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Blue Ox
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2026 Ford Escape
Confirmed to Fit
2023 - 2025 Ford Escape
Confirmed to Fit


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Custom Designed Fit: Each BX2694 base plate is specifically tailored for each towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit every time.
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Blue Ox's BX2694 Tow Bar Bracket is a meticulously engineered product designed for a perfect fit on your specific towed vehicle. The BX2694 base plate boasts a durable Powder Coat finish, ensuring it can stand up to tough conditions and resist corrosion over time. This tow bar bracket, which secures via a simple Bolt On mounting type, comes with all the necessary hardware included for a hassle-free, DIY installation. With Blue Ox, you are assured of a high-quality, reliable product that is easy to install and built to last.

Blue Ox is known internationally for recreational and commercial towing products, manufacturing in Pender, Nebraska since 1925. The line covers tow bars and vehicle-specific baseplates for flat towing behind a motorhome, sway control and weight distributing hitches, supplemental braking accessories and towing wiring, backed by patented designs and long-standing customer service.
Blue Ox has manufactured since 1925 and is recognised internationally for towing products and customer service. The company operates from Pender, Nebraska, where it grew out of Automatic Manufacturing Co., a business that started with cattle oilers and developed into agricultural equipment, tractor accessories and trailer towing hardware. That agricultural engineering heritage still shows in how the towing products are built, and the company holds patents across weight distribution, fifth wheel and tow bar designs.
Flat towing is the discipline Blue Ox is best known for. Towing a car with all four wheels on the ground behind a motorhome demands a system that stays rigid under braking, articulates properly over uneven ground, and connects to the towed vehicle at points strong enough to take the load. Blue Ox tow bars handle the first two, with self-aligning arms that latch under tension and release without a struggle when the load is off them. Vehicle-specific baseplates handle the third, engineered per make and model to tie into structural mounting points behind the fascia.
The wider flat towing range covers supplemental braking systems, safety cables and the accessories that make a complete legal setup, along with baseplate wiring and dinghy towing harnesses that pass lighting signals to the towed vehicle without back-feeding its electrical system.
For conventional trailer towing, Blue Ox weight distributing hitches with integrated sway control transfer tongue load onto the tow vehicle's front axle and resist the yaw that crosswinds and passing trucks induce.
The company describes its foundation as customer service, designing around what owners actually ask for, and it runs an RV park adjacent to the factory where customers can stay. Sister operations at the same Nebraska site include Automatic grain roller mills and MAD-RAMPS pivoting ramp systems.
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Call 888-634-94943 Years
2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ford Escape | Vehicles With Adaptive Cruise Control & Shutters, Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs, Install Rating 4, Bumper and/or fascia must be removed and replaced during installation Requires Some Trimming of Fascia/Bumper/Plastic/And/Or Grille, Requires some non: major drilling, Requires some trimming of the air dam, Baseplate has non: 24” spaced attachment tabs. This requires either a motorhome mounted tow bar or an adapter to utilize a car mounted tow bar. Tow bar adapters are not to be used with vehicles weighing over 5000 lbs. |
| 2023 - 2025 | Ford Escape | Vehicles With Adaptive Cruise Control & Shutters, Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs, Install Rating 4, Bumper and/or fascia must be removed and replaced during installation Requires Some Trimming of Fascia/Bumper/Plastic/And/Or Grille, Requires some non: major drilling, Requires some trimming of the air dam, Baseplate has non: 24” spaced attachment tabs. This requires either a motorhome mounted tow bar or an adapter to utilize a car mounted tow bar. Tow bar adapters are not to be used with vehicles weighing over 5000 lbs. |
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRD NO PLUG-IN (Part #FDRWBX2694) fits the following vehicles: 2023-2026 Ford Escape. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRD NO PLUG-IN (Part #FDRWBX2694) fits 2023-2026 Ford Escape models. The 2026 model year is the last year covered by this part number. For newer models, check for an updated version.
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRD NO PLUG-IN (Part #FDRWBX2694) is designed to fit the 2023-2026 Ford Escape.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRD NO PLUG-IN (Part #FDRWBX2694) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
Yes, the BX2694 baseplate is designed for 2023-2026 Ford Escape Hybrid (No Plug-In) models that include Adaptive Cruise Control and Shutters. If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding.
