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Blue Ox
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2008 - 2010 Honda Odyssey
Confirmed to Fit
2009 - 2015 Honda Pilot
Confirmed to Fit
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1. Custom Designed: Each Blue Ox BX2251 Tow Bar Bracket is tailored for a specific vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX2251 Tow Bar Bracket is an essential accessory for any towing vehicle. Expertly custom-designed, this base plate offers a perfect fit for your specific vehicle. Made from durable steel and finished with a resilient black powder coat, it promises to withstand the harshest of conditions. The bracket is designed for a bolt-on mounting, ensuring a secure and sturdy connection for your tow bar. With all the necessary mounting hardware included, you can easily install this yourself, backed by comprehensive instructions provided. Elevate your towing experience with the strength and reliability of the Blue Ox BX2251 Tow Bar Bracket.
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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2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 - 2010 | Honda Odyssey | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Minor Drilling Required Headlights Must be Removed and Replaced During Installation 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 |
| 2009 - 2015 | Honda Pilot | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Minor Drilling Required Headlights Must be Removed and Replaced During Installation 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 |
The BX2251 baseplate is designed for 2008-10 Honda Odyssey and 2009-15 Honda Pilot models. If your vehicle's front end looks different from the images in the manual, contact Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding with installation.
The BX2251 attachment tab height is 14-1/2" and the width is 18".
Required tools include: large vise grip, flat screwdriver, utility knife, Phillips screwdriver, torque wrench, drill, reciprocating saw, tape measure, 13/32" drill bit, 10MM socket, 12MM socket, 12MM wrench, 9/16" socket, and 9/16" wrench. You will also need Loctite Red.
The kit includes: 1 BX2251 baseplate, 6 nutplates with 14" wire, 4 3/8"-16 x 1" Grade 5 bolts, 6 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" Grade 5 bolts, 10 3/8" lock washers, 8 3/8"-16 hex nuts, 4 8MM-1.25 x 30MM Grade 8.8 bolts, 4 8MM lock washers, 4 3/8" flat washers, 2 1/4"-20 x 3/4" Grade 5 bolts, 2 1/4"-20 hex flange lock nuts, 2 #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, 2 #10-32 1/2" round slotted head screws, 2 #10 lock washers, 2 #10-32 hex nuts, 2 4-way connector adapters, 2 attachment tab assemblies, 2 Class III safety cables, 2 3/8" quicklinks, and 2 black cap plug receivers.
Blue Ox recommends that baseplates 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 fascia cover, fascia, and headlights are removed and reinstalled after baseplate installation. The bumper is removed and not reinstalled. The temperature sensor is removed from the top of the bumper and reattached to a bracket on the baseplate. The air baffle on the driver side and washer reservoir on the passenger side are also removed and reinstalled.
Yes, drilling is required. You will drill holes using a 13/32" drill bit to mount the baseplate to the frame on both sides of the vehicle. Some existing holes in the frame are used, but additional holes must be drilled. Drilling occurs in two stages: first to install 8MM bolts in existing frame holes, then to drill remaining holes for 3/8"-16 bolts.
Yes, significant trimming and cutting is required. You must use a reciprocating saw to cut slits in the frame webbing on both sides, cut slits in the radiator support lip on both sides, and trim the outer ribs of the lower part of the fascia on both sides. Be aware not to cut into coolant lines, radiator, or electrical wiring.
Yes. Use a good quality paint to spray cut edges of the frame to prevent rusting.
For Grade 5 bolts: 1/4" = 10 ft-lbs, 5/16" = 19 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 33 ft-lbs, 7/16" = 54 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 78 ft-lbs, 5/8" = 154 ft-lbs, 3/4" = 257 ft-lbs.
For Grade 8 bolts: 1/4" = 14 ft-lbs, 5/16" = 29 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 47 ft-lbs, 7/16" = 78 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 119 ft-lbs, 5/8" = 230 ft-lbs, 3/4" = 380 ft-lbs.
For Grade 8.8 metric bolts: 6MM = 6 ft-lbs, 8MM = 16 ft-lbs, 10MM = 31 ft-lbs, 12MM = 54 ft-lbs, 14MM = 89 ft-lbs, 16MM = 161 ft-lbs, 18MM = 222 ft-lbs. For Grade 10.9 metric bolts: 6MM = 8 ft-lbs, 8MM = 22 ft-lbs, 10MM = 40 ft-lbs, 12MM = 70 ft-lbs, 14MM = 117 ft-lbs, 16MM = 230 ft-lbs, 18MM = 318 ft-lbs.
The BX8869 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle. If used, you will drill a hole according to the tail light wiring kit instructions.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR. Exceeding this weight will void the manufacturer's warranty. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's towing specifications.
Yes. Two Class III safety cables are included with the baseplate and must be installed. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed. 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.
The permanent baseplate safety cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The manual shows recommended installation of the cables to the frame of the vehicle. Additional options may interfere with suggested mounting; in that case, secure the cables to a solid piece of the frame. Be sure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Before reinstalling the fascia, ensure that ALL electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly. After installation, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts before each towing trip. Verify that 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 torque specifications. Register your product online at www.blueox.com to be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use if applicable.
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.
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 follow these instructions will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Yes. Use Loctite Red on all bolts before tightening. Tighten all bolts according to the torque chart provided.
The BX2251 baseplate fits 2008-10 Honda Odyssey and 2009-15 Honda Pilot models. Contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 if your vehicle's front end looks different from the manual images.
Yes, drilling with a 13/32" drill bit is required to mount the baseplate to the frame. Trimming with a reciprocating saw is also required on the frame webbing, radiator support, and fascia.
You will need a torque wrench, drill with 13/32" bit, reciprocating saw, 10MM and 12MM sockets, 9/16" socket and wrench, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, utility knife, tape measure, large vise grip, and Loctite Red.
The fascia cover, fascia, headlights, bumper (not reinstalled), temperature sensor, air baffle, and washer reservoir are removed. Most are reinstalled after baseplate installation; the bumper is not.
Tighten 3/8" Grade 5 bolts to 33 foot-pounds according to the torque chart provided in the manual.
Yes, two Class III safety cables are included and must be installed. They connect the baseplate to the vehicle's frame rail or cross member and must not rub against hoses or moving parts.
Ensure that ALL electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly before reinstalling the fascia.
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