I have a 2008 FEH that I have been flat towing (all 4 wheels down) behind my RV. I installed a BLUE OX Base Plate / Tow Bar in late 2008 and have towed the Escape for over 40,000 miles. I always check the hitch when refueling or at a rest stop. This Spring upon return from the South, I noticed that the base plate had failed. This must have happened on the very last leg of our trip as I had checked it when I stopped for gas about 50 miles from home. I dis-assembled the front fascia of the Escape to inspect the Base Plate and found it had broken at one of the welds. BLUE OX was notified and they sent me a free replacement, which I just finished installing. I did a quick Google search and found other Ford Escape owners have reported this Base Plate failure, some requiring expensive repairs. The purpose of this post was to warn others before an expensive failure occurs. The failing Base Plate was BX2193, the replacement Base Plate is BX2609. The BX2609 appears to be a complete re-design looks to be much improved.