A Blue Ox towing system is a complete, engineered setup that lets you safely and legally tow your car behind your RV. It’s designed for what RVers call flat towing (or dinghy towing), where your car rolls behind the motorhome on all four of its own wheels. This is by far the most convenient and popular way for RV travelers to bring a smaller vehicle along for the ride.
Why RVers Choose a Blue Ox Towing System
Spend any time at a campground, and you’ll see the distinctive Blue Ox tow bars everywhere. Blue Ox has become an industry standard because it solves a huge logistical challenge for motorhome owners: local transportation. Your Class A is great on the highway, but it's not practical for a quick grocery run, exploring a tight state park road, or visiting family in a crowded subdivision.
Flat towing gives you the freedom to establish a home base and then use your more nimble "toad" (towed vehicle) to explore without having to pack up your entire campsite. This means you can easily navigate tight parking lots, drive up scenic mountain passes, and enjoy day trips with maximum convenience.
This Isn't a Job for DIY Rigs
While towing a car might seem straightforward, the forces involved in pulling several thousand pounds at 65 mph are immense. A proper Blue Ox towing system isn't just one part; it’s a suite of components engineered to handle braking, turning, and emergency maneuvers safely. Using a purpose-built system from a trusted brand like Blue Ox is non-negotiable for protecting your RV, your car, and everyone else on the road.
This dedication to safety and reliability has made Blue Ox a leader in the global safety towing market, an industry valued at a staggering USD 4.4 billion. For the more than 11 million American families who own an RV, that kind of proven performance provides real peace of mind.
It's All Part of the RV Lifestyle
Ultimately, we want our RV to be a comfortable and functional home on wheels. A solid towing system is a massive piece of that puzzle, enabling a more flexible travel style. Of course, once you’ve got the towing figured out, the quest for a perfect setup continues inside! For more tips on making your rig feel like home, check out these smart RV kitchen storage ideas to maximize your space.
Understanding the Four Pillars of Flat Towing
When setting up a vehicle for flat towing, it's never about just one component. A reliable Blue Ox towing system is a team of four critical parts working in perfect harmony. Think of it as a four-legged stool—if one leg is weak, missing, or mismatched, the entire setup becomes unstable and dangerous. That’s a risk you can't afford when pulling a car that weighs thousands of pounds at highway speeds.
Each of these four pillars has a specific, non-negotiable job. They work in sync to ensure your towed car (the "dinghy") follows your motorhome safely, legally, and predictably. Understanding what each part does is the first step toward a safe and stress-free journey.
The Tow Bar: The Strong Connector
The tow bar is the most visible component—the physical bridge that connects your RV’s hitch to the front of your car. Its job is to create a secure but flexible connection that allows the towed car to track smoothly behind the RV, whether you're navigating a tight turn in a gas station or cruising down a long interstate. It's engineered to handle immense pulling and pushing forces, providing a rigid link that translates the RV's movements directly to the car.
The Baseplate: The Unseen Anchor
While the tow bar is the bridge, the baseplate is the hidden anchor bolted directly to your towed vehicle's frame. This is the most foundational piece of the setup, even though it's mostly hidden behind the car's front bumper cover. It provides the rock-solid attachment points for the tow bar arms. Critically, a baseplate is not a one-size-fits-all part. Each Blue Ox baseplate is custom-designed for a specific vehicle make, model, and year to ensure a perfect fit that distributes towing forces across the strongest parts of the car's chassis.
Crucial Takeaway: Never use a generic or improperly fitted baseplate. The custom design is what makes a secure, long-lasting connection possible and prevents catastrophic damage to your vehicle's frame.
The Supplemental Braking System: The Essential Helper
This component is not optional; it's required by law in almost every state and throughout Canada. A supplemental braking system ensures that when you apply the brakes in your motorhome, the brakes in your towed vehicle engage simultaneously. Without one, your RV's brakes must stop not just the coach, but also the entire weight of the car pushing it from behind. This dramatically increases your stopping distance, puts dangerous strain on your RV’s braking system, and can cause brake fade or failure. Systems like the Blue Ox Patriot turn your car into an active partner in stopping safely.
Towing Wiring: The Communication Link
Finally, you need your car’s lights to mimic your RV’s lights. A towing wiring kit connects your motorhome’s electrical system to your car’s taillights, ensuring your brake lights, turn signals, and running lights all work in sync. This is a legal necessity that signals your intentions to other drivers, keeping you and everyone around you safe on the road.
How to Choose the Right Blue Ox Setup
Selecting the right components for your specific RV and towed car is the most critical decision in this process. A mismatched Blue Ox towing system is not just an inconvenience; it's dangerous. Let's get straight to what you need to know to build a safe, reliable rig.
First, you need your vehicle's exact weight. This isn't a guess. Find the curb weight of your "toad" (the vehicle you're towing), which is its weight with standard equipment and a full tank of fuel. You can find this on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb or in the owner's manual.
Once you have that number, the rule is simple: always choose a tow bar with a capacity rating well above your car's curb weight. This provides a crucial safety margin. If your SUV has a curb weight of 4,800 pounds, a 5,000-pound tow bar is cutting it too close. For a deeper dive, check out our guide on choosing the best tow bar for flat towing, which has more helpful insights.
