Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
This item does not fit your vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo
These items fit your vehicle
1998 Isuzu Rodeo
To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.
If you like to keep the front of your vehicle looking clean when it’s not in tow, this setup gets it right. The design stays completely hidden, and the removable arms come off with a simple twist so nothing sticks out past the bumper. Receiver covers are included to plug the openings when the arms are off, keeping dirt and debris out and leaving a finished look.
Hooking up doesn’t need to be a chore. Each arm inserts into the base plate receivers, rotates to lock, and secures with a pin so you can connect quickly and confidently. When it’s time to unhook, just pull the pin, twist, and slide them free. The straightforward motion makes it easy to line up even if you’re doing it solo.
This base plate bolts straight to the chassis using the supplied hardware—no welding required. The heavy-duty steel design spreads towing forces evenly across the frame to help avoid stress on suspension components over long trips. The powder-coated finish resists rust and corrosion for dependable strength through seasons of use.
Already running a towing system? The sturdy lugs pair directly with Blue Ox tow bars for a solid connection. If you use a Roadmaster or Demco bar, just grab the right adapter (RM-031, RM-031-5, or DM9523041—sold separately) and you’re set. Integrated mounting points make it easy to attach an electrical connector bracket up front for neat, accessible wiring.
This kit is designed for people who like turning their own wrenches. It bolts securely to factory mounting points with no welding required, helping ensure correct alignment without extra fabrication. Specs are clear—distance between brackets is 22" and bracket height is 16-1/2"—so you can plan your tow bar setup before getting started.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
96% were satisfied with this product
4% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Very strong and easy to install
The kit fit very well. The tips in the video helped out a lot
Very good hitch. I had a body shop install and they said it was a nightmare to install but it looks and works great!!
Very happy with it.
The base plate well designed and fit in the space it was made for without any modifications.
Called to make sure I was ordering the right product. Followed the directions and the video steps on the install and it went as it should. A lot more work than expected but it went along smoothly. Absolutely a two person job. Customer serve was good and delivery was prompt.
Base plate works great a little difficult to install just takes time. Explorer is more difficult than F150, both work great.
Installing the base plate was ok, but reinstalling the front body clip was very tight, and miserable to get back on and fit correctly. The install was much more difficult and involved than expected. Trailer videos were a great help.
All hardware was installed in a manner that has been trouble free. My Ford Explorer has been towed at least 7500 miles in the last year without any issues. After 12 years of swapping tow cars, and dealing with a variety of installation issues, etrailer got it right the first time on my 2017 Ford.
Product was not in stock had to wait about 3 weeks ??But they sent me 2 e mails when it came it was on the date they it would arrive I installed the base plate the next day the time it took was about 7hrs total fit very nice the only problem I had I did not understand the directions on cutting the tabs on the back of the grill they hit the base plate when I try to reinstall the grill but I figured in out then it all came together looks great 3 screws in bottom of lower valance that screw to bottom of radiator I had to drill new holes body part hit base plate very close fit but great product
It missing mounting hardware
Mike L.
6/25/2026
I'm sorry about that Christopher. I'll make sure that's taken care of for you.
Customer Service is excellent! The tow bar was delivered promptly and should work great. I didn't receive the wiring kit I ordered but when the company was contacted....they were great to work with and shipped another right away!!
Excellent people to work with! Professionals! Everything to do with my order went like clockwork! I will be a return customer!
Victoria H.
1/29/2025
Hi Jennie, it's fantastic that your experience went so smoothly! We will be here to help you get ready for your next adventure whenever you're ready. Do you have any trips planned currently?
Rec'd the Base Plate and went to a local Ford dealer for an install. The Service Manager said: " Take it to a local shop. we charge too much." Have known this guy for years and he is honest. I tried several local shops and they either didn't want to do it or it would be weeks in the future. Soooo, I decided to give it a try. Got out the Install Manual, tools, Jacks and got started. Took me about 6 hours but I learned a lot about the 2018 Explorer and the Base plate. It was a great experience and am very glad I did it. We have about 5K miles on it now and no issues. I also did my own Diode light kit.
P.S.: I am 77 Years Old.
Installed the tow bar myself with great instructional videos for etrailer.com. It was a good amount of work, but worth it. The tow bar, electrical connections and braking system worked great. We have towed our Ford Explorer thousands of miles and it worked great. I have friends and family that have other tow packages from dealers that have problems and keep going back for issues. We are 100% satisfied with everything etrailer.com provided. That includes: Purchase, shipping, installation instruction and service after the sell.
By far the best way to take your vehicle with you when RVing is flat towing. etrailer.com has everything you need and they are a phone call away. I dealt with Noah G and he was very knowledgeable and very helpful throughout the process of getting everything I needed to flat tow my wife’s 2019 Ford Explorer. Highly recommend them.
Thomas
11/6/2024
Flat towing is most definitely the way to go for us. I can’t say the Blue Ox is the very best tow bar system because I haven’t experienced any others but I cannot imagine another system being better. I love it.
Rec'd the Base Plate and went to a local Ford dealer for an install. The Service Manager said: " Take it to a local shop. we charge too much." Have known this guy for years and he is honest. I tried several local shops and they either didn't want to do it or it would be weeks in the future. Soooo, I decided to give it a try. Got out the Install Manual, tools, Jacks and got started. Took me about 6 hours but I learned a lot about the 2018 Explorer and the Base plate. It was a great experience and am very glad I did it. We have about 5K miles on it now and no issues. I also did my own Diode light kit.
P.S.: I am 77 Years Old.
Info for this part was:
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.
Mervin
1/19/2023
The flat toe system works great. The kit installation was very easy