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Blue Ox
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2008 - 2009 Saturn Astra
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Custom Design: Each Blue Ox base plate is specifically designed for each towed 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
Introducing the Blue Ox BX3333 Tow Bar Bracket, a robust and reliable solution for your towing needs. Engineered from high-strength steel, this custom designed base plate offers unmatched durability and performance. It features a bold black finish, enhanced by a protective powder coat to resist corrosion and increase longevity. This user-friendly bracket is easy to bolt on, and includes all the necessary hardware for a hassle-free, do-it-yourself installation. No matter what vehicle you're towing, trust in the quality and convenience of the Blue Ox BX3333 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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1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 - 2009 | Saturn Astra | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 4 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 |
The BX3333 is a baseplate designed specifically for 2008-09 Saturn Astra vehicles. It is a welded mounting assembly that attaches to the vehicle's frame to enable towing with a motorhome tow bar. The baseplate includes end plates, a cross member, attachment tabs, safety cables, and all necessary hardware for installation.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended for use with the BX3333. The RangeFinderII, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used with this baseplate. The Acclaim tow bar may be used, but it will not fold and store on the front of the vehicle. Adapters cannot be used except for the BX8833 and BX88151.
The manual states that dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable. While the baseplate was designed for easy installation, it may be necessary to tailor the baseplate slightly to compensate for auto manufacturer's tolerances. These minor adjustments may include filing a hole slightly, bending electrical rods, or bending end plates. If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051.
Required tools are: 10MM socket, 13MM socket, 9/16" socket, 9/16" wrench, 13/32" drill bit, T20 Torx, T25 Torx, reciprocating saw, flat screwdriver, hack saw blade, and Loctite RED. When using power drills, be aware of the dangers of torque and drill bit length.
The kit includes: baseplate assembly (61-6513), two end plates (61-6514 driver side, 61-6516 passenger side), nut plate (61-5208), four 3/8-16 x 1 1/4" Grade 5 hex head bolts, one 3/8-16 x 2" Grade 5 hex bolt, nine 3/8" lock washers, four 3/8-16 hex nuts, four 1/2-13 x 1 1/4" Grade 5 hex bolts, four 1/2" lock washers, two 8MM-1.25 x 35MM Grade 8.8 hex bolts, three 3/8" flat washers, two 8MM-1.25 hex nuts, two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, two #10-32 x 1/2" slot round head screws, two #10 lock washers, two #10-32 hex nuts, two 4-way connectors, two removable attachment tab assemblies, two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables, two 3/8" quicklinks, and two receiver cap plugs.
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for the 2008-09 Saturn Astra but is not listed in the parts kit. It must be ordered separately. The manual shows a possible location for installation of this kit on the vehicle.
Blue Ox towing products are intended to be installed by Blue Ox Dealers who are familiar with the products and have the equipment necessary and knowledge 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 installation involves drilling, cutting, welding, and precise torque specifications, which require professional expertise.
The front fascia, washer reservoir, and radiator support bracket are removed during installation. The fascia and washer reservoir are reinstalled after baseplate installation. Two screws from the wheel well cover on each side and three metric bolts from the top of the fascia are also removed and reinstalled.
Yes, drilling is required. The manual specifies using a 13/32" drill bit to drill two additional holes on the driver's side (step 17) and three holes on the passenger side (step 19) using the baseplate as a template. When using power drills, be aware of the dangers of torque and drill bit length.
Trimming of the frame and fascia is required. Specific cuts include: (1) on the driver's side, cut off a tab then over 1 1/2" and straight down; (2) on the passenger side, cut around the ridge to the top then straight out; (3) on the driver's side, cut the radiator support bracket off (being careful not to cut the radiator); (4) on the passenger side, trim the plastic after removing a bolt with a T25 Torx; (5) cut straight across under the horn on both sides, making sure to be level; (6) on both sides, use a hack saw blade to cut out the fascia middle horizontal rib to the outside of the sensor. After cutting, spray cut edges of frame with quality paint to prevent rusting.
