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2003 Cadillac CTS
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Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms
Part Number: BX2157
In Stock
$608.95
2003 Cadillac CTS
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- All Info
- Reviews (421)
- Q & A (0)
- Photos
Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate - BX2157
Highlights
- Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounts to existing attachment points
- Ready for Flat Towing: Creates secure attachment points so you can safely tow your vehicle behind your RV.
- Blends In When Not Towing: Low-profile reinforcements keep the front end neat and streamlined.
- Distributes Towing Force Evenly: Crossbar support balances stress across the chassis for smoother, safer hauls.
- Built to Last: Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel resists rust and corrosion through long-distance travel.
- Fits Popular Tow Bar Systems: Connects directly to Blue Ox bars and adapts for Roadmaster or Demco setups.
Features to know about
Built Strong for the Long Haul: Durable Steel Construction
When you’re setting up for serious miles of towing, you want hardware that holds up. This Blue Ox base plate kit is built from heavy-duty steel and powder coated to resist rust and corrosion. The sturdy design spreads towing force evenly across your chassis, which helps protect your suspension through long-distance trips.
Clean Look Up Front: Low-Profile Reinforcements
Nobody wants bulky brackets sticking out when they’re not towing. The low-profile reinforcements on this setup keep your front end looking streamlined, and the crossbar support beam blends in neatly with the bumper. The fixed draw bars are always ready to connect, yet the overall look stays clean and balanced when you’re driving solo.
Confident Connection Every Time: Secure Fit with Blue Ox Tow Bars
Flat towing only works if the connection is rock solid. The lugs on this base plate pair directly with Blue Ox tow bars for a tight, dependable link between your vehicle and RV. If you’re running a Roadmaster or Demco bar, adapters (RM-031 or RM-031-5 for Roadmaster, DM9523041 for Demco, sold separately) make it easy to tie everything together without reworking your setup.
Straightforward Setup: Bolt-On Installation with Included Hardware
This kit bolts right to the chassis—no welding required. Everything you need comes in the box, including mounting hardware, so it’s a simple bolt-on job once you get access to the frame. With a bracket distance of 24" and bracket height of 17", you can plan your tow bar alignment accurately for a confident first hookup.
Specs
Dimensions
- Distance between brackets: 24"
- Bracket height: 17"
Warranty
- Warranty period: 3-Year warranty
- 1 — 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.
- 2 — Base plates: install on the frame of your towed car and provide attachment points for the tow bar.
- 3 — Safety cables: ensure that your towed car does not separate from your motorhome in the event that your tow bar becomes detached.
- 4 — 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.
- 5 — Supplemental braking system: 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.
BX2157 Blue Ox Baseplate - Standard Tabs
This Product Fits The Following Vehicles
- 2001 - 2003 Mazda B Series Pickup Dual Sport
- 2001 - 2005 Ford Ranger Edge - with tow hooks
- 2001 - 2006 Ford Ranger XL and XLT - 4 Wheel Drive
Ratings & Reviews
4.8
421 reviews
by:
Garry
04/10/2026
This would be 5 star if it had not taken 3 attempts to get a properly built baseplate. This was not in any way a reflection of etrailer, but a problem with Blue Ox and their quality control. First one was welded crooked, second one the tabs for the towbar were welded out of line, third one fit perfect. I'm giving them credit for acknowledging the problem and addressing it as quickly as they could. The baseplate has performed flawlessly for the past year. Only ongoing complaint is with the specs as written, both on etrailer's site, but on BlueOx site. Specs say the towbar tabs are 17" high, when in reality they are only 11" high, resulting in my having to buy an additional drop insert. As stated the end result is working fine and I am happy!
by:
Leonard
12/25/2018
2004
Ford
Edge
I installed this base plate on my 2004 Ford Ranger Edge P/U. The instructions were very clear and the project was completed in 2 to 3 hours.
The bumper must be removed and 2 holes drilled in the frame for installation. Anyone with basic mechanic skills should have no problem with this install.
The bumper must be removed and 2 holes drilled in the frame for installation. Anyone with basic mechanic skills should have no problem with this install.
Leonard
12/26/2019
We have towed our Ranger several times with this base plate. Very happy with it. Thank you eTrailer.
by:
Richard
06/02/2026
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.
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.
Kate F.
