To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
Designed specifically for heavy-duty applications, direct-connect brackets install onto your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for a motor-home-mounted tow bar. Front arms are easily removable when not in use.
Features:
Note: MX base plates will work only with the Roadmaster tow bars that slide into a trailer hitch, such as the Sterling, Blackhawk, Blackhawk 2, Falcon and Falcon 2. The MX base plates will not work with tow bars that require a hitch ball.
MX Series brackets do not require a crossbar because of the heavy-duty nature of your vehicle's frame. Thus, installation is simplified, the hookup process is faster, and the total appearance is enhanced.
Note: The EZ Hook safety cables included with Roadmaster's Sterling tow bars will not work with MX series base plates. These cables connect to an anchor plate on the Quick Disconnect crossbar, which will not be present when you are using MX base plates.
The drawbars, or front arms, on the MX series base plate kit are simple to mount and remove, easily securing with pins. Once the drawbars have been removed, the remaining brackets are virtually invisible. On most automobiles, the brackets are mounted within the grille, where they remain not only unseen, but protected from scrapes and scuffs as well.
Frame Variance Measurement Diagram
Measurement must be taken from the centerpoint of the lower-most threaded hole, on the side of frame, to a center-line dissecting the rear-most elongated hole on the bottom of the frame.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (868 Customer Reviews)
Designed specifically for heavy-duty applications, direct-connect brackets install onto your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for a motor-home-mounted tow bar. Front arms are easily removable when not in use.Straight forward install of 131-8 on 1998 Yukon. But i did have to do two things they don’t mention. (1) I had to trim about 3/4” to enlarge the hook hole in the air dam and (2) because of a slight mismatch of the nutplate with the frame holes, I drilled the center bottom holes in the frame from 1/2” to 5/8”. That was enough for both sides and the fit was then very good with no slop.. The tow bracket pins seem very easy to remove (to steal the brackets) so I will replace with locking 5/8” hitch pins. Besides, they are ugly and oversized (too ling). All in all, went as expected. Other reviewers gave the heads up on the air dam trim and the hole mismatch. Also, not sure why the big clipped washer spacers are clipped; there was no interference on the 1998 Yukon. And i didn’t use the 1/2” clipped washers.
Would have been nice to get better installation instructions, maybe a video of the actual vehicle that I'm installing it on??
Left side was a great fit.
Right side, I had to open the holes on the frame a little. The side bolt for the bumper didn't line up.
Still a great product. I have used on my previous cars.
Not the best quality. I should have stayed with the BlueOx products to match the BlueOx tow bar I purchased. The left side base plate went together pretty easy. However, the right side left a lot to be desired. First, one of the three bolt holes on a backing plate was about a quarter of a hole off center. Had to modify the frame to make it fit. Second, the side bracket on the base plate was not square, and was difficult to get it bolted up to the frame. Also, had to trim the valance on the right side because the base plate didn't quite fit the hole like the left side did.
The baseplate were delivered on time.
Installation was straight forward. Because these baseplates were for a truck no disassembly was required, only minor timming of the front air dam. The new baseplates were easy to install and they fit perfectly. The instructions were clear and useful.
I originally called a RV shop to have them purchase and install the baseplates. But they said they checked with Roadmaster and the baseplates were not available for my truck because of its age (it's a 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4). I guess the should have checked with etrailer.com. They lost a job, not good for business.
The base plate installation went as smooth as expected. The details included with the plate were complete and clear. Great products and great service.
Product exactly as described smooth install quality material through instructions. Thank You Judy
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Item arrived earlier than predicted after viewing a very complete tracking system. The information was very clear and precise. Good job! I am 75 years of age and installed the baseplate myself. Only a couple of minor issues. One pin would not insert. Welding blob in the way. Filed it smooth and problem solved. The video was excellent but was a bit different in that it showed a different method o rear bolt installation, however the instructions on paper showed the correct way. Reinstalling the front clip had presented some difficulty. I suggest really watching the inner fender position relative to the front clip before removal. All said all went well. The finished look is great, (see pictures). Great product!
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Base plate 1910 install on 1999 Landrover disco 2
the base plate arrived fast (as does everything I have ordered from etrailer). It was a bit bent on arrival but Becky sorted me out and offered to replace it but it was easy to bend back (with a 3lb hammer).
The included instructions were great for removing the bumper but nor much else. Possibly because my Landy is a 1999 disco 2 and the pictures were of a 2002.
I have included some pictures of stuff I wish I had known. Firstly I had to loose the recovery loop on the driver side as the base plate would not fit over it. The chassis frame has steel tubes inside the bolt holes so the amount of drilling is minimal (I ordered a drill bit that they suggested but in all honesty could have opened up the holes with a file easily).
