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Blue Ox
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2008 - 2010 Chrysler Town & Country
Confirmed to Fit
2008 - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
Confirmed to Fit
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High-Strength Steel Construction: Manufactured from high-quality steel, this tow bar bracket ensures maximum durability and longevity.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX1980 Tow Bar Bracket, a premium quality component specifically engineered for your towing needs. Made from high-strength steel and finished with a durable powder coat, this tow bar bracket is designed to resist rust and corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance. With its custom design, the Blue Ox BX1980 offers a perfect, secure fit for your specific towed vehicle. The bracket is easy to install with the included mounting hardware and clear step-by-step instructions. Upgrade your towing experience with the Black Blue Ox BX1980 Tow Bar Bracket for superior 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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Call 888-634-94943 Years
2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 - 2010 | Chrysler Town & Country | 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 |
| 2008 - 2010 | Dodge Grand Caravan | 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 |
Yes, the BX1980 is designed specifically for 2008-2010 Chrysler Town & Country and 2008-2010 Dodge Caravan vehicles. 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.
No. Due to the design of the removable tabs on the BX1980, the RangeFinderII and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used with this baseplate. Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended instead.
Most adapters cannot be used with the BX1980 baseplate. The only compatible adapters are the BX8833 and BX88151. All other adapters are incompatible.
The following tools are required: 10MM socket, 9/16" socket, T20 Torx, reciprocating saw, flat screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, utility knife, tape measure, and 13/32" drill bit. Loctite RED is also required for all bolts.
The kit includes: 1 baseplate (61-6465), 12 3/8-16 x 1 1/4" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0368), 12 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), 12 3/8-16 hex nuts (202-0003), 2 #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), 2 #10-32 x 1/2" round head screws (201-0192), 2 #10 lock washers (203-0054), 2 #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), 2 4-way connectors (101-5822), 2 attachment tab assemblies (62-3468), 2 36" Class III baseplate safety cables (226-0046), 2 receiver cap plugs (290-0437), and 2 3/8" quicklinks (229-0359).
No, the BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is not included. It is recommended for this vehicle but must be ordered separately.
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. If you need a dealer, visit www.blueox.com or contact Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051.
Yes. The fascia must be removed during installation and reinstalled after the baseplate is mounted. The installation notes specifically state that fascia removal and reinstallation are required.
Yes, drilling is required. The installation notes explicitly state that drilling is required. You will drill six holes using a 13/32" drill bit using the baseplate as a template.
Yes, trimming of the fascia is required. The installation notes state that fascia trimming is required. During installation, you will use a utility knife to cut the loose plastic along the bumper and make additional cuts to accommodate the baseplate tabs.
The plastic shield requires several cuts: (1) cut out as needed for the baseplate tabs using a utility knife, (2) cut 3" straight down on each corner of the plastic shield, and (3) cut off the six tabs on the back side of the plastic shield.
No. The air temperature control will not fit back into the original hole. During installation, you must hold it up and drill another hole to accommodate it.
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 on page 1 shows 3/8" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 33 foot-pounds. However, the manual also references a separate torque specification on page 3 of the baseplate towing general instructions, which is not provided in this document. Confirm the correct torque value with your installer or contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051.
The attachment tab height is 13" and the attachment tab width is 17".
A 13/32" drill bit is required. You will drill six holes using the baseplate as a template.
The kit includes 2 four-way connectors (part 101-5822). The manual also shows illustrations of 6-way round and 4-way round electrical connectors, though it is unclear if these are included or sold separately.
Yes. The manual explicitly states: "Be sure that ALL electrical connections are plugged in properly and functioning BEFORE installing the fascia."
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The BX1980 kit includes 2 36" Class III baseplate safety cables (part 226-0046). These cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame and must remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed. The cables must not be mounted against wires, hoses or brake lines.
No. Permanent baseplate safety 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.
If the baseplate is 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.
Failure to read and follow these instructions could result in separation of the towed vehicle from the tow bar, causing property damage, loss of towed vehicle, personal injury or death.
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. Ensure that all electrical connections are plugged in properly and functioning. Verify that the permanent baseplate safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts.
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/or recalls.
Yes. The manual states: "Remove the attachment tabs when not in use (if applicable)."
If a bolt is lost or needs 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. Do NOT substitute homemade or non-typical parts. Failing to use the correct replacement bolt will void the manufacturer's warranty.
If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding with installation.
Contact Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051 or visit www.blueox.com. You can also call 1-800-385-3051 to speak with the customer care team. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting the Technical Service Department.
Yes, the BX1980 is designed for 2008-2010 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan. Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended; RangeFinderII and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used.
Yes. You will drill six 13/32" holes using the baseplate as a template. Fascia trimming with a utility knife is also required.
You need: 10MM socket, 9/16" socket, T20 Torx, reciprocating saw, flat screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, utility knife, tape measure, 13/32" drill bit, and Loctite RED.
Yes, two 36" Class III safety cables are included. They must be connected from the baseplate to the vehicle frame and are required in addition to legally required safety cables.
Yes. Blue Ox recommends installation by Blue Ox Dealers who have the equipment and knowledge for fit work. Find a dealer at www.blueox.com or call (402) 385-3051.
Before each towing trip, inspect for cracked welds, missing parts, and loose bolts. Tighten all bolts to specification using Loctite RED. Verify electrical connections are functioning and safety cables do not rub hoses.
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