Blue Ox Tow Bars & Baseplates – RV Trader Accessories Store

Blue Ox is the most recognized name in flat towing - the system that lets motorhome owners pull a car, truck, or SUV behind their rig with all four wheels on the ground, ready to unhook and drive independently at the campsite. Their tow bars are on more American motorhomes than any competitor's, and the baseplate system is the reason: vehicle-specific brackets that bolt cleanly to the dinghy's frame, leave no visible hardware when the car isn't being towed, and connect to any Blue Ox tow bar without modification.

This collection carries 303 in-stock Blue Ox products: complete tow bar and baseplate combos, standalone baseplates for 90+ vehicle fitments, standalone tow bars in three capacity ratings, tow bar parts and accessories, braking system hardware, hitch pins, and the Trion - Blue Ox's heavy-commercial tow bar with pintle ring for 20,000 lb applications.

Already towing and need to replace a component? Use the fitment filter for your dinghy vehicle. Setting up from scratch? Start with the Complete Tow Systems collection, which pre-matches every combo by vehicle.

Shopping for the motorhome? Browse Class A motorhomes and Class C motorhomes on RVTrader.com.

How a Blue Ox Tow Bar Works

A Blue Ox tow bar is a self-aligning, telescoping arm assembly that mounts to the motorhome's rear receiver hitch and connects to the dinghy vehicle via two attachment points on the baseplate. The arms retract and collapse when not in use and extend automatically as the dinghy is driven forward toward the motorhome during hookup - no manual arm adjustment required.

When the dinghy's baseplate tabs engage the tow bar heads, both arms lock into position and the vehicle is ready to tow. The system self-aligns even when the motorhome and dinghy aren't perfectly straight relative to each other, which makes solo hookups practical without a spotter. Safety cables attach between both vehicles as a backup connection, and a wiring harness connects the dinghy's tail lights to the motorhome's lighting circuit so following traffic sees brake lights and turn signals from both.

The tow bar mounts to the motorhome. The baseplate mounts to the dinghy. They connect each trip and disconnect when you arrive.

The Blue Ox Tow Bar Lineup

Blue Ox Avail - 10,000 lb, 2" Receiver

The most popular Blue Ox tow bar and the standard recommendation for recreational flat towing. The Avail's arms are long enough to accommodate baseplates up to 38" tab width - covering full-size trucks, large SUVs, and most passenger vehicles. Safety cables are included. Rubber boots on the arms protect against dirt and keep the mechanism operating smoothly over years of use. Rated for 2" receiver hitches, which covers the vast majority of motorhome rear hitches.

Available as a standalone tow bar or in the combo kits that make up the majority of this collection. The standalone Avail is the right purchase for owners who already have a compatible baseplate on their dinghy and need to replace or upgrade the tow bar, or who want to keep one tow bar across multiple dinghy vehicles with separate baseplates.

Blue Ox Alpha - 8,500 lb, 2" Receiver

The Alpha is a step down from the Avail in arm length and weight capacity - appropriate for crossovers, compact SUVs, and smaller vehicles where the baseplate tab width falls within the Alpha's range. Same self-aligning design and rubber boot arm protection as the Avail. A practical choice when the dinghy is a Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, compact crossover, or smaller vehicle that doesn't need the Avail's full capacity.

Alpha combos and standalone units are both in this collection.

Blue Ox Apollo - 12,500 lb, 2.5" Receiver

For heavy-duty flat towing of full-size trucks and large SUVs where the Avail's 10,000 lb rating doesn't provide adequate margin. The Apollo uses a 2.5" receiver, standard on larger diesel pusher motorhomes with heavy-duty tow packages. Apollo combos in this collection cover GMC 2500/3500 applications.

Blue Ox Trion - 20,000 lb with Pintle Ring

The Trion is Blue Ox's commercial-grade tow bar with an integrated pintle ring, rated to 20,000 lbs. It operates differently from the Avail/Alpha/Apollo - instead of baseplate tabs, the Trion uses a pintle-and-lunette-ring connection for applications requiring maximum capacity and high-articulation towing. Priced at approximately $2,815. For motorhome owners doing specialized heavy towing beyond the recreational standard.

Standalone Baseplates

94 standalone baseplates in this collection cover vehicle-specific dinghy platforms for owners who already have a tow bar and need only the baseplate - or who are setting up a second dinghy vehicle on an existing Blue Ox tow bar system.

Blue Ox baseplates bolt directly to the dinghy's frame using existing attachment points where possible - no welding required. The attachment tabs that connect to the tow bar heads are removable, leaving no visible hardware on the front of the vehicle when the car is being driven normally. This is one of the primary design advantages over competing systems where the connection hardware remains visible year-round.

Vehicle coverage in standalone baseplates includes broad representation across:

Jeep - Wrangler JK and JL (multiple configurations including standard bumper, modular bumper, 392, 4xe), Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer

Ford - F-150 (multiple year ranges and configurations), F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Bronco, Explorer, Ranger, Maverick, Edge, Fiesta, Focus, Expedition, Navigator

Chevrolet/GMC - Silverado 1500/2500/3500, Sierra 1500/2500/3500, Tahoe, Suburban, Blazer, Trailblazer, Malibu, Colorado, Express/Savana, Equinox, Yukon/Yukon XL

Ram - 1500 (multiple configurations including Rebel, TRX, EcoDiesel, plastic bumper variants), 2500/3500

Toyota - Tacoma, Highlander, RAV4

Honda - CR-V, Fit, Odyssey

Cadillac - Escalade

Buick - Enclave, Encore GX, Envista

Lincoln - Nautilus Hybrid

Mini (BMW) - Cooper Hardtop/Convertible, Countryman

Kia - Soul (specific transmission variants)

Dodge - Dakota, Durango, Journey

Always confirm fitment against the exact product listing for your year, trim level, and package configuration. Many baseplates have exclusions based on bumper type (standard vs. off-road vs. modular), presence of adaptive cruise control, or specific powertrain variants. The fitment details in each product listing specify exactly which configurations are and aren't covered.

