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Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms
(421 reviews)
Price: $464.72
In Stock
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Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms
Part Number: BX2170
In Stock
$464.72
Retail:$834.90
You Save: $370.18
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- All Info
- Reviews (421)
- Q & A (0)
- Photos
Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate - BX2170
Highlights
- Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounts to existing attachment points
- Ready for Flat Towing: Creates solid connection points so you can safely tow your vehicle behind your RV.
- Blends In When Not Towing: Low-profile reinforcements keep the front end looking clean and streamlined.
- Distributes Towing Force Evenly: Crossbar support beam balances stress across the frame for a steadier pull.
- Built to Last: Durable, powder-coated steel resists rust and corrosion through long-distance use.
- Works with Multiple Tow Bars: Pairs with Blue Ox bars and adapts for Roadmaster or Demco systems using optional adapters.
Features to know about
Built for Reliable Flat Towing: Fixed-Arm Steel Base Plate
This Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms (#BX2170) gives you solid attachment points for your tow bar so you can flat tow with confidence. The durable steel construction is powder coated to resist rust and corrosion, and the design spreads towing forces evenly to help prevent stress on your suspension. It bolts securely to the chassis—no welding required—and comes with all the hardware for a strong, stable connection that’s ready for miles of towing.
Clean, Streamlined Look: Low-Profile Reinforcements
When you’re not towing, this setup keeps your front end looking neat. The low-profile reinforcements blend smoothly with your bumper for a streamlined appearance. Even with fixed draw bars, the crossbar support beam sits tight against the vehicle’s lines, giving it a finished look instead of a bulky add-on feel.
Simple Bolt-On Setup: Straightforward Installation Without Welding
This kit is designed for a direct bolt-on install using factory mounting points. No welding is required, which makes it do-able in a home garage or local shop. Everything needed to secure it in place—mounting hardware included—lines up for an easy fit that doesn’t add unnecessary fabrication work.
Ready to Pair With Your Tow Bar: Flexible Adapter Options
Already have a tow bar you like? You can hook this base plate up to Blue Ox tow bars right out of the box for a reliable connection. It’s also adaptable for use with Roadmaster tow bars (RM-031 or RM-031-5 adapters sold separately) or with Demco tow bars when paired with the Demco Tow Bar Adapter Brackets for Blue Ox Base Plates (#DM9523041). That means you can keep your current setup and just add what you need to make it work.
Sized Right for Easy Planning: 24" Between Brackets and 17" Height
The distance between brackets is 24", and the bracket height is 17". These exact specs make it simple to line up your hitch height and plan your whole flat-towing setup without guesswork. Plus, the 3-year warranty adds peace of mind that this base plate is built to last through long hauls.
Specs
Dimensions
- Distance between brackets: 24"
- Bracket height: 17"
Warranty
- Warranty length: 3-Year warranty
BX2170 Blue Ox Baseplate - Standard Tabs
This Product Fits The Following Vehicles
- 2000 - 2005 Mazda B Series Pickup 2 Wheel Drive
- 2001 - 2003 Mazda B Series Pickup 2 Wheel Drive - excluding Dual Sport
- 2000 - 2005 Mazda B Series Pickup 4 Wheel Drive
- 1998 - 2000 Ford Ranger 2 Wheel Drive
- 1998 - 2000 Ford Ranger 4 Wheel Drive
- 2001 - 2006 Ford Ranger XL and XLT - 2 Wheel Drive
- 2001 - 2006 Ford Ranger XL and XLT - 4 Wheel Drive
Customer Satisfaction Score:
90% were satisfied with this product
10% of customers were not satisfied
- Product did not meet expectations
- Wrong item was ordered
- Did not arrive in time
Ratings & Reviews
4.8
421 reviews
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!
by:
Karen
07/23/2025
Easy to install instructions were helpful and clear great product!
