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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
1988 Ford Ranger
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Roadmaster

Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Part Number: 523137-1
In Stock
$670.00
Retail:$742.50
You Save: $72.50
Tow Bar Base Plate
Not Confirmed to Fit

1988 Ford Ranger

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In Use/Installed

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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 523137-1 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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  • Reviews (495)
  • Q & A (0)
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Roadmaster Tow Bar Base Plate - 523137-1

Highlights

  • Custom Fit for Your Vehicle: Mounts to existing attachment points
  • Ready for Flat Towing: Installs on the frame to create secure attachment points for a tow bar.
  • Blends In When Not Towing: Hidden bracket design leaves brackets nearly invisible once arms are removed.
  • Quick Hookup and Removal: Twist to lock or release removable drawbars—no pins or clips needed.
  • Built to Last: Computer-cut, all-steel construction with black powder coat resists corrosion.
  • Simple to Install: Mounts without welding and includes instructions and hardware for setup.
Made in USA

Features to know about

Built for a Clean Front End: Hidden Base Plate with Removable Arms

If you prefer a setup that keeps your vehicle looking stock when you’re not towing, this EZ Base Plate Kit is the way to go. Once the drawbars are removed, the remaining brackets are virtually invisible—mounted within the grille where they stay out of sight and protected from scuffs. The hidden bracket design gives a clean, factory look and keeps things safe from knee bumps or snagging when you’re walking around the front end.

Fast Hookups Made Simple: Twist-Lock Removable Drawbars

The EZ series uses a Twistlock system that makes connecting and disconnecting quick and straightforward. Just insert each drawbar, twist to lock it in place, and you’re ready to tow—no pins or clips required. When it’s time to unhook, twist again and pull them out. It’s a solid, easy-to-use setup that works smoothly every time you connect your tow bar.

Strength You Can Count On: All-Steel, Computer-Cut Construction

This base plate kit bolts directly to the frame with no welding required. The computer-cut, all-steel construction provides exceptional strength for peace of mind on long hauls. It’s finished in a black powder coat that resists corrosion and holds up well through repeated use and weather exposure, keeping your towing gear dependable over time.

Ready for Your Setup: Compatible with Roadmaster Tow Bars and Quick Disconnects

The kit is built to work seamlessly with Roadmaster tow bars and Quick Disconnects for easy integration into your existing towing system. Instructions and mounting hardware are included so you can get everything lined up properly from the start. For complete installation, fishwires (C58400 – sold separately) are required to finish the job neatly and securely.

Specs

Features

  • Hidden bracket design: Provides improved aesthetics compared with standard brackets
  • Drawbars: Are easily removable - just twist and pull
  • No pins or clips required:
  • Computer-cut, all-steel construction: Provides exceptional strength
  • Black powder coat finish: Is durable and corrosion resistant
  • Simple installation: No welding required
  • Custom base plates: Ensure a perfect fit for your vehicle
  • Compatibility: Compatible with Quick Disconnects and all Roadmaster tow bars
  • Instructions and mounting hardware: Included
  • Made in: The USA
  • Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Note

  • Fishwires (C58400 - sold separately): Are required for complete installation.

523137-1 Road Master EZ Base Plate Kit

Installation Details 523137-1 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles




Ratings & Reviews

4.8

495 reviews
5 Stars
(424)
4 Stars
(55)
3 Stars
(8)
2 Stars
(1)
1 Star
(7)
Review Sort Icon
by:
This reasonably priced base plate kit was professionally installed on a coupe that was pulled around the New England states for two months. The kit and the car made it possible to see many sites along the route that would have been bypassed without the toad. The kit is solid and provides secure tow-ability.
Larry M. profile picture

Larry M.

7/25/2023

They worked as advertised for the time we used the car. We no longer have the car but we have since purchased another base plate kit from you for our new Maverick. You make a reliable product which we like to use.

by:
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Product fit perfect and works great it meets all expectations will order from etrailer again thanks etrailer
Garry R. profile picture

Garry R.

9/5/2017

It is excellent etrailer is great

by:
Exactly what we needed to tow behind the motorhome.
by:
Top quality. Reasonably priced. Still excellent.
by:
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
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.
Victoria H. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Victoria H.

12/18/2024

That amazing John! Where did you go on your long adventure?

John S. profile picture

John S.

