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2026 Subaru Forester
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Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms
Part Number: BX1645
$537.90
Retail:$609.00
You Save: $71.10
2026 Subaru Forester
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- All Info
- Reviews (422)
- Q & A (0)
- Photos
Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate - BX1645
Highlights
- Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounts to existing attachment points
- Ready for Flat Towing: Provides solid connection points so you can safely tow your vehicle behind your RV.
- Blends In When Not Towing: Hidden reinforcements leave only small attachment tabs visible for a clean look.
- Distributes Towing Stress Evenly: Reinforced design spreads force across the chassis for stable, balanced towing.
- Built to Last: Durable, powder-coated steel resists rust and corrosion for long-term reliability.
- Works With Multiple Tow Bars: Pairs with Blue Ox models and adapts for Roadmaster or Demco systems.
Features to know about
Built for a Strong Tow Setup: Fixed-Arm Base Plate That Spreads the Load
This base plate bolts directly to the chassis with no welding required, giving you a solid foundation for flat towing. The sturdy design spreads towing forces evenly to help prevent stress on your vehicle’s suspension. Heavy-duty steel construction with a rust-resistant powder coat keeps it strong mile after mile.
Keeps Things Simple: Straightforward Bolt-On Installation
If you’d rather handle the install yourself, this setup is designed for that. It mounts securely with the included hardware and doesn’t require welding. The straightforward layout makes alignment easier and helps you get back on the road faster without complicated fabrication work.
Clean Look When You’re Not Towing: Low-Profile Fixed Design
Hidden reinforcements keep the front end uncluttered while you’re driving solo. Only the attachment tabs stay visible, so there’s no bulky crossbar or exposed metal hanging out front. It keeps your setup looking clean and factory-like when the tow bar isn’t connected.
Ready to Match Your Tow Bar: Reliable Connection Options
The sturdy lugs pair directly with Blue Ox tow bars for a secure and reliable link between your vehicle and motorhome. If you run a different setup, adapters are available—RM-031 or RM-031-5 for Roadmaster tow bars and DM9523041 for Demco tow bars (sold separately). With a bracket distance of 27" and bracket height of 21", it’s easy to plan your towing gear around these precise measurements.
Specs
Dimensions
- Distance between brackets: 27"
- Bracket height: 21"
Warranty
- Warranty: 3-Year warranty
BX1645 Blue Ox Baseplate - Standard Tabs
This Product Fits The Following Vehicles
- 2002 - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500
Ratings & Reviews
4.8
422 reviews
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
Al
12/20/2022
everything bolted up easy, i simply drilled hole’s into were needed and supplied my own bolts straight through for easy installation.
Al B.
12/21/2023
it still looks nice and working as it should. i made it also double as a base to bolt up my winch. the bonus thing is when i need to tow it i can undo 4 bolts and take my winch off. i think you guys at e-trailer should consider making something like this as a option. i have pictures of it installed but how do i send them to you?
Mike L.
12/21/2023
@AlB Just use the provided link below!
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.
by:
Kevin L
07/09/2022
Debated on paying someone to install the plate but settled on doing it myself. Would have been 110% easier and quicker if the can was on a lift. Other than that, I had all the tools needed and bought a couple of jack stands. Wa-la! Still need to get an emergency breakoff switch, which I didn't know when I had it all apart. I got this!
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See what our Experts say about this Blue Ox Tow Bar Base Plate
- Availability of Base Plates for 2005 Chevy Avalanche 4x4We do indeed offer base plates for the 2005 Chevy Avalanche 4x4. My research indicates that your Avalanche is capable of being flat towed but there are usually very specific steps that must be followed before flat towing the vehicle. You'll need to: 1) Place transmission in Park. 2) Turn the engine off, but leave key in 'on' position. 3) Set the parking brake. 4) Hitch Avalanche to tow bar and tow vehicle according to instructions 5) Shift the transfer case into Neutral. (vehicle CAN roll...
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Info for this part was:
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Updated by:
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Updated by:
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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?