Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
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2009 Ford Flex
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2009 Ford Flex
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If you like a clean, factory look when you’re not towing, this setup keeps it that way. The hidden bracket design tucks in behind the grille, leaving almost nothing visible once the drawbars are removed. Each arm slides out easily by pulling two hitch pins, so you won’t have bulky hardware sticking out or catching your leg when walking by the bumper.
Connecting your tow bar shouldn’t take more than a minute. The square drawbars secure to the base plate with standard hitch pins, creating reliable attachment points for a Roadmaster tow bar when used with the quick-disconnect crossbar (910021-00, sold separately). The setup makes it straightforward to line up and lock in before you hit the road.
Flat towing puts real stress on your frame connection points, and this kit’s all-steel construction handles it without complaint. The computer-cut brackets provide precise fitment and even load distribution across the mounting area. A black powder coat finish adds corrosion resistance so the hardware keeps its strength and looks sharp through years of towing.
You don’t need a fabrication shop to get this on your vehicle. The base plates bolt directly to the frame using the included mounting hardware—no welding needed. Clear instructions walk you through the process, making it achievable for anyone comfortable turning wrenches on a weekend project.
Ratings & Reviews
Install pretty easy. You will have to change directions of one bolt due to obstruction ( frame). Cannot torque a few of the bolts. These are the ones with wire attached.
Rock guard needed addition trimming from factory instructions.
Awesome delivery speed, and a well made base plate for my 2007 Element. Installation was a breeze (thanks to my son’s heated shop) and I had to do no cutting to make this fit. I had a Stowmaster tow bar that came with my RV and etrailer was able to steer me to the correct missing parts to make this a really affordable installation. Now to get out of this snow!
Purchased for a 1997 Subaru Impreza. Delivery was amazingly fast! I didn't have it installed until a few months later, as my travel plans had stalled. It didn't quite bolt right on, but was close, and a friend had to modify it some to make it work. I still hear a grating noise when I turn too sharp on one side, but otherwise it's fine.
The front connection plates didn't line up with the holes, so had to have those modified, as well, in order to line up and attach to the tow bar. Once the new holes were drilled, I was able to hook up and go.
It's relatively easy to connect after finding a way to do it alone.
I've towed from CO to TX and all over TX with it with no problems.
After ordering the wrong crossbar, etrailer sent the correct one for our Mini Cooper quickly. However I did have to modify most of the holes as the cross bar didn’t quite fit (but close). I had to drill the three main bolt holes to 11/16 so that the bar would go over the Mini’s 3 main bumper bolts on both sides. The two lower bolt holes (each side), needed to be drilled out 3 sizes larger to accommodate the 4 bolts that come with the kit. I had to drill out the Minis lower holes to better align with the crossbars lower holes. I would also like to note it being a pain in the knuckles to reach one of the three (each side) bolts to put the stock nuts on the bolt and then try and get them tight. (The main bolt pattern for the upper bumper is diamond shape, one up tow bolts lower. (The lower “inside” bolt on each side is the one that is hard to get to and tighten.) Sorry I didn’t get picks, I was in a rush to get the car back together. There’s an angle piece on the cross bar that blocks the hard to reach bolt, it would be helpful if that could be made more accessible to reach.
Fit and finish is great, the illustration for what you trim on the bumper isn't great but otherwise pretty easy install (I ended up measuring between the mounts on the draw bar and just trimmed accordingly)
I’ve been purchasing products from ETrailer since 2005 and all the products I’ve purchased have been a great value. The products mentioned above installed perfectly and with the direct assistance from ETrailer everything fit as suggested. I will always interact with ETrailer as needs present themselves.
Overall the installation was great, however the process of drilling 3 - 1/2" holes in that little bumper that has a Rockwell Hardness of about 60, seems to be a bit over the top.The instructions are spot on, delivery was great, the quality of product was accurate. I am a happy boy!
Replaced same part that was damaged in a crash. I had used my original one for close to ten years without issue. Fast shipping from etrailer.
The Base plate kit is well made and came with all the necessary hardware.Installation is relatively straight forward. I did have to enlarge two of the holes that didn't quite line up. But overall I'd recommend it.
Bolted right up. Installation should be done with bumper on, as you can't fit the ends through the louvers without some convincing. Works great so far. Was able to use a Stowmaster 5000 with it.