12/21/2025

I towed my Mini Cooper on a 5000-mile trip this summer. The Base Plates worked great. I had to replace the water pump on the Cooper this required removing and reinstalling the base plates. I inspected them, and after two years and 9000 miles of towing, they are in perfect shape.

by:
Thanks for being a great knowledgeable person about this tow set up. It fit perfect and the directions made it a no brainer
James D. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

James D.

7/8/2026

Love to hear this Thomas, glad we were able to assist. Thanks for stopping by and we appreciate you choosing etrailer! Have you flat towed the vehicle yet?

Thomas profile picture

Thomas

7/10/2026

I towed it 200 miles of winding mountain roads. Worked perfectly @JamesD
by:
Installed without a hitch! Matches up perfectly with the Roadmaster Stowmaster towbar we already had. Beautiful!
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:
The baseplate fit perfectly and the video was very helpful
by:
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
I installed this base plate system on my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited this weekend. My Jeep had tow hooks which were basically removed and replaced by the base plates in the same location. No modifications to the grill were required and the base plates are no more noticable than the tow hooks were.
Installation was straight forward. Roadmaster forwarded a PDF file of the excellent color instructions with my order confirmation. I was able to view the photographs on my ipad and zoom in where necessary to get more detail.
Overall I would rate the Roadmaster product, instructions and customer service 5 star in every way.
John B. profile picture

John B.

9/19/2013

Did you have to do any drilling on your vehicle to mount this system?

Patrick B. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Patrick B.

9/25/2013

Yes, there will be some drilling involved in the installation. Check the instructions link on the product page for more information about the drilling that will be required. I believe it will just be four 1/2 inch holes.
Bill R. profile picture

Bill R.

5/16/2014

The Roadmaster baseplate and Falcon tow bar are working great with our 2014 Grand Cherokee and Endeavor motorhome. We are in the middle of a 1500 mile trip and have had no problems with the equipment. I have decided that I need to purchase a braking system for the Jeep. Thinking about the Invisi Brake, primarily because it is made by Roadmaster and I had a great experience with your companys customer service when the 2014 Grand Cherokee baseplate kit was being developed. Thanks for the good work.

Rachael H. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Rachael H.

5/27/2014

Thanks for the follow up, very happy to hear that you are pleased with your Roadmaster Base plates. If you are considering the Invisibrake # RM-8700 as a braking system this is a great choice. The installation is a long and involved process and if you are looking for a more simplified installation you might like another Roadmaster product such as the Even Brake # RM-9400. This will serve the same purpose as the Invisibrake, but the portable unit will have to be removed after flat towing your Jeep where the Invisibrake is permanently installed in your tow Jeep.
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:
GMC Terrain
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
Dave R. profile picture

Dave R.

3/15/2016

Larry, Im assuming that youve towed your vehicle by now. Are you still happy with your choice and did you purchase any additional components like the electrical kit, fuse switch..etc Dave R

Larry B. profile picture

Larry B.

3/15/2016

Have been using this tow adapter now for a while and everything works out fine, Easy to connect. I did purchase the Wiring harness from the tail lights to the front of the car instead of making it as I usually do and the connection to the RV from that connection and glad I did, the wiring harness also went easy and very fast.

by:
2014 GMC Acadia
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.
Douglas K. profile picture

Douglas K.

4/8/2021

great

by:
2010 GMC Terrain
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.
Paul D. profile picture

Paul D.

7/14/2017

I have towed my Terrain about 3500 miles with no issues. It tows and tracks extremely well. I put red paint marks on the bolts that are easily seen, so that I can see at a glance if any bolts have loosened up. I use a Roadmaster All Terrain tow hitch and SMI Duo braking system.

by:
Mazda Miata
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.
David profile picture

David

11/30/2018

We are very happy with the baseplate and Sterling tow bar we purchased!We have over 10,000 miles with no problems at all.A great product and your company was very easy to work with.Thank You!

by:
easy to follow instructions, took about 3 hours to install. paper template for holes in facia would be great .
by:
2002 Honda Civic
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.
William profile picture

William

11/19/2021

They are the boss. So we’ll made.

