PVC. (see photo) Fits perfectly, guards the breakaway switch and lighting connector when not in use, and solves the shin interference problem.
Outstanding communication. Outstanding customer service. Outstanding towbars and baseplates. Will be back.
Once again just great service from etra iler
Easily installed but proper alignment needs to be maintained before drilling the additional hole required for through bolts.
Not a bad install the nuts on the end of the wires was a little strange and odd to use and bend….. worked out great haven’t towed it yet ….bolted in and ready. There’s not really any place on thes 06 Wrangler to put those safety cables to the frame. Alex T in sales was great.
The kit is well built and comes with all the necessary hardware to install. Installation was a breeze and asthetically blends in well with the front of the truck. Great job on the design and the production!
We really like our blue ox towbar mounts from etrailer. We're excited to be able to flat tow our 2001 F-250 with our ATV in the bed. Real game changer,, Thank You etrailer
A few pictures of how I attach it
4 it's in solid, but the [finish] that was used killed it from being a five.
The installation took about four hours. I had a tight interference fit between the frame rails. I wish I had an 18-24" linear ram, but I didn't. So two hydraulic floor jacks, with 4 - 24" welding clamps, and two 12" C-clamps, a short 2# sledge did the trick. Nothing a little spray paint can't fix. Four bolt holes lined up nicely. Two 1/2" drilled holes from the bottom were easy leverage to set up. Two 1/2" drilled holes inside to outside, were quite the challenge to get behind the drill. All fasteners now torqued to specification with red locktite. Added the 1/2" safety cables, made an adjustment in the lower airdam. And presto, here you have it. Now time to set up diode kit, and brake away switch installation.
Your service was excellent; I realize you have no control over the logistics. The baseplate arrived today, as I was told it would. It is still in the box, but I will begin the installation in a day or two. Our plans for using it have been changed, due to time constraints. I enjoyed doing business with you; you kept me informed all along the way...much appreciated. Photos when time permits during the installation.
Thanks,
Jack
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