Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
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1997 Jeep TJ
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1997 Jeep TJ
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This base plate keeps your setup looking clean when you’re not towing. The hidden design means the brackets don’t stick out past the front, and the removable arms leave everything looking seamless once they’re off. Snap-in receiver covers keep dirt and debris out, so the connection points stay protected and ready to use.
Connecting the arms is simple—just insert each arm into the receiver, rotate until it locks, and secure it with the pull pin. When you’re done towing, pull the pin, rotate again, and slide the arms out. The twist-lock design makes hook-ups fast and solid whether you’re at home or on the road.
Built from durable steel and powder coated to resist rust and corrosion, this base plate spreads towing forces evenly across the chassis to help protect your suspension. It’s a solid bolt-on design—no welding required—and comes with all the mounting hardware for a secure fit that holds up through long-distance travel.
If you already have a Blue Ox tow bar, it hooks right up without an adapter. You can also use it with Roadmaster or Demco tow bars by adding the correct adapter (RM-031, RM-031-5, or DM9523041, sold separately). Integrated mounting points let you attach an electrical connector bracket up front for a clean wiring connection.
This kit is designed for easy installation with basic tools—no welding needed. It bolts directly to the chassis using the included hardware. An experienced installer can expect about 3–4 hours for the job, and having a video guide helps make alignment and fascia reassembly go smoothly.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
86% were satisfied with this product
14% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
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.
The 2025 Trax license plate frame sits lower than shown in the instructions provided with this kit, to the point where it obstructs access to the 7-way electrical connector. An alternate scheme for mounting the plate will be required if your state requires the front plate to be displayed.
The Blue Ox base plate kit was installed without a hitch on our 2024 Maverick Hybrid. It was a perfect fit! It was installed by Fantasy Truck, a referred installer of etrailer, in Odessa, MO. Brett was very easy to work with and did an excellent job! I highly recommend the Blue Ox baseplate and Brett @ Fantasy Truck!
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
The safety Cable installation left a little to be desired. I'm not sure if I installed it as designed. The cables we're really long enough to go aroiund the frame rails on our Jeep, under the Radiator mount, Aluminum Frame, I was only able to go around the Raditor mount on both sides. Didn't really seam like it was the right way, but I suspect it's only for if something comes loose that there isn't a catastrophic breakaway.
I was given a Blue Ox Tow Bar and needed Base Plates for my Ford F150. In my online search, E-Trailer had the best price, so I ordered them. Delivery was a few days earlier than expected. I read the installation instructions and it sounded fairly simple to install, so I decided to tackle it myself. I began it about six pm and had the job completed and cleaned up in just over two hours. The job required removal of the bumper and tow hooks and drilling of two holes. Also William at E-trailer was of great help in the correct parts and keeping me informed of the delivery.
After installing over 500 baseplates on various vehicles, this one was probably the toughest one . It had the off road package on it . But it fit great after I had to remove a lot that had been bolted up for 27yrs.
Tried to install this baseplate. It was a challenge to say the least. It did not fit the frame of my Jeep YJ without making modifications to the mounting plates on the driver side. I had to use a cut off wheel and remove 3/16 of an inch from the driver side spacer (which is too long. See pictures) in order to get it to clear the frame. Also, instructions say to drill an additional 1/2 inch hole in the frame for a third mounting bolt. BUT....the internal frame construction doesn't allow the nut on a stick to pass under the existing reinforcements for the bolts that mount the steering gear to the frame. Nut is way too thick to pass under the internal tubing in the frame from manufacturer (AMC).
This was instilled on a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 truck. I watched your video online with this exact model truck and the words I remember most was “and we did not have to do any trimming”. Well my truck was certainly different than what was on video. Guess it’s because it’s a late build 2024 (end of September 2024) and the grill system was maybe what would appear on the 2025 models? There was lots of trimming involved. I also will tell you the mounting holes both for the frame and the bumper back plate did not line up and required some modifications to fit. I would like to say this job is not for the faint of heart. I luckily have a mechanical/machinist background so was able to get the job done. Have not tested it yet but will be soon. Good luck to those of you who are planning on installing it yourself. Just remember it can be done. Just take your time.
Items arrived in 2 days, free shipping. All appeared in new undamaged condition.
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.
Well the blue ox base plate actually fits my turbo engine. The Curt didn't fit as advertised.
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.
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!
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.
Excellent product would order again for future toad vehicles
Very well made product. I installed it myself. I'll hire someone if I ever need another!
Nicely engineered and built to fit into close quarters. This is my third install in various vehicles and this one was the most tedious due to the cramped engine bay and close-fitting front body clip. Had minor alignment issues that ultimately resolved satisfactorily.
the base plate was an exact fit as promised. Good price excellent product
Great product, good installation instructions. Received a replacement product after recall from manufacturer. Great service
Used the video to install. Reverse left and right mounting plates had to remove and reinstall. Should be clearer on video. Threaded holes for long bolts had to be chased Mounting tubes for connector stuck out way to far, had to shorten about 2 inches, Mounting hole for breakaway should be back further.
Easy to use
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Jeff M.
5/21/2021
The baseplate was a fairly complex install but was exactly what I expected for a near completely invisible installed baseplate. Was a perfect fit and quality piece... cant say the same for the blue ox wiring kit...