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Blue Ox
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2011 - 2012 Mazda 3
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Custom Design: Each Blue Ox BX2526 Tow Bar Bracket is designed specifically for each towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and improved towing performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Experience towing convenience like never before with the Blue Ox BX2526 Tow Bar Bracket. Custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, this robust bracket ensures a perfect fit and enhanced towing performance. Made from high-quality steel, it promises unmatched durability and maximum strength. Its black powder coat finish not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also provides superior corrosion resistance. The bracket comes with easy-to-follow instructions and all necessary hardware for a hassle-free, do-it-yourself installation. Elevate your towing experience with the Blue Ox BX2526 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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Call 888-634-94943 Years
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 - 2012 | Mazda 3 | Hatchback | 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 |
Yes, the BX2526 is designed specifically for the 2011 Mazda 3s Hatchback. The attachment tab height is 13.75" and width is 24". However, Blue Ox recommends that installation be performed by a Blue Ox Dealer familiar with the product and equipped to perform fit work, as dimensional variations between vehicles can be considerable and minor adjustments may be necessary.
No. Due to the design of the removable tabs on the BX2526, the RangeFinder II tow bar cannot be used with this baseplate.
Most adapters cannot be used with the BX2526 baseplate. The only exceptions are the BX8833 and BX88151 adapters, which are compatible.
Blue Ox recommends that the BX2526 be installed by Blue Ox Dealers who are familiar with the product and have the equipment and knowledge necessary to perform fit work. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting the Technical Service Department at (402) 385-3051. The installation involves removal and reinstallation of multiple cosmetic parts, drilling, trimming, and electrical disconnections, which may require protective covers, rags, and specialty tools.
Required tools include: large vise grip, flat screwdriver, utility knife, drill, reciprocating saw, Phillips screwdriver, torque wrench, 1/4" drill bit, 13/32" drill bit, 8MM socket, 10MM socket, 9/16" socket, tape measure, and Loctite RED. A power drill is used, so be aware of the dangers of torque and drill bit length.
The kit includes: 10× 3/8"-16 nut plates with 14" wire (61-5208), 1× BX2526 baseplate (61-6958), 2× attachment tab assemblies with hole (62-3468), 1× breakaway/coolant bracket (102-7056), 2× 1/4"-20 × 3/4" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0050), 2× #10-32 × 1/2" round slot head screws (201-0192), 10× 3/8"-16 × 1-1/2" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0440), 2× #12-14 × 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), 2× #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), 2× 1/4"-20 hex nylon nuts (202-0102), 10× 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), 2× #10 lock washers (203-0054), 1× electrical bracket (299-0685), 2× class III safety cables (226-0046), 2× 3/8" quicklinks (229-0359), 1× 13" nylon cable tie (290-0159), and 2× black cap plug receivers (290-0437).
The fascia, bumper side plates, and horn with horn bracket must be removed during installation and reinstalled afterward. Additionally, the washer reservoir relay connection, fog lights, and temperature sensor must be disconnected and reconnected during the process. The belly pan underneath the fascia must also be pulled down.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill four holes underneath the baseplate (two on driver's side, two on passenger's side) using a 13/32" drill bit, and four holes on the side of the baseplate (two on driver's side, two on passenger's side) using a 13/32" drill bit. If installing the optional breakaway bracket, you must also drill one hole through the bottom side of the bumper using a 1/4" drill bit.
Yes, trimming is required in two places. First, the bumper side plate must be trimmed with a utility knife as shown in the instructions before reinstallation. Second, the fascia must be trimmed with a utility knife to allow the baseplate attachment tabs, convenience links, and breakaway (if applicable) to come through.
The drilling and trimming modifications are permanent. The manual notes that dimensional variations between vehicles can be considerable, and minor adjustments may include filing a hole slightly, bending electrical rods, or bending end plates to compensate for manufacturer tolerances. These modifications cannot be easily reversed.
The manual states that all bolts must be tightened according to the torque chart on the front page of the instructions or on page 3 of the Baseplate Towing General Instructions. However, the specific torque value for 3/8"-16 Grade 5 bolts is not provided in this document. Consult the referenced general instructions or contact Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051 for the exact torque specification.
The manual does not specify a torque value for the 1/4"-20 bolts used on the optional breakaway bracket. However, the torque chart on page 1 shows that 1/4" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 10 foot-pounds and 1/4" Grade 8 bolts to 14 foot-pounds. Confirm the grade of the bolts supplied and apply the appropriate torque value. Contact Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051 if clarification is needed.
The attachment tab height is 13.75" and the attachment tab width is 24".
Three electrical components must be disconnected and later reconnected: the washer reservoir relay connection (located behind the washer reservoir), the fog light on the passenger side, and the temperature sensor (located in front of the radiator, directly under the metal bumper). The temperature sensor is relocated to the top of the baseplate using a nylon cable tie.
The BX8848 4-Diode Wiring Kit is recommended for the 2011 Mazda 3s Hatchback with the BX2526 baseplate, but the manual does not state that it is required. Contact Blue Ox or your dealer to confirm whether this kit is necessary for your specific towing setup.
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.
No. Do not use the towed vehicle for storing luggage, equipment, etc. This may cause you to exceed the towing capacity of the tow bar, baseplate, and its accessories.
Yes. The manual states that attachment tabs should be removed when not in use (if applicable). The baseplate is shown both with and without removable tabs installed.
The permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. Their principal function is to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose in the event the connection between the frame of the towed vehicle and the baseplate fails or becomes disconnected. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. Each cable must have an adequate weight rating for the towing system; the weight rating of the two cables together will not qualify. These 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. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines. The manual shows recommended installation of the cables to the frame of the vehicle and notes that additional options may interfere with suggested mounting; in such cases, secure the cables to a solid piece of the frame. Be sure the 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. Be sure to use Loctite RED on all bolts and tighten to the recommended specifications. The manual also recommends registering your product online at www.blueox.com so you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls. Blue Ox offers factory service for a nominal fee to ensure your towing system is in proper working condition.
Before installing the fascia, ensure that all electrical connections are plugged in properly and functioning. After installation, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Verify that the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Install the tow bar and safety cables according to the instructions provided in their packages.
Yes, the BX2526 is designed specifically for the 2011 Mazda 3s Hatchback. Installation should be performed by a Blue Ox Dealer.
No. The RangeFinder II tow bar cannot be used. Most adapters are incompatible; only the BX8833 and BX88151 are compatible.
You will need a drill (with 1/4" and 13/32" bits), torque wrench, sockets (8MM, 10MM, 9/16"), screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), utility knife, reciprocating saw, vise grip, tape measure, and Loctite RED.
Yes. You must drill eight holes (four underneath and four on the side of the baseplate) using a 13/32" drill bit, and optionally one hole for the breakaway bracket using a 1/4" drill bit. You must also trim the bumper side plate and fascia with a utility knife.
The fascia, bumper side plates, and horn with horn bracket must be removed. The washer reservoir relay connection, fog lights, and temperature sensor must be disconnected.
The baseplate must be replaced. Do not use it again, as accident damage may not be visible but could cause failure or injury.
Safety cables are strongly recommended. They prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the baseplate connection fails. They must be connected to the vehicle frame and are used in addition to, not instead of, legally required safety cables.
Before each towing trip, inspect for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Use Loctite RED on all bolts and tighten to specification. Register your product at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
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