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Blue Ox
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2023 - 2026 Ford Escape
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Custom-Designed Fit: Each Blue Ox BX2697 Tow Bar Bracket is specifically engineered for each vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and maximum towing efficiency.
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX2697 Tow Bar Bracket is expertly designed to make your vehicle towing experience as smooth and efficient as possible. This powerful tow bar bracket is specifically engineered to fit your vehicle with precision, ensuring a secure and safe towing process. It comes with a robust powder-coat finish that offers outstanding resistance to rust and corrosion, enhancing the bracket's durability. This model is a bolt-on type, making installation easy, and all necessary mounting hardware is included. With the Blue Ox BX2697 Tow Bar Bracket, you get a reliable and lasting solution for your towing needs.
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
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 2026 | Ford Escape | Vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control & Shutters, Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs, Install Rating 4, Bumper and/or fascia must be removed and replaced during installation, Requires Some Trimming of Fascia/Bumper/Plastic/And/Or Grille, Requires some drilling (not major), Requires some trimming of the air dam, Baseplate has non: 24” spaced attachment tabs. This requires either a motorhome mounted tow bar or an adapter to utilize a car mounted tow bar. Tow bar adapters are not to be used with vehicles weighing over 5000 lbs. |
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRID PHEV (Part #FDRWBX2697) fits the following vehicles: 2023-2026 Ford Escape. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRID PHEV (Part #FDRWBX2697) is designed to fit the 2023-2026 Ford Escape.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRID PHEV (Part #FDRWBX2697) fits 2023-2026 Ford Escape models. The 2026 model year is the last year covered by this part number. For newer models, check for an updated version.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD ESCAPE HYBRID PHEV (Part #FDRWBX2697) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
The BX2697 is a towing baseplate manufactured by Blue Ox for the 2023–2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-In, including models with Adaptive Cruise Control and shutters. It is designed to attach to the vehicle's frame to enable towing. The attachment tab height is 15 inches and width is 21.25 inches.
Yes. The BX2697 is designed for 2023–2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-In vehicles that include Adaptive Cruise Control and shutters. The installation instructions include specific steps to remove, reposition, and reinstall the Adaptive Cruise Control sensor during baseplate installation.
Required tools include: large vise grips, flat screwdriver, torque wrench, reciprocating saw, drill, Loctite Red, 1/4" drill bit, 1/2" drill bit, T25 Torx, T30 Torx, 7MM socket, 8MM socket, 11MM socket, 13MM socket, 14MM socket, 15MM socket, 3/4" socket, 3/4" wrench, 1-1/4" hole saw, and a 5/8" drill bit (mentioned in step 33). A 3/8" drill bit is also required (step 26).
The kit includes: two baseplate assemblies (driver and passenger side, part numbers 61-8646 and 61-8647), two attachment tab assemblies (62-3469), one electrical bracket 90° bend (101-10930), one nut plate with 2 holes (61-8344), three whiz nuts with 10" wire (61-4029), various hex head bolts in 1/2", 1/4", and 3/8" sizes, hex nuts, nylon lock nuts, flat washers, lock washers, round slotted head screws, two Class III safety cables (226-0046), two 3/8" quicklinks (229-0359), and two black cap plug receivers (290-0437). Four existing 8MM bolts and washers from the vehicle are also reused.
The BX8848 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle. The installation instructions note that the tail light housing must be removed and the wiring kit installed per the manufacturer's instructions before reinstalling the tail light housing.
Yes. A charge line from the RV to the car's battery is needed for this vehicle to prevent draining the car battery while towing. This is a specific requirement for the 2023–2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-In.
Yes. 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 Customer Care at (402) 385-3051.
The first step is to remove the bolt cover from the tail light housing on both sides of the vehicle. Then remove the three push pins from along the edge of the rear wheel well on both sides. This begins the tail light housing removal process, which is necessary to access and install the tail light wiring kit before baseplate installation.
Remove the fascia in this order: (1) Using a 10MM socket, remove four bolts from the top edge of the fascia (two on each side) and unclip two push pins (one on each side). (2) Remove eight push pins from along the edge of the wheel well on both sides. (3) Pull back the wheel well trim and hold with a soft cloth on both sides. (4) Pull back the wheel well liner and remove two bolts from the fascia joint on both sides using a 10MM socket. (5) Using a T30 Torx, remove ten bolts from the bottom of the fascia. (6) Using a 7MM socket, remove four bolts from the underside of the fascia. (7) Disconnect one electrical connection on the passenger side. (8) Remove and set aside the fascia for later reinstallation.
Yes. Drilling is required. The installation includes drilling a 1/2" hole in the frame on the passenger side (step 19), a 3/8" hole in the frame on the driver side (step 26), reaming a 1/2" hole in the frame on the driver side (step 26), and drilling a 1-1/4" hole on both sides of the vehicle (step 29). Additionally, two 1/4" holes are drilled in the fascia for the electrical bracket (step 33), and one 5/8" hole is drilled in the fascia to feed tail light electrical wires (step 33).
Yes. A reciprocating saw is used to shave ribs on both sides of the vehicle to allow clearance for the baseplate. On the passenger side, ribs are shaved flush with the shutter housing (step 15). On the driver side, the rib is shaved flush with the shutter housing (step 16). Additionally, using large vise grips, a frame piece on the driver side is bent back to create an access hole for the nut plate (step 27).
Yes. Use a good quality paint to spray cut edges of frame to prevent rusting. This is a required maintenance step to protect the frame from corrosion after drilling and trimming.
