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  1. Tow Bar Base Plate
  2. Blue Ox
  3. Removable Draw Bars
  4. Twist Lock Attachment
  5. Completely Hidden
THIS ITEM IS NOT A FIT FOR
1997 Mazda MPV Van
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Blue Ox

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Part Number: BX2198
In Stock
$465.59
Retail:$639.00
You Save: $173.41
Tow Bar Base Plate
Not Confirmed to Fit

1997 Mazda MPV Van

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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 BX2198 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 - BX2198

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: Hidden design with removable arms keeps the front end clean and seamless.
  • Hooks Up Fast: Twist-lock arms insert and secure with a simple rotation for quick setup.
  • Spreads Force Evenly: Sturdy design distributes towing stress across the chassis for a stable pull.
  • Built to Last: Powder-coated steel resists rust and corrosion for long-term durability.
Made in USA

Features to know about

Made for a Clean Front End: Hidden Design with Removable Arms

If you like your vehicle to keep its clean, factory look when you’re not towing, this base plate does exactly that. The hidden design keeps brackets from sticking out past the front, and the removable arms come off with a simple twist. Once they’re out, the included receiver covers plug the openings to keep dirt and debris out and give it a finished look.

Blue Ox base plate kit with removable arms attached to vehicle front, showing hidden installation and clean design.

Blue Ox base plate installed on vehicle with removable arms removed, showing hidden design and small receiver openings.

Blue Ox base plate kit with arms attached on vehicle front illustrating secure fit and streamlined appearance.

Blue Ox base plate on vehicle with arms removed highlighting low-profile hidden design for clean front appearance.

Quick Hookup Every Time: Twist-Lock, Pin-Secure Connection

Connecting the arms is simple—just insert them into the receivers, rotate to lock, and secure them with the pin. When you’re done towing, pull the pin, twist, and remove them. The twist-lock attachment makes it quick to go from towing to driving without any tools or fuss.

Close-up of Blue Ox base plate twist-lock arm mechanism showing how the removable tow arms attach and lock into place.

Close-up view of Blue Ox base plate twist-lock attachment system for quick removal or installation of towing arms.

Built for Miles on the Road: Sturdy Steel Construction that Spreads the Load

This base plate bolts directly to your chassis with no welding required. Its sturdy steel construction spreads towing force evenly to help reduce stress on your suspension. The powder coat finish resists rust and corrosion so it stays strong and reliable through miles of long-distance travel.

Works with What You Already Have: Broad Tow Bar Compatibility

If you already have a tow bar, you can likely keep using it. The sturdy lugs pair 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 with Demco tow bars using adapter DM9523041 (sold separately). Integrated mounting points let you attach an electrical connector plug bracket (sold separately) to keep your wiring setup neat and accessible.

Straightforward Installation: Bolt-On Setup with Included Hardware

Designed for practical DIY installation, this kit bolts securely to your chassis using the included mounting hardware—no welding required. Specs are clear for planning your setup: distance between brackets is 24", bracket height is 15-1/2", and it comes backed by a 3-year warranty for peace of mind once everything’s in place.

Specs

Dimensions

  • Distance between brackets: 24"
  • Bracket height: 15-1/2"

Warranty

  • Warranty length: 3-Year warranty

BX2198 Blue Ox Baseplate - Removable Tabs

Installation Details BX2198 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles




Ratings & Reviews

4.8

5232 reviews
5 Stars
(4509)
4 Stars
(502)
3 Stars
(104)
2 Stars
(47)
1 Star
(70)
Review Sort Icon
by:
Easy instructions, easy install good product fast delivery on time
by:
Hi Terri N, I love Blue Ox Products, The base plate was an excellent fit. Easy to install and is working well. The instructions were well written and easy to understand. I really like the removable arms. You would never know I had a base plate with the arms removed. A number 1 five star.
by:
2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
This base plate is a very good product with easy to follow installation instructions. I did run into minor difficulties installing, but overcame them with ease. These included the removal of the front fascia. There were more pushpins than were identified, plus I had a problem removing the fascia from the wheel-well once all the tabs were removed. I ended up removing the headlights for a better view of the problem and removal of the two tabs on both sides, as the fascia did not want to easily pull away from the fastener as in the instructions. It turned out that some dirt and grime was not letting it pull apart as expected. This would have been between steps 5 & 6. A person with some basic mechanical experience can easily install this base-plate. Looking forward to using this product to tow my small truck behind our RV in the coming months!
by:
Very well constructed tow bar base plate. Easy installation with excellent install instructions provided. Very satisfied with this base plate towing performance.
by:
Great service, great company.
by:
2009 Ford Explorer
Received when we expected and all products work as advertised.