6/5/2026
Thanks for your review, Richard! It sounds like this was a fairly involved installation, but we're glad to hear everything came together successfully in the end. We appreciate you sharing the details of your process, especially the tips about the tight frame rail clearance and drilling challenges, as those insights may help other RV owners tackling the same project. Thanks for including the photo as well. Your finished installation looks great! Now that it's installed and you're moving on to the diode kit and brake away switch, what adventure are you looking forward to most this summer in your RV?
by:
Jeff K.
04/24/2026
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
A few pictures of how I attach it
Mike L.
4/25/2026
Nice job Jeff, thanks for the awesome photos!
by:
Randy
06/22/2026
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!
Kate F.
6/25/2026
Install looks great Randy! Where are you headed for the first big trip with the new set-up?
by:
Grant
02/06/2026
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.
Lazer S.
2/10/2026
Glad the install went smoothly, Grant! Even with those weird handle nuts (which I agree are kind of odd). What's the first trip you have planned? And I will let Alex know what you said as well! : )
by:
Dan B
05/12/2026
2005
Hummer
H2
Easily installed but proper alignment needs to be maintained before drilling the additional hole required for through bolts.
by:
Joshua
05/05/2026
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.
by:
Pop
04/12/2019
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.
Alan B.
4/13/2020
After a year of occasional use I am still very happy with the BX1120 baseplate. Its a joy to use high quality products from a high quality supplier. Ive always gotten the highest quality support from the folks at Etrailer. Thanks folks.
by:
Michael
08/31/2026
Once again just great service from etrailer
by:
Keith
03/18/2026
Outstanding communication. Outstanding customer service. Outstanding towbars and baseplates. Will be back.
by:
Shay
05/09/2025
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.
by:
Justin
03/25/2026
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!
Would be nice to have the torque specs also in the instructions but the busted bolt is on me!
by:
Christopher
03/05/2026
2002
Mazda
Protege
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.
by:
James
01/22/2026
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
by:
Carl V
09/24/2018
1999
Jeep
Wrangler
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)
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)
by:
Brody
01/22/2021
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.
by:
Joe
09/18/2026
It mounted right up to my 2001 jeep. Ive only used it a couple times but worked well. no issues.
by:
Joe H
08/31/2022
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.
by:
Merlin
11/03/2022
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
Thx
by:
Randy M
08/25/2017
2006
Hummer
H3
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.
by:
James
05/06/2026
Quality built product! And outstanding customer service by Ashley!!
by:
Curtis
01/12/2019
Dodge
Dakota
A friend needed a tow bar on his Dakota , I was referred to etrailer.com and they carried everything I needed ! The instructions are easy to understand making installation simple . etrailer.com has all the information from deciding what is best for your needs to the end of the project !
by:
John
01/09/2026
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.
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Show More Reviews
See what our Experts say about this Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate
- Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2004 Ford Ranger Edge with Manual Transmission and Blue Ox Tow BarAccording to Blue Ox, you can use base plates on the 2004 Ford Ranger Edge without tow hooks on the vehicle. When I did some research on flat towing the 2004 Ford Ranger Edge, I could only find information on models with an automatic transmission. If you have transmission M5OD-R-1HD then the Ranger is towable. If you have a 4 wheel drive, the transfer case will need to be placed in 2 wheel drive high and the manual transmission in neutral. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual...
view full answer... - Is Blue Ox Acclaim Tow Bar Compatible With Roadmaster XL Base Plates?Blue Ox does not make such base plates for your 2004 Ford Ranger but I do have a solution for you. You can actually use the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit # 477-1 on your '04 Ranger Edge with tow hooks along with your Blue Ox Acclaim Tow Bar # BX4330. All you need is the RoadMaster Base Plate to Blue Ox and Demco Tow Bars Adapter # RM-033 and Quick Disconnect Kit # RM-201.
view full answer...
Do you have a question about this Tow Bar Base Plate?
Info for this part was:
Written by:
Lindsey S
Expert Research:
Michael H
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Updated by:
Adele M
Updated by:
Wilson B
Updated by:
Mike S
Updated by:
Carrie F
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.
4/12/2026
Thanks for sticking with it and sharing all that, I know that had to be frustrating going through a couple tries before getting the right one. And I appreciate you calling out how it was handled, that kind of feedback helps a lot. Good catch on the height specs too. I’ll definitely take a look into that discrepancy on our site and make sure it gets corrected so the next person doesn’t run into the same surprise. Out of curiosity, what kind of motorhome is that? Your setup looks awesome.