BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD F150Blue OxOut of Stock
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1997 - 2002 Ford Expedition
Confirmed to Fit
1997 - 2002 Ford F-150
Confirmed to Fit
2001 Ford F-150
Confirmed to Fit
2003 Ford F-150
Confirmed to Fit
2002 Ford F-150
Confirmed to Fit
2004 Ford F-150 Heritage
Confirmed to Fit
1998 Ford F-250
Confirmed to Fit
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Custom Design: Each Blue Ox BX2146 Tow Bar Bracket is specifically tailored for each towed vehicle to ensure a precise fit and optimal functionality.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX2146 Tow Bar Bracket is an essential component for every towing setup. Custom designed for a perfect fit, it promises to deliver unparalleled performance and functionality. Its robust steel construction and black powder coat finish ensure both durability and aesthetic appeal. This bracket is easy to bolt on, and with the included mounting hardware and comprehensive installation instructions, you can have it set up in no time. Whether you're taking a short trip or embarking on a cross-country adventure, count on the Blue Ox BX2146 Tow Bar Bracket to make your towing experience safe and hassle-free.
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
7 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 - 2002 | Ford Expedition | — | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 1 Be Sure to Confirm the Weight of Your Individual Vehicle Before Towing. Always Insure Both Your Tow Bar and Hitch are Adequately Rated for the Vehicle’s Overall Weight |
| 1997 - 2002 | Ford F-150 | — | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 1 The Vehicle Must Have Factory Tow Hooks to Mount the Bracket to Be Sure to Confirm the Weight of Your Individual Vehicle Before Towing. Always Insure Both Your Tow Bar and Hitch are Adequately Rated for the Vehicle’s Overall Weight Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
| 2001 | Ford F-150 | Crew Cab Pickup | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 1 Minor Drilling Required Be Sure to Confirm the Weight of Your Individual Vehicle Before Towing. Always Insure Both Your Tow Bar and Hitch are Adequately Rated for the Vehicle’s Overall Weight Will Not Fit the Harley Davidson or STX Special Edition Trim Package for 2003: 2005 Model Years Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
| 2003 | Ford F-150 | Crew Cab Pickup | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 1 The Vehicle Must Have Factory Tow Hooks to Mount the Bracket to Be Sure to Confirm the Weight of Your Individual Vehicle Before Towing. Always Insure Both Your Tow Bar and Hitch are Adequately Rated for the Vehicle’s Overall Weight Will Not Fit the Harley Davidson or STX Special Edition Trim Package for 2003: 2005 Model Years Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
| 2002 | Ford F-150 | Crew Cab Pickup · 4-Door | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 1 Minor Drilling Required Be Sure to Confirm the Weight of Your Individual Vehicle Before Towing. Always Insure Both Your Tow Bar and Hitch are Adequately Rated for the Vehicle’s Overall Weight Will Not Fit the Harley Davidson or STX Special Edition Trim Package for 2003: 2005 Model Years Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
| 2004 | Ford F-150 Heritage | Extended Cab Pickup | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 1 The Vehicle Must Have Factory Tow Hooks to Mount the Bracket to Be Sure to Confirm the Weight of Your Individual Vehicle Before Towing. Always Insure Both Your Tow Bar and Hitch are Adequately Rated for the Vehicle’s Overall Weight Will Not Fit the Harley Davidson or STX Special Edition Trim Package for 2003: 2005 Model Years Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
| 1998 | Ford F-250 | — | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 1 Minor Drilling Required Tow Hooks Must be Removed and Remain off the Vehicle After Installation Be Sure to Confirm the Weight of Your Individual Vehicle Before Towing. Always Insure Both Your Tow Bar and Hitch are Adequately Rated for the Vehicle’s Overall Weight Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate For Select FORD F150 BX2146 (Part #FDRWBX2146) fits 1997-2002 Ford Expedition models. The 2004 model year is the last year covered by this part number. For newer models, check for an updated version.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate For Select FORD F150 BX2146 (Part #FDRWBX2146) fits the following vehicles: 1997-2002 Ford Expedition; 1997-2003 Ford F-150; 2004 Ford F-150 Heritage; 1998 Ford F-250. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate For Select FORD F150 BX2146 (Part #FDRWBX2146) is designed to fit the 1997-2002 Ford Expedition.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate For Select FORD F150 BX2146 (Part #FDRWBX2146) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
Yes, the BX2146 baseplate is designed for 1997-02 Ford F-150 Pickup 4WD models equipped with standard tow hooks. Your truck must have factory-installed standard tow hooks for the baseplate to mount correctly. The baseplate inserts fit inside the tow hooks, and you may need to loosen and adjust the factory tow hooks slightly to ensure proper fit before final tightening.