Very happy with the products. Put them to use this Memorial day weekend
by:
by:
It looks like it will do the job. I’ll let you know as soon as I get it on.
by:
2008 Ford Explorer
by:
by:
2026 Ford Maverick
I looked into every brand/model available and this was the beefiest. There is cutting and trimming required on all brands, so why not get the strongest? If you're slightly handy with a toolbox, you can easily do the install yourself and save thousands.
Mike L. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

9/9/2026

Thanks Douglas, nice truck you've got there! Nice job on the install.....

by:
lways great to shop at etrailer, especially the tech experts. Royce did an awesome job with our order. Everything fit perfectly and the help video provided the guidance I needed.

We installed the baseplate on our 2023 Encore GX AWD as well as the light harness and breakaway switch. A couple of items were incorrect but Royce corrected the issues with no problems.

Thanks again etrailer!
Heather A. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

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.

Ed V. profile picture

Ed V.

5/1/2026

@HeatherA Taking a short trip up to Prova Utah in couple of weeks. Then California and hopefully Chicago in the fall. EdnJudy
Heather A. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Heather A.

5/1/2026

@EdV That sounds awesome. Utah is beautiful. Chicago is probably one of my favorite places to visit. Are you going to check out Wrigley?
Ed V. profile picture

Ed V.

5/1/2026

Not really, I grew up in Chicago, basically 45+ years. I have been to Wrigley many times as a child and adult. We lived about 1 mile from the park. Going to see my mom who is 95 years old. Our favorite place to visit in Chicago is Navy Pier. We try to make a day of it. Thanks for asking! EdnJudy
See All (4) Replies to Heather A. ∨
by:
2017 Jeep Wrangler
Super high quality baseplate for towing by Blue Ox. Instructions, videos, shipping (one day!) and overall experience was awesome. A bit pricey but their quality and the additional support by E Trailer cannot be beat! BTW (E Trailer) the baseplate fits three different Jeep configurations but did not call out the Recon package. After looking at other brands which showed there's to fit the 3 variations AND the Recon, I figured it would fit and it DID. You should definitely upgrade to include the Recon Edition.
by:
Well the blue ox base plate actually fits my turbo engine. The Curt didn't fit as advertised.
by:
The Blue Ox base plate for my 2015 Kia Soul is well manufactured and, with a little bit of mechanical skill, easy to install. It fit perfectly without issues. Brad from etrailer provides a step-by-step installation video that is outstanding and nicely guides through the process from beginning to end. I highly recommend this Blue Ox base plate from etrailer.
Nick S. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

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?

by:
2019 Ford Ranger baseplate worked and fitted fine for me. 73 yrs old took me a couple hours but took many breaks. Younger could do it less than hour I'm sure.
Also works fine with my Blue Ox tow bar.
Roger profile picture

Roger

12/12/2025

Still the same no issues...fine product

by:
I installed this myself on a 2012 CR-V EXL AWD. The directions are straightforward. The system works very well and is easy to use.
Fair warning .. because the car is older, just about every clip that holds the grill and bumper in place broke when taking them off. Replacing all those clips with OEM parts is expensive!
BUT, that doesn't retract from the quality of the baseplate or it's use ability.
This is the third different Blue Ox baseplate system I have bought and installed and all of them were excellent!
Matthew profile picture

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. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Jameson C.

