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Blue Ox
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2010 - 2014 Subaru Outback
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Custom-designed: Each Blue Ox BX3617 Tow Bar Bracket is designed to fit a specific towed vehicle, ensuring optimal performance and fit.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Introducing the Blue Ox BX3617 Tow Bar Bracket - a sturdy, reliable companion for your towing needs. This custom-designed base plate is engineered specifically for each towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and uncompromised performance. It is crafted from high-quality steel, featuring a sleek black powder coat finish for added durability and resistance against rust and corrosion. With an easy-to-install bolt-on design, this tow bar bracket comes with all the necessary mounting hardware included. Whether you're a towing novice or a seasoned pro, the Blue Ox BX3617 Tow Bar Bracket simplifies the process, making your towing adventures safer and more efficient.
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 BX3617 baseplate is designed for 2010-2014 Subaru Outback vehicles. However, the dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable, and minor adjustments such as filing holes slightly, bending electrical rods or bending end plates may be necessary to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
No. Due to the design of the removable tabs on the BX3617, the RangeFinder II tow bar cannot be used with this baseplate.
Most adapters cannot be used with the BX3617 baseplate. Only the BX8833 and BX88151 adapters are compatible. Consult Blue Ox before purchasing adapters for this baseplate.
The attachment tab height is 17 inches and the attachment tab width is 24 inches.
Required tools are: large vise grips, Phillips screwdriver, flat screwdriver, utility knife, drill, 1-1/4 inch hole saw, 13/32 inch drill bit, 12MM socket, and 9/16 inch socket. Loctite RED is also required for all bolts.
Yes. The front fascia, headlight assembly and metal bumper are removed and reinstalled during installation of the baseplate. The fascia is held in place by multiple push pins that must be removed before the baseplate can be installed.
Yes. Drilling is required. You must drill out the existing larger hole in the frame rail using a 1-1/4 inch hole saw on both sides, and drill additional holes using a 13/32 inch drill bit as specified in the installation steps. When using power drills, be aware of the dangers of torque and drill bit length.
Yes. Trimming of the air dam is required. For 2010 models, use a utility knife to mark and cut where necessary using the baseplate as a template. For 2011-2013 models, trim starting 3/4 inch over from the enclosed corner straight down to the edge, go over to 2-3/4 inches and cut straight down, then across removing this section. This must be done on both sides.
The installation sequence is: (1) remove push pins from fascia in multiple locations; (2) disconnect fog lights and remove fascia; (3) remove air dam bolts and push pins; (4) remove air dam; (5) relocate temperature sensor; (6) remove metal bumper bolts; (7) drill frame rail holes with 1-1/4 inch hole saw; (8) trim air dam as required for your model year; (9) slide baseplate into position and align with frame holes; (10) install 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2 inch bolts in existing hole with lock washers and nut plates using Loctite; (11) drill additional holes with 13/32 inch drill bit; (12) install 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2 inch bolts in top hole and 3/8"-16 x 2 inch bolts in bottom hole with spacers and nut plates using Loctite; (13) attach safety cables; (14) install breakaway switch if desired; (15) trim plastic cover for 2010 models; (16) reinstall fascia, bumper and other components.
The manual provides a general torque chart for Grade 5 and Grade 8 bolts by size, but does not specify the grade of the 3/8"-16 bolts used in the BX3617 installation. Consult the Baseplate Towing General Instructions (page 3) or contact Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 for the specific torque value for these bolts.
According to the torque chart, 1/4"-20 Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 10 foot-pounds, and Grade 8 bolts to 14 foot-pounds. The 1/4"-20 hex bolts used for breakaway switch installation are Grade 5. Always use Loctite RED on all bolts before tightening.
Yes. Loctite RED must be used on all bolts before tightening. This is emphasized in the installation instructions and is critical for safety and proper baseplate function.
The kit includes: 6 nut plates with 14 inch wire (1/4"-20), 2 attachment tab assemblies, 1 breakaway/coolant bracket, 2 spacer tubes (3/4 inch OD x 0.406 inch ID x 3/4 inch), 2 Grade 5 hex head bolts (1/4"-20 x 3/4 inch), 2 round slotted head screws (#10-32 x 1/2 inch), 4 round head screws (3/8"-16 x 1-1/2 inch), 2 hex head bolts (3/8"-16 x 2 inch), 1 self-drilling screw (#10-16 x 1 inch), 2 self-drilling screws (#12-14 x 1 inch), 2 hex nuts (#10-32), 2 hex nylon insert lock nuts (1/4"-20), 6 lock washers (3/8 inch), 2 lock washers (#10), 1 electrical bracket, 2 Class III safety cables, 2 quicklinks (3/8 inch), and 2 black cap plug receivers.
No. The installation instructions specify that you must use the hardware supplied in the hardware kit and existing hardware as specified in the installation instructions. Do not assume that existing bolts are adequate for baseplate mounting. Always use the supplied hardware.
Yes. The temperature sensor must be relocated to the backside of the bracket as part of the installation process (Step 12).
Attach the permanent baseplate safety cables to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. The recommended installation is to secure the cables to the frame of the vehicle. Do this on both sides. Be sure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. The 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.
No, breakaway switch installation is optional. However, the installation location and method vary by model year: 2010 models install on the driver side at the bottom of the metal bumper; 2011 models install on the passenger side using a bracket; 2012 models install on the passenger side using a self-drilling screw (only on baseplates manufactured November 1, 2011 or later); 2013 models install on the driver side using a self-drilling screw.
For 2010 models, use the baseplate as a template and mark and cut where necessary using a utility knife. For 2011-2013 models, trim starting 3/4 inch over from the enclosed corner straight down to the edge, go over to 2-3/4 inches and cut straight down, then across removing this section. Both require trimming on both sides.
For 2010 models only, trim both ends of the plastic cover completely off using a utility knife. Then trim starting 6-1/2 inches from the edge straight down 4-1/4 inches. This must be done on both sides.
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.
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.
Be sure that all electrical connections are plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia. This is critical to ensure the towing system operates correctly.
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.
Yes. 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 and knowledge necessary to do fit work. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting Customer Care at (402) 385-3051.
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle, but the manual does not state whether it is required. Contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 to confirm whether it is necessary for your specific installation.
Yes, the BX3617 is designed for 2010-2014 Subaru Outback. Minor adjustments may be needed to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
No. The RangeFinder II tow bar cannot be used. Most adapters are incompatible; only BX8833 and BX88151 adapters work with this baseplate.
Yes. Drilling is required using a 1-1/4 inch hole saw and 13/32 inch drill bit. Air dam trimming is also required; the method varies by model year (2010 vs. 2011-2013).
Yes. The front fascia, headlight assembly and metal bumper must be removed and reinstalled during installation.
Large vise grips, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, utility knife, drill, 1-1/4 inch hole saw, 13/32 inch drill bit, 12MM and 9/16 inch sockets, and Loctite RED.
Yes. Loctite RED must be used on all bolts before tightening. This is critical for safety.
The baseplate must be replaced. Do not reuse it, as accidents can cause unseen damage that could result in failure or injury.
The manual states that dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable. Minor adjustments may be necessary to compensate for manufacturer tolerances. These adjustments may include filing a hole slightly, bending electrical rods or bending end plates. If alignment issues persist, contact Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051.
Only baseplates manufactured November 1, 2011 and later include the 10-16 x 1 inch self-drilling screw required for 2012 model installation. If your baseplate does not include this hardware, contact Blue Ox Manufacturing Customer Care Department at (402) 385-3051 to obtain the required screw.
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 - 2014 | Subaru Outback | 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 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 |
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