You need to oval out the aluminum crush cans before you replce them or the new bolts will not go through. The center mount bolt just needs the plastic mount for the center screw on the scoop cut out and there is a bog square hole on the top of the member (thats why you need to big square piece of steel on the top of the center bolt)
Mine was obscured by the torsion bar so I ended up dropping it to drill out the hole and get the bolt in straight.
It was easy to bolt up to the frame once everything was prepped and do yourself a favour and buy loctite red for the bolts - you don't want to be going in there again.
The bumper template was a good start but I had to reshape mine a lot particularly as the hole on the baseplate ended up halfway through the bumper and I had to do a lot of enlargement at the bottom to attach the safety wires.
The photos should make more sense of some of my description
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Arrived a day early and well packaged. Included everything needed for a clean and easy install, down to electrical connectors and zip ties. The included instructions were very clear for a variety of wiring conditions. Umbilical cord looks to be of high quality.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Fairly easy to install base plate. Left all bolts / nuts loose, slid tow bar in to align while tightening up. Ready for motorhome.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Very rugged kit with excellent instructions. A DIYer with medium mechanical skills can install. Involved removing the front bumper which was not difficult. Value for the price is very good. As always, etrailer support was also very good.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
These components are heavy duty. I have pulled my Jeep many thousands of miles over many road conditions. I am currently planning a coast to coast rv trip and will be towing my Jeep.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Super nice people at etrailer. I wasn’t sure exactly what I needed and they helped me pick out the best hitch for me.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Aligment with the Roadmaster Crosbar is slightly off, requiring a bit of muscle and manipulation to attach it. However, once assembled on the car it is rock solid and near bullet proof. Tow anywhere!
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Purchased for my 2003 Mazda Miata. So simple to tow behind my motorhome. I used a professional to install as I am not super handy. I think it took them a couple of hours to install and they did a great job. I feel very safe with this product and would highly recommend it.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Great product. Been thousands of miles all over the country and hit has performed perfectly. It does hold water after rain, so be sure to empty the water out of the tubing to prevent rust.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
I ordered the parts from your site as a combo. When they came in, two parts didn’t fit together. When I called to ask why, I was told they weren’t compatible and I would need another type of bar. I was told that most people don’t use that style and use a quick release. I asked if could return it as wasn’t installed just opened from the box and I could see that they wouldn’t fit. My request was denied. So I wanted to order the adapter that was needed, but was told it would be two weeks. I was a week out from a 50 day cross country trip, so I found it on [online vendor] and it was there in two days.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
This base plate was installed on a 2008 Kia Spectra. The bracket is strong and not really hard to work with HOWEVER,,,,,,,,,, I am used to the BlueOx base plate which is much easier to "hook up". Unfortunately, BlueOx did not make a base plate to fit my vehicle. That is not a big problem as I'm usually not in any hurry and it only takes maybe 5 minutes longer to "hook up".
The biggest problem with the RoadMaster base plate is that due to the way it is bolted to the frame, it only allows for a 6-inch ground clearance on the front of the vehicle. I have to be very careful with any "dips" in the road, especially on cross streets. Six inches may not sound like much but since the tires are several feet behind the base plate, it reduces that ground clearance greatly. It also will not clear the concrete "stop blocks" in front of many parking spaces.
If you are not very careful and keep this in mind, you may likely bend the frame of your car when you come to one of these sudden impacts. I haven't bent anything yet but it has certainly been shocking when it hits. Most of the time, the impact will cause the base plate to scrape and lift the car to the height to clear the obstacle.
I've attached a picture with a ruler in the view.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Easy to install. Working great so far
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Good information and prompt shipping.
Base plate is solid and install and use instructions are excellent.
Be warned that product install is drill two holes and install 3 bolts, BUT the entire front panel has to be removed and replaced. Not difficult, but time-consuming.
Seat bracket is solid and install and use instructions are excellent.
Brakemaster kit is good quality, but instructions are not as good as most Roadmaster products. Instructions for air line install are especially weak.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
I just got done with the installation. Overall it was fairly straightforward, however it would have been nice if they had included pictures in the instructions. The larger bolts in the kit could have a more beveled tip like the factory bolts. This would make it much easier to get the bolts started in the holes. The photo attached is of the factory bolt for reference.
Shipping was very quick, only took a few days.
Price seems pretty high for these base plates. I purchased them for $360 and was even able to find a 5% off coupon online by using google.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
No problem installing.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Easy to install. Included instructions difficult to understand. Online video 100%accurate. Perfect fit.
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