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Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Item # RM-524458-5
Retail:$550.00
Our Price: $485.00
You Save: $65.00
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Designed for use with motor-home-mounted tow bars, the direct-connect brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and remove, and they eliminate the need for a quick-disconnect crossbar on your tow bar. Installs on your vehicle's frame. 1-800-940-8924 to order Roadmaster base plates part number RM-524458-5 or order online at etrailer.com. Free expert support on all Roadmaster products. Great prices and Fastest Shipping for Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms. Base Plates reviews from real customers.
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  • Reviews (2057)
  • Q & A (0)
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Roadmaster Base Plates - RM-524458-5

  • Removable Drawbars
  • Roadmaster
  • Twist Lock Attachment

Designed for use with motor-home-mounted tow bars, the direct-connect brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and remove, and they eliminate the need for a quick-disconnect crossbar on your tow bar. Installs on your vehicle's frame.


Features:

  • Direct-connect brackets provide attachment points for your motor-home-mounted tow bar
  • Streamlined design creates supremely clean look
    • No obtrusive quick-disconnect crossbar
    • Hidden brackets sit even farther back than standard brackets
  • Drawbars attach and remove quickly and easily
    • Arms click to lock in place in brackets
    • Built-in pull rings let you unlock arms so you can twist and remove them
  • Computer-cut, all-steel construction provides exceptional strength
  • Black powder coat finish is durable and corrosion resistant
  • Simple installation - no welding required
    • Custom base plates ensure a perfect fit for your vehicle
  • Compatible with Roadmaster motor-home-mounted tow bars only
  • Instructions and mounting hardware included
  • Made in the USA
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty


Note: Roadmaster direct-connect base plates will only work with Roadmaster tow bars that slide into a trailer hitch, such as the Nighthawk, Sterling, Blackhawk, Blackhawk 2, Falcon, or Falcon 2. These base plates will not work with tow bars that require a hitch ball.


The drawbars, or front arms, on this base plate kit are supremely easy to mount and remove. Just insert them into the brackets and twist to lock them in place. To remove each arm, simply tug the built-in pull pin to disengage the lock, twist the arm back and pull it out of the bracket. Once the drawbars have been removed, the remaining brackets are virtually invisible. On most automobiles, the brackets are mounted within the grille, where they remain not only unseen, but protected from scrapes and scuffs as well.



524458-5 Road Master EZ-5 Base Plate Kit

Installation Details RM-524458-5 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles




Customer Satisfaction Score:


Customer Reviews

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms - RM-524458-5

Average Customer Rating:  4.8 out of 5 stars   (2057 Customer Reviews)

Designed for use with motor-home-mounted tow bars, the direct-connect brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and remove, and they eliminate the need for a quick-disconnect crossbar on your tow bar. Installs on your vehicle's frame.

by:

Fit great, works perfect, easy to hook up to the tow bar. Only modification to the car was cutting the holes in the lower grille for the removeable arms.



by:
Ford Fusion

Great fit on my 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid. So good it's hard to tell the base plate is in place



by:

I bought and self installed this on my 2021 GMC Sierra Duramax 1 year ago. Install took about 5 hours and wasn't difficult...I could problty install it in 2-3 hours after leaening the tricks. Weve towed the truck all over the USA since then (over 10,0000 miles) and it works great! I've used other brands and highly recommend Roadmaster tow systems over the competition.



by:

I reported that one of the removable tow arms was missing to etrailer within hours of receiving the baseplate. This was due to the shipping box being damaged during transit and likely just fell out. After four business days with no communication from etrailer I contacted Roadmaster. A couple of emails and they shipped the part. Very disappointed having to do etrailer's legwork. For this I will give etrailer one star.

The baseplate RM 524473-5 for a 2023 Ford Escape fit as expected sorta. Had to apply a 3 pound hammer as the mounting brackets were tweaked a little likely from welding and pulling a little out of square. I felt the instructions had a lot of reading between the lines, a couple of times I just about picked up the phone and called them to see if my interpretation was correct. But I just consulted with my analytical 15 year old grandson and we figured it out. (His 18 year old brother served to knock me to the floor and pull me back up again, faster than calling a crane service.)

