Our in-house experts typically reply within one business day.
Blue Ox
Verify Fitment
Select your vehicle to confirm this part fits.
1997 - 1999 Mercury Tracer
Confirmed to Fit
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
Custom design: Each Blue Ox BX2129 Tow Bar Bracket is specifically designed for each towed vehicle, guaranteeing a perfect fit and optimal performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX2129 Tow Bar Bracket is a top-tier towing solution built for stability and durability. The product is engineered from robust steel to ensure maximum strength and resistance to wear and tear. Its black powder coat finish provides an additional layer of rust resistance, ensuring a long-lasting, professional appearance. The bracket is designed to fit each specific towed vehicle perfectly, providing a secure and reliable connection for your towing needs. The Blue Ox BX2129 Tow Bar Bracket comes with all necessary mounting hardware and comprehensive instructions for a hassle-free, do-it-yourself installation.
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.
Experts available to answer your questions
Call 888-634-94943 Years
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 - 1999 | Mercury Tracer | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Requires Some Trimming of the Belly Pan |
Yes, the BX2129 is designed specifically for 1997-99 Mercury Tracer models. Installation requires removal of the plastic belly pan and trimming of plastic around the vehicle's tie down brackets. The baseplate mounts to the tie down brackets and center engine support bolts.
No. The BX2129 must be used only with tow bars approved by Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. Using the baseplate with any non-approved tow bar will invalidate the limited warranty.
Required tools are: 10mm socket, 10mm wrench, floor jack, 3/4" socket, 3/4" wrench, 17mm wrench, 10" long extension sockets, utility knife, and Loctite Blue. A jack is essential because the installation process requires raising the vehicle body to access and adjust the center engine support.
Eight bolts are supplied with the baseplate. The installation uses ten bolts total: the eight supplied bolts plus two factory bolts that are removed and reinstalled during the process.
The baseplate includes: two side mount weldments (P-side and D-side), one base tube weldment, two spacers, four 1/2-13 x 1 1/2" hex bolts (Grade 5), four 10mm x 30mm hex bolts (Grade 8.8), four 10mm x 35mm hex bolts (Grade 8.8), eight 1/2-13 hex nuts, four 10mm hex nuts, six 1/2" lock washers, eight 10mm flat washers, eight 10mm lock washers, one center mount extension plate, two 1/2-13 x 1 1/4" bolts (Grade 5), two 36" safety cables (Class III), and two 3/8" quicklinks.
Yes. There are three pieces of plastic that form a belly pan under the engine. All three must be removed to allow access to the tie down brackets where the baseplate mounts. After the baseplate is installed, the belly pan is replaced, with plastic around the tie down brackets trimmed to accommodate the baseplate side mounts.
Yes. After the baseplate is installed, the plastic around the tie down brackets must be trimmed to allow for the baseplate side mounts. A utility knife is included in the required tools for this purpose.
Yes. A floor jack is essential. The installation requires raising the vehicle body a couple of inches to access and remove the two bolts holding the center engine support to the frame. The jack is then lowered to create a 1/4" gap between the frame and engine support, allowing the center mount extension plate to be inserted.
1. Remove the three plastic belly pan pieces. 2. Bolt the side mounts to the tie down brackets with spacers, using 10mm x 30mm bolts to the frame and 10mm x 35mm bolts to the tie down bracket; apply Loctite but do not tighten yet. 3. Jack up the vehicle body a couple of inches and remove the two center engine support bolts. 4. Lower the jack to create a 1/4" gap and insert the center mount extension plate. 5. Replace the two center support bolts but do not tighten. 6. Align the base tube assembly to the side plates using 1/2-13 x 1 1/2" bolts, and connect the extension plate to the center plate using a 1/2-13 x 1 1/4" bolt. 7. Tighten all bolts securely with Loctite. 8. Remove the jack and replace the belly pan with trimmed plastic. 9. Install the tow bar and safety cables per their instructions.
The two side mounts (Items 1 and 2) attach to the stamped metal tie down brackets that protrude down from the front corners of the vehicle. Spacers are placed between the side mounts and the tie down brackets. The side mount to frame connection uses 10mm x 30mm bolts, while the side mount to tie down bracket connection uses 10mm x 35mm bolts.