Comparing Popular Blue Ox Tow Bars
Blue Ox offers several models, each designed for different weight classes. The key is matching the tow bar's capacity to your vehicle's weight.
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The Blue Ox Ascent: This is a great choice for lighter vehicles, typically rated for up to 7,500 pounds. Its lightweight aluminum body makes it easier to handle during hookup and removal, ideal for towing compact cars and most crossover SUVs.
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The Blue Ox Avail: This is the heavy-duty workhorse, often rated for 10,000 pounds. Constructed from steel, it's designed for full-size SUVs and trucks, providing the rugged strength needed for heavier loads.
For example, towing a 2,300 lb Chevy Spark with the 10,000 lb Avail is perfectly safe overkill. But attempting to tow a 4,700 lb Ford F-150 with the 7,500 lb Ascent is pushing the safety margin and creating a dangerous situation on the road.
Creating Your Complete System
Remember, the tow bar is just one piece of the puzzle. The baseplate must be made specifically for your vehicle's make, model, and year—no exceptions. You must use the exact baseplate your car requires to ensure it bolts securely to the vehicle frame where it is strongest.
A classic mistake is focusing only on the tow bar's rating. Your entire system is only as strong as its weakest link. A 10,000-pound tow bar provides no benefit if it's attached to an incorrect or improperly installed baseplate.
Finally, you’ll round out the system with a compatible supplemental braking system and the correct wiring kit. By carefully matching all weight ratings and verifying part compatibility, you build a Blue Ox towing system that provides safety and peace of mind for every mile.
A Realistic Look at the Installation Process
Having your Blue Ox towing system installed correctly is just as important as choosing the right parts. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or plan to hire a professional, it's crucial to understand the scope of the job. This isn't a simple bolt-on accessory; it's a major integration with your vehicle’s frame, electrical system, and brakes.
The installation process breaks down into three main tasks: mounting the baseplate, wiring the lights, and setting up the supplemental braking system. Each requires precision, the right tools, and strict adherence to the Blue Ox instructions for your specific vehicle.
The Most Demanding Job: The Baseplate
Installing the baseplate is, without a doubt, the most labor-intensive part of the entire job. It is essentially minor surgery on your car's front end. In almost all cases, you'll have to remove the front bumper cover, and sometimes the grille and headlights, just to access the vehicle's frame.
Precision is everything. You’ll be drilling into the frame and tightening hardware to exact torque specifications. A misaligned baseplate can create stress points on your car's chassis and compromise the entire connection to the tow bar, leading to a catastrophic failure.
Pro Tip: Before you begin, lay out all your tools and hardware. Read the instructions from start to finish twice. If any step, particularly anything involving frame drilling or trimming factory components, seems beyond your skill set, it is always safer to hire a certified installer.
Wiring Lights and Brakes
With the baseplate securely mounted, the next step is integrating the electrical systems. This involves running a wiring harness from the front of the car to the taillights, often requiring the installation of diodes to prevent electrical feedback from damaging your car's sensitive computer systems.
Likewise, setting up a supplemental braking system, like the Blue Ox Patriot, requires careful placement and calibration to ensure the unit can depress the brake pedal correctly and in perfect sync with your RV's brakes.
From my experience, faulty wiring is one of the most common installation mistakes. It leads to headaches like non-functioning lights or, far more dangerously, brakes that fail to engage when you need them most. For a clearer picture of how different components work together, you can explore our detailed guides on RV parts and accessories.
The infographic below shows the basic logic you'll use when selecting your main towing gear.
As you can see, every decision begins with your vehicle's curb weight. From there, you choose a tow bar with a higher capacity to build in that all-important safety margin.
Your Pre-Trip Safety and Maintenance Checklist
Your Blue Ox towing system is built for thousands of miles of dependable service, but like any hardworking equipment, preventative maintenance is key. Turning a few simple checks into a pre-departure ritual is the best way to protect your investment and ensure your safety on the road. This isn't about paranoia; it's about professionalism. A quick, systematic inspection can catch a small issue before it becomes a major failure. Having an essential maintenance kit on hand makes these quick checks even easier.
Routine Maintenance for Your Tow Bar
The tow bar is the most dynamic part of your system and deserves the most attention. Keeping its moving parts clean and properly lubricated is crucial for smooth, reliable operation.
- Clean the Arms: After each trip, wipe down the extendable tow bar arms with a clean, dry cloth to remove road grime and dust that can cause the locking mechanisms to bind.
- Lubricate Moving Parts: Use a quality silicone spray lubricant on the leg pivot points and locking mechanisms. This ensures the arms extend, retract, and lock into place smoothly.
- Check Hardware Torque: Road vibration can loosen bolts over time. Annually, or before a long trip, use a torque wrench to verify that all mounting bolts on the tow bar and baseplate are tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Your Pre-Trip Safety Checklist
Before pulling out of your driveway or campsite, make this five-minute checklist a non-negotiable part of your routine. This is your final confirmation that every connection is solid and secure. It's a simple habit that provides invaluable security. Speaking of security, adding the best RV wheel chocks to your campsite setup is another smart move for complete safety.