by:
Robert Johansson
10/05/2019
This base plate fit beautifully on my 2004 ranger pick up. The only problem I had was the nuts with the wire welded to them were defective because the wire was welded too close to the threads and it wouldn’t take the bolt so they sent me new ones all good., But make sure your bolts thread through the nuts before you install them. etrailer promptly sent me new bolts no charge.
by:
Leo G
04/13/2016
I am very happy with the way my order was processed and handled. From the date I ordered it until receiving it today I was given updates on my order. Package came in excellent condition. Thank you.
by:
Joe
11/08/2020
2001
Ford
Ranger
My base plate fit like a glove and did it in five hours on my 2001 Ford Ranger.
by:
William
05/10/2022
It has been flawless. Installation was very simple. I would recommend this. Very pleased.
by:
Ray G
08/03/2019
Good product, fit very well. Routine install with common tools. Good company to deal with. No surprises.
by:
Joann
05/08/2021
Everyone else had to order it, but you had it in stock and shipped it super fast. You guys rock! Thank you!!
by:
David
09/12/2022
by:
R
06/02/2025
2001
Ford
Ranger
by:
Jeff
08/07/2021
by:
Ray
10/04/2022
by:
Bruce
02/24/2021
2000
Mazda
B Series Pickup
by:
Mark
10/21/2022
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:
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!
25
421
true
Show More Reviews
See what our Experts say about this Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate
- Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2000 Ford RangerHey Andre, what brand of tow bar do you have? What braking system do you have? Reason I ask is I would want to match the base plate kit to the brand of tow bar you have and also I would need to match the breakaway kit to the braking kit that you have.
view full answer... - Can A Demco Tow Bar Be Used With A Blue Ox Base Plate?Hi Dean! You can use a Demco tow bar with the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms # BX2170 with the addition of the Demco Tow Bar Adapter Brackets for Blue Ox Base Plates # DM9523041. These replace the ends of your tow bar and adapt them to work with the Blue Ox base plates. It looks like you are going to be using this with a 2004 Ford Ranger? Do you have all the other parts needed to set it up for flat towing?
view full answer... - Can Tow Hooks Be Replaced With Tow Bar Brackets Instead of Base Plate for 1998 Ford RangerHi Adam; depending on the exact design, surface, and spacing you may be able to use the Blue Ox Heavy-Duty Universal Bolt-On Base Plate Brackets # BX88266. However, this usually requires some modification at an additional cost. I recommend sticking with a base plate kit designed for your 1998 Ford Ranger like the # BX2170
view full answer... - Can a 2000 Ford Ranger Manual Transmission and Rear Wheel Drive be Towed with a TowReady Tow BarYes, the Tow Ready Adjustable Tow Bar, # 63180, can be used to tow the 2000 Ford Ranger with manual transmission. You will need to refer to your owners manual for procedures and restrictions for towing your Ranger, and make sure that the Ranger is below the 5,000 pound capacity of the tow bar. You will also have to keep in mind that this tow bar is rated for towing speeds of 45 miles per hour or less. A better tow bar option would be the Blue Ox Adventurer Tow Bar, # BX7322, which is...
view full answer... - Recommended Adapter for a Falcon 2 Towbar to Connect to Blue Ox BaseplatesNo, it will not Kenny but I've got an adapter that will. The Roadmaster Tow Bar Adapter Brackets item # RM-031 are what you'll need to connect your Falcon 2 Tow Bar item # RM-520 to the Blue Ox Base Plate item # BX2170. The Adapter Brackets item # RM-031 are going to bolt directly to the end of your Falcon 2's arms. They'll install in the same place as the current ends with the included hardware. They also include the attachment pins you'll need for a secure connection. The Blue Ox Base...
view full answer...
Do you have a question about this Tow Bar Base Plate?
Info for this part was:
Expert Research:
Mike L
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Written by:
Lindsey S
Updated by:
Adele M
Updated by:
Wilson B
Updated by:
Mike S
Updated by:
Carrie F
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Kate F.
6/25/2026
Install looks great Randy! Where are you headed for the first big trip with the new set-up?