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Blue Ox
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Original price was $699.99. Current price is $609.00.You save $90.99 (13%)
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Authorized Dealer2009 - 2013 Subaru Forester
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Custom Design: Each Blue Ox BX3616 Tow Bar Bracket is custom made for each specific towed vehicle, guaranteeing a perfect fit and efficient performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX3616 Tow Bar Bracket is a top-tier addition to any towing setup. Custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, this product ensures a perfect fit and superior functionality. Made from high-quality steel, this sturdy bracket will stand up to the most challenging conditions. Coated with a durable black powder finish, it's not only built to last but also maintains a sleek, professional appearance. The bolt-on mounting type makes installation hassle-free, and with all necessary hardware included, you can be confident in a secure, do-it-yourself installation.
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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Yes, the BX3616 baseplate is designed for 2009-2013 Subaru Forester models. However, if the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding with installation.
The BX8869 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended for 2011-2013 models.
The BX8848 4-Diode Wiring Kit is recommended for 2009-2010 models.
Required tools include: flat screwdriver, utility knife, torque wrench, drill, reciprocating saw, tape measure, 13/32" drill bit, 17/32" drill bit, 10MM socket, 14MM socket, 9/16" socket, 3/4" socket, 3/8" nut driver, and flat chisel. You will also need Loctite Red.
Yes. The fascia and metal bumper must be removed and reinstalled for the baseplate installation. All removed items will be reinstalled after the baseplate is installed unless otherwise noted.
Yes. Drilling and trimming are required. You will use a 17/32" drill bit to ream out existing frame holes and a 13/32" drill bit to drill new holes through the frame using the baseplate as a template. On the driver side, you will also ream out a hole in the sensor bracket and trim or flatten an alignment tab.
Yes. A reciprocating saw is required to make a notch down 6-1/2" from the top of the frame and flush with the lower outer flange of the frame on both sides of the vehicle.
Yes. After the baseplate is installed, you must hold the fascia as close to its original position as possible, mark the backside of the fascia, and trim as needed before reinstalling it.
Torque specifications depend on bolt size and grade. For Grade 5 bolts: 1/2" = 78 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 33 ft-lbs, 1/4" = 10 ft-lbs. For Grade 8 bolts: 1/2" = 119 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 47 ft-lbs, 1/4" = 14 ft-lbs. All bolts must be tightened with Loctite Red applied before tightening.
1. Remove six push pins from the top edge of the fascia (three on each side) using a flat screwdriver. 2. Just forward of the front tire, push the center pin to release on both sides. 3. Underneath in front of the tire, remove the push pin in the corner on both sides. 4. Remove six push pins from the underside of the fascia (one in front of the tire and two towards the middle on each side). 5. Pull fascia corners outward, then pull fascia forward to remove.
Using a 12MM socket, remove the four bolts from the bumper on both sides of the vehicle.
On the driver side, bend the temperature sensor backwards at an angle towards the radiator. On the driver side only, ream out the hole in the sensor bracket and flatten or trim off the alignment tab. Reattach the sensor with the 3/8" fasteners as shown in the instructions.
Two types of fasteners are used: (1) For the existing frame holes: 1/2"-13 x 1-1/4" hex head bolts (Grade 5), 1/2" flat washers, 1/2" lock washers, and 1/2" lock nuts. (2) For the new drilled holes: 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" bolts (top holes) and 3/8"-16 x 2" bolts (bottom holes with spacer tubes), each with 3/8" flat washers, 3/8" lock washers, and 3/8" lock nuts. All bolts must have Loctite Red applied before tightening.
The spacer tube (3/4" diameter) is inserted between the frame and the baseplate at the bottom baseplate hole on both sides of the vehicle before installing the 3/8"-16 x 2" bolt.
Reinstall the metal bumper with the existing bolts. Use two 5/16" washers on the bottom as spacers.
No, the breakaway bracket installation is optional. If you choose to install it, attach the breakaway bracket to the underside of the bumper with two #10-16 x 1" screws, then attach the breakaway to the bracket with a 1/4"-20 x 3/4" bolt and 1/4" nut.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with the BX3616 baseplate. They prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the connection between the frame and baseplate fails. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member and must not be mounted against wires, hoses, or brake lines. Safety cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed 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.
Attach the permanent baseplate safety cables to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. The cables should be secured to a solid piece of the frame as described in the instructions included with the permanent baseplate safety cables. Ensure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Do this on both sides of the 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.
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.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to the recommended torque specifications using Loctite Red.
Yes. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use.
The attachment tab height is 17-1/2" and the attachment tab width is 18".
Yes. It is crucial to register your product online at www.blueox.com so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
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 or altering them will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Yes, the BX3616 is designed for 2009-2013 Subaru Forester. Contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 if your vehicle's front looks different.
The BX8869 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended for 2011-2013 models. The BX8848 4-Diode Wiring Kit is recommended for 2009-2010 models.
Yes. You will drill with a 13/32" bit for new frame holes and a 17/32" bit to ream existing holes. A reciprocating saw is also required to make a 6-1/2" notch in the frame on both sides.
Tighten 1/2"-13 Grade 5 bolts to 78 foot-pounds. Apply Loctite Red before tightening.
Tighten 3/8"-16 Grade 5 bolts to 33 foot-pounds. Apply Loctite Red before tightening.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member and must not contact wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Before each towing trip, inspect for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to specification using Loctite Red.
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 - 2013 | Subaru Forester | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2.5 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 |
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