Our in-house experts typically reply within one business day.
Blue Ox
Verify Fitment
Select your vehicle to confirm this part fits.
2006 - 2008 Subaru Forester
Confirmed to Fit
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
Custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and optimized performance
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX3614 Tow Bar Bracket is a robust, reliable, and hassle-free towing solution tailored for your specific vehicle. This hard-wearing bracket, made of high-quality steel, is designed to ensure a secure and safe towing experience. It features a sleek black powder coat finish that not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also provides superior resistance against rust and corrosion. The Blue Ox BX3614 Tow Bar Bracket is easy to install with a bolt-on mounting type and includes all the necessary hardware, making it an ideal choice for do-it-yourself installations. With clear and detailed instructions included, you'll have your vehicle ready for towing in no time.
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
Call 888-634-94943 Years
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 - 2008 | Subaru Forester | 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 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 |
Yes, the BX3614 is designed specifically for 2006-08 Subaru Forester models. However, dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable, and minor adjustments may be necessary to compensate for manufacturer tolerances. These may include filing holes slightly, bending electrical rods, and/or bending end plates.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended for use with the BX3614. The RangeFinder II, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used due to the design of the removable tabs. The Acclaim tow bar may be used, but will not fold on the front of the vehicle. Adapters, except the BX8833 and BX88151, cannot be used with this baseplate.
Required tools are: 12MM socket, 13MM socket, 14MM socket, 9/16" socket, 13/32" drill bit, reciprocating saw, utility knife, vise grip, tape measure, and Loctite RED. A 12MM socket is used to remove metric bolts from the horn bracket and bumper bracket. The 14MM socket removes bolts from the metal bumper. The 13/32" drill bit is used to drill the two lower holes in the frame rail. The reciprocating saw cuts the webbing and trims the metal bumper and fascia.
The kit includes: one baseplate weldment (61-6169), six 3/8-16 nut plates with 14" wire (61-5208), four 3/8-16 whiz nuts with 14" wire (61-4902), four 3/8-16 x 1 1/4" hex bolts Grade 5 (201-0368), six 3/8-16 x 1 1/2" hex bolts Grade 5 (201-0440), ten 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), two #10-32 x 1/2" slot round head screws (201-0192), two #10 lock washers (203-0054), two #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), two 4-way connector adapters (101-5822), two attachment assemblies SF/SB right (62-3468), two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables (226-0046), two 3/8" quicklinks zinc plated (229-0359), and two black cap plugs (290-0437).
The front fascia, fog lights, horn brackets, Styrofoam bumper, and metal bumper must be removed for baseplate installation. The lower metal bumper cross bar will not be re-installed. Six push pins are removed from the top of the fascia, four push pins from underneath the front fascia (one on each side requires pulling back webbing to expose it), and one push pin from the top of each wheel well. One push pin is removed from the underside of the front fascia in the center. The fog lights are unplugged before pulling the fascia forward.
Blue Ox towing products and accessories 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.us or by contacting the Customer Care Department at (402) 385-3051. However, the manual does not explicitly state whether installation by non-dealers is prohibited.
Yes, drilling is required. Two lower holes in the frame rail must be drilled using a 13/32" drill bit. The baseplate is first clamped to the frame with a vise grip, aligning the top three holes on the endplates with existing holes in the frame rail. The two lower holes are then drilled. It may be necessary to ream the existing holes slightly to allow the bolts to clear.
A reciprocating saw is used to make two cuts on each side of the vehicle: a horizontal cut just under the lower bolt hole, approximately 1 1/8" up from the bottom of the webbing, and a vertical cut so that the webbing is flush with the frame rail. The metal bumper is trimmed 1/4" up from the bottom on both sides using a reciprocating saw. The front fascia is trimmed approximately 1" up from the bottom on each side and in the center near the tab. These modifications are permanent.