My big complaint was that they could have provided actual measurements where to drill the Tupperware where the arms go through, there is a couple of reverence points that could be used. There was a few minor things that didn't/did need to be done but likely could easily be because of running production changes. (And better packing of 45 pounds of steel by RM)



by:

The tow bars hook up easily to my dinghy car, a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. I like that the arms dis-attach easily and can be stored elsewhere. The tow arms attach quickly and easily to the baseplate arms. I do like this system. The installers put it in, so I cannot comment on how easy that was. I know the installers contacted etrailer for their questions, so I was glad to hear that.



by:

The Roadmaster direct connect base was a perfect fit for my 2013 focus S to flat tow. We had it installed in about 3 hrs following the complete direction and pictures. I highly recommend using etrailer.



by:

Good product. If you are reasonably handy and have some tools, you can install this yourself in a few hours. I'm a mechanic, it took me a little over 2 hours to install on my own toad. The fit is good, there are 4 holes you have to drill, otherwise it is plug and play. When you insert and twist lock the tow bar mounts into their sockets they feel a little sloppy but they are secure, and i never noticed any rattle when towing. Overall i give it a 4 out of 5 for easy install and clean look after install. Pic included of installed base plate.



by:

Installed on my 2020 Jeep Cherokee for flat towing behind our motorhome . I wanted a tow bar connection that integrated with the front end of the Jeep and the removable arms did the trick . I had one issue with the driver side receiver bracket not lining up with the upper mount bolt hole on the Jeep, image 0547. Had to make a slight adjustment to the receiver bracket so the holes would line up, image 0551 and image 0559. The rest of the install went smoothly
I also installed the Demco braking Stay n Play Duo system , image 0565 which went in without any issues, image 6028. 7 thousand miles of towing later, couldn't be happier with the products



by:

This is a rock solid baseplate. Installed on a 2023 Equinox LT (AWD). I followed etrailer's videos for installation and they are spot on. We connect with a Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar, charge line kit, smart diode lighting kit, and a Demco Stay-in-Play supplimental braking system. It is fairly well hidden when not in-use. This setup is great!



by:

I installed them on my new RAM 1500. Works great, very heavy duty. I also modified and attached a push bumper and used the Roadmaster base plates.



by:

Exactly what I needed. Written jbstructuons were spot on and video was very helpful.



by:

Installed on my 2020 jeep jl sport s with factory plastic bumper and plastic rock guard. Shane’s video was very helpful but I did not like how the metal plate behind the rock guard was cut away and how the rock guard had two big cut outs so I did some modifications. I cut two slots in the metal bracket and added angle brackets for extra support. As a result i did not use the supplied brackets for the rock guard. I created a template for the rock guard which resulted in two small cut outs. A lot of extra time but i am retired so time is relative. I think it looks great.



by:

Installing on 2020 Jeep Trailhawk :



Pic #0557 : Roadmaster Base Plate Kit , Demco Supplemental Braking System , Diode Wiring Kit , Demco Battery Charge Wire Kit



Pic # 0548 ,0551 , 0559 Had to adjust the bracket plate to line up with the upper bolt holes



Pic #6028 finished install , mounted the operating unit to the top fuse box cover using automotive Velcro . Air cylinder , controller and LED light installed . Aside from the base plate bracket not lining up with the upper bolt holes I would give it 4 stars . My son in law is a master at solving mechanical issues .



by:

I was very pleased with the way you handled my order. I called and was greeted pleasantly and knowledgeable about what I needed and in just a few minutes my order was placed. It arrived just as they said it would in a timely matter.
I would recommend e-trailer to anyone!



by:

Easy install. Looks great. Apparently they have made some changes so that the video is not accurate. Install instructions though were spot on. A template for cutting the grill would be an added plus.



by:

I bought this base plate kit for my 2022 Jeep Rubicon Gladiator so I could flat tow behind my class a motor home with a Roadmaster Falcon all terrain non binding tow bar. The instructions were easy to follow and went smoothly except drilling the holes. That was my fault because I was using a dull drill bit. See attached photo



by:

The base plate arrived on time, with excellent instructions. I went slowly because my truck is only days old and still had it done in an evening.



by:

This kit worked out great for my 2022 Chevy Equinox. I like how it has separate side plates, which make it easier to attach the main bar. The points where it attaches to the frame seem plenty secure. It is important to watch the videos provided by etrailer as Ryan is very thorough and has good tips for installing. I would also recommend installing additional wiring while having the front end off. Overall, I was able to complete in my driveway. The hardest part was sorting out the wiring for whatever braking and tail lights you decide on. William S helped me pick all the necessary components needed for flat towing behind my Jayco RV. I am looking forward to a summer of camping and having more freedom to explore the area, now having a car.



by:

