How To Determine The Correct Tow Bar Base Plates To Tow A 1998 GMC Suburban 1500 4X4

Updated 09/15/2010 | Published 09/14/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2125)

$575.00

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2125)

$575.00

Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 4-Way Flat Connectors

(3186)

$100.94

RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables - 6,000 lbs

(656)

$70.97

Question:

I want to tow my 1998 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 but there is no make/model/year for this vehicle in your charts. Can I use the chart referencing the chevy/suburban 1500/1998 to choose its equivalent base plate. Would also like to have your experienced recommendation on the correct base plate. after looking at the threaded screw tap and elongated hole in the frame, it appears to be the 3 separation as differentiated in your guidance but the question is, how to I ensure I am purchasing the perfect base plate. Is there a quick and easy way to confirm the best base plate. I am planning on towing a 1998 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4. Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain Base Plate Please advise.

asked by: Al S

Expert Reply:

When flat towing a vehicle you will want to check your owners manual or with the manufacturer for instructions on the proper procedure for towing your 1998 GMC Suburban, because some vehicles must be equipped with a transmission lube pump, an axle disconnect, drive line disconnect, or free-wheeling hubs before they can be towed.

The tow bar base plate listing for the 1998 Chevy Suburban will work for your 1998 GMC Suburban. The same basic frame was used on the Chevy and GMC trucks but there were slight frame variations that require you to measure your vehicle to get the correct base plate. You will want to measure from the center point 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.

If you have the 3 inch measurement you will use the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit, # 131-15. If you have the 1-1/4 inch measurement you will use the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit, # 131-17.

The Roadmaster XL series base plates are our most popular base plates. They will fit all the Roadmaster tow bars and they have the hidden bracket design. They are also vehicle-specific which means they will bolt to existing holes on the vehicle.

You will also need safety cables and the wiring for the lights.

The safety cables you need are the RoadMaster 68 Inch Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables, # RM-643, these safety cables will keep the vehicle attached to the tow vehicle in case the coupler becomes detached from the hitch ball.

The wiring kit you will need for lights on the towed vehicle is the Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit, # RM-154. This kit will be wired to your 1998 GMC Suburban and plugs into the tow vehicles trailer connector.