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Blue Ox
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2016 - 2018 Volkswagen Jetta
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Exceptional Durability: Made from high-grade steel, the Blue Ox BX3838 Tow Bar Bracket is designed to withstand tough road conditions and resist wear and tear.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Upgrade to a top-tier towing solution with the Blue Ox BX3838 Tow Bar Bracket. Expertly crafted from high-grade steel with a resilient black powder coat finish, this bracket is designed to provide a robust, secure link between your vehicle and the towing device. Each Blue Ox base plate is custom engineered for your specific vehicle to ensure a precise fit and effortless installation. The package includes all necessary mounting hardware and detailed instructions for a straightforward, 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.
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1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 - 2018 | Volkswagen Jetta | Sedan | 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 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. |
The BX3838 is a tow bar baseplate manufactured by Blue Ox, designed specifically for 2016-18 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. It is installed to the front frame of the vehicle to enable towing. The baseplate has an attachment tab height of 14 inches and width of 20 inches. Always reference your vehicle owner's manual for manufacturer's towing specifications before towing.
The BX3838 is designed for 2016-18 VW Jetta vehicles. However, the manual notes that dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable, and it may be necessary to tailor the baseplate slightly to compensate for vehicle manufacturer's tolerances. If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox technical service at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding with installation.
The kit includes: 10 nut plates (3/8"-16 with 14" wire), 1 baseplate, 2 attachment tabs, 1 hex head bolt (1/4"-20 x 3/4"), 1 hex head bolt (1/4"-20 x 1"), 2 round slotted head screws (#10-32 1/2"), 10 hex bolts (3/8"-16 x 1-1/2"), 1 hex head bolt (6MM-1.0 x 45MM), 2 self-drilling screws (#12-14 x 1"), 2 hex nuts (#10-32), 2 nylon hex nuts (1/4"-20), 7 flat washers (5/16"), 10 lock washers (3/8"), 2 lock washers (#10), 1 lock washer (6MM), 1 four-way bracket, 2 class III safety cables, 2 quicklinks (3/8"), and 2 black cap plug receivers.
Required tools include: large vise grip, flat screwdriver, utility knife, reciprocating saw, torque wrench, drill, tape measure, Loctite Red, 1/4" drill bit, 3/8" drill bit, 1/2" drill bit, 1-1/4" hole saw, 10MM socket, 13MM socket, 16MM socket, 7/16" socket, 7/16" wrench, 9/16" socket, 5/16" nutdriver, T25 Torx, and T30 Torx. A reciprocating saw is essential for frame cutting, and a torque wrench is required for proper fastener tightening.
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 necessary to do "fit work." Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting Blue Ox Technical Service Department at (402) 385-3051. The installation involves significant disassembly, drilling, cutting, and frame modifications that require specialized knowledge and tools.
The following components must be removed and reinstalled: upper grille, front fascia, styrofoam bumper, metal bumper, temperature sensor, horn brackets (both sides), windshield washer fluid reservoir (passenger side), and ground wires (driver side). The manual notes that some drilling and trimming is required. All removed items should be placed on a flat, sturdy surface and will be reinstalled unless otherwise noted after baseplate installation.
Yes, extensive drilling is required. You must drill a 3/8" hole on each side of the vehicle through the frame for baseplate mounting bolts, a 1/2" hole for the temperature sensor, a 1/4" hole on the driver side frame edge for ground wire attachment, and a 1-1/4" hole saw hole in the metal bumper for access to the frame end (or enlarge existing holes). The manual also requires use of a reciprocating saw to cut the frame face back to the frame rail and vertically flush with the side of the frame rail.
Trimming and cutting required includes: (1) removing the glued styrofoam bumper by prying gently, (2) using a reciprocating saw to cut the frame face back to the frame rail and vertically flush with the side of the frame rail on both sides, (3) temporarily reinstalling the metal bumper, marking the back side along the frame cutout, removing it, and cutting out marked areas with a reciprocating saw, (4) trimming plastic shrouding off just below the bumper on both sides, (5) trimming the lower lip of the bumper flush with the bumper back approximately 4" from the end for baseplate clearance on both sides, and (6) trimming the fascia around the convenience links and attachment tabs during reinstallation. Paint cut edges of frame to prevent rusting.
Yes. On the passenger side, you must enlarge the hole on the front of the metal bumper just forward of the center of the frame end using a reciprocating saw or 1-1/4" hole saw. If there are no existing holes in the bumper, drill a hole 3-1/2" from the end and 1-1/2" from the top of the bumper on each end. This allows access to the inside of the frame end to insert the nut plates for baseplate installation.
The manual provides general torque charts for Grade 5 and Grade 8 inch bolts, and Grade 8.8 and Grade 10.9 metric bolts. For example: 3/8" Grade 5 bolts = 33 ft-lbs, 3/8" Grade 8 bolts = 47 ft-lbs, 6MM Grade 8.8 bolts = 6 ft-lbs, 10MM Grade 8.8 bolts = 31 ft-lbs. However, the manual does not specify exact torque values for the 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" baseplate mounting bolts, 1/4"-20 x 1" ground wire bolt, or 6MM washer reservoir bolt. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads and tighten according to the torque chart provided unless specified otherwise. Contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 for specific torque values not listed.
The BX3838 attachment tabs are 14 inches in height and 20 inches in width.
The BX8869 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended for the 2016-18 VW Jetta. The manual instructs to drill a hole according to the tail light wiring kit instructions. While recommended, the manual does not explicitly state whether it is required or optional. Contact your Blue Ox Dealer or Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051 for clarification on whether this kit is necessary for your specific installation.