by:
2010 Honda Fit
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 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:
2005 Dodge Dakota
very well made and just getting pickup ready for flat towing. Fast shipping and excellent service. Highly recommend.
by:
2005 Nissan Armada
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)
by:
2011 Honda Fit
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:
2015 GMC Terrain
Very good product at a great price. Instructions and video are for a 2013 terrain and things were a bit different on my 2015. When all screws and clips are removed the front piece cannot be just pulled forward. There is a rear facing clip and you have to pull to the side to remove from this piece. (pics attached)There was no PS cooler attached in front on mine. Remove washer bottle totally which consists of 2 nuts and 1 bolt otherwise you will never get back up plate for top brackets in. If you remove horns it also makes installing the top brackets much easier.
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See what our Experts say about this Roadmaster Tow Bar Base Plate

  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2005 Chevy Cobalt Behind a Motor Home
    First, according to the research I did, the 2005 Chevy Cobalt is flat towable. Consult the vehicle owners manual to confirm. There are a total of 5 items you will need to flat tow a vehicle: base plates, tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking. Base plates: These provide a proper and secure attachment point on the vehicle for a tow bar. You can use Roadmaster EZ base plates # 523137-1. These will fit models with grille inserts but none of the base plates we carry will...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2009 Chevy Cobalt LT Sedan
    I spoke with my contact at Roadmaster who stated that if the lower grille pieces are removable then that indicates it has grille inserts and you would use # 523137-1 that you have referenced. If your lower grille has 3 sections like in the pictures for the base plates then that is the correct set. To be sure though you can take a picture and email it to me and I can determine which would be correct. Your Falcon 5250 should have some Quick Disconnects, # RM-201, to go from the tow bar to...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat 2010 Chevy Cobalt
    The Roadmaster Sterling Tow Bar part # RM-576 is a really great tow bar to flat tow your 2010 Chevy Cobalt but you do need a few more other components. Next you'll need a base plate kit which for that we have the part # 523137-1. For lighting/safety cables, locks, and covers for the tow bar we have the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain kit part # RM-9284-2 which comes with all of that as one part number. The diode kit that comes with this allows you to splice into the taillight wiring so...
    view full answer...
  • Availability of a Base Plate Kit for 2008 chev. Cobalt LT
    The Base Plate Kit that you will need for your 2008 Chevy Cobalt is item # 523137. This kit fits all Chevy Coblats except the S.S. & Sport models. Along with the base plate kit you may also need the following items. Tow Bar # RM-020 or RM520 Tow Bar Wiring # RM-154, # RM-155, or # C-ATL20A Safety Chains # RM-645 or # RM-643 You can also get a kit (see link) to set up your tow bar which has all the accessories for attaching the vehicle with the towbar and base plate kit you select.
    view full answer...
  • Flat Towing 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt LS with Roadmaster Falcon Tow Bar
    That's interesting that they recommended the # RM-025 which only is listed as a fit for the Tracker tow bar. Since you have a Falcon tow bar already what you would need is a Roadmaster base plate kit that fits your 2007 Chevy Cobalt like the # 523137-1. If the tow bar you have does not have a crossbar that comes with it you'd also need the # 910021-00.
    view full answer...
  • Can Roadmaster Base Plates be Used with a Blue Ox Tow Bar on a 2010 Chevy Cobalt
    Yes, you can use a Blue Ox tow bar with Roadmaster base plates. You just need the proper adapter, # BX88178. Using this adapter there will be 24 inches between the brackets on center. This spacing is compatible with Blue Ox tow bars. I have included a couple of helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you as well. Be sure to consult the owners manual for your 2010 Chevy Cobalt for more specific information on flat towing the vehicle.
    view full answer...
  • Roadmaster Base Plates for 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
    We have two base plates that will fit depending on the model of your Cobalt. Part 523137-1 fits all Cobalt models except S.S. and Sport models. Part 523157-1 fits AJ and AK body styles, except S.S. or Sport models. If you have basic mechanical ability, they are fairly easy to install, however they will require you to remove the bumper fascia.
    view full answer...

Do you have a question about this Tow Bar Base Plate?


Info for this part was:

Employee Lindsey S
Written by:
Lindsey S
Employee Michael H
Expert Research:
Michael H
Employee Jacob T
Video Edited:
Jacob T
Employee Adele M
Updated by:
Adele M
Employee Wilson B
Updated by:
Wilson B
Employee Isabelle B
Updated by:
Isabelle B
Employee Kathleen M
Video by:
Kathleen M
Employee Matthew S
Test Fit:
Matthew S

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