Does Bumper Need to Be Removed to Install Blue Ox Base Plates on a 2017 Ram 1500

Updated 03/07/2025 | Published 02/28/2024

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Classic Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms

(45)

$400.73

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4700)

$579.51

etrailer XHD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox and Curt Base Plates - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10.5K

(193)

$969.21

Question:

I am looking at the eTrailer XHD for towing my 2017 Ram 1500 Longhorn behind my diesel-pusher motorhome. Blue Ox has a different part number for the base plate for the Longhorn trim level, Im looking at this one - BX2418. I dont see the BX2418 on the eTrailer website, but you do have the eTrailer classic #98945, which lists the Longhorn there. Two questions: 1. The front bumper has about a half-dozen parking sensors in it, I dont want to remove that - confirming and I looked at the instruction sheet - I dont have to remove bumper to install. 2. I have the Ram lettered logo in the grill, not the horns logo in all of the diagrams, and the chrome bumper on the Longhorn doesnt have the tabs ands such that I think are mentioned in the instruction sheet - double-checking the fit. thanks.

asked by: Scott J

Expert Reply:

Thanks for reaching out, Scott!

The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BLU74FR on our site is actually the same thing as the Blue Ox part number BX2418 and I like that removable pin style much more than the etrailer Classic Base Plate Kit # e98945 with the fixed pin system so I recommend using the Blue Ox Base Plate # BLU74FR along with the etrailer XHD Tow Bar # e67ZR which includes adapters to fit with this base plate kit.

With that being said, you might need to remove the fascia underneath your front bumper to gain access to your front frame for the installation but you won't have to remove the whole bumper. And then whether you go with the Blue Ox or the etrailer base plate kit the arms will stick through the cutouts in the lower part of your bumper so this will be a fairly straightforward installation!

I've attached a photo from the linked Blue Ox installation instructions that shows where the base plate arms protrude from the bumper.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

expert reply by: Jon G

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit Installed on a 2016-2018 Ram 1500
(click to enlarge)

Roy S.

3/9/2024

Is there a video for installing the BX74FR on a 2017 RAM 1500 Rebel or similar

Jon G.

3/10/2024

@RoyS At this point in time we unfortunately don't have an installation video of the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BLU74FR, but if you live in the area (near Wentzville, MO) or have a trip where you'll be passing through you can reach out to our customer service team (1-800-940-8924) to see about scheduling an installation with us so we can get it on video!

Scott

3/7/2025

I didn't have to remove any body parts to install on my 2017 Ram 1500 Longhorn. Ram uses a different bumper and grille design for the different trim levels. Longhorn and Limited are identical, I think, for the previous body style, while the Big Horn was a little different, and the same with Laremy - some have a plastic molded one, etc if you have the chrome bumper with the park sensors, recovery hooks, and fog lights - no removal necessary. I didn't have to remove the wheel liners, either. The video used a Big Horn, I think, and I think they were removed (or may have been another one on YouTube). I have the 4-wheel air suspension and I just lifted it to the Offroad 2 setting and I had enough clearance to do everything. A 2WD or one of the other trims may have some clearance problems, the extra couple of inches made it simple to remove the recovery hooks - I think that was the step that may have otherwise been difficult with the wheel liners. The new Blue Ox parts are pretty small.

Jon G.

3/7/2025

@Scott Thank you so much for this insight! It's always great to hear the experiences others have with the products we carry. I'm glad it sounds like you had a pretty straightforward installation!

Scott J.

3/7/2025

@JonG Since doing the install a year ago, I have noticed a few other Rams configured as toads - some appeared to be about the same as mine, others were probably more invasive. Quite a few bumper styles are used on these pickups so I wouldn't say there is a one-size-fits-all install plan. In general, if you have the OEM recovery hooks, it should be pretty simple. If you don't, you will probably have to remove the bumper to make some modifications to it, and may as well install the Blue Ox parts at the same time without getting dirty. As a guess, if you are about 190 lbs or less, you would probably be able to do most of the work without a lift or jack or removing wheel liners, if over 190 lbs - having the four-wheel air suspension on the pickup will give you additional room to work underneath it (without the risk of a temporary jack or whatever). Otherwise, the front air dam may be hard to shimmy underneath - you do have to be fully underneath the truck engine bay to do the work, if not removing wheel liners.

Jon G.

3/7/2025

@ScottJ Great insight! A lot of people don't think about those kinds of things, so thank you for bringing it up!

Scott J.

3/7/2025

@JonG Overall, towing the Ram 1500 has been very good. Even the crew-cab Longhorn that I pull is only about 300-400 lbs heavier than a large Wrangler or Grand Cherokee. People probably assume that pickups are "heavy" but half-tons are little more than an SUV. Compared to the other installation videos I have watched for other types of (towable) vehicles, I would place the Ram as the #2 "easiest" - behind the obvious #1, Jeep Wrangler. Wiring using the universal diode kit was also super-simple on the Ram, lots of room to work with underneath and plenty of room through the frame to route the taillight wires. I did have one deletion- I had ordered and installed the "battery tender" from eTrailer, and the Ram doesn't require the ignition to be left on while towing (no steering lock), so I removed the fuse but left it in place. Others probably don't need that, unless towing in cold climates and want it for that purpose. Depending on the width of the motorhome, a high-quality receiver hitch extension may be desired - I have a max-width diesel pusher, right at 8.5 feet wide, and I have 'gently nicked' the pickup bumper on at least one occasion when having to make a very sharp turn. The wider widths of both vehicles are a problem for the XD tow bar length. I could use another foot of tow bar in a perfect world, but I think I'll do a 4-6" hitch extension soon, to add some more capability. My diesel pusher has a 65-degree steering axle turn rate and can probably turn "inside" the radius of a typical gas rig or Super C (I can do a 180 inside of 4 lanes). The pickup can't quite follow the tail-swing around the circle.