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The crossbar-style hidden brackets attach to your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for your tow bar. The visible portions of the brackets can be removed when you are not towing.
Features:
Note: Fishwires (C58400 - sold separately) are required for complete installation.
The square drawbars, or front arms, on the crossbar-style base plate kit are simple to mount and remove, easily securing with hitch pins. 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.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (972 Customer Reviews)
The crossbar-style hidden brackets attach to your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for your tow bar. The visible portions of the brackets can be removed when you are not towing.Placed order with Rebecca after she answered several questions. Shipment was quick and follow on emails kept me informed of status of order. In fact, she called me to let me know that the order had shipped. Product was drop shipped to Labelle Auto for installation. As stated in product manufactures installation instructions the install was straight forward and took the full 3 hours. I have used (towed) my vehicle since the install and everything works great. Also installed the Roadmaster Diode wiring kit. Easy to do and works great. As an added benefit with this kit your front running lights will also be illuminated. Overall I am very satisfied with both the product and the customer service provided by Rebecca and Dana at etrailer.com.
Received product faster than expected. The width was off about 1/2 inch shimmed it and works great. Installation took around 3 hours.
Instructions provided are clear and give you a basic idea of what needs to be done for the install. I will say that more trimming of the fascia was needed than the instructions stated. I had to remove approximately 1 inch around the sides of the air dam opening as well as about a half an inch from the top of the opening. After that, I was able to get everything buttoned back up.
The mentioned fish wire was not with the kit. I had to use some nylon cord to feed the bolts and backing plates through the frame to avoid losing them.
The instructions stated to tighten the subframe bolts before moving to the next step. After tightening the subframe bolts the baseplate was not flush to the passenger side frame rail. There was about a 1/4 inch gap compared to the driver's side, which was flush. I loosened the subframe bolts and tightened the frame rail bolts FIRST. Subframe bolts SECOND. Worked out great. Others may have a different experience but that was mine. I triple checked side to side and front to back to make sure the baseplate was not misaligned after doing this. It was not.
The product itself seems to be very durable and made of heavier steel, a plus. All the welds looked good. Quick connects and the provided safety cable extensions felt very durable as well. No complaints on the appearance of the product.
Install took about 4 hours, would've been less if I didn't have to trim extra or adjust for the baseplate not lining up on the frame rails.
No pictures added due to me forgetting to take them during the install.
Matthew W.
12/2/2020
Nothing has come loose or broken after 1 year of heavy use and abuse. I will attribute this to following the directions and taking my time with installation to ensure everything was in its proper place.
Great product at a good price, excellent service
It fits my car. I have not got to the place to see if my drawbar fits yet so will see when I get that far. The bumper had very tough steel. Had to incrementally drill thru.
The part seems to fit well with one exception. Although the tab for the main support fit the drivers side perfectly, I experienced a 1/4" gap between the tab (vertical) and the frame on the passenger side. A search of the Internet discovered others have experienced a similar problem.... some reported up to a 1/2" gap. In my cased, I shimmed the gap with three 2" flat washers.
I have not yet trimmed and reinstalled the fascia as I will do that tomorrow. I am a bit anxious about the fascia fit at this point.
Frank H.
8/31/2014
James, any chance you can Email me a copy of the installation instructions?ThxFrank NC
Rachael H.
9/2/2014
Ordered on Saturday, received on Thursday. I have waited 2 to 3 weeks for free shipping from other companies. This base plate fit like a glove and the instructions were very easy to follow. This is my 3rd order from etrailer and it won't be my last...
Sheb M.
4/10/2014
I work for a Drive-Away service and do a lot of towing behind a varied assortment of tow vehicles..The items mentioned in this Email have been performing flawlessly since I purchased them. When several of us go on a big job, I am hooked up and ready to roll while they are still struggling with magnetic lights etc. The job is so much simpler when it is done right.
