To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
Designed specifically for heavy-duty applications, direct-connect brackets install onto your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for a motor-home-mounted tow bar. Front arms are easily removable when not in use.
Features:
Note: Direct-connect base plates will work only with the Roadmaster tow bars that slide into a trailer hitch, such as the Nighthawk, Sterling, Blackhawk, Blackhawk 2, Falcon, and Falcon 2. These base plates will not work with tow bars that require a hitch ball.
Direct-connect brackets do not require a crossbar because of the heavy-duty nature of your vehicle's frame. Thus, installation is simplified, the hookup process is faster, and the total appearance is enhanced.
Note: The EZ Hook safety cables included with Roadmaster's Sterling tow bars will not work with direct-connect base plates. These cables connect to an anchor plate on the Quick Disconnect crossbar, which will not be present when you are using these base plates.
The drawbars, or front arms, on the direct-connect base plate kit are simple to mount and remove, easily securing with 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 (379 Customer Reviews)
Designed specifically for heavy-duty applications, direct-connect brackets install onto your vehicle's frame to provide attachment points for a motor-home-mounted tow bar. Front arms are easily removable when not in use.Reasonably easy install
Installed the direct connect kit on our 2009 Subaru Forester to serve as a towable behind our motorhome. Once installed the kit blended well with the car and only minor modifications were required to the fascia. It was not really noticeable at all with the towing arms removed. The tolerance on the baseplate frame holes was slightly off. I had to drill mounting holes and route them out slightly to match the body mounting positions. Our Subaru did not have an body damage so I think the factory got the holes slightly off center. Note- this baseplate replaces the actual bumper on the Subaru so it leaves a gap between the baseplate and fascia that was not there with the factory bumper. Not a problem, just be prepared for that.
Installed on my 2013 Subaru Forester. Had to file down the passenger-side hole on the bottom (not the front where it replaces the old bumper) because the hole came at an incorrect distance from the factory compared to the driver's side hole.
I also installed the "RM-98146-7 Roadmaster Wiring - Straight 6 to 7 - 78" Long" which required a small semi-circle be cut off from my car's bumper facia next to the base plat's arms. It's not noticeable from the outside but otherwise the female plug wouldn't be able to open to accept the male plug.
Side note: If your car is used, do yourself a favor a purchase a bag of push clips (the things you'll need to pop off to get the facia off on your vehicle) from [online vendor]. Mine were stiff and more than half of them broke when I first popped them off.
Reliable, solid product! Thousands of miles and not a single problem!
Working flawlessly
Arrived several days early, and installed 2 days. Very good!
Excellent service -- ordered online afternoon of July 13; shipped same day and arrived two days later. etrailer video was helpful in outlining steps for installation - especially fascia removal prior to actual install. Installation took about 3 1/2 hours which includes fascia/grill removal and reinstall. Did need to secure additional fender clips to reinstall fascia - many broke during removal as almost 20 years old -- available aftermarket from Dorman. Order arrived correct with all parts/no damage. Fit was excellent. Will order from etrailer again
I originally purchased a Blue Ox baseplate to install since I already had a tow bar. Upon removing the front grill, I was surprised to find the used Element I had purchased already had the front bumper caps removed and 2 braces installed. Thanks to the photos on etrailer reviews and product info, I was able to determine that the vehicle had previously had a roadmaster baseplate installed! I purchased this unit and it fit perfectly onto the already installed braces. Seems very solid and high-quality so far.
The coupling pin point end up being too low relative to the ground. . Therefore to remain within the required 3 inch horizontal limit for the tow bar, a 6 inch drop must be added to the towing vehicle. This creates a significant problem for a motor coach. On rises and falls of the road surface ( speed humps, etc.), the drop of 6 inches creates a rub condition between the drop hitch, safety cable, brake air lines and the road surface. If the adapters where engineered to be extended and the pin coupling points were raised 3-4 inches, the problem would be solved. It appears this designers considered aesthetics more than integrated functionality. Other than the fact that I must disconnect the tow vehicle, remove the tow bar and remove the drop hitch to traverse forward in situations and on many occasions , it is a functional base plate.
This whole system is great!!! Even being a female, it takes less than a minute to connect or disconnect, just a couple of small receivers stick out of the front of the car. And they are removeable when not towing. My brother even bought a set for his Class C. It is difficult to back up in the Class C, IT is ok as it is quick to disconnect, so no worries.
Easy install, remove factory tow hooks slide new brackets in, mark and drill 2 half inch holes for each bracket install and torque all bolts, simple install quality Roadmaster product with excellent workmanship.
I have it it over a year now and preforming flawlessly!Install went well. this so much easier than when I was using a tow dolly. flat towing is really the only way to go
Easy install, instructions were clear
it was delivered in a timely manner, I was able to do the complete installation by my self in my driveway. I love the ease of use, I can connect and disconnect in minutes. I would recommend it to anyone who is going to be towing a dingy!!
Easy to install. Works great. Probably have 5,000 miles or more now towing with no issues.
I was shocked at how easy and precise fitting this base plate installed on a 19 year old 2005 Honda Element AWD with +180K miles! I didn't have to trim anything. I did have to use a smaller but same thickness washer on the inside passage side frame rail as the supplied washer was hitting a factory stop plate which I didn't wish to mess with.
Received my order and it contained all parts required to install. Installation was a breeze because each part fit as it was suppose to per installtion instructions which were also very easy to understand. Will do more buisness with etrailer in the future!!
Easy installation and works as intended. Quick delivery. I’m very satisfied!
Another great product from etrailer. Arrived on time came with everything I needed. Had to trim a little more plastic trim than I expected but it’s all good. Took me about 3 hours including the wiring to the tail lights and breakaway switch for the brake buddy.
Works great . The only problem was having to take the bumper off the Escape . But that’s not the Roadmaster’s fault . The installation was not hard and the instructions were great.
The tow bar worked exactly as expected - Excellent! I towed my Jeep behind my motor home from Tennessee to Maine without any problems! Can't wait to use it again!
Very good fit. Easy to install. Directions were fairly easy to follow. Will be towing behind our Winnebago Journey. This is my 3rd baseplate from trailer. Great company and customer service.
the base plate kit fit very well, I had to do a little bit of grinding but after that it all bolted up well and fits great
The parts are correct but didn’t come in the oem packaging that uses styrofoam padding. They clanked around in the etrailer box and the powder is scratched up pretty bad.
Knowing how Roadmaster takes pride in their packaging to receiving them in this condition is pretty disappointing. There was not even paper wrapping them up. The cardboard box is in perfect shape.
Do you have a question about this Base Plate?
Info for this part was:
At etrailer.com we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.