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Blue Ox
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2005 - 2009 Subaru Outback
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Custom-Designed: Each Blue Ox BX3613 Tow Bar Bracket is uniquely crafted for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Enhance your towing experience with the Blue Ox BX3613 Tow Bar Bracket. This sturdy attachment, custom-designed for each specific towed vehicle, is constructed with premium Steel material and finished with a resilient Black Powder Coat for added durability and longevity. The Bolt-On Mounting Type ensures a secure, hassle-free installation, and with all the necessary hardware included, you can easily install it yourself. The Blue Ox BX3613 Tow Bar Bracket is the perfect balance between strength, convenience, and reliability.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 - 2009 | Subaru Outback | 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 Requires Some Trimming of the Air Dam 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 Due to the Design of the Baseplate, the Adventurer Tow Bar Can Not be Used with the Baseplate |
Yes, the BX3613 is designed for 2005-2009 Subaru Outback vehicles. The baseplate has attachment tabs that are 24 inches center to center with a height of 15 inches. The BX8869 is available as an optional accessory for this vehicle.
No. The air bag sensors are relocated during installation as part of the standard procedure. In step 13, the two metric bolts from the air bag sensor are removed and carefully set out of the way on both sides. Additionally, the temperature bracket and sensor are bent back toward the radiator in step 16, and may require further bending when the baseplate is installed depending on your specific vehicle.
The front fascia, headlight assembly, and metal bumper must be removed. The front fascia removal requires removing metric bolts and push pins from the grille, headlight assemblies, and lower edges. The headlight assemblies are then unplugged and removed. The metal bumper is removed by taking out four metric bolts from both sides. These components are reinstalled after baseplate installation.
Yes, drilling is required. You will drill out an existing larger hole in the frame rail using a 17/32" drill bit on both sides (step 15). You will then use the baseplate as a template to drill additional holes into the frame with the same 17/32" drill bit (step 17). Finally, you will drill a lower hole into the lower frame webbing just inside the tie-down opening using a 3/8" hole (step 18). All drilling must be done with Loctite RED applied to bolts before tightening.
Yes, trimming is required in two locations. First, the lower air dam must be marked and cut from both sides using a utility knife to allow an open area for baseplate installation (step 12). Second, the back side of the fascia must be marked and cut just between the fog lights at the top of the opening using a utility knife before reinstalling the fascia (step 19). These modifications are permanent.
Required tools are: small flat screwdriver, flat chisel, drill, utility knife, 13/32" drill bit, 17/32" drill bit, 10MM socket, 12MM socket, 7/16" socket, 9/16" socket, and 3/4" socket. You will also need Loctite RED, which must be applied to all bolts before tightening.
The kit includes: two nut plates (61-5288 driver side, 61-5289 passenger side), the baseplate (61-6050), two attachment tab assemblies with holes (62-3468), two 3/8" x SCH 40 x 3/4" pipes (107-1768), four 1/2"-13 x 1-1/2" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0051), two #10-32 1/2" round slotted head screws (201-0192), two 3/8"-16 x 2" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0444), two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), four 1/4"-20 hex nuts (202-0001), two 3/8"-16 hex nuts (202-0003), two #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), four 1/4" lock washers (203-0008), two 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), four 1/2" lock washers (203-0012), two #10 lock washers (203-0054), one electrical bracket (299-0685), two class III safety cables (226-0046), two 3/8" quicklinks (229-0359), and two black cap plug receivers (290-0437).
The removal sequence is: (1) Remove metric bolt with 10MM socket and one phillips push pin on top edge of grille, both sides. (2) Using a small flat screwdriver, push the four tabs down between the top edge of fascia and upper cross member while pulling fascia forward to release from cross member. (3) Remove one push pin just forward of front tire inside wheel well from fascia's upper corner. (4) Remove four push pins from lower edge of fascia forward of front tires, both sides. (5) Remove push pin from tab on lower edge of fascia, both sides. (6) Remove push pin from tab on lower center edge of fascia.
The headlight removal sequence is: (1) Using 10MM socket, remove metric bolt from headlight assembly and one push pin, both sides (step 7). (2) Remove metric bolt from lower side of headlight assembly using 10MM socket, both sides (step 8). (3) Remove metric bolt from front of headlight assembly with 10MM socket, both sides (step 9). (4) Remove two metric bolts from headlight assembly next to radiator, both sides, pull assemblies forward, unplug and set aside (step 10).
After drilling the frame rail holes with a 17/32" drill bit and using the baseplate as a template to drill additional holes, insert the nut plates into the end of the frame rail. Insert part 61-5288 (driver's side nut plate) into the driver's side frame rail to align with the drill holes, then tighten 1/2" hex bolts and lock washers. Insert part 61-5289 (passenger's side nut plate) into the passenger's side frame rail to align with the drill holes, then tighten 1/2" hex bolts and lock washers. Apply Loctite RED to all bolts before tightening and ensure the baseplate is level with the vehicle. Torque all bolts according to the torque chart in the General Instructions.
Using the baseplate as a template, drill a lower hole into the lower frame webbing just inside the tie-down opening on both sides. Insert a 3/8" hex bolt into each drilled hole and tighten with a 3/8" lock washer and 3/8" hex nut on both sides. Apply Loctite RED to all bolts before tightening. Torque all bolts according to the torque chart in the General Instructions.
The manual notes that dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable. While the baseplate holes were designed to allow for easy installation, it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear. However, the manual does not specify which holes may require filing or the acceptable amount of filing.
The manual states that all bolts must be torqued according to the torque chart in the General Instructions document. However, the specific torque values are not provided in this installation manual. You will need to consult the General Instructions or contact Blue Ox for the exact torque specifications for the 1/2" hex bolts, 3/8" hex bolts, and other fasteners.
The attachment tabs are 24 inches center to center and have a height of 15 inches.
The manual includes an electrical bracket (part 299-0685) in the parts list and shows a 4-pin connector and 6-pin connector in the diagram, but does not provide wiring instructions, wire colors, or connection details in this installation manual. You will need to consult the tow bar instructions or contact Blue Ox for electrical connection information.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. 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 as a single cable. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses or brake lines. These cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed and must be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
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. 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. Do not mount permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses or brake lines.
After installation, ensure all electrical components are plugged in properly when reinstalling the headlight assemblies, metal bumper and fascia. 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 specifications using Loctite RED.
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. Register your product online at www.blueox.com to be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. You must obtain genuine replacement parts. Contact your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor for replacement 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 in need of replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (in most cases Grade 5). Failing to follow these requirements will void the manufacturer's warranty. Replacement parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
Yes. Towing behind a non-motorized vehicle will void the warranty. Additionally, failing to follow and/or altering these installation instructions in either installation or required equipment will void the manufacturer's warranty.
Yes. Ensure that your product is registered online at www.blueox.com. It is crucial to register your product so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use.
Yes, the BX3613 is designed specifically for 2005-2009 Subaru Outback models.
Yes. You must drill out existing holes in the frame rail using a 17/32" drill bit and drill additional holes using the baseplate as a template. You will also drill a lower hole into the frame webbing.
Yes. The lower air dam must be cut from both sides using a utility knife, and the back side of the fascia must be cut between the fog lights using a utility knife.
You will need: small flat screwdriver, flat chisel, drill, utility knife, 13/32" and 17/32" drill bits, 10MM, 12MM, 7/16", 9/16" and 3/4" sockets, and Loctite RED.
The front fascia, headlight assemblies, and metal bumper must be removed. These are reinstalled after baseplate installation.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to the recommended specifications using Loctite RED.
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