The manual provides a comprehensive torque chart for metric and inch bolts. For Grade 5 bolts: 1/4" = 10 ft-lbs, 5/16" = 19 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 33 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 78 ft-lbs. For Grade 8 bolts: 1/4" = 14 ft-lbs, 5/16" = 29 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 47 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 119 ft-lbs. For metric Grade 8.8 bolts: 8MM = 16 ft-lbs, 10MM = 31 ft-lbs, 12MM = 54 ft-lbs. For metric Grade 10.9 bolts: 8MM = 22 ft-lbs, 10MM = 40 ft-lbs, 12MM = 70 ft-lbs. One specific torque value is given: the two 1/2" bolts with washers and wire nuts in step 30 must be torqued to 50 ft-lbs. Loctite Red must be used on all bolt threads before tightening.
The two 1/2" bolts with washers and wire nuts installed in step 30 must be torqued to 50 ft-lbs. Loctite Red must be used on all bolt threads before tightening.
The attachment tab height is 15 inches and the attachment tab width is 21.25 inches.
Electrical work includes: (1) removing and reinstalling the tail light housing on both sides and installing the BX8848 Tail Light Wiring Kit per manufacturer's instructions (steps 1–5); (2) disconnecting one electrical connection on the passenger side during fascia removal (step 7); (3) removing and repositioning the Adaptive Cruise Control sensor bracket without unplugging the sensor (step 13); (4) installing an electrical bracket on the bottom of the fascia with two 1/4" bolts (step 33); (5) drilling a 5/8" hole in the fascia to feed tail light electrical wires through (step 33); (6) reconnecting all electrical connections when reinstalling the fascia (step 37). The manual notes that all electrical connections must be plugged in and accessories functioning properly before reinstalling the fascia.
No. The Adaptive Cruise Control sensor must not be unplugged during installation. Step 13 instructs to remove the four bolts attaching the Adaptive Cruise Control to the vehicle and let it hang out of the way for baseplate installation, but explicitly states "DO NOT unplug sensor."
Remove the white tag from the breakaway switch so it does not interfere with any of the vehicle sensors. This is noted in step 32 as part of the optional breakaway installation.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Exceeding this weight will void the manufacturer's warranty. You should reference your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's towing specifications.
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.
The permanent baseplate safety cables must be attached from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame using the provided convenience link tabs and quicklinks. The cables must not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Installation should be done on both sides of the vehicle. The manual provides two recommended options: Option 1 uses convenience link tabs on the baseplate, and Option 2 is for baseplates without convenience link tabs. The cables must have adequate weight rating and are to be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
When using a reciprocating saw, be aware of objects behind the cutting surface. This is important when shaving the ribs on both sides of the vehicle (steps 15–16) to allow clearance for the baseplate.
When using power drills, be aware of the dangers of torque and drill bit length. This applies to all drilling operations required during BX2697 installation, including drilling holes in the frame and fascia.
After installation, ensure that: (1) all electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly before reinstalling the fascia (step 37); (2) the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts (step 34); (3) if the black box touches the baseplate bolt head on the driver side, bend the back plate slightly to create clearance (step 35); (4) there is adequate clearance between the baseplate and the fascia during reinstallation (step 37); (5) all bolts are tightened to the appropriate torque specifications using Loctite Red on all bolt threads.
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. The attachment tabs should be removed when not in use. Additionally, register your product online at www.blueox.com to be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls.
Yes. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use.
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. The warranty card must be returned within 30 days of purchase, and a copy of the original invoice showing date and place of purchase must accompany any warranty claim. The warranty does not cover incorrect or improper installation, improper use, modification or neglect, failure to properly service and maintain, misuse, accident, normal wear and tear, paint or rust. The warranty is non-transferable. Register your warranty at http://blueox.com/warranty/.
Yes, the BX2697 is designed for 2023–2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-In vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control and shutters. If the front of your vehicle looks different, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051.
The BX8848 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended. A charge line from the RV to the car's battery is also needed to prevent battery drain while towing. All other hardware is included in the kit.
Yes. Installation requires drilling multiple holes in the frame (1/2", 3/8", and 1-1/4" holes) and fascia (two 1/4" holes and one 5/8" hole). A reciprocating saw is also needed to trim ribs on both sides of the vehicle for clearance.
Required tools include: torque wrench, reciprocating saw, drill, large vise grips, Loctite Red, sockets (7MM, 8MM, 10MM, 11MM, 13MM, 14MM, 15MM, 3/4"), drill bits (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8"), 1-1/4" hole saw, Torx drivers (T25, T30), flat screwdriver, 3/4" wrench, and paint for cut edges.
Use the torque chart provided: Grade 5 bolts—1/4" = 10 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 33 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 78 ft-lbs. Grade 8 bolts—1/4" = 14 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 47 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 119 ft-lbs. The two 1/2" bolts in step 30 must be torqued to 50 ft-lbs. Always use Loctite Red on all bolt threads.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR. Exceeding this weight voids the warranty. Check your vehicle owner's manual for towing specifications.
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.
No. The sensor must remain plugged in. Remove the four bolts and let it hang out of the way, but do not disconnect it.
Verify all electrical connections are plugged in and functioning, safety cables do not rub hoses or moving parts, all bolts are torqued correctly with Loctite Red, and there is adequate clearance between the baseplate and fascia.
If the black box touches the baseplate bolt head, bend the back plate slightly to create clearance. This is noted in step 35 as an optional adjustment during the final assembly phase.
Yes. The manual notes that after baseplate installation is complete and during reinstallation of the fascia, there may be limited clearance between the baseplate and the fascia. This is expected due to dimensional variations between vehicles. Proceed carefully during fascia reinstallation to avoid damage.
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