Blue Ox Base plate too narrow How to widen it.

[park_ridge_dave]

Hi:

I am installing a Blue Ox baseplate on my 2007 Ford Escape. I tried to "fit" it up but the thing is about 1/8" too narrow to fit around the Tie down brackets.

I went to the Blue Ox Tech Tips and they suggest "tweaking" the Baseplate a little wider (note to Blue Ox could you put in a little more detail? Also, is this a change in the 2007? I called before I ordered and the tech person said the bracket had not changed for 2007).

OK now for my question. Anybody got any ideas on how to make it wider? I don't think a sledge hammer is such a good Idea I would like to have something like a hydraulic jack setup but I can't figure out anything I could do "safely" to accomplish this.

I am hoping thst someone out there has already solved this one.

Thanks,

[park_ridge_dave]

Hi:

I am installing a Blue Ox baseplate on my 2007 Ford Escape. I tried to "fit" it up but the thing is about 1/8" too narrow to fit around the Tie down brackets.

I went to the Blue Ox Tech Tips and they suggest "tweaking" the Baseplate a little wider (note to Blue Ox could you put in a little more detail? Also, is this a change in the 2007? I called before I ordered and the tech person said the bracket had not changed for 2007).

OK now for my question. Anybody got any ideas on how to make it wider? I don't think a sledge hammer is such a good Idea I would like to have something like a hydraulic jack setup but I can't figure out anything I could do "safely" to accomplish this.

I am hoping thst someone out there has already solved this one.

Thanks,

[edgray]

Dave, Just a thought-are the tie down brackets removable?? assuming you don't have a use for them. ED

[Frankie]

Ask a Fireman if you can borrow the jaws of life.

[park_ridge_dave]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by edgray:
Dave, Just a thought-are the tie down brackets removable?? assuming you don't have a use for them. ED </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ed I thought about that. The only thing I can think of is they provide a "curb feeler" for parking lot concrete bars . Seriously, I am thinking of doing that. They really are only used (as far as I know) when the units are being transported on a carrier truck to the dealer) I could keep them and re-install before I sell the unit.

UPDATE Upon futher investigation (i.e. looking at the unit closely) I noticed that the Tie-down brackets are used for Chassis tie-in, thus not removable.

Is there any "law" that says they have to be on the SUV? (Now a very moot point)

Thanks Ed,

[park_ridge_dave]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Frankie:
Ask a Fireman if you can borrow the jaws of life. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Frankie, Good suggestion!

I was going to take the base plate to work on Monday and see if the hydraulic press is available. Maybe, I can "persuade" it to fit

If the base plate is too wide the solutions are obvious (and Blue Ox covers them in detail).

When the base plate is too narrow is when the "fun" begins.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Blue Ox is great for tech support - have you called them? They will want to know if there is a fit problem. And if you are anywhere near their Pender, NE factory hey will adjust it for you at no charge.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Frankie:
Ask a Fireman if you can borrow the jaws of life. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Better yet ask a Frankie if you can borrow his jaws.

[park_ridge_dave]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV Roamer:
Blue Ox is great for tech support - have you called them? They will want to know if there is a fit problem. And if you are anywhere near their Pender, NE factory hey will adjust it for you at no charge. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Gary.

I will call on Monday if I can't get it on today. I am sure that my unit is on the Blue Ox Min dimension and the Escape is on Ford's Max dimension They may have a ready solution. It is always "lonely" out in the garage when you run up against a problem like this on the weekend when no factory tech support is available. But! IRV2ers came through as usual!

Update! Just off the wire!

I fixed the problem with a Nicholson 12" Mill ******* File. It seems that the tie down bracket has a "tab" that is a result of the press that made it. I had to file about an eighth of an inch off both sides of the unit. That enables the spacing block to slide up where they belong.

Now, I have to "hog out" the two top bolt holes to get the bolts to fit. That is to be expected I guess.

Thanks amigos!

[Gary RVRoamer]

That sort of thing is within normal tolerances for base plate installation. The vehicle dimensions actually vary quite a lot and the base plate has to split the difference - neither too large nor too small.

[park_ridge_dave]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I am sure that my unit is on the Blue Ox Min dimension and the Escape is on Ford's Max dimension </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

and "all's well that ends well"!!

[edgray]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">"all's well that ends well"!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good for you!

[park_ridge_dave]

More info. ....

The push pins up in the corner of the front fascia are a real bear to get to for re-insertion. My hands (not large) were too big to get it fixed. I have a friend with a body shop and he has a "special" tool that just popped it back in (about 12" long with a holder gizmo) It cost me a lunch but worth it at twice the price!

Today I am wiring it up and installing my US-Gear braking kit.

[Colt45]

I had to reverse engineer mine also glad you got yours done.