Typical Professional Installation Time for Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX3788 on 2015 Toyota Corolla  

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Helpful Expert Reply:

I am not trying to avoid directly answering your question but the exact amount of time needed to complete a base plate installation on a vehicle can vary quite a bit. The particular equipment on a vehicle, the installer's experience and even the nature of the equipment in the shop can have an effect on the time required.

Even with a well-qualified shop and technician, if it is the first time a particular base plate kit has been installed on a particular car, it will take longer than if the tech has done this same install many times, day after day. In actual practice few shops have the demand for base plate installation that would enable their techs to do the same install day-in, day-out and learn the available short-cuts and time-saving measures.

For example, if a technician DID happen to install the same base plates on the same vehicle 4 days in a row, then certainly by that 4th day his install time would be somewhat shorter than it was the first time he did it. Still, our installers usually allow the better part of a day for a base plate installation. If you use an experienced technician he might complete the install in 4 to 5 hours, but do not be too surprised if your installer needs a full day or close to it.

Base plates are just one of the components needed for safe and legal flat towing. The other items needed include a tow bar, safety cables, a wiring/lighting solution and a supplemental braking system. Each of these is reviewed in the linked article on flat towing. Often a high/low adapter such as # BLU34TR is also needed to keep the tow bar level (or at least within 3-inches of level). A wiring extension may also be needed to connect the RV and toad.

expert reply by: Adam R

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