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  1. Tow Bar Base Plate
  2. Roadmaster
  3. Removable Draw Bars
  4. Twist Lock Attachment
  5. Completely Hidden
THIS ITEM IS NOT A FIT FOR
2008 Mazda 5
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Roadmaster

Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Part Number: 52181-1
In Stock
$575.00
Retail:$632.50
You Save: $57.50
Tow Bar Base Plate
Not Confirmed to Fit

2008 Mazda 5

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In Use/Installed

etrailer Installation
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Roadmaster's EZ Twistlock series brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and simple to remove. Brackets install on your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for your tow bar. Great Prices for the best tow bar base plate from Roadmaster. Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms part number 52181-1 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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  • Reviews (491)
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Roadmaster Tow Bar Base Plate - 52181-1

Highlights

  • Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounts to existing attachment points
  • Ready for Flat Towing: Installs on your vehicle’s frame to create solid attachment points for your tow bar.
  • Blends In When Not Towing: Hidden bracket design keeps the front end looking clean and factory-original.
  • Connects and Disconnects Fast: Twist-lock removable drawbars let you hook up or remove arms in seconds—no pins or clips.
  • Built to Last: Computer-cut, all-steel construction with durable black powder coat resists corrosion and wear.
  • Fits Seamlessly with Roadmaster Gear: Works with Quick Disconnects and all Roadmaster tow bars for easy system integration.
Made in USA

Features to know about

Built for a Clean Front End: Hidden Bracket Design with Removable Arms

This setup keeps things clean when you’re not towing. The hidden bracket design leaves your front end looking factory-fresh, with no bulky crossbar hanging out. When it’s time to tow, the removable drawbars twist and lock into place—no pins or clips to fumble with. Once they’re out, the remaining brackets are tucked neatly within the grille, protected from scrapes and completely out of sight.

Quick Hookups Made Simple: EZ TwistLock Connection

Connecting the tow bar doesn’t get much easier. The TwistLock system lets you insert each drawbar, give it a quick twist, and you’re ready to roll. To disconnect, twist again and pull them free. It’s a smooth, tool-free process that makes setup and removal fast whether you’re in your driveway or at the campsite.

Strong Where It Counts: All-Steel Construction with Black Powder Coat Finish

This base plate kit is built from computer-cut, all-steel components that bolt directly to the frame for maximum strength. The black powder coat finish adds durability and corrosion resistance so you can trust it through thousands of miles of towing. The solid construction helps distribute towing forces evenly, giving you confidence in your setup every time you hit the road.

DIY-Friendly Setup: Simple Bolt-On Installation with Included Hardware

Installing this kit doesn’t require welding or special equipment. It’s a straightforward bolt-on job that comes with clear instructions and all necessary mounting hardware. The design lines up with existing frame points for a precise fit, so you can complete it in an afternoon and be ready to tow without extra fabrication work.

Compatible and Ready for the Road: Works with All Roadmaster Tow Bars

The EZ Base Plate Kit integrates with Roadmaster’s tow bars through built-in Quick Disconnect compatibility. That means you can connect directly to your existing system without needing adapters or modifications, keeping your flat towing setup simple, secure, and consistent trip after trip.

Specs

Construction and Design

  • Bracket design: Hidden design provides improved aesthetics compared with standard brackets
  • Drawbars: Easily removable – just twist and pull
  • Attachment: No pins or clips required
  • Construction: Computer-cut, all-steel
  • Finish: Black powder coat finish is durable and corrosion resistant
  • Installation: Simple installation – no welding required
  • Fit: Custom base plates ensure a perfect fit for your vehicle
  • Compatibility: Compatible with Quick Disconnects and all Roadmaster tow bars
  • Included components: Instructions and mounting hardware included
  • Manufacturing origin: Made in the USA
  • Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Features

  • Type: EZ Twistlock series brackets
  • Visibility: Virtually invisible when drawbars are removed
  • Protective positioning: Brackets are mounted within the grille to remain unseen and protected from scrapes and scuffs
  • Operation method: Insert arms into brackets and twist to lock; twist back and pull out to remove

52181-1 Road Master EZ Base Plate Kit

Installation Details 52181-1 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles




Ratings & Reviews

4.8

490 reviews
Review sort icon
Roadmaster's EZ Twistlock series brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and simple to remove. Brackets install on your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for your tow bar.

by:

Easy to install for the do it yourselfer. Good quality and fit. etrailer customer service was great too.



by:

The installation on this was surprisingly quick on my 2011 Fit (base/non-sport version). Everything fit well (no pun intended).

