etrailer Invisible Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
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1999 Ford Explorer
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1999 Ford Explorer
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If you like your setup to stay out of sight when you’re not towing, this design keeps things clean. The invisible base plate hides behind the bumper so there’s no bulky crossbar or brackets showing. The removable arms stay attached to your tow bar instead of sticking out from the front end. When you’re done towing, snap on the included high-density polyethylene covers to keep dirt and debris out of the receivers so everything stays corrosion-free and easy to reconnect next time.
Connecting your tow bar is quick and easy. Just slide the arm tabs into the base plate receivers, twist to lock, and insert the pull pins for an extra layer of security. The arms come off just as easily—pull the pin, twist, and remove. It’s a simple setup that makes solo hook-ups a breeze. The bracket spacing is 28-1/4" with a bracket height of 18-1/2", giving you reliable reference points when planning your tow bar alignment.
This base plate bolts directly to the chassis with no welding needed. Its sturdy steel construction spreads towing forces evenly to help minimize stress on your suspension during long trips. The solid build gives confidence for thousands of miles of towing without worrying about fatigue or flex in the frame.
No need to change out your existing setup. This base plate pairs directly with etrailer, Demco, and Blue Ox tow bars—no adapter required. If you’re running a Roadmaster system, just add the matching adapter (e98983, e98984, e98979, or e98981, sold separately). It also includes a bracket for mounting a round electrical connector plug up front so your wiring stays organized and ready for hookup.
The kit comes ready with all necessary hardware and instructions for a bolt-on installation—no welding required. Once mounted to the vehicle’s chassis, it provides dependable connection points for years of towing use. It’s a solid weekend project that leaves you with a clean setup ready for the road.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
95% were satisfied with this product
5% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Installed this on a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK (older style). Jeep made both models this year. Easy install, tows great.
Takes a little more effort to install according to instructions
Great product if your handy easy to install, just take your time. Plastic hole covers were missing in box, but company was excellent in sending replacement. Definitely recommend buying from them
I installed this in my Jeep Grand Cherokee with no help, although a buddy would have made it go about 1/3 faster. Have towed it thousands of miles behind my motorhome with zero issues. This was my first time ever doing this type of work; it wasn’t rocket science. If you are handy you can figure it out - save yourself a grand or two and install yourself! Great product.
Quick shipping and the hitch looks well made. I will install it soon after I get my braking system!!
Great towbar, easy to install and easy to hook up to the rv.
This is the part that I needed. It arrived on-time and in good condition. (The card board shipping box was damaged, and had been repaired with clear tape, but nothing was missing and all of the contents were in good shape.)
Fits like a glove
Very happy with this base plate. I did 100% of the install by myself in about 3 to 4 hours. Their video and others found on YouTube made it easy. They walk you through every step. I do wish the bolt holes were slotted or a little bigger. Any 3 bolts lined up easy but not the forth. No big deal and dealt with a file.
Easy install on my 2018 Grand Cherokee and it works great with my Blue Ox for towing.
The baseplate is well made and has a nice finish. However, it was about 1/8” too wide to I had to do some trimming near the core support/frame to get it to slide in. Then the rear bolt holes were equally too wide so I had to team them out a bit to be able to get the bolts in.
I had to make a slight adjustment to the mounting bolt holes on one side of the base plate. I understand the variations that can happen during the manufacturing of a vehicle. The base plate was find and I have used it twice since purchased.
Packed very well. Super solid and directions were perfect. Lastly, every part I need was there for me.
Perfect fit. Great videos. I’m reasonably good with tools but it’s the first time I’ve ever put one of these on and I just fired up the laptop and followed along with the video. EZ Peezy
Works very well, no complaints. Like all base plates, it is a project to install, but once it's installed, it just works. The etrailer videos on the install process were invaluable in sequencing the work and understanding exactly what had to be removed to get the base plate correctly installed.
It is so easy to work with eTrailer!! A couple of phone calls and all your questions are answered. Their videos are also spot on and helped me tremendously when the place that installed the base plate said that they wouldn't install the BRK2505 brake breakaway kit. A simple view of their video and i was confident I would be able to tackle this portion of the install. thanks eTrailer, GREAT JOB!!
Installed on a 2016 Grand Cherokee. It is definitely an intermediate level DIY requiring extensive disassembly of front grill. The clips that hold the fascia to the front bumpers need some more detail in the otherwise excellent video because it is difficult to figure out which direction to pull/pry without breaking clips.
The towbar was also about 1/8" too narrow for my car's frame and required some jacking and modifying of the hole.
Great product at a good price!
THIS BASE PLATE WORKS PERFECTLY, INSTRUCTIONS WERE VERY CLEAR, NICE SET UP
I like the base plate except for one thing the two inserts fit too loose causing an irritating rattle my blue ox baseplate did not have that issue.
Perfect fit
Baseplate mounted easily. My only complaint is with the safety cable mounting lack of instructions. Installed the buckle below the adapter mount and it was in the way of re-installing the bumper cover, not allowing it to fully engage the mounting tabs at the bottom. More detailed info should be included in the instructions.
Fit perfect and was easy to install. The hardest part was removing the front cover of my jeep to bolt it on.
Two issues.
1. the 90 degree bracket for the 6 pin connector needs to be flattened out. This is not easy, and all the powder coating broke off and needed repainting. Also I needed to drill thru the bumper support to attach it, and that steel was extremely hard as I broke several drill bits.
2. My 2019 Grand Cherokee is the 8 cylinder, there is nowhere good to mount the unit in the engine compartment. I decided to mount it onto the plastic engine shroud which needs to be removed to do regular maintenance on my Jeep.
Love the e trailer flat tow bars and road master wiring kit. Thank you
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Mark
1/31/2023
Perfect towbar for rv. Easy to hook up and confident about its strength.