Installation was a bit trying. Ended up looking very clean and almost invisible.
Using the tow bar worked super easy and our motorhome hardly noticed the Mini Cooper back there.
Came quickly and is very high quality. Great directions/video from road master makes the installation step by step easy to follow.
Skill level is probably at the intermediate level depending on experience.
The #118-3 is a perfect fit on my 1995 Geo Tracker. When you pull off the removable arms you would never know they are there. The Quality is very good easy to put on all you have to do is drill 4 holes the tube on the base plate fits into the tube on the frame of the tracker and with the 2 bolts it is a solid fit. I was worried about the plate nut getting it inside of the frame but it went in easy when you put it over the frame tube and use a thin piece of metal to slide it in place. I’m very happy with it. I probably could of got it on without taking my bumper off but with only 4 bolts holding my bumper on it made it easier
Beefy brackets. Superfast shipping.
fast service great product
The base plates arrived very quickly and I had them installed in 30 min., only one hole to drill. Would certainly recomend them to anyone.
Arrived quickly and were packed well. Instructions were simple to follow and the parts fit perfectly. Looking forward to towing the Jeep with our motorhome.
Great company to do business with, great phone assistance and fast shipping. Parts fit perfectly.
Thanks very satisfied
Philip Reagan
got the base plates on wed and on thursday morningstarted the job. It was a breeze to put on, just like the picture on line showed. I would tell my friends to call or look on line in a heart beat, you people have a good product. thank you phil
The brackets/base plates were nicely built! Over priced, (not e trailer's fault) but I guess you get what you pay for! They were super easy to install! Was a little skeptical on the drilling but It went without a problem! I was under promised and over delivered with product! I will definitely keep doing business with etrailer.com in the future! You folks rock!
MY UNCLE HAD AN OLDER ROADMASTER STOWMASTER TOW BAR WITHOUT THE BASE PLATE FOR THE TOWED JEEP. I ORDERED THIS HOPING IT WOULD WORK, AFTER A SOMEWHAT EASY INSTALL THE BASE PLATE MATCHED UP PERFECT WITH THE TOW BAR.
I have mounted four different Roadmaster brackets in the passed but this model had some serious problems. The drivers side bracket attached to my 2001 Jeep TJ very easily per the instructions. The passenger side bracket on the other hand had serious engineering deficiencies. None of the mounting holes matched up to the vehicle frame. Two of the bracket holes needed to be enlarged to engage. The back hole was very difficult aligning the inside required drilled hole with the outside slotted opening. Near impossible to enlarge a slotted frame opening. May be fine for a fully equipped shop with all the tools required but not so much for the home mechanic. I'd still recommend these brackets but know what your getting into.
My wife and I have owned a 2001 JEEP Wrangler SE since new. It has never been wrecked or damaged in any way. It does have an Old Man Emu lift which raises it about two inches over stock. It also has a Warn winch and bull bar on the front. This JEEP has the factory U channel front bumper.
The Roadmaster base plate was purchased after we decided to tow this JEEP with our motorhome.
Installation was OK but had a few issues. First off, the Torx bolts under bumper are size 55, not 50, as told in all the instructions I read. The driver side bracket was a great fit and went on very easily.
The passenger side bracket was a much different story. Once the Torx bumper bolt was inserted, the second bolt did fit in the hole but third bolt required a lot of work. It is designed to pass thru a slot in the outside section of the frame and then you drill thru to make the hole thru inside edge of frame. The Roadmaster bracket did not line up with slot completely so it required being drilled. That sounds easy but try drilling a 1/2 hole thru a 3/8 slot. You are going to back up many times and break the drill bit edge before you finish!
Once installed, the Roadmaster 1420-1 baseplates look nice and seem very strong. You will lose about two inches of approach angle along the bottom edge of front bumper but should not be an issue unless you are a rock crawler.
Finished height of hitch came to 21 3/4 inches and is a perfect match to my motorhome which yields a level tow bar so no extra drop receiver for RV needed. That saves about $150. Remember, my JEEP is lifted two inches but you would still be within the three inch margin of saftey with a stock suspension.
I would recommend this Roadmaster 1420-1 baseplate to a friend.
It worked perfectly for my 2002 Jeep Wrangler. Easy to install. Drill one hole as outlined! Etrailer was great about customer service! Package arrived on time.
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