The bracket kit fit my 2023 Subaru Crosstrek perfectly. The instructions are excellent and the video is really useful too. I’m really pleased with this RoadMaster bracket kit and the support from eTrailer.



by:

Item works good. We pulled our ‘21 Canyon behind our RV on several trips and had no issues other than you need to put in a diode to the rear lights to keep them from back feeding.



by:

Easiest I drive done. Works perfectly. I had some concerns if it would work on my Shelby F-150. etrailer put me in touch with Roadmaster directly who had never done one either. Said if it didn’t work I could return it. It fit with minor adjustments. Have towed a few thousand miles already. Couldn’t be happier



by:

Great Company Product arrived on time and the tracking information was above and beyond what I expected Product is exactly as described and of excellent quality
Would highly recommend etrailer and Roadmaster



by:

Everything went pretty good except for the reinstall of the PAD. Had to mount it on an angle because wire to short. Love it versus the crossbar I had on Santa Fe 5 speed. Also had to wire 12v outlet and emergency brake switch wiring into drivers side which was fairly easy. And 12v charging circuit for battery. My grandson Seth made it look easy.



by:

Well made, easy to install (provided you use one of etrailer's videos to install it!), non obtrusive. Fits well on my Jeep Wrangler. Just an overall great product!



by:

Just took the maiden voyage with the new Motorhome and the new Tow Car or ( Toad ). After getting everything set up and installed on the coach and the dingy towing was a breeze. Hardly even noticed that i was towing a car behind me. Bought all RoadMaster equipment and purchased everything from etrailer, baseplate and towbar with the invisibrake system and all the necessary cables. Etrailer was Awesome they made sure that I had everything needed and that everything fit my vehicle.


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2056
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See what our Experts say about this Roadmaster Base Plates