A few minor changes over the video as my car was slightly different:
- I didn't have to trim anything on the air dam -- the tubes lined up perfectly with the slots on my grill.
- There was a in the wheel on each side where the plastic bumper meets the steel body panel. I didn't realize they were there (they're hidden somewhat) so I ended up cracking the hole this screw was in, but everything came back together nice and tight anyway.



by:

Even I had to wait almost 2 months, I'm so grateful that I got the Roadmaster base plates and tow bar..:) It is so easy to be mounted and to operate with it... Thank you for the good product.... P.S You don't need to cut anything from the bumper plastic facial...so you can just skip that part from the instructions!



by:

The Roadmaster base Plate kit does what it was designed to do. A difficult install as the Smart ForTwo did not lend itself to an easy base plate engineering design.
Installed it myself though with help from the instructions and etrailer on line instructions. I like the finished base plate. It is barely visible protruding only slightly from the black lower radiator grill (see photo)



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Very happy with this product. Installation was pretty easy. I see no reason to pay someone to install this. True you have to take the bumper off and a large metal support beam but it was pretty easy. You just have to take it slow and not get frustrated. The bumper on the Honda Fit is held on with a gazillion little plastic clips and snap joints. Everything fits tight on a Honda so you have to be patient. My only complaint is they don't give you the exact torque settings. I had to consult a shop manual to get the correct torque values. They give a table at the end of the instructions that gives common torque values for various bolt sizes. I thought that was lame they could have given the correct value from the shop manual. Certainly not enough to lower my rating. This bar is awesome and when the drawbars are removed the base plate is almost completely hidden. My wife wanted nothing to show on the front of the car. She was very pleased with it.

In the picture attached the bar is almost completely hidden. All you see are two small black circles. It takes about 2 seconds to mount the drawbars, just twist and go. VERY sturdy. I tow my Honda behind the motorhome with confidence.



by:

It does what it's supposed to do, which actually seems to be special these days. In all seriousness we purchased this for out Liberty, which blew it's ending the first time we tried to go on a big trip. We had it taken off of that Liberty and put on another and that's what it was on for our tip from AZ to Chicago. We have connected and disconnected probably a dozen times and took the arms off to drive around Chicago. It works just like it should and it is nice to not have to worry about at least one item. Hightly recommend this system.



by:

I had my tow car blow its engine in South Dakota while on vacation. It needed to be replaced. I bought a used car and ordered a tow bracket for it and had it shipped to one of my destinations so I could install it there.
Unfortunately that car also broke down but I was able to return it. I asked to return that bracket and etrailer accepted it back.

I found a different car and ordered the bracket for it plus a wiring kit. etrailer shipped those and they were there when I got there.

They were easy to install and fit exceptionally well. After having my wife drive the new tow car for 1000 miles we were happy to get back in the motor home while we traveled.



by:

Parts came very quickly. The base plates are really well make and of heavy material. If you watch the video it is a breeze to install. Make sure you have some new clips for your bumper as the old ones will break, not all but some. I ordered clips from Amazon. I used a vibrating saw with cutting blade and it did nice job cutting plastic bumper cover.



by:

I received the base plate for my Miata at 4:30 Monday by 7:00 it was installed and ready to go.A great product fit very nicely.Ordering and follow up went great can’t wait to try it out Just need to decide on the tow bar we will use.The Falcon or Sterling .Thank you for a great product and service.



by:

very well made and just getting pickup ready for flat towing. Fast shipping and excellent service. Highly recommend.



by:

It was a very easy install and it did great. Only got to use it for 2 months though before a semi drug his trailer across the back on my toad and totaled the vehicle.



by:

Installed on 2014 GMC Acadia. Very sturdy and heavy duty base plate. I installed it myself. You will need a little automotive knowledge and more tools then the average do it yourself-er. It took about 6 hours, by myself. It looks more intimidating then it turned out to be. You can't see it when not in use which makes it nice for the wife, since it's her car.
Pictures show the tow bar adapter. Sorry, no pictures of adapter removed.



by:

Roadmaster base plate for 2010 GMC Terrain. Very detailed instructions, great videos. Product was as described, no holes to drill, just replace factory parts with Roadmaster parts. Everything went together very well. I used the instructions supplied along with the video on my laptop. Hardest part was popping the bumper shroud back on due to colder temperature. I have a fair bit of experience with rebuilding classic cars so have lots tools and reasonable mechanical ability.



by:

Purchased the towing adapter for my GMC Terrain a few week ago, received it on time & boxed not damaged. Watched the videos’ about three time on how to do it myself and started one evening and finished it the next morning about three hours with Beer Breaks, LoL. All the parts fix perfectly, had no problems with any of the parts, Product is real sturdy and if you don’t know where to look at the bumper you will not see the hide away receiver brackets. Very nice product, do it yourself and save
Up loading two photos if it will let me one is with hide away brackets installed and the other one you can see is my complete tow bar attached to the hide away brackets



by:

easy to follow instructions, took about 3 hours to install. paper template for holes in facia would be great .



by:

Seems like a very well-made sturdy product. Instructions were good however the holes did not quite lineup like they were supposed to so I had to do some mild to moderate modification. I like the way it looks without the towbar on the base plate. It’s fairly well hidden.



by:

Thanks for being a great knowledgeable person about this tow set up. It fit perfect and the directions made it a no brainer



by:

Many reviews for this base plate said they could not hook up the U bolts. I had no problem using the U bolts. I did not tighten any bolts until I had them all in place. Then, I tightened all the nuts and bolts. I marked them with paint so I could see if any of them backed off. After a year, all of them are still tight. We towed our mini 4,000 miles in the first year.



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product installed fairly easy.



by:

Performs as expected.



by:

went on pretty much as discribed. did it in about 3 hours. looks good

Keith profile picture

Keith

2/3/2014

Does the installation require drilling?

Patrick B. profile picture

Patrick B.

2/6/2014

The install of base plate kit 52181-1 will require drilling some new holes in the frame as well as enlarging some existing holes.


by:

It was as advertised and fit my application perfectly. Have used them to tow a Saturn up and down the coast and no problems what so ever.



by:

Whoever designed this base plate has probably never seen a Saturn car let alone taken one apart to install the base plate. The instructions has one picture, that doesn't show how any of it is supposed to fit on the vehicle and it implies that you only need to remove the bumper to install. After hours of fumbling with the base plate, I ended up having to remove the bumper cover, bumper, headlights, headlight brackets, and fenders. On top of that, I had to drill four 3/4" holes.


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See what our Experts say about this Roadmaster Tow Bar Base Plate