The construction was good with solid welds and weight of material. Shipping was quick as promised. The package had a few fist sized holes in it, but no parts were missing from the parts list. I did notice a few abrasions in the black paint like scratches or chips, likely from shipping. Perhaps better packing could have prevented this. The installation time on the HHR took 6 hours not the 3 that were projected. It required two 1/2 " holes to be drilled in the sheet metal portion of the car that requires two bolts on the front most portion of the base plate. The drilling of these holes took most of the time. I went through two drill bits and believe some special step bits for drilling sheet metal would have helped (not supplied or identified as needed in the instructions). The instructions mention a fishing wire to be used for two other bolts. The fishing wire was not supplied and this took extra time fishing the bolts through the frame. I have heard some kits, perhaps not from Roadmaster provide this. The fit was similar to other experiences on the HHR where there was 1/4 space on one side between car and vertical bracket. The pictures in the instructions were not large enough with sufficient contrast to always see what components on the car were described in the text of the instructions. Arrows in the pictures would have helped also to point out the locations. Summary the install did work, just took extra time.
The base plate works great and I use it all the time . The only thing is I need someone to contact me on where I can get my stowmaster ALL TERRAIN tow bar worked on or order some new parts. Thank You winston lackey serial number is 002686
Great baseplate. My mechanic installed it in 2.5 hrs and said it is a fine kit. Have been RVing with it for 3 months and it works just fine, no problems or worries. It leaves a nearly invisible connector when the front brackets are removed. I would do this again with etrailer.
Thanks for your super support. You were very prompt answering any questions I had, and the shipping was very fast. Sorry I have taken so long in installing and then reviewing, but all went well. The product itself is excellent and fits the vehicle just fine. There was a 1/4" or so gap on one side to the frame, but you helped me with that question and by just tightening the hardware it came together fine.
Paul O.
1/31/2015
No problems. Everything is fine as ever. Thanks.Paul
Product arrived earlier than scheduled, in good condition. It is installed on my HHR which was fairly easy. Instructions were fair to good, pictures could be clearer. It took me about 8 hours all together, most of the extra time a result of my poor tools and being old and slow. One problem was the nut plate inside the frame was spinning and not holding properly because it is a bit small. I would think an experienced person with proper tools could complete the installation in about 2 hours. Looks good, you can't see it. This is my second baseplate from eTrailer.
Install pics
recieved my brackets and fuse switch as I was tracking the order. Started install at 1pm and was completed by 6pm Vince was very helpful with order. Will order the new blu ox brake controller this week. I've purchased other items previously and was satisfied that all fit and was trouble free. Best place for towers, RVers and do it yourself guy. Thanks.
Base plate works great on my 2008 HHR. Installation instructions were very close to accurate.
Yes, I received the base plate yesterday and unpacked it. The weather is cold so waiting a few days to install. It appears to be an excellent product. Just exactly what was needed. Looks like installation should be straightforward and fairly easy. I could provide a better review after it is installed.
I use this product everyday towing my vehicle behind commercial trucks with mileage ranging between 70-350 miles 1-2 times daily. I have never had any problems with this and the mechanics who installed this for me
advised me it was strong enough to allow me to hang my vehicle from a crane.
Great product and great people at etrailer with great advice!
Pictures were not really clear on how to take the front bumper off the car. It does not explain in great detail on how to unfasten the clips around the headlight. Other then that it was good.
Great product. Installation was tough but not impossible if you're handy and have a good set of tools. Towed my dingy for 6000 miles last year with no problems.
The tow bar was the best priced product I could find. It is a great quality and I look forward to installing it and even more so to use it to pull my HHR behind our motor home on vacation. I have ordered additional items from etrailer.com after this initial order. You have a great product to offer. Keep up the good work.
shipped quickly by etrailer.com thanks to Erika. Installed this morning in about 3 hours. Great service from etrailer. Great product from roadmaster.
What is there to say;
* It fit,
* it was a fair price,
* installation went great,
So all in all, I'm a happy camper (pun intended).
I have always received excellent service from etrailer personally. If I’ve had questions I’ve received a prompt, knowledgeable response.
very satisified with the service order was handled very fast.Base plate was easy to install .
Excellent product. All the hardware nice instructions
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Richard S.
6/11/2016
product works great , installed with minor adjustment