Do I Need to Remove Fog Lights on 2021 Kia Forte to Install Base Plate? What Other Parts are Needed?

Updated 02/10/2025 | Published 11/22/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2125)

$575.00

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(397)

$1647.96

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4614)

$604.95

etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox and Curt Base Plates - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6K lbs

(305)

$773.89

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

(3186)

$180.17

Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles

(1199)

$44.01

Roadmaster Universal Stop Light Switch Kit

(622)

$126.53

Question:

I am purchasing a 2021 kia forte fe manual to flat tow. I have read that base plates are not compatible with models that have round fog lights. The car has round fog lights. So im wondering what that means for installing a base plate. Do i just have to remove the foglights ?

asked by: Dan C

Expert Reply:

Hello Dan.

Yes, in order to install the base plate you will need to remove your fog lights as they will be in the way of the crossmember.

I see that you were looking at the Roadmaster Base Plate Kit # 522112-1, this is NOT a fit for the 2021 Kia Forte, it is however a fit for the 2012-2013 Kia Soul. For your 2021 Kia Forte I do not have a Roadmaster option, I do have the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # BX2728.

I am not sure how many other components you have for flat towing your Kia, but here is the parts I recommend to go with that Base Plate:

- Tow Bar: etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox and Curt Base Plates - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6K lbs # e47ZR (safety cables are included).

- Wiring: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267, Roadmaster Universal Stop Light Switch Kit # RM-751000 (this is to get the brake lights working with the braking system), and the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles # RM-156-25 (to ensure that you do not have a dead battery when you get to your destination after flat towing).

-Braking System: Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional # BLU37TR, this unit is great because it works with Air, Hydraulic, or Air Over Hydraulic Brakes.

I have also attached review videos for all parts listed.

expert reply by: Kate F

Dan C.

2/10/2025

Just wanted to let you know that I got my baseplate installed this past weekend. I removed my round fog lights as you instructed. After I re-installed the facia on my Kia, for giggles I tried to install the fog lights as you. To my surprise they installed without any issues. I wanted to let you know so that you can tell others, maybe even blue ox. I’m very happy with the baseplate and fog lights are a bonus. Only disappointment is there was no installation video for my Kia.

Kate F.

2/10/2025

@DanC Great news Dan! Thanks for letting me know, I will most definitely pass the information along as well. If you were close to us in Missouri then we could have done the install for you for the footage. That is actually how we get out content on our site is with free installs if we do not have the video footage for that year, make, and model. Let me know how the rest of the installs go, if you have any questions about anything please feel free to reach out.