The Roadmaster Base Plate kit part # 427-8 that you referenced has been confirmed as a fit for your 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 so it should work well for yours that has fog lights.
In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. The most popular compatible tow bar is the Falcon 2, # RM-520. For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.
For... view full answer...
To equip your Escort for towing, you will need 5 parts. A hitch, ball mount, pin and clip or hitch lock, trailer ball, and a wiring harness to supply lighting for your trailer.
I recommend the Curt Class I Receiver Hitch, part # C11105, with ball mount # C45520 and pin and clip # F-4. All you will need is a hitch ball, for that you can use part # 19256. For more security, you could use a hitch lock, part # e98879 in place of the pin and clip. To wire your vehicle for the trailer lighting,... view full answer...
For the wagon versions of the 1997 Ford Escort we only have universal style trailer wiring kits available like the Tekonsha kit part # 119178KIT. The custom fit option you mentioned would not fit. view full answer...