Blue Ox Flat Towing Parts Needed for a 2014 Ford Explorer

Published 12/21/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4614)

$475.25

Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs

(751)

$954.61

Blue Ox 7-Wire to 6-Wire, Coiled Electrical Cord

(641)

$94.46

Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit

(299)

$96.07

Question:

I have a 2014 Explorer without adaptive cruise control and with the standard v6 engine. I own a blue ox avail tow bar. I would like to use a blue ox base plate. My concern is having to remove and discard the bumper of the explorer. By doing so, does that reduce the integrity of safety or strength of the explorer?

asked by: David W

Expert Reply:

For your 2014 Ford Explorer the Blue Ox base plate kit part # BX2632 has been confirmed as a fit. This base plate kit does basically replace the bumper beam of your vehicle. The fascia of the bumper will get trimmed, but that will not in any way affect the integrity of the bumper. For more info on the install I attached a link to a set of install instructions.

This will work well with your Blue Ox Avail tow bar part # BX7420.

For lighting you can use the diode kit part # RM-152 and not have to cut the taillight assemblies. You will also want the # BX88206 to connect this lighting solution to your tow vehicle. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot II, # BRK2016, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Most likely you will also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. I attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry.

I have included a couple of helpful links to our articles on flat towing for you. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual for more specific information on flat towing your vehicle.