Flat Towing Dinghy Setup for 2008 Honda Element with Base Plates and Tow Bar

Published 09/15/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2126)

$575.00

Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 7-Way to 6-Way Coiled Adapter Cord

(3188)

$175.28

Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs

(402)

$850.00

Roadmaster Sterling All-Terrain Tow Bar - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 8,000 lbs

(157)

$1375.00

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

(656)

$71.03

Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset

(284)

$1380.00

Question:

Does the base plate kit include the arms? Is the tow bar included or sold separately?

asked by: Rich

Expert Reply:

For your 2008 Honda Element, I recommend the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit, # 1541-3. This kit will also work if your Element is the SC edition. I love the hidden bracket design and easily removable drawbars which look much better than the standard brackets. I've attached pictures of this base plate installed on a 2008 Honda Element with the drawbars and without the drawbars so that you can see how the kit will look.

The tow bar I suggest for your Element is the Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar, # RM-520, which is easy to connect and mounts on the motorhome. Both the base plates and tow bar are made in the USA. To complete your flat towing setup, you will also need a safety cable set like # RM-643, tow bar wiring like # RM-15267 and a supplemental braking system like # RM-8700.

You should also pick up a Vehicle In Tow sign like # RM-770-2 for your rear window, which is required by law in many states.

expert reply by: Amy W

click to enlarge

Rich

9/15/2017

Does the base plate kit include the arms? Is the tow bar included or sold separately?

Amy W.

9/15/2017

Yes, Roadmaster XL base plate kit # 1541-3 does include the removable arms. The base plates and tow bars are sold separately because base plates are custom made and vehicle-specific, but tow bars are not. They do, however, need to be compatible. The Falcon 2 Tow Bar, # RM-520, that I recommended, is compatible with the Roadmaster XL base plates and includes the quick-disconnects for fast, easy hookup and disconnect. I've added a link to all of the towbars that would be compatible with the XL base plates so you can see all of the options available for this setup. Let me know if you have further questions.