The attachment tab height is 14 inches and the attachment tab width is 21.5 inches.
No, the BX8848 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended but not included. You will need to obtain it separately. The kit is required to properly install the tail light wiring during baseplate installation.
Yes, a charge line from the RV to the car's battery is needed for this vehicle to prevent draining the car battery while towing.
Blue Ox towing products are intended to be installed by Blue Ox Dealers who are familiar with the products and have the equipment and knowledge necessary to do fit work. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting Customer Care at (402) 385-3051.
Required tools include: large vise grips, flat screwdriver, torque wrench, utility knife, pliers, level, drill, Loctite Red, T30 Torx, T25 Torx, 11MM wrench, 3/8" drill bit, 1/2" drill bit, 5/8" drill bit, 8MM socket, 10MM socket, 11MM socket, 13MM socket, 3/4" socket, and 1-1/4" hole saw.
Yes, the fascia must be removed and reinstalled for the baseplate installation. The removal process involves removing bolts and push pins from multiple locations on the fascia, disconnecting electrical connections, and setting the fascia aside. It is reinstalled after baseplate installation is complete.
Yes, drilling is required. You will drill using a 1/2" drill bit (two holes), a 1-1/4" hole saw (two holes, one on each side), a 3/8" drill bit (back bottom hole on both sides), and a 5/8" drill bit (one hole for tail light wiring). A 1/4" drill bit is also used for the electrical bracket mounting holes.
Yes, some trimming is required. You will remove the shroud around the lower shutters by removing push pins and clips, and this shroud will not be reinstalled. Additionally, you will remove two horizontal slats between white marks on the fascia to allow room for the removable tabs and convenience links.
Yes, you will use large vise grips to bend back the frame piece on both sides of the vehicle to create an access hole for the nut plate. This is done in step 17 of the installation process.
The 1/2" bolts with washers and wire nuts should be torqued to 50 foot-pounds.
Torque values for Grade 5 bolts are: 1/4" = 10 ft-lbs, 5/16" = 19 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 33 ft-lbs, 7/16" = 54 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 78 ft-lbs, 5/8" = 154 ft-lbs, 3/4" = 257 ft-lbs. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening.
For Grade 8.8 metric bolts: 6MM = 6 ft-lbs, 8MM = 16 ft-lbs, 10MM = 31 ft-lbs, 12MM = 54 ft-lbs, 14MM = 89 ft-lbs, 16MM = 161 ft-lbs, 18MM = 222 ft-lbs. For Grade 10.9: 6MM = 8 ft-lbs, 8MM = 22 ft-lbs, 10MM = 40 ft-lbs, 12MM = 70 ft-lbs, 14MM = 117 ft-lbs, 16MM = 230 ft-lbs, 18MM = 318 ft-lbs.
No, you do not need to unplug the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) sensor. You will remove the four 8MM bolts attaching the ACC to the vehicle and let it hang out of the way for baseplate installation, but the sensor must remain plugged in.
You may need to slightly rotate the pedestrian alert speaker on the driver side of the vehicle to allow for baseplate clearance. This is noted as a potential requirement in step 12.
Yes, you should use a level to ensure the baseplate is level before tightening the bolts in step 12.
Electrical work includes: removing and reinstalling tail light housings with the BX8848 Tail Light Wiring Kit per manufacturer's instructions, disconnecting two electrical connections on the passenger side during fascia removal, installing an electrical bracket on the bottom of the fascia with two 1/4" bolts, drilling a 5/8" hole to feed tail light electrical wires through, and reconnecting all electrical connections during fascia reinstallation.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR. Exceeding this weight will void the manufacturer's warranty. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for manufacturer's towing specifications.
Yes, permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended and are included with the baseplate. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The cables must have an adequate weight rating and must not be mounted against wires, hoses, or brake lines. These cables are to be used in conjunction with, and not as a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
Ensure all electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly before reinstalling the fascia. After baseplate installation, verify there is adequate clearance between the baseplate and the fascia during reinstallation. Check that safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Inspect for any interference with the black box on the driver side.
It is the owner's responsibility to inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts before each towing trip. Use Loctite Red on all bolts and tighten to the recommended specifications. Register your product at www.blueox.com to receive alerts about product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls.