After removing the temperature sensor (white arrow) during disassembly, drill a 1/2" hole in the baseplate as shown in the manual and insert the temperature sensor into that hole. Ensure the electrical connection is plugged in and the sensor is functioning properly before reinstalling the fascia.
On the driver side, remove the two nuts holding the ground wires using a 10MM socket and move them out of the way. Cut the studs flush with the frame rail. After baseplate installation, drill a 1/4" hole in the edge of the frame on the driver side. Attach all ground wires together with a 1/4"-20 x 1" bolt and 1/4"-20 lock nut. Use Loctite Red on the bolt threads.
After baseplate installation, flatten the horn bracket tabs on the passenger side only. Reinstall both horn brackets and plug in the electrical connections. The horn brackets are removed using a 13MM socket during disassembly.
On the passenger side, put the washer reservoir in place on the back two studs and loosely reinstall the two hex nuts using a 10MM socket. Use the 6MM hex bolt provided on the front hole with flat washers as spacers to prevent webbing from rubbing a hole in the reservoir tank. Tighten the back nuts and reconnect all electrical and fluid lines to the reservoir. Use Loctite Red on the 6MM bolt threads.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Exceeding this weight will void the manufacturer's warranty. You must reference your vehicle owner's manual for manufacturer's towing specifications before towing. Do not exceed the GVWR under any circumstances.
If the baseplate is involved in an accident, it must be replaced. Do NOT use it 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. Contact your Blue Ox Dealer for replacement.
Yes. Two class III safety cables are included with the baseplate kit. Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame using the provided quicklinks. The cables prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose in the event the connection between the frame and baseplate fails. The cables must not rub against any hoses or moving parts. These 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.
Attach the permanent baseplate safety cables to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. The manual shows recommended installation of the cables to the frame of the vehicle. Be sure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Additional options may interfere with suggested mounting; in that case, secure the cables to a solid piece of the frame. Do not mount the permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines. 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.
Before reinstalling the fascia, ensure that ALL electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly. This includes the temperature sensor, horn brackets, and washer reservoir. Verify that all bolts are tightened to the appropriate torque specifications using Loctite Red. Only after confirming all electrical connections and fasteners are secure should you reinstall the styrofoam bumper and fascia.
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. Be sure to use Loctite Red on all bolts and tighten to the recommended specifications. Ensure that your product is registered online at www.blueox.com so you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls. It is also the owner's responsibility to hook up all towing equipment per manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Use Loctite Red on all bolts and tighten to the recommended specifications. Paint any cut edges of the frame to prevent rusting. The attachment tabs should be removed when not in use if applicable. Register your product online at www.blueox.com to receive alerts about maintenance and safety bulletins. Blue Ox offers service at rallies and at their factory for a nominal fee to service your towing system and ensure it is in proper working condition.
No. Use only genuine factory replacement parts on your baseplate. Do NOT substitute homemade or non-typical parts. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (in most cases Grade 5). Replacement parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor. Failing to use genuine parts will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Blue Ox offers a three-year limited warranty to the original retail purchaser. The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. Warranty coverage is valid only if the customer warranty card is returned within 30 days of purchase and a copy of the original invoice accompanies any claim. The warranty is non-transferable and does not cover incorrect or improper installation, improper use, modification, neglect, failure to maintain, misuse, accident, normal wear and tear, paint, or rust. The warranty is voided if the baseplate is used for towing behind a non-motorized vehicle or if the vehicle's GVWR is exceeded. Register your warranty at http://blueox.com/warranty/.
Yes, the BX3838 is designed for 2016-18 VW Jetta vehicles. However, if the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 before installation, as dimensional variations between vehicles can be considerable.
Essential tools include: reciprocating saw, drill with 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" bits and 1-1/4" hole saw, torque wrench, T25 and T30 Torx, 10MM/13MM/16MM sockets, 7/16" socket and wrench, tape measure, vise grip, utility knife, and Loctite Red. Professional installation by a Blue Ox Dealer is recommended.
Yes. Installation requires drilling multiple holes (3/8" for baseplate mounting, 1/2" for temperature sensor, 1/4" for ground wires, and 1-1/4" in the bumper), using a reciprocating saw to cut the frame face and bumper, and trimming plastic shrouding and bumper lips. Paint all cut frame edges to prevent rusting.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Exceeding this weight voids the warranty. Reference your vehicle owner's manual for manufacturer's towing specifications before towing.
Yes. Two class III safety cables and quicklinks are included. They must be attached to the baseplate and frame to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose. Cables must not rub against hoses or moving parts and are in addition to, not a replacement for, legally required safety cables.
The BX8869 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended for the 2016-18 VW Jetta. Contact your Blue Ox Dealer for confirmation on whether it is required for your specific installation.
Before each towing trip, inspect for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all electrical connections are plugged in and functioning. Verify all bolts are tightened to torque specifications using Loctite Red. Register your product at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for loose bolts. If bolts are found loose, tighten them to the appropriate torque specifications using the torque chart provided in the manual. Always use Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening. If bolts continue to loosen, the baseplate may have been improperly installed or damaged. Contact your Blue Ox Dealer or Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051 for assistance.
Before reinstalling the fascia, ensure that ALL electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly. Check that the temperature sensor, horn brackets, and washer reservoir are all properly connected. If accessories are not functioning, verify all connectors are fully seated and plugged in. If problems persist, contact your Blue Ox Dealer or Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051.
Reposition the safety cables so they do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. The manual shows recommended installation options for attaching cables to the frame. If the suggested mounting interferes with other components, secure the cables to a solid piece of the frame as described in the General Information sheet. Do not mount the permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines, as this could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts over time.
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