What Flat-Tow Setup do You Recommend for My 2022 Ford Ranger?

Updated 03/18/2022 | Published 03/17/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4890)

$592.85

Blue Ox Acclaim Non-Binding Tow Bar - Coupler Style for 2" Ball - Car Mount - 5,000 lbs

(249)

$596.88

Blue Ox Alpha Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 8,500 lbs

(477)

$1079.00

40" Vinyl Coated Safety Cables with Clevis Hook (Qty. 2) by Dutton-Lainson, 6,500 lbs.

(91)

$76.14

Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 4-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit

(141)

$160.54

Roadmaster Guardian Rock Guard for Towed Vehicles

(57)

$615.00

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(3490)

$575.00

Roadmaster Base Plate Adapter Brackets for Blue Ox RV-Mounted Tow Bars

(132)

$74.38

Question:

Can the Guardian rock shield be used on ALL brands of flat towing cross bars, or just the Roadmaster brand? I am planning on using Blue Ox.

asked by: Tony Z

Expert Reply:

I have a great way to locate installers near you. On each product page, there is a link that says Need help with installation? Locate installers near me." From that link, you can input your zip code and find our recommended installers in your area. I went ahead and attached a screenshot that shows where this link is located.

If you need the components for flat-towing, the required parts are base plates, a tow bar, a tow braking system, safety cables, and vehicle tow wiring. For those parts on your 2022 Ford Ranger, I recommend the following setup:

- Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM-524459-5
- Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs # RM-522
- 40" Vinyl Coated Safety Cables with Clevis Hook # DL20119
- Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 4-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15247

It is important to note that, due to the newness of this model, our installers and manufacturers have not confirmed a flat-towing supplemental braking system that works with your 2022 Ford Ranger. This usually occurs with newer vehicles because manufacturers take a while to keep up.

The great thing about the Roadmaster base plate kit is that is simply installs into your Ranger's chassis. It comes with all required hardware. As far as the Falcon tow bar, it allows for you to easily release your vehicle even in uneven ground and simply slides into the RV's hitch receiver without the need of a ball mount. With the diode kit, this will allow you to connect your RV's tail, brake, and turn signal lights to your Ranger's lighting system.

expert reply by: Bob C

How to Locate Local Installers
(click to enlarge)

Tony Z.

1/1/0001

Can the Guardian rock shield be used on ALL brands of flat towing cross bars, or just the Roadmaster brand? I am planning on using Blue Ox.

Bob C.

3/18/2022

Unfortunately, the Rock Guardian # RM-4000 is only engineered to fit Roadmaster tow bars. It is also important to note that it does not work with EZ5, MS, or MX base plates (which is the model of the base plate # RM-524459-5 I mentioned in my previous answer). If you plan to use a Blue Ox Tow Bar such as the Blue Ox Alpha 2 # BX7380, there is a rock guard that is specifically designed for Blue Ox. That is the Blue Ox KarGard Towed Vehicle Protector # BX8870. It is important to note that the KarGard does not work with the Blue Ox Acclaim Tow Bar # BX4330. If you plan on goint with a Blue Ox Tow bar like the Alpha 2, you need a specific adapter # RO64FR to use that with the Roadmaster Base Plate # RM-524459-5 I mentioned in my previous answer.