10/12/2026

@Matthew that's great to hear!
by:
2013 mini Cooper
Fits my 2013 mini cooper non turbo. Does take a few hours to install this Fit was good. The hardest part is removing the front bumper and reinstalling it. You do have to cut the lower bumper grill in three places take your time locating the exact spots for cuts. I have pulled Mini Cooper about seven thousand miles now with this Blue Ox and has worked great
Kate F. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

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?

by:
2008 Ram 2500
I got a used set for a great price and it worked out well. my only caution is that some of the holes in my 2008 2500 suburban had to be drilled to 9/16 due to misalignment with the tapped holes in the brackets. This minor adjustment made it all go togehter easily though. Be aware, you won't have tow hooks anymore if that is something you use a lot.
Perry profile picture

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.

by:
Well designed and solidly built base plate. Very good product support from Etrailer and Blue Ox.
The four 1/2 inch by 1 3/4 inch bolts are category 5 bolts. I had a bag full of identically sized bolts which were category 8. But I did not have any whizz nuts that were category 8 nuts so I stayed with the standard Blue Ox Hardware. We used POR 15 rust preventing paint at every location where we cut the steel or drilled holes. The distance from the center of the attachment tab assembly holes to the ground is 20 inches on our 2025 Wrangler Rubicon JLU with "Xtreme" 35 inch tire package. Easy five stars for Blue Ox and etrailer.
by:
Great products from etrailer. The videos were very helpful as I was determined to do the install myself. I’m 72 years old and thought I could do it and I did with the help of my lovely assistant, my wife. The tip on running the taillight wiring through the frame rail was great. The one problem I had was that I was never able to unplug the taillights no matter how hard I tugged on them so I had my wife hold each light while I spliced in the diodes. Very happy with the Blue Ox products and the finished look on my Jeep. Thanks again etrailer.
by:
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. Good fit. Requires some cutting. Baseplate is heavy, so I paid an installer to do the job.
Nick S. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Nick S.

12/1/2025

I am glad it worked well for you! What kind of coach are you pulling that Jeep with?

by:
2012 Ford F-150
It's a great system, it's on a 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial, pulling a 2012 Ford F150 4x4. Last summer I pulled the truck for over 3000 miles without any problems, didn't feel like the truck was behind me. etrailer did me right on this set up.
by:
Not for the impatient, but everything is provided. I had the front end of my Jetta all over the lawn. It’s definitely a 2 day job, but the instructions are thorough.
by:
Very nice trailer.
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See what our Experts say about this Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate

  • Will The Blue Ox Baseplate Kit # BX1298 Fit A 2006 Ford Explorer
    Yes, the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX2198 would be compatible with your 2006 Ford Explorer and the Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar # BX7420. To complete your setup you'll also need the following components: Since you can't use splice-in diode wiring I recommend going with the Heavy Duty Magnetic Tow Lights - 20' Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector # TL21RK. For the braking system I recommend the Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System # HM39524. This system...
    view full answer...
  • Installation Instructions for the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX2198 for 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
    We do have the install instructions (linked to this answer page) for you to review, but unfortunately we have not yet had the opportunity to shoot a test fit video of the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX2198 on any of the confirmed vehicles that it fits as of yet. Keep in mind that to complete your flat towing setup you will also need a Tow Bar, Safety Cables, Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring, a Supplemental Braking System, and most likely a High-Low Adapter. I will go ahead and make some recommendations...
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Pins for Blue Ox Base Plate
    Hey Larry! The question you asked was from the page of the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX2198 for a 2006-2010 Ford Explorer or 2007-2010 Explorer Sport Trac, so my answer is based on that part and those vehicles. The pins for the # BX2198 are not individually available, but they are included with the Replacement Attachment Tabs for Blue Ox Base Plates # BLU37XR. The pins are built into the tab, so they're not removable or able to be replaced. If you're instead looking for a pin for a Blue...
    view full answer...
  • Are Blue Ox Base Plates With Removable Tabs Available for a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
    The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, # BX2166, is the only Blue Ox base plate kit that is available for your 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, but it does not have removable tabs. You may be interested in the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit, # 474-1. This base plate kit includes removable draw bars and is compatible with all Roadmaster tow bars. You could also get the Roadmaster to Blue Ox Adapter, # RM-033, to use the Roadmaster base plate kit with Blue Ox tow bars. If you were looking for any other...
    view full answer...

Do you have a question about this Tow Bar Base Plate?


Info for this part was:

Employee Lindsey S
Written by:
Lindsey S
Employee John H
Expert Research:
John H
Employee Adele M
Updated by:
Adele M
Employee Wilson B
Updated by:
Wilson B
Employee Mike S
Updated by:
Mike S
Employee Carrie F
Updated by:
Carrie F

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