Blue Ox Tow Bar

I installed a Blue Ox base plate in a SRX. I watched a video from e-trailer first. I followed the instructions and all went well, but, it was not as quick as the video seemed to make it. The nuts with wire did not cause a problem.

I just installed my 3rd Blue Ox baseplate. This one for the 2019 Ranger has issues with the 3/4" bolt that goes inside the Ranger frame to hold the bracket on. With the last two baseplates I installed the plate side of the nutplate was long enough to bottom out on either the top or the bottom of the vehicle frame to allow the bolt to be torqued to spec. For the Ranger the plate is only approximately 2" and will not bottom out (base needs to be at least 4"). Because of this I can only apply about 10 lbs if torque instead of the 80 ft lbs specified. I called Blue Ox and explained this and the customer service told me I had to hold onto the rod while tightening and he sent me the exact same nutplates. Tried tightening while holding the rod and guess what, rod snapped off with less than 20 ft lbs of torque. No way to get a tool into the frame to grab the nut. I can only hope the Locktight works.

I have used nothing but Blue Ox base plates and tow bars on five toads and have never had any problems with any of them. But I will say that I would not install them myself. When you have to remove the fenders and the whole front end of a brand new auto, you want a good job done on reapplying everything back in a professional way. The bolts that I got on the last base plate for my 2018 Buick Envision they had self locking nuts. It did not need any lock tite.
They done a great job on the installation of the base plate, plus wiring so the battery is getting charged, plus the harness is also wired for the lights on the toad to work in conjunction with the coach.

Don't know much about RoadMaster, but I am sure there are other brands just as good as Blue Ox.

But I would never use a tow dolly. I lost a vehicle once. That was the end of that. And some RV resorts they do not have room for the storage once you arrive.

Well as I said the only problems I've had. I will list them
Original base plate install the installer DID NOT follow directions.. not Blue Ox's fault. they said to use locktite on the threads.. We found several lost or missing bolts. Base plate not damaged. no damage to car either caught it in a visual inspection.

2: I lost the receiver pin on the rv.. I believe I know how it happend but do not wish to explain (it is convoulted) again NOT blue Ox's fault.. But Blue Ox replaced the tow bars for me no charge they even paid for me to ship the old one back.. They offered to pay damages to the towed if it was determined to be their fault (I told them it was not.. they finally agreed with me, and yes, I have the training to know the difference).

3: I am now using roadmaster safety cables.. I really like Roadmaster safety cables but installed them backwards (with the clips at the car instead of the RV cause they won't clip onto the RV without modification.. Of course I had to "Modify" the car too (mending link on the attachment hole) the blang things knocked the spring pins out of the tow pins. DID NOT LOOSE TOW PIN.

Turned the tow pins around so the spring pins are away from the cables. No problem.

Its pretty bad when they supply safty cable's to hold the hitch to the frame and 3 lousy bolts to hold the hitch on, just as bad when I put the hitch on my 03 jetta and just about lost it in Wisconson, same deal, bolts to small, had to rebild the whole hitch when we got home, using 3/8 angle and 1/2" bolts, no problem's for the next 8 yrs untill we sold the car. Car dolly after that.

Page 7 shows the 5 volts on each side and the order to tighten them. Which bolt is from hell?

K Charles wrote:
The installation instructions for a 2019 ranger base plate make it look easy. No plastic to cut, no holes to drill and only the skid plate to remove and reinstall.

The instructions do not show the bolts from hell. Not easy.

The installation instructions for a 2019 ranger base plate make it look easy. No plastic to cut, no holes to drill and only the skid plate to remove and reinstall.

Hicks3456 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Not dissing the OP here, but some of his 'issues' could have been avoided if he'd bought directly from BlueOx. From the web page of his distributor... "We are an independent authorized dealer for Blue Ox products, not affiliated with Automatic Equipment Manufacturing."

I've installed three Blue Ox base plates and found their instructions to be easy to read. The wires on the nuts are the only way to get them in place and get them secured. Blue Ox personnel are always easy to reach and very informative. I find them to be an above average company....Dennis

Not true! I bought from Blue Ox.com who is the distributer for Blue Ox - they have no idea how the baseplates are installed. They were nice but could not help. Blue Ox was not available to help.

The base plate for the 2019 Ford Ranger is next to impossible to install.

Well, my friend, you posted you purchased and dealt with the folks at BlueOxTowBars.com which simply sells BlueOx products. They are NOT affiliated with Automatic Equipment Manufacturing (AKA Blue Ox) as per their disclaimer. I've dealt with the manufacturer and found them to be excellent. I'm sure most, if not all of the positive posts here are from people who have done likewise. IMO, you simply got a bad distributor not a bad product....Dennis