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Blue Ox
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Original price was $699.99. Current price is $609.00.You save $90.99 (13%)
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Authorized Dealer2007 - 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
Confirmed to Fit
2006 Dodge Ram 1500
Confirmed to Fit
Always the correct part
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Always the correct part
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Quality Products
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Crafted from high-quality steel for long-lasting durability and superior strength.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX1988 Tow Bar Bracket is a high-quality and durable accessory for your towing needs. Crafted with sturdy steel, it features a sleek black powder coat finish for enhanced aesthetics and extra resistance to corrosion. This bracket is custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and seamless integration every time. The bracket comes with all the necessary hardware and clear, comprehensive instructions for hassle-free, do-it-yourself installation. Its bolt-on mounting type further simplifies the installation process, making it a truly user-friendly product.
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
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Yes, the BX1988 baseplate fits 2006-07 Dodge Ram 1500 models with 2WD or 4WD, including Sport models, provided the vehicle does not have a Mega Cab. The baseplate is not compatible with Mega Cab versions.
Yes, the BX1988 baseplate fits 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad St/Slt models. Confirm your specific trim level matches these designations.
No. The manual states that tow bar adapters are not to be used with vehicles weighing over 5,000 lbs. The 2006-07 and 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 weight is near the Class III 5,000 lb rating limit, and some models depending on options may exceed this. For vehicles over 5,000 lbs, you must use a 10,000 lb rated Aventa II or Aventa LX tow bar instead.
The attachment tab height is 24 inches and the attachment tab width is 18.5 inches.
The required tools are: 10MM socket, 18MM socket, 3/4" socket, T-30 Torx socket, large vise grips, flat screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, 17/32" drill bit, and Loctite Red.
The kit includes: 1 baseplate weldment (61-6663), 10 1/2-13 whiz nuts with 10" wire (61-4029), 10 1/2-13 x 1.5" Grade 5 hex bolts (201-0051), 10 1/2" lock washers (203-0012), 2 1/4-20 x 1/2" hex washer type F screws (201-0553), 2 10-32 x 1/2" slotted round head screws (201-0192), 2 #10 lock washers (203-0054), 2 #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), 2 4-way connector adapters (101-5822), 2 removable attachment tab assemblies (62-3469), 2 36" Class IV baseplate safety cables (226-0049), 2 1/2" zinc-plated quicklinks (229-0512), and 2 black cap plugs (290-0437).
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.us or by contacting Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 or toll free (888) 425-5382. While professional installation is recommended, the manual does not explicitly state it is mandatory.
Yes. The metal bumper fascia is removed and reinstalled during baseplate installation. The plastic insert on the metal bumper will not be reinstalled. The metal bumper fascia is very heavy and may require two people to remove.
Yes. Drilling is required. You will drill two holes in the bottom of each frame rail (four holes total) and three additional holes on each side (six holes total) using a 17/32" drill bit. The baseplate is used as a template for drilling.
The installation sequence is: (1) For 2008 models only, remove three Torx head bolts from the wheel well just forward of the front tire on both sides; (2) Remove two Phillips head pushpins from the plastic insert on the front of the metal bumper on both sides; (3) On the driver's side, unplug the electrical connection and remove the clip from the bumper brace; (4) Remove four metric hex nuts from the back side of the bumper brace on both sides and carefully remove the metal bumper fascia; (5) Place the baseplate between the frame rails and clamp in place, then drill two holes in the bottom of each frame rail using the baseplate as a template; (6) Insert 1/2" whiz nuts with 10" wire into the frame openings and tighten the 1/2-13 hex bolts and lock washers; (7) Drill three remaining holes on each side and insert whiz nuts, then tighten bolts; (8) Install permanent baseplate safety cables on the frame rail and convenience link on the baseplate; (9) Reinstall the metal bumper fascia with the existing metric hex nuts.
Yes. You must use Loctite Red on all bolts before tightening them. This is stated as a requirement in the installation instructions.
The manual provides a general torque chart for Grade 5 and Grade 8 bolts. For 1/2" Grade 5 bolts, the specification is 78 foot-pounds. For 1/2" Grade 8 bolts, the specification is 119 foot-pounds. The BX1988 uses Grade 5 bolts (201-0051), so the torque specification is 78 foot-pounds. The manual also references torque specifications on page 3 of the Baseplate Towing General Instructions, which should be consulted.
The baseplate uses a 6-way round electrical connector and a 4-way round electrical connector. Two 4-way connector adapters (part 101-5822) are included in the kit. The location for the permanent electrical connector is shown on page 2 of the manual.
The manual states that the BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is available for this vehicle, but does not confirm whether it is included in the baseplate kit. Contact Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 or toll free (888) 425-5382 to confirm availability and whether it must be ordered separately.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The principle function is to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose in the event the connection between the frame and baseplate fails or becomes disconnected. Two 36" Class IV baseplate safety cables (226-0049) are included in the kit. These cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame and must not be mounted against wires, hoses or brake lines. The 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.
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. Additionally, ensure that the permanent baseplate safety cables are properly installed and not mounted against wires, hoses or brake lines, as improper installation could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts.
Yes. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use, if applicable. The baseplate comes with two removable attachment tab assemblies (part 62-3469) that can be removed for storage or when the baseplate is not being used for towing.
Yes. It is crucial to register your product online at www.blueox.com so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Confirm the towability and pre-towing procedures for your vehicle with the owner's manual or contact the vehicle's manufacturer for specific towing procedures. This is important to ensure your vehicle is properly equipped and configured for towing.
The BX1988 fits 2006-07 Dodge Ram 1500 (2/4WD, including Sport, no Mega Cab) and 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad St/Slt models only.
Yes. You will drill five holes per side (two in the frame rail bottom, three additional holes) using a 17/32" drill bit. The baseplate is used as a template.
You need: 10MM, 18MM, and 3/4" sockets; T-30 Torx socket; large vise grips; flat and Phillips screwdrivers; 17/32" drill bit; and Loctite Red.
Yes. The metal bumper fascia must be removed and reinstalled. It is very heavy and may require two people to remove.
The BX1988 uses Grade 5 1/2" bolts, which should be torqued to 78 foot-pounds. Always apply Loctite Red before tightening.
Yes. Two 36" Class IV permanent baseplate safety cables are included and strongly recommended. They must be installed from the baseplate to the vehicle frame and not mounted against wires, hoses or brake lines.
If damaged in an accident, the baseplate must be replaced and not reused. Do not use if damaged or missing parts.
2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 - 2008 | Dodge Ram 1500 | Quad ST/STL Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install 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 Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
| 2006 | Dodge Ram 1500 | Vehicles with 2WD/4WD Also Sport No Mega Cab Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install 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 Height Deviation up to 4” higher on the Towing Vehicle Allowed When Used for Utility Applications Only with an Allure Tow Bar |
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