  • Recommended Flat Towing Equipment For A 2002 Saturn SL2
    To flat tow your 2002 Saturn S Series behind your Jayco RV you'll need a tow bar, base plate, tow bar wiring kit, braking system, and safety cables. I have the following recommendations for you below: Tow Bar: Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar # RM-522. the non-binding design allows you to release your vehicle at any time, anywhere on even or unlevel ground and large hookup radius makes connecting a breeze at any angle, even if your vehicle isn't perfectly lined up with...
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  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2011 Infiniti G37S Convertible Behind an RV
    I checked the owner's manual for the 2011 Infiniti G37S and it states that if the vehicle has an automatic transmission then it must be placed on a dolly; specifically the drive wheels (rear wheels on those cars) must be on the dolly. We have some dollies but none that will work with the large diameter wheels on your G37S. If your G37S has the manual transmission then it can be flat towed by following these rules: Always tow with the manual transmission in Neutral. Your vehicle speed...
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  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2001 Saturn SC1 Coupe Behind an RV
    First, while you might not be able to find a digital copy of the manual you can find paper copies out there. One thing you might try is to find someone near you selling the same car and go look at their manual for the flat towing procedures. From what I could find you can flat tow your 2001 Saturn SC1. It is not recommended to tow it over 65 miles per hour. Additional information is available once you locate an owner's manual. To flat tow the vehicle there are 5 main parts you will need:...
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  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 1997 Saturn SL Sedan Behind a Motor Home
    For your 1997 Saturn SL sedan I recommend Roadmaster base plates # 52181-1. These base plates have removable arms so you won't have fixed arms sticking out in front of the car all the time. For a compatible tow bar I recommend the Falcon 2 # RM-520. This is a motor home mount tow bar rated up to 6,000 pounds. I have included a link to a video review of this tow bar for you. If you wanted something more budget friendly but with less features you could use the Tracker tow bar # RM-020 with...
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  • Recommended Flat Tow Equipment for a 2002 Saturn SC2
    You will need to get a completely new tow bar if you're wanting to install a custom base plate kit on your 2002 Saturn SC2. The Curt Tow Bar # C19745 that you have is designed to be connected to your vehicle using the universal brackets that come with the tow bar and the tow bar isn't compatible with anything else. I recommend going with the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit # 52181-1 and pairing it with the Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar # RM-501 which connects to the motorhome using a coupler...
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  • Base Plate Kit for 2000 Saturn Sc1
    The installation of the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit, item # 52181-1, on the Saturn Sc1 is fairly easy compared to some vehicles. I would allow a full afternoon for the installation and Roadmaster recommends at least 3-1/2 hours for installation time. Some of the things that need to be done that may not be expected are, the front fascia, headlights and bumper core will have to be removed to gain access to the frame and bumper mounting area, before starting the installation. Also you will...
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  • What Changes Are Needed To a 2000 Saturn For It To Be Towed
    When flat towing a vehicle with a tow bar, you will also need the required base plates and tow lights for the vehicle being towed. Also safety cables will be needed. The Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit, # 52181-1, is attached to the vehicle being towed. The base plate kit is a bolt-on application which might require some trimming of the spoiler, lower air dam, grill or plastic fascia depending on which model Saturn you have. Then you could attach the Roadmaster Tracker Tow Bar, # RM-020,...
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  • Base Plate Kit and Other Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2000 Saturn SL1 with a Rangefinder II Tow Bar
    To use your RangeFinder II tow bar to flat tow your 2000 Saturn SL 1 you will need to use the Roadmaster Bracket Adapter # RM-037 with a Roadmaster base plate kit. The Roadmaster base plate kits that will fit the Saturn are # 154-2, # 52181-1, and # 162-2. All three work with the bracket adapters. To fat tow the Saturn you'll also need wiring, safety cables, a braking system, and likely a high-low adapter. For the safety cable use # RM-643. The coiled design is great to keep them from...
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  • Tracker Tow Bar for 1999 Saturn SL Behind 2006 Dodge Dakota
    This towbar setup, RoadMaster Tracker part # RM-020 will work with your vehicles. However, there are other components you will need. You will need base plates for your 1999 Saturn SL. You could use part # 154-3 or part # 52181-1. If you went with the EZ Base Plate kit you will also need part # RM-222. You will also need safety cables like part # RM-643 You will also need to have tail lights for the Saturn. You can either wire the Saturn lights to your Dakota with part # RM-154, or you...
