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Blue Ox
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2008 - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
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1. Custom Design: Each Blue Ox BX1685 Tow Bar Bracket is uniquely designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring the perfect fit and optimum performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX1685 Tow Bar Bracket is a thoughtfully crafted accessory for all your towing needs. Designed uniquely for every towed vehicle, it ensures a perfect fit and superior performance. The high-quality steel construction guarantees long-lasting durability, while the black powder coat finish adds a sleek appearance and additional corrosion resistance. This bracket is easy to mount with its bolt-on installation feature and includes all necessary hardware, making it ideal for do-it-yourself projects.
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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1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 - 2010 | Chevrolet HHR | SS Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Requires Some Trimming of Bumper Fascia/Plastic/And/Or Grill Minor Drilling Required Use only w/Motorhome Mount Tow Bars Or PN BX8833/BX88151 Adapters Only Use Acclaim w/23”: 30” Spaced Removable Tab Baseplates Only Use Adventurer with 18”: 41” Spaced Removable Tab Baseplates Removable Tabs w/Only 1 Hole Will Not Attach to Car Mount Tow Bars or Adapters |
The BX1685 baseplate is designed specifically for 2008-10 Chevy HHR SS (Turbo Only). It will not fit non-turbo models or other model years. If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended for use with the BX1685. The RangeFinder II, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used due to the design of the removable tabs. The Acclaim tow bar may be used but will not fold and store on the front of the vehicle. Adapters except the BX8833 and BX88151 cannot be used with this baseplate.
Required tools include: 7MM socket, 10MM socket, 9/16" socket, 5/8" wrench, 3/8" nut driver, large vise grip, reciprocating saw, drill, utility knife, tape measure, hack saw blade, and 13/32" drill bit. Loctite RED is also required for all bolts.
Yes. 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 to do fit work. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting Customer Care at (402) 385-3051.
Yes, drilling is required. The baseplate uses one existing hole on each side of the vehicle, and three additional holes must be drilled using a 13/32" drill bit. All four holes on each side are then fitted with 3/8-16 x 1 1/4" hex bolts with 3/8" lock washers and nut plates.
Significant trimming and cutting is required: (1) The front fascia must be removed and trimmed. (2) Underneath the bumper, trim 2" horizontally from the right edge and 7/8" down on both sides. (3) Cut a notch across the bottom of the bumper flush with the side on both sides. (4) Trim the guard horizontally from the edge to the opening on top and bottom, then connect vertically on both sides. (5) Trim the notch off the end of the tube on both sides. (6) Cut the tall tab off the back side of the fascia on both sides. These modifications are permanent.
Yes. Using a large vise grip, you must bend up where the tube notch was cut and continue bending back to the middle of the rib on both sides of the vehicle. The manual also notes that minor adjustments may include bending electrical rods or bending end plates to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
First, remove the two grommets from each existing bracket; these will be reused with the new bracket. Using a 10MM socket, remove the four bolts holding each existing bracket and set them aside for reuse. Install the new bracket (part 101-7400 driver's side, 101-7401 passenger's side) with the existing bolts, starting with the bottom two bolts and tightening them. The turbo will hang down during this process.
Slide the baseplate up underneath the front edge of the turbo on both sides, then continue moving the baseplate and turbo up into position. Align the baseplate with the existing hole and clamp across the top of the frame with a large vise grip on both sides. Insert the first 3/8-16 x 1 1/4" hex bolt with 3/8" lock washer into the existing hole using Loctite RED, attaching it to a 3/8-16 nut plate. Using the baseplate as a template, drill three remaining holes with a 13/32" drill bit, then insert three more bolts with lock washers and nut plates, all with Loctite RED.
The manual states that all bolts must be tightened according to the torque chart on the front page of the installation instructions or page 3 of the Baseplate General Towing Instructions. However, the specific torque value for 3/8-16 bolts is not provided in this document. Refer to the complete torque chart in the General Towing Instructions or contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051.
The BX8848 4-Diode Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle.
