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If you like a clean, factory look when you’re not towing, this base plate keeps things neat. Its hidden design sits flush with the front end, so nothing sticks out past the bumper. The removable arms twist out easily when you’re done towing and leave only smooth receiver openings. Snap-in receiver covers keep dust and debris out, so everything stays tidy and ready for the next trip.
Hooking up shouldn’t be a chore. Each tow arm slides into the base plate receivers and locks in place with a simple twist—no tools or extra muscle needed. When you’re ready to unhook, just pull the pin, rotate the arm, and lift it out. The twist-lock system makes lining things up fast, even if you’re doing it solo, so you can hit the road quicker.
This setup bolts right to the chassis with no welding required, using the included mounting hardware. The solid steel construction spreads towing forces evenly to reduce stress on your suspension and frame. It’s powder coated to resist rust and corrosion, giving you confidence through thousands of miles of travel.
Already have a tow bar you like? This base plate pairs directly with Blue Ox tow bars for a secure connection. It’s also adaptable for use with Roadmaster tow bars using adapter # RM-031 or # RM-031-5 (sold separately), or Demco tow bars using adapter # DM9523041 (sold separately). Integrated mounting points make it easy to add an electrical plug bracket up front so your wiring stays organized and accessible.
If you’re handy with tools, this is a simple weekend project. The base plate bolts securely to the chassis—no welding involved—and includes all necessary mounting hardware. Reviewers who’ve done their own installs appreciate how clearly everything lines up. Specs call out 24" between brackets and 14-1/2" bracket height for planning your setup before you start towing.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
94% were satisfied with this product
6% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
This is the second base plate I bought from etrailer and Blue Ox. The base plates are first class and easy to install. The service from etrailer, from order to delivery, was outstanding. The install video was well made and informative…straight and accurate.
Overall, the Blue Ox system has worked out great. I had read a lot of reviews, mostly positive, but some who had some difficulty with the installation, but in my case I had no real difficulty at all. The base plate lined up good, I did use a pry bar to spring it a bit, but nothing major.
Ok, so this review if for the entire Blue Ox base plate, Blue Ox Alpha, Patriot II and Hopkings light kit package. I deviated a bit from the base plate installation procedure. I never used the vice grips, I simply installed the 5/8" bolts, leveled the plate and torqued them up after applying red Locktite. I was able to wedge/slip the spacer bars into position and then I drilled the frame using the base plate/spacer bar combination to keep the drill perfectly aligned. I did not have a 17/32 drill so I simply used a 1/2" drill to start each hole. I then swapped down to a 1/4" drill to punch through the frame and progressively drilled the hole larger until I got to the 1/2" bit. I have a Drill Doctor to keep my bits very sharp so they do not drift or wander. Great tool for your shop if you do not have one. I also drilled the hole toward the rear first. Once that was complete, I installed the rear most 1/2" bolt, Locktite and torqued that bolt. I then started a 1/2" hole using the base plate, swapped to the smaller bit and again progressively drill to 1/2" using the spacer as a guide and installed the front 1/2" bolt with Locktite and then torqued. I can see where if you installed the front bolt first, it would be difficult to reach the rear to get the nut started. I rechecked the torque on all the bolts once installed. Word of caution, the nuts have some "teeth" to bite into the frame when installed. These kind of nuts do not want to be tightened and loosened repeatedly. You want to install them once and go right to tightness. Less risk of breaking the wire that is welded to the nuts because the teeth are initially sharp and will bite into the frame. If you tighten and loosen these nuts the teeth get duller and will not grab very well. The purpose of the wire is only to align the nut with the bolt. I did slightly "kink" the wires on the bolts so the nuts started easily on the threads of the bolt.
To refit the air dam underneath, I simply measured the distance between the left and right side of the base plate and transferred that dimension to the plastic dam. Rather than cut with a knife, I drilled a 1/2" hole in the plastic dam at the bottom end, used masking tape to mark my cut lines and then finished with a fine tooth jigsaw cutting 1/2" slots. Since the base plate is 1/4" thick the 1/2" slots give me a bit of play and look nice and even. I did not take photos yet, but if I can get back here I'll post a few of the finished product.
Among the things I really like about this is how up tight and close the base plate connections are to my bumper. You really do not notice the base plate when you look at the front of the Jeep which to me gives it a nice clean look.
I got a Patriot II remote braking system. It took me longer to route the "break away wire" and switch than to set up the remote control.
The Hopkins brake light package was easy to install and directions were clear. Spent most of my time deciding how to route the wires from rear to front.
Although I am commenting on this product, I actually would like to comment on the following products. I purchased a brake system, tow bar, base plates and wire harness from etrailer. All of my orders were filled in a timely manner. When I reached out for technical assistance, the advisors were readily accessible. All of the products were installed by me. All of the products were very easy to install by using the video and instructions.
Baseplate for towing jeep. Looks like it will be a fairly simple installation
My third Blue Ox Base Plate. Fit and function are perfect. Fits my existing (first) tow bar and the tab height is nearly exactly the same as my 12 year older Jeep so didn't even need to make any draw bar changes.
Alan B.
12/30/2014
Still attached and working perfectly. Continues to survive some rather intense back country trails with no complaints.
I installed this on a 2018 Wrangler. The quality of build is very good with nice paint and welds. The instructions were reasonably through but did leave some room for improvement in the alignment discussion. I was not a fan of the weldnuts provided as the weld joints with the rod and nut were very poor and I had to jury rig some tools to use some that broke off prematurely. On my Jeep, the instructions for installing the safety cables simply would not work. There was insufficient clearance in the frame to route the clips so I am still trying to find a way to use them.