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  • How to Correct Base Plate Drawbar That is Difficult to Remove from Base Plate on 1996 Saturn SL2
    Removable arm-type base plate drawbars for your 1996 Saturn SL2, such as those in the Roadmaster # 52181-1 and the Blue Ox # BX3310 that are shown on the link at right, should not be too difficult to remove. I am concerned that the difficulty you are having removing the one drawbar could be a result of an impact or other damage. Has this system been in use for some time or is it new? If it is a new system then I urge you to take it to the place of purchase for inspection. If its been...
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  • Will Stowmaster 5000 Tow Bar Fit Both a 1993 Saturn SL1 and 1998 Saturn Station Wagon
    The Roadmaster Stowmaster tow bar # RM-501 and other generations of the Stowmaster will fit the 1998 Saturn Wagon as long as it has the proper baseplates, # 52181-1. [If you wanted to be able to easily switch from one vehicle to the other I recommend adding some vehicle side quick disconnects, # RM-222.
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  • Will The Roadmaster bracket kit 523114-1 Fit My 2000 Saturn SL
    You have three base plate kit options for your 2000 Saturn SL. The Roadmaster EZ Twistlock Brackets, part number 52181-1, is a very good kit and makes installation and removal easy. Minor trimming of the spoiler, air dam or plastic fascia may be required on some models of this vehicle. The other options are the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit 162-2 and the Roadmaster Standard Base Plate Kit 154-2. These base plate kits are also good options for your vehicle and the brackets are removable on...
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  • Do You Carry Roadmaster EZ Style Base Plate Kits for a 2000 Satun SC2
    The part for your 2000 Saturn SC2 is indeed EZ bracket part # 52181-1. We do carry them and can ship them to immediately. Attached are the installation details you will need.
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  • Replacement Tow Arms for Roadmaster EZ Base Plates on 1999 Saturn SL2
    Thank you for the photo of your base plate attachment! Based on the photo and my contact at Roadmaster, we were able to determine that the base plate on your 1999 Saturn SL2 is the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit # 52181-1. To replace the tow bar arms on your base plate, you will want to use the Roadmaster Replacement Arms # RM-ARMS. In order to further ensure that the replacement arms will fit your base plates, you will need to fill out the form in the instruction link for # RM-ARMS. This...
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  • Custom Fit Base Plates for 2002 Saturn SC1 3-door Coupe
    The custom-fit base plates for your 2002 Saturn SC1 3-door coupe is part number 52181-1. I have included a link below to that product.
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  • Base Plate Kit Recommendation for a 2002 Saturn S-Series for a Roadmaster Falcon 5250 Tow Bar
    Since you already have the Roadmaster Falcon 5250 tow bar, I recommend using Roadmaster base plates. You could use Blue Ox base plates, but you would have to use an adapter between the tow bar and the base plates. If your Saturn is a 4 door sedan model, then I would recommend the Roadmaster Classic Base Plate Kit, # 154-2. If you have a wagon or 2 door coupe model, then I recommend the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit, # 52181-1. I frequently find that the Quick Disconnect Base Bar Assembly,...
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  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2001 Saturn Coupe SC01
    The Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # 52181-1 is confirmed to fit your 2001 Saturn Coupe SC01 and is compatible with the Quick Disconnects # RM-222 mentioned in your question and all Roadmaster tow bars. The Tow Bar Quick Disconnects are designed to work with the Roadmaster StowMaster, StowMaster All-Terrain or Falcon All-Terrain tow bars. If you have one of these tow bars then these parts will work great. If you do not yet have a tow bar, I recommend the Roadmaster StowMaster...
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  • Recommended Economically-Priced Tow Bar and Base Plate Options for 1997 Saturn SC-1
    The most economically-priced base plate that is compatible with your Saturn SC-1 would be the Roadmaster # 154-1. The Roadmaster Tracker Tow Bar you mentioned would be the most affordable option. However, never forget that you get what you pay for. Other higher-priced Base Plate and Tow Bar options would be easier and more convenient to use. For instance, the Roadmaster Falcon 2 towbar, part # RM-520 is telescoping, which means that the dinghy does not need to be perfectly aligned behind...
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Info for this part was:

Employee Lindsey S
Written by:
Lindsey S
Employee Robert G
Expert Research:
Robert G
Employee Michael H
Expert Research:
Michael H
Employee Jeff D
Expert Research:
Jeff D
Employee Adam R
Expert Research:
Adam R
Employee Adele M
Updated by:
Adele M
Employee Wilson B
Updated by:
Wilson B
Employee Isabelle B
Updated by:
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