Yes, the modifications are permanent. The frame and fascia trimming, cutting of the radiator support bracket, and removal of the fascia middle horizontal rib cannot be reversed. The manual notes that while the baseplate was designed for easy installation, it may be necessary to tailor the baseplate slightly to compensate for auto manufacturer's tolerances, including filing holes, bending electrical rods, or bending end plates.
Torque specifications depend on bolt grade and size. 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. 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. For metric Grade 8.8 bolts: 6MM = 6 ft-lbs, 8MM = 16 ft-lbs, 10MM = 31 ft-lbs, 12MM = 54 ft-lbs, 14MM = 89 ft-lbs. For metric Grade 10.9 bolts: 6MM = 8 ft-lbs, 8MM = 22 ft-lbs, 10MM = 40 ft-lbs, 12MM = 70 ft-lbs, 14MM = 117 ft-lbs. All bolts must be treated with Loctite RED before tightening.
The attachment tab height is 15 3/4" and the attachment tab width is 18".
A 13/32" drill bit is used to drill the additional holes on both the driver's side (two holes, step 17) and passenger side (three holes, step 19) using the baseplate as a template.
On the passenger side, the master connector located up behind the front tire must be unplugged before removing the fascia (step 4). The washer reservoir has an electrical connection that must be unplugged (step 8). Two 4-way connectors (part 101-5822) are included in the kit. All electrical connections must be plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia. The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. Two 36" Class III cables are included. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. Cables must be attached to the convenience link on the baseplate and secured to a solid piece of the frame. Do not mount cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines. Cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed. They 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.
Before installing the fascia, ensure that all electrical connections are plugged in properly and functioning. Verify that the baseplate is level with the vehicle. Check that permanent baseplate safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Ensure that the baseplate is not against any wires, hoses, or brake lines. Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts.
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 a bolt is lost or in need of 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, or by calling Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051. Do not substitute homemade or non-typical parts. Failing to use the correct replacement bolt will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Failing to follow and/or altering these installation instructions in either installation or required equipment will void the manufacturer's warranty. Towing behind a non-motorized vehicle will also void the warranty. Additionally, 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.
Blue Ox Customer Care can be reached at (402) 385-3051 or toll-free at (888) 425-5382. Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com. Blue Ox is committed to providing exceptional customer care throughout your lifetime with their products. Service technicians are available at rallies for a nominal fee to service your towing system. If you visit the Blue Ox factory in Pender, Nebraska, you can stay at their full-service Blue Ox campground at no charge and enjoy a factory tour.
Yes, the BX3333 is designed specifically for 2008-09 Saturn Astra vehicles. Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended. RangeFinderII, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used.
Required tools: 10MM and 13MM sockets, 9/16" socket and wrench, 13/32" drill bit, T20 and T25 Torx, reciprocating saw, flat screwdriver, hack saw blade, and Loctite RED.
Yes. Drilling with a 13/32" drill bit is required on both the driver's side (two holes) and passenger side (three holes). Trimming of the frame and fascia is also required.
Blue Ox recommends professional installation by Blue Ox Dealers who have the equipment and knowledge for fit work. Contact (402) 385-3051 to find a dealer. The installation involves drilling, cutting, welding, and precise torque specifications.
3/8" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 33 foot-pounds. All bolts must be treated with Loctite RED before tightening.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended. Two 36" Class III cables are included. They must be connected from the baseplate to the vehicle's frame rail or cross member and are used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, legally required safety cables.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all electrical connections are functioning. Verify safety cables do not rub against hoses or moving parts.
If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, call Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051. Dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable, and the baseplate may need to be tailored slightly to compensate for auto manufacturer's tolerances. These minor adjustments may include filing a hole slightly, bending electrical rods, or bending end plates.
During step 18, loosely bolt the baseplate cross member piece to the end plates with 1/2" x 1 1/4" hex bolts and 1/2" lock washers. Be sure it is level with the vehicle and clamp to the passenger's side before proceeding with drilling and final tightening on the passenger side (step 19).
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