All electrical connections must be plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia. This is a critical step to ensure the system is working correctly before the vehicle is reassembled.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended and prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the connection between the frame and baseplate fails. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. On the driver's side, cables go straight back and around the frame. On the passenger side, they attach to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. Cables must not rub against hoses or moving parts. These cables are in addition to, not a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
The kit includes: 1 weld mount (61-6637), 2 turbo brackets (101-7400 driver's side, 101-7401 passenger's side), 8 weld nut plates (61-5208), 8 3/8-16 x 1 1/4" Grade 5 hex head bolts (201-0368), 8 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), 2 #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), 2 10-32 x 1/2" slot round head screws (201-0192), 2 #10 lock washers (203-0054), 2 #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), 2 4-way connector adapters (101-5822), 2 removable attachment tab assemblies (62-3468), 2 36" baseplate safety cables (226-0046), 4 3/8" quick links (229-0359), and 2 receiver cap plugs (290-0437).
After drilling the three additional holes with a 13/32" drill bit, insert 3/8-16 x 1 1/4" hex bolts with 3/8" lock washers into each hole. Apply Loctite RED to each bolt before tightening. Attach each bolt to a 3/8-16 nut plate. After installation, cut the excess wire from the nut plates.
If the baseplate is in an accident, it must be replaced and not reused. 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.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to the recommended torque specifications using Loctite RED. Confirm the towability and pre-towing procedures for your vehicle with the owner's manual or contact the vehicle's manufacturer for specific towing procedures.
No. The manual recommends removing the attachment tabs when not in use.
The attachment tab height is 11" and the attachment tab width is 22".
No. Even though bolts may exist on the vehicle, do not assume they are adequate for baseplate mounting. Always use hardware supplied in the hardware kit or existing hardware specified in the Baseplate Towing Installation Instructions. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (in most cases Grade 5). Use only genuine factory replacement parts; do not substitute homemade or non-typical parts.
Handling of some cosmetic parts when installing this product may require the use of protective covers, rags, specialty tools, etc. to prevent damage.
Remove the two grommets from each existing bracket before removing the bracket. These grommets will be reused with the new bracket.
It is the installer's responsibility to watch for: oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires and hoses, and missing parts or attaching points on the frame. If the baseplate is improperly installed and is against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. Ensure permanent baseplate safety cables do not mount against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Yes. It is crucial to register your product at www.blueox.com so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
The BX1685 is designed for 2008-10 Chevy HHR SS (Turbo Only). It will not fit non-turbo models. If your vehicle's front looks different, call Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051.
Professional installation by a Blue Ox Dealer is strongly recommended. The installation requires drilling, trimming, bracket replacement, and specialized fit work. Find a dealer at www.blueox.com or call (402) 385-3051.
Yes. Drilling is required (13/32" drill bit for three holes per side). Significant trimming of the front fascia, bumper, and guard is also required. These are permanent modifications.
The BX8848 4-Diode Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle. All electrical connections must be tested and functioning before the fascia is reinstalled.
Required tools include: 7MM, 10MM, and 9/16" sockets, 5/8" wrench, 3/8" nut driver, large vise grip, reciprocating saw, drill, utility knife, tape measure, hack saw blade, 13/32" drill bit, and Loctite RED.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended. They prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the baseplate connection fails. They must be connected to the vehicle's frame and are in addition to legally required safety cables.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to recommended torque specifications using Loctite RED. Verify all electrical connections are functioning.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended. The RangeFinder II, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used. The Acclaim tow bar may be used but will not fold and store on the vehicle. Most adapters are not compatible except BX8833 and BX88151.
The manual notes that dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable. While the baseplate was designed for easy installation, it may be necessary to tailor the baseplate slightly to compensate for manufacturer tolerances. Minor adjustments may include filing a hole slightly, bending electrical rods, or bending end plates. If alignment issues persist, contact Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051.
If the baseplate is in an accident, it must be replaced and not reused. 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. Order replacement parts through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor.
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