  • Roadmaster Base Plate Kit for 2020 Ford Fusion Energi that Can be Used with Blackhawk 2 Tow Bar
    Yes, the Roadmaster base plate kit # RM-524458-5 is a confirmed fit for your 2020 Ford Fusion Energi with adaptive cruise control and would work great with the Blackhawk 2 tow bar part # RM-522.
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  • What Parts do You Recommend to Flat-Tow My 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
    For flat-towing your 2018 Ford Fusion hybrid with the Roadmaster Nighthawk # RM-676, you need a compatible base plate, a tow braking system, and vehicle tow wiring. For those recommendations, I suggest the following: - Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM-524458-5 - Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System # HM39524 with the relay # RM-88400 - Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit # RM-152 The great thing about the Roadmaster base plate...
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  • Flat towing 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid
    Yes, we can help you put together a complete package to flat-tow your 2020 Ford Fusion. There are multiple choices in tow bars however, it is best practice to match your brands to each other especially in base plates to tow bars and the best base plates for your 2020 Ford Fusion are the Roadmaster. While there are multiple other choices of tow bars available I will link to the one that best fits the base plates for the 2020 Ford Fusion since this is the primary component. . You will...
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  • Recommended Flat Towing Setup for 2017 Ford Fusion Energi Plug In Hybrid
    I'd be happy to help you with that. You'll need a base plate, tow bar, safety cables, a wiring solution, a supplemental braking system and possibly a high/low adapter if the height difference between the base plate (13 inches) and the receiver on the motorhome is greater than 3 inches +/- of level. For a base plate, I'd recommend the Roadmaster direct connect, part # RM-524458-5. Direct connect base plates eliminate the crossbar, for easier hook up and a cleaner look. For a tow bar, use...
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  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid
    For your 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid flat towing is what I would recommend over using a dolly as a tow bar is much smaller to store when not in use and there's fewer wheels/tires overall so there's basically less components to wear out and monitor. Once a flat towing setup is dialed in it's really easy to use and convenient. So first you'd need a base plate kit like the part # RM-524458-5 which also fits the Energi hybrid models. In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible...
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  • What Flat-Tow Setup do I Need for My 2019 Ford Fusion Energi Titanium?
    If you are looking at a Roadmaster tow bar to flat-tow your 2019 Ford Fusion Energi Titanium, I recommend the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar # RM-522. The Falcon 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. In addition to the tow bar, you need a base plate, a tow braking system, safety cables, and vehicle tow light wiring. For those components, I recommend the following...
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  • Recommended Flat Towing Equipment For A 2019 Ford Fusion Energi Hybrid
    To flat tow your 2019 Ford Fusion Energi behind your 2020 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB you'll need a tow bar, base plate, tow bar wiring kit, braking system, and safety cables. I have the following recommendations for you listed below: Tow Bar: Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bars # RM-522. This tow bar features a non-binding design and large hookup radius to make connecting and disconnecting from your base plates on any terrain a breeze. This tow bar also easily folds up to...
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  • Can 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid Be Recreational Towed On Tow Dolly?
    Your 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid can be recreational towed with either all four wheels on the ground, or on a trailer with all four wheels off of the ground but cannot be dolly towed per the owner's manual. To recreational tow your Fusion I recommend flat towing it. To do this you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, tow bar wiring, and supplemental braking system. I recommended the following components: Base plate kit: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-524458-5 Tow...
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  • Parts Needed To Flat-Tow a 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid With Roadmaster Tow Bar
    In order to flat-tow a 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid you will need a tow bar, base plate kit, safety cables, supplemental braking system, a tail light wiring harness, and a few other smaller components. It sounds like you already have the tow bar and safety cables so I have just attached the other parts which will be compatible with your setup below. Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part # RM-524458-5 (Attaches Tow Bar To Towed Vehicle) Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking...
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  • Comparing Roadmaster and Blue Ox Base Plates for a 2018 Ford Fusion Energi Hybrid
    The Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part # RM-524458-5 is what I recommend for a 2018 Ford Fusion Energi Hybrid over the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part # BLU44FR. I have not installed either of these but I have installed many base plates. I looked through the instructions for each, the Blue Ox kit requires you to level the base plate on the frame and then drill your holes once in place. This can be difficult as you have to find a way to secure it temporarily and are relying on your...
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  • Recommended Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid Behind a Motorhome
    I took a look at the online owner's manual for a 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid, and it stated it can be flat towed with four wheels on the ground, or on a trailer with four wheels off the ground, without mention of a tow dolly, so it does not seem to be an option. If you do decide to flat tow your Fusion Hybrid, here are all the recommended parts you need: - Base Plate Kit: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-524458-5 - Tow Bar: Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar...
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for
  • Recommended Base Plate For A 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE With Adaptive Cruise Control
    The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX2666 is a fit for a 2019 Ford Fusion Sport so you would instead need the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-524458-5. This base plate is compatible with Hybrid and Energy models as well as models with Adaptive Cruise Control. It has removable arms to provide you with a clean factory look when not in use. To flat tow you need will also need a compatible tow bar, tow bar wiring kit, braking system, and safety cables. If you haven't purchased these...
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  • Flat Towing Compatibility of 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid with Adaptive Cruise Control
    We get all of our fit information directly from the base plate manufacturers. It is based on their confirmation of a fit whether there is a compatibility issue even if the vehicle manufacturer says it can be towed. The base plate manufacturers in their fit guide will say there is not a fit until they have physically tested and confirmed a fit, so sometimes it hasn't been tested when they say there isn't a fit. I have some good news for you. We now have a custom fit that is confirmed...
    view full answer...
  • Equipment Needed to Flat Tow 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid
    We really like Roadmaster products here as well. You'll need a tow bar, safety cables, a base plate kit, a wiring harness, the braking system you mentioned and possibly a high/low adapter. For a tow bar, you can't go wrong with the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, part # RM-522. The tow bar is self aligning and non-binding which means it's easy to connect and disconnect even on uneven pavement even if the car isn't perfectly lined up behind the motorhome. For base plates, I typically recommend...
    view full answer...
  • Recommended Flat Towing Parts for a 2018 Ford Fusion Energi
    I'll be happy to set you up for success. I have listed everything you will need to flat tow a 2018 Ford Fusion Energi below along with any installation videos we may have: Tow Bar and Safety Chains - Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar item # RM-520 and item # RM-643 Base Plate Kit - Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms item # RM-524458-5 Wiring Harness - Roadmaster 7-Way to 6-Wire Hybrid Cord item # RM-152-1676-7. This complete kit includes everything you need to connect...
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Info for this part was:

Employee Lindsey S
Edited by:
Lindsey S
Employee Jameson C
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Employee Joshua S
Video by:
Joshua S
Employee Thomas T
Video by:
Thomas T
Employee Jacob T
Video Edited:
Jacob T
Employee Dustin K
Video Edited:
Dustin K
Employee Chris R
Video Edited:
Chris R
Employee Wilson B
Updated by:
Wilson B
Employee Isabelle B
Updated by:
Isabelle B
Employee Amanda K
Updated by:
Amanda K
Employee Mike S
Written by:
Mike S
Employee Ryan G
Test Fit:
Ryan G
Employee Bradley B
Test Fit:
Bradley B

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