Difference Between Crossbar Style Baseplate and Direct Connect Baseplate Towing 2019 Ford F-150

Updated 09/20/2019 | Published 09/19/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2138)

$575.00

Roadmaster Tow Defender Protective Screen for Towed Vehicles

(211)

$615.00

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(3379)

$575.00

Roadmaster EZ Hook Replacement Safety Cable - 64" Long - 8,000 lbs - Qty 1

(174)

$32.09

Replacement Roadmaster Anchors for EZ Hook Safety Cables

(46)

$60.45

Question:

Does the RM524431-4 pull the F150 more stable than the RM524431-5?

asked by: James H

Expert Reply:

The main difference between the Roadmaster Crossbar Style Baseplate # RM-524431-4 and the Roadmaster Direct Connect Baseplate # RM-524431-5 comes down to the ease of installation of the tow bars; typically vehicles that require some extra stability will only have the crossbar style available. Crossbar style tow bars are traditionally going to be much heavier and more difficult to install on the tow vehicle than the direct connects, but once you're pulling I don't think you'll notice a considerable difference in stability of one over the other with an F-150.

The other thing that I want to mention when it comes to crossbar vs direct connect is that if you're planning on towing somewhere remote where roads are bad, like Alaska, the crossbar style tow bars allow for the mounting of vehicle guards like the Tow Defender # RM-4750 and allow you to use the EZ Hook Safety Cables # RM-910650 when paired with the Anchors # RM-910653 .

expert reply by: Erik B