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Blue Ox
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2001 - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
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1. Custom Design: Specifically designed for each towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and effortless installation.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX3821 Tow Bar Bracket is a top-of-the-line towing accessory meticulously crafted to perfectly fit your specific vehicle. Made from robust steel and coated with a resilient black powder finish, this tow bar bracket promises enduring durability and a sleek appearance. Installation is a breeze with all necessary mounting hardware included and a bolt-on mounting type. The Blue Ox BX3821 offers a seamless towing experience, delivering exceptional strength and reliability.
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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Yes, the BX3821 is designed specifically for 2001 1/2 - 2002 VW Passat 1.8 L models. The baseplate attachment tabs are 20 inches center to center with a height of 13 1/4 inches. However, the manual notes that dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable, and it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear.
The manual specifies the BX3821 is for 2001 1/2 - 2002 VW Passat 1.8 L only. No other model years or engine sizes are listed as compatible.
Required tools are: T-25, T-30, and T-45 Torx wrenches; 13MM and 18MM wrenches and sockets; Phillips screwdriver; and Loctite Blue. You will also need a file, as step 13 indicates it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear.
The baseplate includes: one weldment base plate (61-5634), six 8MM-1.25 x 30MM hex bolts Grade 8.8, six 8MM lock washers, twelve 8MM flat washers, two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, two #10-32 hex nuts, two #10 lock washers, two #10-32 x 1/2 slot round head screws, two 4-way connector adapters, two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables, and four 3/8" quicklinks.
Yes. Loctite Blue is required but not included with the baseplate. The manual specifies using Loctite on all bolts before tightening. The manual also mentions Loctite Red should be used on all bolts for pre-towing inspections.
Yes. The front fascia and metal bumper must be removed for baseplate installation. The installation process requires removing the hood release handle, grill, fascia support, and metal bumper before the baseplate can be installed. All components are then reinstalled after baseplate attachment.
The lower grill will need to be either removed or trimmed before the fascia is replaced. The manual states there are push clips on the back side of the lower grill. If you elect to trim the lower grill opening, you hold the fascia in place and trim. Alternatively, you have the option to leave the lower grill section off if trimming is undesirable.
Yes. The manual states there is trimming to the air dam required for baseplate installation. During installation, the air dam is allowed to fold out of the way while the baseplate is held into place.
1. Remove hood release handle. 2. Remove grill bolts and clips. 3. Remove fascia screws and pull fascia forward. 4. Remove fascia support bolts. 5. Remove metal bumper bolts. 6. Remove bumper mount bolts. 7. Hold baseplate in place and hand tighten bolts on driver's side, then passenger's side. 8. Tighten all bolts with Loctite Blue. 9. Remove or trim lower grill section. 10. Reinstall metal bumper, bumper support, fascia, grill, and hood latch. 11. Install tow bar and safety cables per their instructions.
No. The manual specifically notes that flat washers are used on the passenger's side only. The parts list includes twelve 8MM flat washers total, and step 10 references 'flat washers on passenger's side.'
Hand tighten items 2, 3, and 4 (the 8MM hex bolts, lock washers, and flat washers) on the driver's side first, then on the passenger's side. After all bolts are hand tightened, tighten all bolts fully. Be sure to use Loctite Blue on all bolts before tightening.
The manual does not indicate that new holes need to be drilled. However, step 13 states that dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable, and while the location and size of holes in the baseplate were designed to allow for easy installation, it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear.
The manual does not provide specific torque values in foot-pounds or Newton-meters. It states to 'Tighten all bolts' and references 'tighten to the recommended specifications' in the general information section, but does not list the actual values. Contact Blue Ox directly at 402-385-3051 or www.blueox.com for specific torque specifications.
The baseplate uses six 8MM-1.25 x 30MM hex bolts, Grade 8.8, zinc plated. The manual emphasizes that if a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (Grade 8.8) for safety and preservation of the baseplate.
The baseplate itself does not require electrical connections. However, if you are using the BX8869 light assembly with the baseplate, the electronic circuit board must be removed from the back of the light assembly. The manual includes a supplemental note about BX8869 socket location but does not provide detailed wiring instructions for that component.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. Two 36" Class III safety cables are included with the baseplate. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. However, these permanent cables must be used in conjunction with, and are NOT 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. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines. The manual states that improper installation against wires or hoses could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. The manual includes illustrations showing possible recommended arrangements.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Be sure to use Loctite Red on all bolts and tighten to the recommended specifications. It is the owner's responsibility to perform these inspections.
After installation, ensure all electrical connections are secured and all bolts are tightened. Verify that the lower grill has been properly removed or trimmed, and that the metal bumper, bumper support, fascia, grill, and hood latch are all properly reinstalled. The tow bar and safety cables should be installed according to their included instructions.
Yes. The manual states that attachment tabs should be removed when not in use (if applicable). This helps protect the baseplate and tow bar when the vehicle is not being used for towing.
Yes. It is crucial to register your baseplate online at www.blueox.com so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Contact Blue Ox at 402-385-3051 or www.blueox.com to order genuine replacement parts.
No. The manual explicitly states to use only genuine factory replacement parts on the baseplate. Do not substitute homemade or nontypical parts. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (Grade 8.8) for your safety and the preservation of the baseplate. Repair parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
The BX3821 is designed for 2001 1/2 - 2002 VW Passat 1.8 L only. Dimensional variations between vehicles may require minor hole filing.
T-25, T-30, T-45 Torx wrenches; 13MM and 18MM wrenches and sockets; Phillips screwdriver; Loctite Blue; and a file for possible hole adjustment.
Yes. The front fascia and metal bumper must be removed for baseplate installation. The lower grill must also be removed or trimmed.
Yes. Loctite Blue must be applied to all bolts before tightening. Loctite is not included and must be purchased separately.
The manual does not provide specific torque values. Contact Blue Ox at 402-385-3051 or www.blueox.com for torque specifications.
Yes. Two 36" Class III safety cables are included. They must be connected from the baseplate to the vehicle's frame rail and are strongly recommended for towing safety.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Tighten bolts to recommended specifications using Loctite Red. Register your baseplate at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 - 2005 | Volkswagen Passat | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Requires Some Trimming of Bumper Fascia/Plastic/And/Or Grill Baseplate Has Non 24 in. Spaced Attachment Tabs Requires Motorhome Mounted Tow Bar/Adapter To Utilize Car Mounted Tow Bar Tow Bar Adapters Not To Be Used On Vehicles Over 5000 lbs.v |
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