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This crossbar-style base plate kit gives you solid, fixed attachment points right on the vehicle’s frame. The fixed-bar design means the front arms cannot be removed, so there are fewer parts to manage and nothing to misplace. It’s a straightforward setup that keeps things simple and dependable every time you hook up your tow bar.
Each bracket is computer-cut from all-steel for exceptional strength, and the precision welds help spread towing forces evenly across the frame. The black powder coat finish resists corrosion and keeps the hardware looking sharp after years of use. It’s built to handle the stress of long road miles without flex or fatigue.
This kit is made to bolt directly to existing frame points for a custom fit that lines up right where it should. It includes all the mounting hardware and instructions you need, so you can get it installed cleanly with basic tools. Once mounted, you’re ready for a durable, low-maintenance connection that stays put trip after trip.
The base plates work with Roadmaster tow bars when used with the quick-disconnect crossbar (910021-00 – sold separately). That compatibility makes it easy to link up your existing towing gear into one solid system, whether you’re setting up for short hauls or longer cross-country drives.
Ratings & Reviews
I received the "Classic" base plate kit (model 1528-1) for my 2000 Honda CRV about a week ago, but just had it installed by a local mechanic. Prior to installation, I inspected the package contents, and found it to contain all of the required parts. The material from which the parts were manufactured appear to be somewhat heavier and more substantial than I anticipated. The fit to my car frame was very good, and although the attachment points on this model are not the quick-release design, they are not overly obvious. I can't speak concerning performance, as we haven't had occasion to actually use it yet.
I purchased a 'tow package' for my Jeep so I could pull it behind my motorhome, along with a trailer hitch for the Jeep.
All products fit perfectly, and were easy to install. We traveled about 6K miles, and did not have an issue.
Thanks!
This is an excellent, strong product, that fit my older model Honda CRV perfectly. We just drove cross country. Combined with a basic rigid tow bar, this is a reliable, economic light vehicle tow set up, just be sure your hitch is at the correct height so the tow bar is level, otherwise you will have twisting problems in tight turns.
The Real Story - The real story regarding what it takes to install the base is that it takes about 4 hours and . .
- You will need a small sledge hammer to pound the unit into the frame cross tube such that the attach points are solid against the frame and align properly at the center point bottom of the frame.
- You will need to remove the wheels to gain access to the side of the vehicle’s frame for drilling the attach points.
- You may need to jack the car up for ground clearance, to drill the bottom hole.
- I had to cut an access hole through the bumper cover to get the backing plate into the frame channel.
- You will need to pry off the frame mud guard, if your car has one.
- You may need to make a ruler like metal shim to hold the back plate while you screw the bottom bolt.
- A 6 ft pole lever is needed to force the front of the base down and thereby pivot the back flange up to align it to the slot like hole in the frame. This area is critical so make sure the hole you drill is match centered!!
- Drill small attach point holes first to make sure you have sufficient clearance on the back side, for the large washers and proper hole alignment with the base flange
- If it all goes well . . plan on a 4 hour job.
- The base is a real beast and could haul a Mac Truck!
- It is by far the easiest base to install, of any I evaluated.
- Would you recommend etrailer.com to a friend? Oh hell yes!
Very happy with the service I received, and so pleased with the base plate easy to install. Pics soon. Thank you etrailer
Delivery of the products was EXTREMELY fast.
The installation instructions referred to a page with adjustment instructions but the page was not included and I couldn't find the missing page on-line either. Installation was a bit more complicated than I thought it was going to be.
Very sturdy product. It should do a great job for me.
made strong took about 3 hours my tow hooks on my suzuki samural were bent out so that slow me down a bit i used 5 pound sledge out bang them straight then bolts went in i turn the front wheels to the right so to drill the hole in the frame used small bit then went for larger one work out well follow direction they did work but lacking illustration .works good
A little scary at first but went on my Geo Tracker easily. Extremely solid once installed. Made the tow from CA to Ohio a breeze. I did have to make some adapters to fit my towbar but that's not the fault of your product.