Yes, the BX2146 is compatible with 1998 Ford F-250 models that are not Super Duty. The baseplate is designed to mount to standard tow hooks on this truck.
No. The BX2146 is designed for Class IV rated tow bars only. Car-mounted tow bars will not work with this baseplate. The manual explicitly states that because the trucks this baseplate fits weigh close to or over 5,000 lbs., only a Class IV rated tow bar is suitable.
Yes. The BX2146 is designed for 1997-02 Ford Expedition models equipped with standard tow hooks. The baseplate mounts directly to these tow hooks using four bolts, so factory tow hooks are required.
You will need: 16MM wrench, 17MM wrench, 18MM wrench, 3/4" wrench, 9/16" wrench, flathead screwdriver, Loctite, plastic pop rivet gun, and a rivet gun. The 7/16" bolts that mount the baseplate to the tow hooks require a wrench (likely the 3/4" or 9/16" depending on bolt head size), and the self-drilling screws and adapter screws require the smaller wrenches and screwdriver.
The BX2146 kit includes: one baseplate (61-5328), two top plates (102-5725), four 7/16-14 x 2" Grade 5 hex head bolts (201-0552), four 7/16" lock washers (203-0011), two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), two four-way electrical connector adapters (101-5822), two #10-32 x 1/2" slotted screws (201-0192), two #10 lock washers (203-0054), two #10 hex nuts (202-0047), two 36" Class IV baseplate safety cables (226-0049), and four 1/2" quicklinks (229-0512).
It may be necessary. The manual states that you should hold the baseplate up to the bottom of the tow hooks so the inserts fit inside them. If the inserts do not fit properly, you may need to loosen and adjust the tow hooks. After adjusting, tighten the tow hook bolts before proceeding with baseplate installation.
1. Hold the baseplate (Item 1) up to the bottom of the tow hooks so the inserts fit inside the tow hooks. Adjust the tow hooks if necessary and tighten their bolts. 2. Place the top plates (Item 2) over each tow hook and thread the 7/16" bolts into the top plates. 3. Apply Loctite to each bolt. 4. Once all four bolts are started, tighten and torque according to the torque chart in the General Instruction Sheet (not included in this manual).
Yes. The manual requires that you apply Loctite to each of the four 7/16" bolts before threading them into the top plates. This is essential for maintaining bolt security during towing.
The manual does not provide specific torque values in the installation instructions. It states that bolts should be 'tightened and torqued according to the Torque Chart in the General Instruction Sheet.' You will need to consult the separate General Instruction Sheet or contact Blue Ox for the correct torque specification for the 7/16-14 x 2" Grade 5 hex head bolts.
Do not substitute other devices. The manual explicitly states 'Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost.' You should obtain replacement parts from Blue Ox or the tow bar manufacturer.
Yes. The kit includes two 36" Class IV permanent baseplate safety cables (part number 226-0049) and four 1/2" quicklinks (229-0512) for attachment. These cables are strongly recommended and should be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame.
The permanent baseplate safety cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The manual states that illustrations show possible recommended arrangements, but these are not visible in the provided documentation. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines, as this could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts. Contact Blue Ox or your installer for specific attachment points for your vehicle model.
No. The manual explicitly states that permanent baseplate safety cables are to be used in conjunction with, and NOT a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle. Both sets of cables must be used when towing.
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 specifications using Loctite Red. This is the owner's responsibility and is critical for safe towing.
The installer must 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 against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. The manual emphasizes that this is the installer's responsibility to prevent.
Yes. Blue Ox strongly recommends registering your product online at www.blueox.com. Registration is crucial so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes, if applicable to your installation. The manual states 'Remove the attachment tabs when not in use (if applicable).' This helps protect the baseplate and towing connection when the vehicle is not being used for towing.
The BX2146 fits 1997-02 Ford F-150 4WD, 1997-02 Ford Expedition, 2001-02 Ford F-150 Super Cab, 2003 Ford F-150 Super Cab/Crew 4WD, and 1998 Ford F-250 (non-Super Duty)—all with standard tow hooks. It requires a Class IV tow bar only; car-mounted tow bars will not work.
You need wrenches (16MM, 17MM, 18MM, 3/4", 9/16"), flathead screwdriver, Loctite, and a plastic pop rivet gun. Loctite must be applied to all four 7/16" mounting bolts before installation.
Torque specifications are provided in the separate General Instruction Sheet, which is not included in this manual. Contact Blue Ox or your installer for the correct torque value for the 7/16-14 x 2" Grade 5 bolts.
Yes, two 36" Class IV safety cables are included. They are strongly recommended and must be connected from the baseplate to the vehicle's frame rail or cross member. They supplement, but do not replace, legally required safety cables on the towed vehicle.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to specification using Loctite Red before each towing trip.
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