Blue Ox Custom-Designed Baseplates

The Go-to name in Flat Towing since, well, Flat Towing.

  • Baseplates are custom-designed for each vehicle, bolting directly into the chassis.
  • Design and engineered to use as many attachment points as possible.
  • Most Blue Ox baseplates feature removable tabs that leave a clean look when the vehicle is not being towed.
  • Requires no welding for installation.
  • Baseplates are hidden beneath the vehicle body.
  • A three-year limited warranty backs all baseplates.

Choose Your Vehicle’s Year, Make & Model

Find Baseplates for Flat Towing

Please read your towed vehicle owner’s manual and consult with your dealer to determine if your vehicle is flat towable as well as the correct towing procedures for your vehicle.
Please ensure tow bar being used is compatible with the baseplate tab width.
Or Search by Blue Ox Part Number
Can’t Find a Baseplate to Fit Your Vehicle? Complete this Form.

New Vehicle Baseplate Fit Request

Motorhome Dinghy Towing with a Blue Ox Baseplate

Blue Ox Baseplates are the #1 choice for America’s towing needs. Our baseplates are custom-made to best fit each towing situation without requiring drastic alterations to the vehicle. These durable, steel-constructed baseplates are easily integrated into the original frame and bumper.

Blue Ox’s unique design allows the towing baseplate to flex and absorb any shock during the drive rather than transferring the rigid force of a bumpy ride to the vehicle’s frame. The weight is spread evenly to minimize pressure on the suspension.

Removable Tabs on Most Models

Blue Ox Baseplates are thoughtfully crafted, and most models come with removable tabs, making the look of your vehicle more aesthetically pleasing, even with the baseplate installed. There are no large protruding brackets or crossbar support beams.

The tabs can be removed when not towing, making the baseplate practically invisible to the untrained eye. In addition to aesthetics, our baseplates have set new industry standards with our locking linchpin. Other manufacturers often use cotter pins which are more likely to come loose, creating the potential for damage to the vehicle or causing an accident.

Baseplate FAQs

What is a baseplate and its purpose for towing?

A baseplate is a semi-permanent bracket installed to the front of a vehicle where a tow bar can be connected. Baseplates are engineered to transfer the stress of towing and braking more evenly. This is important when flat towing, aka towing with all four wheels on the ground, so that your towed vehicle does not sustain any damage. Learn more about flat towing safely with baseplates.

Is It Hard to Install a Baseplate?

Some people are concerned about modifying their vehicle to install a baseplate for flat towing. While we recommend having a professional installer install your Blue Ox baseplate, in most cases, they do not require drastic alterations and are easily integrated into the original frame and bumper for those comfortable with the instructions. While we do our best to design baseplates to be as hidden as possible, some vehicles do require portions of the base plate to be very visible.

When Do I Need to Use a Baseplate?

When deciding to tow a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, doing so safely requires a baseplate and tow bar. One of the most common scenarios that call for flat towing is when you want to pull a vehicle behind your RV. Some people may also need to transport a second vehicle without a second driver available, with flat towing as the easiest option. Attempting to flat tow a vehicle without a baseplate is sure to cause damage to the towed vehicle and it poses a huge danger to other drivers on the road.

What is an e-coat paint system?

At Blue Ox, we’ve installed a top-of-the-line TTX e-Coat system. A multi-stage immersion process ensures cleanliness and maximum paint adhesion. A high voltage is sent through the e-coat to bond the paint to the parts, making them highly corrosion-resistant. This is followed by a powder coat for UV resistance and aesthetic finish.

Only electro-coat products have consistently met the high-performance standards of the Automotive, General Industrial, Heavy Machinery, Truck and Bus, Military, Underbody, and Agricultural performance standards of today’s leading OEM producers.

You can learn more about the entire process in this YouTube Video.

What is a baseplate and its purpose for towing?

A baseplate is a semi-permanent bracket installed to the front of a vehicle where a tow bar can be connected. Baseplates are engineered to transfer the stress of towing and braking more evenly. This is important when flat towing, aka towing with all four wheels on the ground, so that your towed vehicle does not sustain any damage. Learn more about flat towing safely with baseplates.

When Do I Need to Use a Baseplate?

When deciding to tow a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, doing so safely requires a baseplate and tow bar. One of the most common scenarios that call for flat towing is when you want to pull a vehicle behind your RV. Some people may also need to transport a second vehicle without a second driver available, with flat towing as the easiest option. Attempting to flat tow a vehicle without a baseplate is sure to cause damage to the towed vehicle and it poses a huge danger to other drivers on the road.

Is It Hard to Install a Baseplate?

Some people are concerned about modifying their vehicle to install a baseplate for flat towing. While we recommend having a professional installer install your Blue Ox baseplate, in most cases, they do not require drastic alterations and are easily integrated into the original frame and bumper for those comfortable with the instructions. While we do our best to design baseplates to be as hidden as possible, some vehicles do require portions of the base plate to be very visible.

What is an e-coat paint system?

At Blue Ox, we’ve installed a top-of-the-line TTX e-Coat system. A multi-stage immersion process ensures cleanliness and maximum paint adhesion. A high voltage is sent through the e-coat to bond the paint to the parts, making them highly corrosion-resistant. This is followed by a powder coat for UV resistance and aesthetic finish.

Only electro-coat products have consistently met the high-performance standards of the Automotive, General Industrial, Heavy Machinery, Truck and Bus, Military, Underbody, and Agricultural performance standards of today’s leading OEM producers.

You can learn more about the entire process in this YouTube Video.

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