A pre-trip check isn't paranoia; it's professional practice. Taking a few moments to verify your connections confirms that your Blue Ox towing system is ready to perform flawlessly, protecting your vehicles and everyone on the road.
The Five-Point Pre-Trip Check:
- Confirm All Connections: Physically check that the tow bar is locked into the RV’s hitch receiver. Wiggle it to ensure the pin is secure. Confirm both attachment tabs are correctly pinned and clipped to the baseplate.
- Attach Safety Cables: Ensure your safety cables are crisscrossed (this creates a "cradle" if the hitch fails) and securely attached to both the RV and the towed vehicle. They should have enough slack for turns but not so much that they drag on the pavement.
- Connect Wiring and Breakaway: Plug in your lighting umbilical cord. Critically, connect the breakaway switch cable for your supplemental braking system. This is your emergency fail-safe.
- Perform a Light Check: With your RV's engine running, have a partner stand behind the towed car. Cycle through your running lights, brake lights, and both turn signals to confirm they all work in sync with the RV.
- Final Vehicle Prep: This is easy to forget but critical. Double-check that your towed vehicle is in the correct gear for towing (usually neutral), the key is in the proper position to unlock the steering wheel (check your manual!), and the parking brake is fully disengaged.
Smart Accessories to Upgrade Your Towing Setup
Once your core Blue Ox towing system is in place, a few smart accessories can significantly improve convenience, security, and the longevity of your equipment. These aren't just "nice-to-haves"; they solve real-world problems you will encounter on the road and at the campground.
A tow bar cover is one of the simplest and most effective upgrades. When you’re not towing, this durable cover slips over the stowed tow bar, protecting the sensitive locking mechanisms and electrical connections from road grime, rain, and damaging UV rays that can degrade components over time.
Leveling and Securing Your Gear
A common issue is an unlevel tow bar. A perfectly horizontal alignment between your RV and car is critical for safe handling and preventing uneven wear. If your RV’s hitch is higher or lower than your car’s baseplate attachment points, a drop or rise receiver is the only correct solution. These adapters adjust the hitch height to ensure a straight, level pull.
For security, especially during overnight stops, a set of locking hitch pins is a must-have. These replace the standard clips and secure your expensive tow bar to both the RV and the baseplate, providing peace of mind that your investment won't be stolen.
Think of these accessories as the finishing touches that complete a professional towing rig. A few small, smart additions can prevent major headaches, protect your investment, and ensure every connection remains rock-solid, trip after trip.
Keeping It Tidy and Safe
Finally, managing your safety cables and wiring loom can be a nuisance. You never want them to drag on the pavement, where they can be shredded and rendered useless. A simple cable organizer or even a coiled umbilical cord can be a lifesaver, keeping everything neatly bundled and safely out of harm’s way.
Here’s a quick rundown of the most useful accessories:
- Tow Bar Cover: Protects your stowed tow bar from weather and road debris.
- Locking Pins: Secures your tow bar and hitch from theft.
- Drop/Rise Receiver: Essential for achieving a level and safe towing angle.
- Cable and Wiring Organizers: Prevents dragging and damage to critical connections.
We Hear You: Answering Your Blue Ox Questions
Even after covering the basics, it’s natural to have questions before investing in a Blue Ox towing system. This is a significant decision impacting your safety and travel experience. Let’s tackle some of the most common questions from fellow RVers.
Can I Install a Blue Ox Baseplate Myself?
For most people, the answer is no. If you are a skilled mechanic with a full garage (including a lift, torque wrenches, and metal drill bits), it's possible. However, this is a complex job that often requires removing the entire front bumper, drilling into your vehicle's frame, and torquing bolts to critical specifications. My advice is to download and read the installation manual for your specific vehicle first. If any step gives you pause, hire a professional. The cost of a professional installation is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that it's done correctly and safely.
How Do I Know Which Blue Ox Tow Bar to Buy?
This decision is based on one number: the curb weight of the vehicle you plan to tow. You can find this on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner's manual. The golden rule is to always choose a tow bar with a capacity rating significantly higher than your vehicle's actual weight. Do not cut it close.
For example, if your SUV weighs 5,000 lbs, you should be looking at tow bars rated for at least 7,500 lbs or, even better, 10,000 lbs. This extra capacity isn't just for show; it’s a crucial safety buffer that handles the dynamic forces of emergency braking and maneuvering. This is non-negotiable.
Is a Supplemental Braking System Really Necessary?
Yes, 100%. A supplemental braking system is not just a good idea—it’s legally required in most states and throughout Canada for any towed vehicle over a certain weight (typically 1,500-3,000 lbs). When you brake in your RV, this system applies the brakes in your towed vehicle simultaneously. This accomplishes two critical things: it dramatically reduces your overall stopping distance in an emergency, and it prevents dangerous overheating and premature wear on your motorhome's brakes. Never tow without one.
For all your Blue Ox towing needs, from complete systems to individual accessories and expert advice, trust the team at RVupgrades.com. Explore our full selection of towing products and accessories at https://www.rvupgradestore.com.