Yes, bending is required. The ribbing on the undercarriage must be flattened by bending the ribbing up and in to relieve the area for baseplate installation. This is done on both sides of the vehicle. The manual also notes that minor adjustments may include bending electrical rods and/or bending end plates to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
The manual states that all bolts must be tightened according to the torque chart on page 1 of these instructions or on page 3 of the Baseplate Towing General Instructions. Page 1 shows general Grade 5 and Grade 8 torque specifications (3/8" Grade 5 = 33 ft-lbs, Grade 8 = 47 ft-lbs), but the specific grade and torque for the 3/8-16 bolts used on the BX3614 should be confirmed in the General Instructions, as the hardware list specifies Grade 5 bolts.
The attachment tab height is 15.5" and the attachment tab width is 20".
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle. The manual does not state whether this kit is required or optional.
All electrical connections must be plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia. Specifically, the fog lights are unplugged during removal and must be plugged back in before the fascia is reinstalled.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The BX3614 kit includes two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables (part 226-0046) and two 3/8" quicklinks (part 229-0359). The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. These cables must remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed on the vehicle. They are to be used in conjunction with, and NOT a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
Do not mount the permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines. If the baseplate is improperly installed and is against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after the actual baseplate installation. It is the installer's responsibility to watch for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires and hoses, and missing parts or attaching points on the frame.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pins and clips are misplaced. Replacement pins and clips should be obtained from the tow bar manufacturer or a Blue Ox Dealer.
Before towing, ensure all electrical connections are plugged in properly and functioning. After installation, the tow bar and safety cables must be installed according to their instructions. 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.
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. Permanent baseplate safety cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed on the vehicle. Attachment tabs should be removed when not in use (if applicable). Register your product online at www.blueox.com to be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
For your safety and the preservation of your baseplate, be sure to use a replacement bolt of the same grade as the original. In most cases it will be Grade 5; refer to the parts list to confirm the grade for the specific bolt. Use only genuine factory replacement parts; do not substitute homemade or non-typical parts. Replacement parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor, or call the 24/7 Customer Care Team at (402) 385-3051.
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. You can also contact REMCO for additional information at 1(800) 228-2481.
Yes, the BX3614 is designed for 2006-08 Subaru Forester. Minor adjustments may be needed to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended. RangeFinder II, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used. Acclaim may be used but will not fold. Most adapters cannot be used except BX8833 and BX88151.
Required tools: 12MM, 13MM, 14MM, and 9/16" sockets; 13/32" drill bit; reciprocating saw; utility knife; vise grip; tape measure; and Loctite RED.
Yes. Two holes in the frame rail must be drilled with a 13/32" drill bit. Cutting with a reciprocating saw is also required on the webbing, metal bumper, and front fascia.
Front fascia, fog lights, horn brackets, Styrofoam bumper, and metal bumper must be removed. The lower metal bumper cross bar will not be re-installed.
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle. The manual does not state whether it is required or optional.
Yes. Two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables and two 3/8" quicklinks are included. Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended and must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member.
All electrical connections must be plugged in properly and functioning. Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Tighten all bolts to recommended specifications using Loctite Red.
The manual states that dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable. Minor adjustments may be necessary to compensate for manufacturer tolerances. When aligning the top three holes on the endplates with existing holes in the frame rail, it may be necessary to ream the holes slightly to allow the bolts to clear. If holes still do not align, you may need to file a hole slightly, bend electrical rods, and/or bend end plates as noted in the instructions.
The manual instructs to make a vertical cut so that the webbing is flush with the frame rail. If the webbing does not fit flush after the initial cut, you may need to make additional cuts or adjustments. The manual also notes that minor adjustments may include bending electrical rods and/or bending end plates to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
Ensure that the fog lights are plugged in properly. The manual requires that all electrical connections be plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia. If the lights still do not work after confirming the connection, check that the wiring harness was not damaged during removal or installation, and verify that the vehicle's electrical system is functioning properly.
On Sale Today
Original price was $699.99. Current price is $609.00.You save $90.99 (13%)
Free Shipping
Ships free on all orders
Authorized Dealer
Quick Ship
In stock and ready to ship — order now!
FREE ShippingFREE SHIPPING
Estimated delivery Tue, Aug 18 - Fri, Aug 21
Order before 2 PM EST Monday–Friday for same-day processing
Guaranteed safe & secure checkout
No reviews have been added for this product.
