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Blue Ox
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2004 - 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Confirmed to Fit
2006 Suzuki XL-7
Confirmed to Fit
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Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
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High-quality Material: Made from superior quality steel, ensuring robustness and long-lasting durability.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX3518 Tow Bar Bracket is your reliable solution for safe and efficient towing. Constructed from premium quality steel, this robust bracket ensures superior strength and durability. Finished with a resilient black powder coat, it resists corrosion and wear, ensuring a long-lasting performance. This model is specially designed for each specific towed vehicle, guaranteeing a perfect fit and easy installation. It comes complete with all the necessary mounting hardware and a detailed installation guide, making it a convenient do-it-yourself project. With Blue Ox BX3518, you get a reliable, high-quality product that meets your towing needs.
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
2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 - 2005 | Suzuki Grand Vitara | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install 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 |
| 2006 | Suzuki XL-7 | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Minor Drilling Required Headlights Must be Removed and Replaced During Installation Baseplate Has Non 24 in. Spaced Attachment Tabs Requires Motorhome Mounted Tow Bar/Adapter To Utilize Car Mounted Tow Bar Tow Bar Adapters Not To Be Used On Vehicles Over 5000 lbs. |
Yes, the BX3518 baseplate is designed for 2004-05 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2006 Suzuki XL7 models.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended for use with the BX3518. 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 and store on the front of the vehicle.
Most adapters cannot be used with the BX3518 baseplate. Only the BX8833 and BX88151 adapters are compatible.
The BX3518 attachment tab height is 17" and the attachment tab width is 20".
Required tools are: 10MM socket, 12MM socket, 9/16" socket, 13/32" drill bit, vise grips, flat chisel, Phillips screwdriver, and LOCTITE Red.
The kit includes: one weldment baseplate (61-5963), six 3/8" nutplates with wire (61-5208), six 3/8-16 x 1 1/2" Grade 5 bolts (201-0440), six 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), two #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), two #10 lock washers (203-0054), two #10-32 x 1/2" slot round head screws (201-0192), two 4-way connector adapters (101-5822), two SF/SB attachment assemblies (62-3468), two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables (226-0046), two 3/8" zinc-plated quicklinks (229-0359), and two black receiver cap plugs (290-0437).
Blue Ox towing products are intended to be installed by Blue Ox Dealers who are familiar with the products and have the equipment and knowledge necessary for fit work. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.us or by contacting Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 or toll free (888) 425-5382.
Yes, drilling is required. The installation involves drilling holes into the frame using a 13/32" drill bit on both sides of the vehicle to mount the baseplate and nutplates.
The upper grille, fascia, bumper bracket, temperature sensor, and metal bumper must be removed during installation and reinstalled after the baseplate is mounted.
According to the torque chart on page 1, the torque specification for 3/8" Grade 5 bolts is 33 foot-pounds.
Yes, LOCTITE Red must be used on all bolts before tightening. The manual states: "BE SURE TO USE LOCTITE® RED ON ALL BOLTS BEFORE TIGHTENING."
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for the 2004-05 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 2006 Suzuki XL7. Its location on the vehicle is shown on page 7 of the manual.
Six pushpins must be removed from the top edge of the grille between the headlight assemblies on 2004 models. 2005 models will only have four pushpins to remove.
Three pushpins must be removed from the fascia just below the grille area on 2004 models. 2005 models will have seven pushpins to remove.
The electrical lines on the fog lights must be disconnected when pulling the fascia forward. These connections must be plugged back in properly and verified to be functioning before reinstalling the fascia.
The baseplate should extend 1/8" forward of the frame end while maintaining a level position. The lower front hole of the baseplate should align with the existing hole for the bumper bolt.
Nutplates are inserted into the end of the frame to align with the drilled holes. The 3/8" bolts and lock washers are then tightened through the nutplates to secure the baseplate to the frame.
Failure to read and follow the installation instructions could result in separation of the towed vehicle from the tow bar, causing property damage, loss of towed vehicle, personal injury or death.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Replacement parts should be obtained from Blue Ox.
No. Only genuine factory replacement parts should be used on the 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, or by calling 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.
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, and/or bending end plates.
Yes, the BX3518 is designed for these models. Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended; RangeFinder II, Adventurer, and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used.
Yes, drilling is required using a 13/32" drill bit on both sides of the vehicle. The upper grille, fascia, bumper bracket, temperature sensor, and metal bumper must be removed and reinstalled.
Required tools: 10MM socket, 12MM socket, 9/16" socket, 13/32" drill bit, vise grips, flat chisel, Phillips screwdriver, and LOCTITE Red.
Torque 3/8" Grade 5 bolts to 33 foot-pounds. Apply LOCTITE Red to all bolts before tightening.
Blue Ox recommends installation by Blue Ox Dealers who are familiar with the products and have the necessary equipment and knowledge. Find a dealer at www.blueox.us or call (402) 385-3051 or (888) 425-5382.
Failure to follow installation instructions could result in separation of the towed vehicle from the tow bar, causing property damage, loss of vehicle, personal injury or death.
No. Use only genuine factory replacement parts. If a bolt is lost, replace it with the same grade (usually Grade 5). Order replacements from a Blue Ox Dealer or call (402) 385-3051.
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