Tow Bar Parts and Accessories

Fifteen tow bar parts and accessories in this collection cover service, replacement, and supplemental components for existing Blue Ox systems:

• Tow bar parts - Replacement heads, pins, arm components, and hardware for servicing Avail, Alpha, and Apollo tow bars
• Hitch pins - Locking and standard pins for the motorhome-side receiver connection
• Baseplate parts - Replacement tabs, pins, and hardware for existing baseplates
• Braking system component - A supplemental braking system accessory; Blue Ox recommends supplemental braking on all flat tow setups, and most states require it
• Drawbar - A fixed drawbar adapter for specific connection geometry applications

How to Hook Up a Blue Ox Tow Bar

The hookup sequence is the same for Avail, Alpha, and Apollo:

With the motorhome parked and the tow bar mounted in the motorhome's receiver, drive the dinghy forward toward the motorhome until the baseplate tabs are approximately in line with the tow bar heads - you don't need to be perfectly aligned. The self-aligning arms extend and adjust as the dinghy gets close. Insert the tow bar heads into the baseplate tabs and secure the locking pins on both sides. Attach the safety cables in a crossed pattern under the connection (so they catch if the tow bar disconnects rather than dragging on the ground). Plug in the wiring harness connecting the dinghy's tail lights to the motorhome. Confirm both locking pins are secured, test the brake lights and turn signals from outside the motorhome, and check tire pressure on the dinghy before departure.

With practice, most owners complete this process in five to ten minutes solo.

Can You Back Up With a Blue Ox Tow Bar?

No. Tow bars are engineered for forward towing only. Attempting to reverse with a dinghy attached - even a short distance - will damage the tow bar arms, potentially the baseplate, and possibly the dinghy's frame attachment points. The arms are designed to pivot and flex under forward tension, not backward compression. Always disconnect the tow bar completely before reversing into a campsite or tight space. This applies to all tow bars regardless of brand.

How Much Does a Blue Ox Tow Bar and Baseplate Combo Cost?

Complete Blue Ox tow bar and baseplate combo kits in this collection range from approximately $1,460 to $2,065 before any applicable discounts, depending on the tow bar model (Alpha, Avail, or Apollo) and whether a towed vehicle wiring kit is included. The Trion commercial tow bar is approximately $2,815 as a standalone unit. Standalone baseplates without a tow bar run approximately $500-$650.

The price difference between Alpha and Avail combos for the same vehicle is modest - typically $100-$200. Given that the tow bar is a once-per-motorhome purchase that may outlast multiple dinghy vehicles, most experienced flat towers choose the Avail for its greater capacity margin and tab width compatibility with future dinghy changes.

FAQ

How does a Blue Ox tow bar work? A Blue Ox tow bar mounts to the motorhome's rear receiver hitch. Self-aligning, telescoping arms extend and connect to the dinghy vehicle's baseplate tabs - two attachment points bolted to the dinghy's front frame. Once connected and pinned, the tow bar transfers the motorhome's movement to the dinghy for forward towing. Safety cables and a wiring harness complete the connection.

Can you back up with a Blue Ox tow bar? No - tow bars are for forward towing only. Reversing with a dinghy attached damages the tow bar and potentially the dinghy's frame. Always disconnect before backing up.

How do you hook up a Blue Ox tow bar? Drive the dinghy forward toward the motorhome until the baseplate tabs align with the tow bar heads. The self-aligning arms adjust automatically. Insert and lock the heads into the baseplate tabs with the locking pins, attach safety cables in a crossed pattern, plug in the wiring harness, and verify brake lights and signals before departing.

Do I need a baseplate for my specific vehicle? Yes. Baseplates are vehicle-specific - engineered for the frame geometry of a particular year, make, model, and trim. A baseplate for a Jeep Wrangler JL won't fit a Ford Bronco. Use the fitment filter in this collection or the Complete Tow Systems collection to find the confirmed baseplate for your dinghy.

What's the difference between the Blue Ox Avail and Alpha? The Avail is rated to 10,000 lbs with longer arms that accommodate baseplates up to 38" tab width - appropriate for trucks, large SUVs, and most passenger vehicles. The Alpha is rated to 8,500 lbs with a shorter arm design for narrower baseplates on compact and mid-size vehicles. Both use a 2" receiver. The choice is primarily about tab width compatibility with your specific baseplate, not just weight rating.

Do I need a supplemental braking system? Most states require it, and Blue Ox recommends it for all flat tow setups regardless of legal requirement. A supplemental braking system activates the dinghy's brakes proportionally when the motorhome brakes, reducing stopping distance and brake wear on the motorhome. Without it, the motorhome's brakes are stopping the combined weight of both vehicles alone.

Ready to set up your flat tow system? Browse the full Blue Ox collection above or go directly to the Complete Tow Systems collection for vehicle-matched combo kits. For the motorhome receiver hitch, the receiver hitches collection has vehicle-specific hitches if your motorhome doesn't already have one.

For more on flat towing before you buy, RVTrader's guide to buying a Class A RV and what to know before selecting a Class C motorhome cover the motorhome side of the equation. Shopping for your motorhome? Browse Class A and Class C listings on RVTrader.com.