The center mount extension plate (Item 14) is inserted between the frame and the center engine support after the support bolts are removed and the vehicle is jacked up. It allows the baseplate to properly mount to the center engine support. The extension plate is aligned to the center plate on the base tube assembly and connected using a 1/2-13 x 1 1/4" bolt.
The attachment tabs on the base tube assembly should face forward on the tube assembly during installation.
After jacking up the vehicle body and removing the center engine support bolts, lower the jack until there is approximately 1/4" gap between the frame and the engine support. This gap allows the center mount extension plate to be inserted.
The baseplate holes are pre-drilled and designed to align with the vehicle's mounting points. However, due to dimensional variations between otherwise identical Mercury Tracers, it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear. No drilling is required.
The installation is permanent. The baseplate is bolted to the vehicle's tie down brackets and center engine support. The plastic belly pan is trimmed to accommodate the baseplate side mounts. While the baseplate can theoretically be removed, the trimmed plastic cannot be restored.
The side mounts attach to the frame using 10mm x 30mm hex bolts (Grade 8.8), with flat and lock washers. These bolts should have Loctite applied but are not tightened until all bolts are aligned in the final assembly step.
The side mounts attach to the tie down brackets using 10mm x 35mm hex bolts (Grade 8.8), with nuts, flat and lock washers. These bolts should have Loctite applied but are not tightened until all bolts are aligned in the final assembly step.
The base tube assembly connects to the side plates using four 1/2-13 x 1 1/2" hex bolts (Grade 5), with nuts and lock washers. These bolts are aligned and started, then tightened securely after all bolts are aligned. Loctite must be applied.
The extension plate connects to the center plate on the base tube assembly using one 1/2-13 x 1 1/4" hex bolt (Grade 5), with a nut and lock washer. Loctite must be applied.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with the BX2129 baseplate. Two 36" Class III safety cables with 3/8" quicklinks are included. These cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member and must not be mounted against wires, hoses, or brake lines. They are required in addition to, not as a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
The permanent baseplate safety cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The cables must not be mounted against wires, hoses, or brake lines, as improper installation could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts.
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.
After installation is complete: 1. Remove the jack. 2. Replace the plastic belly pan with trimmed plastic around the tie down brackets. 3. Install the tow bar and safety cables according to their instructions. 4. Inspect all bolts to ensure they are tight. 5. Register your baseplate online at www.blueox.com to receive alerts about product updates, maintenance, and safety bulletins.
The permanent baseplate safety cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is on the vehicle. Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Tighten all bolts to the recommended specifications using Loctite Red. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use if applicable.
Yes. It is crucial to register your baseplate online at www.blueox.com. Registration ensures you will be alerted about product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls.
The attachment tabs should face forward on the base tube assembly during installation. When not in use, the attachment tabs should be removed if applicable.
Yes, the BX2129 is designed for 1997-99 Mercury Tracer. Installation requires removing the plastic belly pan and trimming plastic around the tie down brackets.
No. Use only tow bars approved by Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. Non-approved tow bars will void the warranty.
Required tools: 10mm and 3/4" sockets and wrenches, 17mm wrench, 10" extension sockets, floor jack, utility knife, and Loctite Blue.
Yes. All three plastic belly pan pieces must be removed to access the tie down brackets. The pan is reinstalled after baseplate installation with trimmed plastic around the brackets.
Yes. The jack is essential to raise the vehicle body and access the center engine support bolts, then lower it to create a 1/4" gap for the extension plate.
No drilling required. Holes are pre-drilled. You may need to file a hole slightly for bolt clearance due to vehicle variations, and you must trim plastic around the tie down brackets.
Yes. Two 36" Class III safety cables with quicklinks are included and strongly recommended. They must connect from the baseplate to the frame rail and are required in addition to legally required towing safety cables.
Verify all bolts are tight, reinstall the belly pan with trimmed plastic, install the tow bar and safety cables per their instructions, and register the baseplate at www.blueox.com.
Total for 0 items:
$0.00
On Sale Today
Original price was $699.99. Current price is $639.00.You save $60.99 (9%)
Free Shipping
Ships free on all orders
Authorized Dealer
FREE ShippingFREE SHIPPING
Estimated delivery Wed, Sep 16 - Sat, Sep 19
Order before 2 PM EST Monday–Friday for same-day processing
Guaranteed safe & secure checkout
No reviews have been added for this product.