The product was received as expected. The brackets aligned with all points and bolted up first time. The hardware was great, except two lock washer short (but not a problem as I had extras in my parts bins) and double the number of flat washers (extras for the next project). But is was great to have all optional bolts, washers and nuts supplied. Instructions were easy to follow and complete with one excepting. I need a bracket part from the old brackets and that was not included in the instructions, but was clear as I aligned everything in the pre assembly.
High Quality Product. Install instructions don't go into enough detail in step by step. A little vague for the Non-Expert installer. Nut Plates provided for rear mounting bolts are wider than the holes available in sub-frame for install. Had to mill sides of pads to get them into the frame for install. No instructions or fish wires to get them into place. Had to manufacture own fish wire system to get the plates in place for install. Once mods were completed and hardware designed and built, installation was pretty much straight forward. I would not consider this kit for a novice installer. Sorry I didn't take pictures of the "wide" nut plate situation and my redesign (width reduction)
I finally have my parts today,I waited 5 Days but I Guess that's How It Is.The Set up was Not Hard at all,I had all the parts to Install it ,And Yes I will buy Again if I Need something else!
The product fits perfectly. Installation is somewhat easy except drilling the opening on the frame. The arms are holding down very strong, good quality.
Everything is perfect! There was no problem with fit, durability or quality! I am very happy with the products you sent me!
Perfect fit for my 2005 Jeep Wrangler TJ using a Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000.
Remove bumper and front wheels. Bracket B is the only hole to be drilled for installing. Bracket C bolts thru existing steering box bolt hole. Bracket E bolts from main bar A to existing rigging eye in your samurai to anchor and secure the base plate. (See pictures) hope this helps. Only negative for me is the base plate sticks out in front instead of below bumper. All parts needed for installation where in the box.
installed the tow brackets per the instructions - the pictures in the instructions were small and weren't real helpful so I contacted Customer Service which sent me detailed photos of an installation on a similar vehicle - helped a lot! Thanks! Within a week we were off on a cross country trip down to Mexico, put on 6000 miles and then retorqed the bracket bolts. This is a good product, easy to use, and we've used it pretty hard - no problems so far!
Very easy to install and well built product. Instructions made the job go smoothly. With the tight tolerance on the backing plate bolt spacing, I had to do a small amount of filing on the 1989 Jeep Cherokee frame holes so that the plates would slide easily through. Other than that, no real problems. As mentioned in the instructions, I had to cut small sections out of the top and bottom of the bumper for the new brackets but the install looks really clean.
1. Helpful
2. In stock
3. Arrived when promised.
Too good to be true? Or is etrailer just that good .
The person that printed the directions had never installed a hitch on a vw transporter. I figured it out and got it installed.
I got my tow package and I just got it mounted on my Westvalia Vanagon went together real smooth, I'm very happy. Thank you again for your help and support Ted 10/26/2018
Very good service. Quick shipping!
Did have to cut off factory tow hook with a hack saw. Straight forward install otherwise and good quality.
This thing is a really frustrating. For $xxx it should be a lot better even from the beginning where people understand the install situation. It isn't really a bolt on as step one is cut and grind off the factory tow hook. This isn't mentioned by RM. The instructions are a joke - they mix up front and back all the while telling you to read the instructions closely. And the support is really frustrating. If you have 3 questions with photos, etc, they answer only one question per email. You should stop selling this unit until you install it with a video on some vans of maybe different years and maybe RM will listen to you and update their instructions and as far as I can tell so far the hardware needs at least some different hardware. Until then sell the RM Westy front bumper with Clevises already on it for about the same money.

Sierra K.
11/20/2021
I spoke to my contact at Roadmaster and he said, as this kit is for vehicles 30 plus years old, it does not fit the new systems, verbiage, and formats that are currently used in installations. With this vehicle being an uncommonly flat towed vehicle as well, they are limited to the one vehicle that came into their shop, which was being the model to design the installation instructions. This can lead to little things not being detailed in the instructions.
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David
10/21/2021
Towed it several times and still works great, no problems.