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: Direct-connect 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. These base plates will not work with tow bars that require a hitch ball.
Direct-connect 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 direct-connect base plates. These cables connect to an anchor plate on the Quick Disconnect crossbar, which will not be present when you are using these base plates.
The drawbars, or front arms, on the direct-connect 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.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (259 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.Very easy install on my 2005 CR-V. It sit's nicely tucked into the grill. I did not have to any cutting. It makes your CR-V stronger by replacing a thin frame piece with strong steel crossmember.
Everything lined up nicely - no holes to ream out and no banging on stuff to make it fit. The paper instructions left me unsure about the placement of a bolt, but the video cleared it all up. Our CR-V looks almost stock with the adapters removed. Good product! Entire installation took about two hours.
Matt - 12/05/2021Great service - fast ship and complete order arrived together. Not your issue - but Roadmaster should label braces R and L or DS and PS. I had to call their technical line to clarify as they are very slightly different. I asked their tech assist guy to please have then include a photo in instructions to identify the correct installation sides.
Very solid and relatively easy to install. However the directions were written by lawyers rather than mechanics. The two side plates look almost identical but are different, and the directions do not say anything about this or advise how to tell them apart. Pictures in the instructions could be larger. This item was installed on a 15 year old vehicle. etrailer did their part - good pricing and fast delivery. Their website can be difficult to navigate but help is available by calling. The installation video is excellent, and is what convinced me to buy this and to install it myself.
James - 04/18/2021Very detailed instructions for installation on 2005 Honda CR-V. A couple of minor discrepancies as in number of bolts to remove on bumper, but easily handled. Fit perfectly with ZERO trimming of bumper. THANKS!
Everything fit good. Instructions were clear. Have not had time to enjoy product much but when I did It all worked well.
Installed easily and works as it should Priced right
Installed easily. Can't wait to use it.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Perfect fit for my 2008 Honda Element SC Automatic! There were questions of whether this model was flat towable or not? After researching the heck out of it, I took the chance and I use the Honda 2005 flat tow instructions from the owners manual of that year (there were no engine or tranny changes from 2005 to 2008 that I could see). Perfect! I've now towed my Element over 500 miles without issue. This baseplate and instructions are great. I already had the Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar. I use the invsibrake system for the toad brake and love that also.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
The baseplate went on with relative ease; However, I had to do some modifications accommodate the brush guard. The instructions stated that I needed to remove the brush guard. I was able to work around that, and fixed it so that I could leave the tow bar mounted when arriving at my location. I pull my Suburban behind a diesel pusher motorhome. It Pulls much easier that I thought it would. I don't advise anyone to try this unless they have access to a machine shop, and are ready to drill some holes. It has been in place for over a year and still works good.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Easy installation. I watched the video a couple of times and read the PDF instructions before my order arrived. When my order arrived I verified that I had all of the parts and in an hour and a half the base plate was on and project completed. I didn't need to trim my grill at all and it looks great.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
The parts are correct but didn’t come in the oem packaging that uses styrofoam padding. They clanked around in the etrailer box and the powder is scratched up pretty bad. Knowing how Roadmaster takes pride in their packaging to receiving them in this condition is pretty disappointing. There was not even paper wrapping them up. The cardboard box is in perfect shape.
Sierra K - 10/14/2021Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Another great product from etrailer. Arrived on time came with everything I needed. Had to trim a little more plastic trim than I expected but it’s all good. Took me about 3 hours including the wiring to the tail lights and breakaway switch for the brake buddy.
Rick - 07/06/2020Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Alex was great to work with he saved me about 7 weeks. I was going to order a Blue Ox baseplate but Alex had a different brand and I got it in 2 days along with the Blue Ox connector. I will be dealing with Alex again, great job!
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Excellent service -- ordered online afternoon of July 13; shipped same day and arrived two days later. etrailer video was helpful in outlining steps for installation - especially fascia removal prior to actual install. Installation took about 3 1/2 hours which includes fascia/grill removal and reinstall. Did need to secure additional fender clips to reinstall fascia - many broke during removal as almost 20 years old -- available aftermarket from Dorman. Order arrived correct with all parts/no damage. Fit was excellent. Will order from etrailer again
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Very good fit. Easy to install. Directions were fairly easy to follow. Will be towing behind our Winnebago Journey. This is my 3rd baseplate from trailer. Great company and customer service.
Rick - 08/03/2016Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Excellent product. Easy to install on my 2005 Honda Element. Didn't have to cut anything on the frame or the grill fascia. Went with the Roadmaster over the Blue Ox because it is a less conspicuous baseplate and it wasn't necessary to alter any of the frame/metal on the car. I have a Blue Ox tow bar so I also had to have an adapter kit to hook the two together. Etrailer.com was very helpful getting me the correct parts I needed. Their customer service is A+++. I have attached 'before' and 'after' pictures (I think). I cut the electrical mount and a few tabs off of the baseplate to give it a cleaner look. I will hide the wires behind the grill and bring them out when in use. Also purchased a few plastic caps to cover tubes.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
I installed the Roadmaster base plate kit myself on my 2008 Jeep Wrangler. I have never installed one and I have basic mechanical skills. I have basic tools, but I did have to purchase a set of crow foot wrenches to reach one nut. It took some time for me to install it, but the instructions were easy to follow step by step. The kit appears to be built very strong. May be priced high for what it is, but what isn't anymore. As far as etrailer goes, customer service was great. Quinn was informative and seemed to know the product. He followed up with me after the sale. I found a lower price after I ordered and the folks at etrailer gave me a credit on my credit card almost immediately when they verified the lower price. I can highly recommend them and I will always consider them in the future.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Even I could get installed. Took about 3 hours. It would have been shorter time if they said to cut plastic airfoil before you start instead of last directions.
Scott K - 07/22/2022Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Fairly easy to install, instructions were accurate. Looks great with removable arms on or off jeep. Have gotten quite a bit of questions about where we bought them or how installed them.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Bought this to be able to flat-tow our 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser which some say can't be done (w/o damage to the tranny) - however - we're a couple thousand mile into the experiment and all seems to be well. The device itself - although a bit awkward to completely remove/reinstall on the vehicle - shows no sign of weakness or operational malfunction. For those of you who may consider doing this same thing with your Toy and are using (or intend to use) Roadmaster's Brakemaster air-actuated brake system, BE ADVISED: you WILL burn up your Cruiser's brakes UNLESS you add their 900002 adjustable pressure reducer to accommodate your "active" braking system. (Bolt hole spacing on the actuator cylinder bracket allows for mounting the reducer right on the unit inside the vehicle ;-) One improvement Roadmaster could/should make to this baseplate setup is to provide mounting points for their Guardian series front-end vehicle protection. It CAN be done!
R W - 12/13/2020Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
Installation went well. Everything fit as expected. I modified the plastic splash shield so I could put it back on. Required some holes cut and a heat gun to give it more bend where it met the new tow base in order to get the rear part attached.
Review from a similar MX in Base Plates
base plate was the perfect fit....instructions were spot on......easy to install...you have my appreciation.....thanks...
Do you have a question about this Base Plate?
Info for this part was:
At etrailer.com we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.