Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
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2012 Ford Explorer
These items fit your vehicle
2012 Ford Explorer
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If you like a clean look when you’re not towing, this setup keeps things tidy. The crossbar-style hidden brackets attach to the frame and the visible portions can be removed when you’re done towing. Once the drawbars are out, the remaining pieces are virtually invisible and tucked inside the grille where they stay protected from scrapes and scuffs.
Each square drawbar slides into place and locks with two hitch pins, making it quick to secure your tow bar before hitting the road. When you’re finished, just pull the pins to remove the arms—it’s that straightforward. The design works with Roadmaster tow bars using the quick-disconnect crossbar (910021-00, sold separately) for an easy fit-up.
This base plate is built from computer-cut, all-steel material that gives it exceptional strength for long-haul towing. The black powder coat finish adds durability and corrosion resistance, so it stays looking good and performing reliably even after thousands of miles on the road.
There’s no welding required, and everything you need comes in the box—mounting hardware and instructions included. The straightforward bolt-on design makes it practical for anyone who likes to handle their own installs and end up with a solid, custom fit that’s ready to tow.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
91% were satisfied with this product
9% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
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)
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.
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
fast delivery.
Nice product. Well made and easy to ins tall.
Order was delivered in a very prompt amount of time and the quality appears to be top notch. I will be needing additional parts and will continue to shop e-trailer.
Fit perfectly. Instructions clear and easy to follow. Excellent quality.
Great service! Fast Shipping! Went together without any problem!
Everything was shipped promptly and the base plate fit and was easy to install. I was able to pull my car behind my motor home with out any problems.
E-trailers Customer service is tops. I ordered on Sunday morning and was notified that afternoon that my product was reasy to ship. Excellent communication through the whole process. I received my product with free shipping in 4 business days! I will be shopping again with Etrailer. Great product great company and service, ....... thanks!
The installation had a couple of small problems. The tabs on the back of the grill contact the main cross bar of the base plate and prevent the grill from droping fully into place. Removing 1/4" from the tabls solved that problem. There were no weld nuts for the bottom 2 bolts on each side so I enlarged the bottom hole and fish wired the bolts into place. Tim
Although it has taken me several weeks to install on my Ford Escape XLT, it actually arrived very quickly.. If you have minimal skills like I do, you can still install this yourself. It took me about 6 hours. The only glitches I found in the directions was the location of the ambient temperature sensor and the need to cut down part of the air foil. Due to the location of the sensor, I did not need to do anything with it and it was not necessary to make any cuts. Neither caused me any distress. The biggest challenge was having to enlarge a couple of holes and " fish" bolts through them due to the lack of welded nuts as indicated in the directions. If you lack the tools and/or know how to do these jobs, it might be better to have someone install it for you.
When I called etrailer with my order, we discovered that the Roadmaster Combo Kit with straight cables and wiring was out of stock. Katie called Roadmaster to find out when it would be shipped, but it was longer than I wanted to wait. She suggested coiled cables which could be shipped with my Base Plate Kit so I ordered that.
I got exactly what I needed/ordered and it arrived in less than 48 hours! Everything arrived in good shape in 2 boxes right on my front porch. Great prices, great service and great delivery!
Plug and Play!
No major hassles installing this bar; it fit the frame perfectly. It arrived well packaged. All necessary hardware was included; no missing pieces. The instructions were fairly clear and pictures were in color, a great help. There are enough etrailer videos online to review on how to install to boost your confidence.
Minor gripe - you have to drill one ½" hole through a support on both sides, although it's made easier by being able to use the bar as a template and you don't have to be under the vehicle to do it. Just be sure you have a drill motor/bit combination that will allow you to drill a hole this size.
Bottom line - if you're handy with tools you shouldn't have any major problems installing this yourself. I set aside a full day to do this, but finished in about 4 hours.
Received the base plate kit and installed it with no problems, works great and I want to thank you for a great product.
YOU SHOULD NOT BE SELLING THIS BASE PLATE ! ! !
THe vehicle it is made for SHOULD NOT be towed ! Even the the manufacturer Ford "says" that it can be towed in the owners' manual - THEY LIE ! And etrailer by offering this product are perpetuating that lie and misguiding your customers. Check the forums -for verification of WHAT I AM TELLING YOU
Sierra K.
11/23/2021
I looked up the vehicle manual for a 2010 Ford Escape and it does allow for flat towing with all 4 wheels on the ground. It must be taken to an authorized dealer to check for the proper transmission fluid level.
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Tom
2/13/2014
We are still traveling and enjoying your product.