I have towed with the installed plate with no problems and feel confident it will be safe and secure.
Heather A.
8/14/2024
Hey Randy, sometimes with Jeeps you will need to use an extension with part # RM-910648-12. Loops these around the frame and then use the safety cables. It is perfectly safe.
Easy install works great
Perfect fit for our 2011 Jeep Wrangler and videos for installation made it a breeze to install myself.
Greg
9/24/2024
Would like to change to 1 star. Weve used this towbar about 8 times and its gotten more and more difficult to get intoout of the storage position. I would not recommend this towbar. When I contacted Blue Ox in February, they said it would loosen up and told me NOT to loosen the pivot bolt to make the process easier. I contacted them today and Karley Paeper their rep told me to loosen the pivot bolt. I disassembled the hitch and unfortunately theres a nylock nut about 10 down inside the tube that spins when you turn the bolt. When I told Karley Blue Ox I didnt have the proper tools, she told me Id have to figure out how to keep that nut from spinning. After my response, she then told me warranty doesnt cover that workmanship?? and it would cost me $209.00 to get it fixed but theyd cover shipping. Seriously? I can buy the tools to fix it myself for less than that. Now Im upset with myself for buying all Blue Ox parts. Didnt know their warranty meant you fix their equipment for them.
Greg
2/21/2025
Base plate works as intended. However, see my Blue Ox Alpha 2 tow bar review. I would not recommend Blue Ox. Next time I will be using Roadmaster.
I had the Blue Ox BX1126 tow bar installed by a reputable local automotive shop with experience installing towing base plates. The installation video appears to cover the whole process very well for do-it-yourselfers. If you've got the tools, it certain looks doable. My primary concerns were: loosening the major bolts for the installation, and ensuring the proper torque afterward.
The installation looks really good with the facia guard back in place. And I really like the removable arms when not in use. Just completed a 700 mile round-trip with absolutely no problems.
Drew G.
3/5/2018
Still working, still towing. Absolutely no problems.
This one didnt fit with after market bumper . Call ordered bx1134 and fit with minor noching of bumper . E trailer was great on return and reship .
Took a little effort to install but the unit is heavy duty and matched to the JK very well. I tried to hire a professional hitch installer but he stopped working on tow vehicle setups a couple years ago. I am glad he turned down the job because I saved a significant amount by installing myself.
Quick shipping and works great.
Fit the wife's Jeep perfect.
Gwendolyn Y.
3/13/2025
Hey Scott. Install looks great! Any plans yet for where you will be taking the Jeep to?
I had everything I needed and the video was a step by step process of what I needed to do.
Only downfall was, I had to drill all the holes to mount the base plate
I installed this base plate on a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited about a year ago and it works flawlessly. I would highly recommend this product and would say that anyone with moderate mechanical skills could install this product. Special care is required in cutting the air dam to fit, but it can be done.
Etrailer had the right base plate for my 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and the video was wonderfully helpful. Took about 3-4 hours but I was taking my time to be accurate. Cutting the belly pan is "high pucker" but measure twice cut once. I used a Dremel tool to cut and drew my cut lines on masking tape.
Product arrived on time and went on just as it should. Thank goodness for the YouTube installation videos, that made it super easy. It went on my 2013 Jeep Wrangler, which just so happened to be the video as well. My local RV dealer wanted $300 to put it on. Me and my neighbor had it done in 3 hours and saved all that money, except for the six pack I owed my neighbor. I was fortunate he had a lift as it made it much easier, but it could have been done with a jack or creeper. I've ordered a lot from etrailer and will continue to be a loyal customer
I have now installed the following on my 2017 Wrangler:
Brake light relay kit .
Hopkins Towed vehicle Tail Light wiring kit.
Blue Ox base plate.
Blue Ox Patriot Portable RF Braking System.
All of this has taken about 3 days of work spread out over a week or so. Overall it went well. Not too many surprises. Crawling around under a car at 71 is a bit of a strain but I'll get over it. I must say that Donna P. has been a wonderful source of great information and has stayed right on top of the process. eTrailer has been a great source for this project.
I would recommend you all with no hesitation.
John M.
6/15/2018
I am still in love with the products. My only issue is having enough time to use them more.
received the plate installed it in less than three hours, have yet to hook it up though. Great , fast shipping!
The only issue were the cheap plastic push pins on the shield of the Jeep.
Steve S.
5/24/2014
8000 miles and still tight! When we get there rest assured the frame will make it!
Etrailer is one of the best around, ease of purchasing any product with the help of expert guidance. The base plate easy to install, price right and fast delivery. Next purchase is tow bars and undecided which brake system to use…
I must admit the only way that understanding the instructions and installing the BX1126 Base Plate on my 2014 Jeep Wrangler could have been any easier. Would be if there would have been a mechanic in the box to install it for me. The videos on etrailer are great and will answer any questions that you might have.
Tom F.
1/12/2020
In a word Great. Have about 2000 miles on it towing our Jeep with no problems at all!
Really happy with the base plate. Install was made easy by all the install videos on the website. No complaints whatsoever.
Gwendolyn Y.
5/7/2025
Looks great, Austen! I do want to ask what kind of camper you have. I don't think I've seen a camper that looks like that in the back.
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James B.
12/19/2020
works just as it should. easiest set up ever.