If the baseplate is in an accident, it must be replaced. Do not use it again. An accident can cause unseen damage and using it again could result in more damage or serious injury. Do not use the baseplate if it is damaged or missing parts.
Blue Ox offers a three-year limited warranty from the date of delivery to the original retail purchaser. The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. Warranty registration must be completed within 30 days of purchase. The warranty does not cover incorrect or improper installation, improper use, modification, neglect, failure to maintain, misuse, accident, normal wear and tear, paint, or rust. Visit http://blueox.com/warranty/ to register.
The hardware kit includes: 2 Whiz Nuts with 10" wire (61-4029), 2 Nut Plates (61-8344), 2 Attachment Tab Assemblies with hole (62-3469), 1 Electrical Bracket with 105° bend (101-10930), 2 Grade 5 1/2"-13 x 1-1/2" hex head bolts (201-0051), 2 Grade 5 1/2"-13 x 1" hex head bolts (201-0060), 5 Grade 5 1/4"-20 x 1" hex bolts (201-0071), 2 #10-32 1/2" round slotted head screws (201-0192), 2 Grade 5 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" hex head bolts (201-0368), 2 #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), 9 1/4"-20 hex nylon nuts (202-0102), 4 1/4" flat washers (203-0001), 2 1/2" flat washers (203-0005), 2 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), 2 1/2" lock washers (203-0012), 2 #10 lock washers (203-0054), 2 Class III Safety Cables (226-0046), 2 3/8" Quicklinks (229-0359), and 2 Black Cap Plug Receivers (290-0437).
Yes, the installation uses the four existing 8MM bolts and washers (two on each side) to attach the baseplate to the vehicle. These are reinstalled in step 12 after the baseplate is slid onto the vehicle.
The removal sequence is: (1) tail light housing bolts and push pins, (2) wheel well trim push pins, (3) rear panel push pins and panels, (4) tail light housings, (5) fascia bolts and push pins, (6) wheel well liner bolts, (7) fascia bottom bolts, (8) fascia underside bolts, (9) fascia electrical connections and fascia removal, (10) ACC bolts, (11) cross bar bolts, (12) black box bolts, (13) shutter shroud push pins and clips.
The reinstallation sequence is: (1) ACC bolts, (2) black box with wire loom reattachment, (3) fascia with electrical connections, (4) tail light housings, rear panels, and push pins. Ensure all electrical connections are plugged in and functioning before completing fascia reinstallation.
Yes, you should use a good quality paint to spray cut edges of frame to prevent rusting.
The manual indicates breakaway switch installation is optional. If you choose to install it, you will put a 90° bend in the breakaway bracket 1-1/2" from the back and attach it to the back of the electrical mounting bracket with a provided 1/4" bolt, washers, and nut. Remove the white tag from the breakaway switch so it does not interfere with vehicle sensors.
Yes, the BX2694 is designed for 2023-2026 Ford Escape Hybrid (No Plug-In) with Adaptive Cruise Control and Shutters. If your vehicle front looks different, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051.
You will need to purchase the BX8848 Tail Light Wiring Kit separately, as it is recommended but not included. You will also need Loctite Red for all bolt threads.
Yes, drilling is required using 1/2", 3/8", 5/8", and 1/4" drill bits, plus a 1-1/4" hole saw. Frame bending with vise grips is also required.
Blue Ox recommends installation by Blue Ox Dealers who have the equipment and knowledge for fit work. Find a dealer at www.blueox.com or call (402) 385-3051.
Torque 1/2" Grade 5 bolts to 78 foot-pounds, or use the specific 50 foot-pound specification for the 1/2" bolts with washers and wire nuts in step 15. Always use Loctite Red on all bolt threads.
Yes, permanent baseplate safety cables are included and strongly recommended. They must be connected from the baseplate to the vehicle frame and not mounted against wires or hoses.
The baseplate is tested to your vehicle's GVWR. Exceeding this weight voids the warranty. Check your vehicle owner's manual for manufacturer's towing specifications.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts before each towing trip. Use Loctite Red and tighten bolts to specification. Register your product at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
If the box touches the baseplate bolt head, bend the back plate slightly to create clearance. This is shown in the inset diagram in step 23.
Yes, this is normal. The manual notes that after baseplate installation is complete and during reinstallation of the fascia, there may be limited clearance between the baseplate and the fascia.
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