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Blue Ox
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2009 - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
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Custom Design: Specifically tailored for each towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and hassle-free installation.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX1683 Tow Bar Bracket is a top-of-the-line towing accessory that offers superior durability and convenience for all your towing needs. Custom-designed for each specific towed vehicle, this base plate offers a perfect fit and easy installation. Crafted from high-quality steel, it features a black powder coat finish for added resistance to rust and corrosion. The bolt-on mounting type ensures secure attachment, while the included hardware and step-by-step instructions make installation a breeze. With the Blue Ox BX1683 Tow Bar Bracket, you can tow with confidence and ease.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 - 2012 | Chevrolet Traverse | 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 Requires Some Trimming of the Air Dam 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 BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, CHEVY TRAVERSE 09 (Part #FDRWBX1683) fits 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse models. The 2012 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, CHEVY TRAVERSE 09 (Part #FDRWBX1683) is designed to fit the 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, CHEVY TRAVERSE 09 (Part #FDRWBX1683) fits the following vehicles: 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, CHEVY TRAVERSE 09 (Part #FDRWBX1683) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
Yes, the BX1683 is designed for 2009-12 Chevy Traverse vehicles. However, dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable, and minor adjustments such as filing holes, bending electrical rods, or bending end plates may be necessary to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended for use with the BX1683. The RangeFinderII, 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.
The kit includes: one BX1683 baseplate (61-6614), four 1/4" x 1" x 1" attachment brackets with 14" wire (61-5208), four 3/8"-16 x 1" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0443), four 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0440), eight 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), four 3/8"-16 hex nuts (202-0003), two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), two 10-32 x 1/2" slotted round head screws (201-0192), two #10 lock washers (203-0054), two #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), two 4-way connector adapters (101-5822), two attachment tabs with holes (62-3469), eighteen 1/4" flat washers (203-0001), two 36" Class III safety cables (226-0046), two 3/8" quicklinks (229-0359), and two black receiver cap plugs (290-0437).
Required tools are: 7MM socket, 10MM socket, 9/16" socket and wrench, 13/32" drill bit, 1/2" drill bit, 1" hole saw, Phillips screwdriver, flat screwdriver, T15 Torx, utility knife, tape measure, large vise grips, reciprocating saw, and drill. Loctite RED is also required.
The fascia, horn, and windshield fluid reservoir must be removed for installation. The air dam and fascia are trimmed. The plastic piece covering the top of the undercarriage, the Christmas tree underneath the rubber, and the rubber cover must also be removed.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill four holes total (two on each side) using a 13/32" drill bit. One hole is drilled on each side while the baseplate is clamped in position as a template, then three additional holes are drilled on each side using the baseplate as a template. A 1/2" drill bit is also used to drill a hole in the plastic on the driver's side for the temperature control.
The air dam and fascia must be trimmed. Under the front bumper, you must cut straight across and straight down on both sides. On the frame rail, you must cut 2-1/2" across the top and 1-5/8" across the bottom using a reciprocating saw, making the bottom cut flush with the middle rib and the bottom of the frame rail. The fascia must be trimmed so the receiver for the attachment tab comes through the lower grill.
From the top of the frame down to the baseplate should be 2-5/8". From the front of the frame to the back of the baseplate should be 6-1/4". The baseplate must be level when positioned.
The manual states that all bolts must be tightened according to the torque chart on the front page of the installation instructions or on page 3 of the Baseplate Towing General Instructions. The torque chart provided shows specifications for Grade 5 and Grade 8 bolts in various sizes (1/4" through 5/8") and for metric Grade 8.8 and 10.9 bolts (6MM through 14MM). However, the specific torque value for the 3/8" bolts used in this installation is not explicitly stated in the provided manual pages.
The attachment tab height is 16" and the attachment tab width is 20".
Four bolts are used on each side: one 3/8"-16 x 1" hex head bolt Grade 5 with a 3/8" lock washer and 3/8"-16 hex nut in the bottom hole, and two 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" hex head bolts Grade 5 with 3/8" lock washers and 3/8"-16 nut plates in the top two holes. All bolts must have Loctite RED applied before tightening.
Place six (6) 1/4" flat washers on each bolt behind the windshield fluid reservoir to move it out. Then reattach the reservoir and reconnect all electrical and fluid lines.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The cables prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the connection between the frame and baseplate fails. Two 36" Class III safety cables are included in the kit. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member and must not rub against hoses or moving parts. 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.
Do not use the towed vehicle for storing luggage, equipment, or other items. This may cause you to exceed the towing capacity of the tow bar, baseplate, and its accessories.
All electrical connections must be plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia. This includes the 4-way connector adapters and any wiring from the bulb and socket wiring kit if used.
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 online at www.blueox.com to be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls.
If the baseplate is in an accident, it must be replaced and not used 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.
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle, but not stated as required. The manual indicates a possible location for installation of this kit on the vehicle.
No. Even though bolts may already be present 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 Installation Instructions. In most cases, replacement bolts will be Grade 5.
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 the Customer Care Department at (402) 385-3051. However, the manual does not explicitly state that professional installation is mandatory.
Yes, the BX1683 is designed for 2009-12 Chevy Traverse. Minor adjustments may be needed to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended. The Acclaim tow bar may be used but will not fold. RangeFinderII, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used. Adapters except BX8833 and BX88151 are not compatible.
Yes. You must drill four holes per side using a 13/32" drill bit, and one hole per side using a 1/2" drill bit. Trimming of the air dam and fascia is also required.
You need: 7MM and 10MM sockets, 9/16" socket and wrench, 13/32" and 1/2" drill bits, 1" hole saw, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, T15 Torx, utility knife, tape measure, vise grips, reciprocating saw, drill, and Loctite RED.
The fascia, horn, and windshield fluid reservoir must be removed. The air dam and fascia are trimmed. The plastic undercarriage cover and rubber pieces are also removed.
Yes, two 36" Class III safety cables are included and strongly recommended. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail and must not rub against hoses or moving parts.
All electrical connections must be plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia.
If the front of your vehicle looks different than the illustration in the manual, call Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 for assistance.
If a bolt is lost or in need of replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade. In most cases it will be Grade 5. Replacement parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor. Failing to use the correct grade bolt could void the manufacturer's warranty and compromise safety.
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