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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 (695 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.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
Great product, shipping was FAST. Instructions were adequate, but minimum - this was not surprising, you have to know how to bend wrenches to install something like this yourself. I had a factory-installed tow hook on each side that had to be uninstalled, but once you remove the front bumper shroud it is easy to remove and all the bolts are easy to remove. Once the hook was out of the way, easy-peasy!
Stephen - 12/07/2020Review 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
Installed on a 2010 Ford Ranger Sport 2wd Have towed over 10000 and not one issue. I did the install without one issue, picture perfect, I did use a online video to get a general idea of install otherwise I primarily used manufacturer's. . Be sure to use the recommended/ required locktite product. Enjoy!!!
David C - 04/12/2020Review 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
Base plate kit was fairly easy to install,all hardware was included and directions were clear! I would definitely buy another to install if ever needed. I do have a car lift making it easier,but would not be bad without,just a little harder on the knees!
Richard - 05/28/2020Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Easy to install and has worked great since installing. Would recommend to anyone with a Colorado or any other vehicle.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Instructions provided are clear and give you a basic idea of what needs to be done for the install. I will say that more trimming of the fascia was needed than the instructions stated. I had to remove approximately 1 inch around the sides of the air dam opening as well as about a half an inch from the top of the opening. After that, I was able to get everything buttoned back up. The mentioned fish wire was not with the kit. I had to use some nylon cord to feed the bolts and backing plates through the frame to avoid losing them. The instructions stated to tighten the subframe bolts before moving to the next step. After tightening the subframe bolts the baseplate was not flush to the passenger side frame rail. There was about a 1/4 inch gap compared to the driver's side, which was flush. I loosened the subframe bolts and tightened the frame rail bolts FIRST. Subframe bolts SECOND. Worked out great. Others may have a different experience but that was mine. I triple checked side to side and front to back to make sure the baseplate was not misaligned after doing this. It was not. The product itself seems to be very durable and made of heavier steel, a plus. All the welds looked good. Quick connects and the provided safety cable extensions felt very durable as well. No complaints on the appearance of the product. Install took about 4 hours, would've been less if I didn't have to trim extra or adjust for the baseplate not lining up on the frame rails. No pictures added due to me forgetting to take them during the install.
Matthew W - 12/02/2020Review 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.
Gordon - 01/08/2016Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
I thankfully went to my mechanic to have this installed, it was very labor intensive to complete the installation. However, upon completion no changes to my grill were needed as the tow bar brackets are in the original openings of the grill. I've used this item once, and it worked great, easy to use and the car towed great. Very easy to connect and disconnect the tow bar on my Honda.
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.
J.C. R - 07/24/2019Review 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
The base plate works great and I use it all the time . The only thing is I need someone to contact me on where I can get my stowmaster ALL TERRAIN tow bar worked on or order some new parts. Thank You winston lackey serial number is 002686
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Product works well. etrailer customer services reps were very helpful with all my question on this DIY installation. Thank you etrailer Customer Service Employees. You have a very satisfied customer out here on the Pacific Northwest.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
Perfect product. Bought base plates for 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to use with my Stowmaster 5000. Easy installation if your mechanically inclined at all, bolts right into factory holes with no modification needed. Just bought another set for my 1999 Tahoe.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
I needed to set up our 1998 Toyota RAV4 for dinghy towing. Etrailer.com had everything I needed. The Roadmaster 1142-3 base plates fit as designed and were fairly easy to install, the only body modification needed was trimming the splash pans around the engine for the ends of the mounts. I had to point them out to my wife after installation, they are very discreet when not in use. The Roadmaster 910021-00 QD towbar assembly will make connecting to our RV a breeze, and the RM-98100 second vehicle kit had all the connectors and tubing to install my Brakemaster and BrakeAway cylinders. The long leads on the HM20014 breakaway switch meant I needed fewer wire connectors, and the FA80-01-2160 coiled cable will provide a more finished look when not towing the Toy. I decided to not complicate my life any more than necessary, and selected the EZT20B tow light kit instead of a magnetic kit due to the convertible top on our RAV4. The customer service people at etrailer.com were quick to answer my questions about wiring options, kept me informed when I had a delay, and the shipping/delivery times were unbelievable. Here in Wisconsin I received my orders in TWO DAYS!
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
This went onto my 13 Edge pretty easily. I had to do a minor bit of grinding to one of the ears to allow it to slip on, but otherwise great fit. I suggest anyone looking for a base plate for this era Edge, to use the Roadmaster. The simple reason is that the components all come through the lower valance rather than the middle of the bumper like the Blue Ox. Also be sure to support the core support as the directions say, as the plastic sags quickly and it's hard to align. Also as usual etrailer delivery is quick and well packed.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
First off it wasn't a "5 minute job". Took me probably 3.5 hours or so on my back in the garage, but I took my time especially with the cutting/trimming of the lower valance on the front bumper. I did not want to cut too much & have big gaping holes in the bumper. All in all it went well. To cut & trim the bumper I simply used a bare hack saw blade, Dremel tool, file & razor knife The picture in the instructions of where to cut a hole at the back of the fog light recess is a little puzzling until you get the light out & locate the tie-down bracket bolt that needs to be removed. You'll need to make the hole larger because the replacement bolt has a 17mm head on it instead of the stock 14mm hex head. Wasn't real happy about how much they had me hack off the panel under the engine. Probably should have looked that on my own rather than use their crudely drawn lines in the picture. I was able to drill the 1/2" hole for the 5 1/2" long rear bolt with a regular length drill bit. Just drill as straight as you can using the little square hole in the frame rail as your guide. It seemed to take forever to get to the required torque of 56 '/lbs on the long bolts. I suspect that's because the frame rail actually crushes a little bit. I want to point out 1 drawback to the brackets that I noticed. If you're using a tow bar that has a cross plate between the 2 bracket bar inserts (like I am), you can not pull the removable inserts out with the cross bracket attached. They're NOT parallel to one another, so when you're home & no longer in "tow mode" you'll have to unbolt one side in order to remove the bars. Otherwise a well made product. Haven't actually towed the car yet though.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
I used to tow our dinghy, a cherry 1997 Miata, with a car dolly; finally realized it was a case of overkill. The dolly is over half the weight of the car and wider than the motor home! On our last expedition to the Canadian Rockies, I got to talking with a fellow camper who told me how cool and easy it was to tow his dinghy with tow bars. Now, for the tow bar conversion: Removing the Miata's fascia, radiator air scoop and bottom engine cover is not difficult, as the fasteners are relatively easy to get to. After removing (and discarding) the two tie-down loops and discarding the four screws holding the front anti-sway bar, the installation of the base plates is straight-forward (it fits into those holes - who knew?). The fit of the kit to the car's frame is precise, with plenty of adjustment space, if needed. The only fabrication required is removal of some material from the air scoop where it comes into contact with the installed base plates. Reinstalling the fascia, I "shoe-horned" it over the base plate, with the help of silicon spray. Fortunately, the fascia is very flexible. Unless you look for them, the base plate receivers are not a prominent feature of the front end.
Review from a similar XL in Base Plates
5 star product, great fit, easy to attach tow bar, a bit of a job to install on vehicle but well worth the outcome. I'd suggest taking it to an auto body shop because the bumper needs to be removed.
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