Enlarged Mounting Hole on 2015 Ford C-Max with Blue Ox Base Plate Kit

Question:

I have the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms Item # BX2639. It had worked itself loose on one of our trips. I took off the base plate and found that the holes for the 3 bolts on each side of the base plate had enlarged the hole in the frame of the vehicle. Any recommendations for repairing these oblong holes? Or do I just bolt on the base plate again with my new hardware? The hole as it is now is approximately 1 oblong.

asked by: Scott A

Expert Reply:

I know this isn't what you want to hear but that's a very serious safety concern and the issue is just going to keeping getting worse and damaging the vehicle further. There's really nothing you can do to fix this either. I suggest you get in contact with Blue Ox directly to see what they recommend. That said, if I were you I would switch to a different attachment point as it's really the only safe thing to do. The Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit part # 524432-1 attaches in a different spot than the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part # BX2639 so you don't have to deal with the failing attachment points.

Please note, in order to reuse your tow bar you'll need the Blue Ox Tow Bar to Roadmaster Standard, EZ and XL Base Plates Adapter part # BX88178.

expert reply by: Conner L