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Expert Answers about Tow Bar Braking Systems


  • Comparing Roadmaster InvisiBrake and Demco Air Force One Brake Systems for a 2020 Buick Envision
  • The NSA Ready Brute Elite tow bar is a pretty iconic system and while we have carried it in the past, that was long enough ago that we don't really have too much information on the system anymore. I will say that while I do like the idea of having the brake system integrated with the tow bar, it does make me a little skeptical at how well it performs just because of all of the different moving parts involved. When talking about the Roadmaster InvisiBrake # RM-8700 and the Demco Air Force...
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  • Comparing the Blue Ox Patriot and Roadmaster Even Brake Systems for a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • Even though the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR and the Roadmaster Even Brake # RM-9400 are very similar systems I recommend using the Patriot II. It is easier to set up, uses less power so it will take much longer for this system to drain your battery, and it doesn't require the use of additional parts so that it is compatible with your vehicle. Attached are some videos that you can reference for the installation. For a complete flat towing setup you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety...
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  • Comparing Portable And Fixed Supplemental Braking Systems For A 2010 Jeep Wrangler
  • There's going to be two main styles of supplemental braking systems; fixed or portable. If you want a system that's going to permanently install in your Wrangler and will be ready to go with no setup after the initial installation then you'd want to go with a fixed system. If you don't want to have a permanent installation and would rather have something you'd install each time then you'd want to go with a portable system. Fixed systems tend to be quite a bit more work upfront since they're...
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  • Recommend Base Plate and Tow Bar For 2010 Smart For Two
  • For your 2010 Smart For Two, we have the Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit, part # 52285-1, and the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, part # BX1987. Both the Roadmaster and Blue Ox base plate kits feature removable drawbars, so that the base plate kit is less visible when you are not towing the vehicle. Both the Roadmaster and Blue Ox base plate kit would be a good option for your 2010 Smart Car. In addition to a base plate kit, you will need a tow bar, safety cables, wiring or lighting, and a supplemental...
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  • Best Permanent & Portable Supplemental Braking System to Flat Tow 2019 Jeep Wrangler
  • The SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO # SM99251 and Roadmaster Invisibrake # RM-8700 tow bar braking systems are both one-time-install systems that will require more up-front effort for their initial installation in your 2019 Wrangler. In comparison, portable systems such as the Blue Ox Patriot II # BRK2016 and the Roadmaster Even Brake # RM-9400 are easier to place in the vehicle (and their installation is less invasive) but you need to go through that process each time you want to get the Jeep ready...
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  • Difference Between Roadmaster EZ4 and EZ5 Base Plates for 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
  • Both the Roadmaster EZ4 Base Plate Kit # RM-521448-4 and EZ5 Base Plate Kit # RM-521448-5 will fit on your 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The primary difference between the two designs is the way they attach to the tow bar. The EZ5 does not use the quick-connect crossbar which provides a cleaner look, but prevents you from using some accessories that mount to the crossbar such as a Rock Guard like the Roadmaster # RM-4000. If you are at all interested in using a rock guard or protective...
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  • Difference Between Crossbar-Style and Direct-Connect Base Plates for 2013 Ford Flex
  • The only difference between a crossbar-style base plate and direct-connect style of base plate is the type of tow bar that is compatible. There are no vehicles that require a crossbar and what the description says of the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-524435-5 is that they "will only work with Roadmaster tow bars that slide into a trailer hitch ... These base plates will not work with tow bars that require a hitch ball." For your 2013 Ford Flex, you can use either the Direct-Connect...
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  • Roadmaster or Blue Ox and Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2019 Chevrolet Spark Manual Transmission
  • Both Roadmaster and Blue Ox are great systems that are made in the USA and you can't go wrong with either option. That being said, I would give the slight edge to Roadmaster due to the limited lifetime warranty on their products. I have included the parts you would need to flat tow your 2019 Chevrolet Spark Manual Transmission (w/o ACTIV) below. Base Plate Kit: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-523202-5 Tow Bar: Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar # RM-676...
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  • Can the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock Be Used for Flat Towing?
  • Neither the item # e98882 and the item # e98880 locking hitch pins have an official weight capacity because it exceeds what the trailer hitches are capable of. They can easily handle a 2015 Fiat 500 being flat towed behind your Forest River RV. I have some recommendations on parts you will need to flat tow your 2015 Fiat 500. You are going to need a tow-bar, a baseplate kit, a safety cables, tail light wiring harness, supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. I have...
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  • Comparing Blue Ox Patriot and Roadmaster Even Brake Towed Car Braking Systems
  • The main difference between the Blue Ox Patriot and the Roadmaster Even Brake systems is that the Roadmaster # RM-9400 uses compressed air to actuate the brakes in the towed vehicle, while the Blue Ox Patriot II uses an electrically-operated actuator to engage the brake pedal. As a result the Blue Ox system uses less power (since it does not incorporate an air compressor) and is a bit simpler to install. The Even Brake can only be used with vehicles that have power brakes. Roadmaster suggests...
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  • Comparing Different Flat Tow Set-ups for a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
  • To flat tow your 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite you will need at least 5 main parts. Those parts being a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, tow bar wiring and a supplemental braking system. Overall both had similar recommendations other than the braking system and that really just comes down to personal preference. One offered the Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System # RM-8700 (requires the # RM-751471 for installation) which is a permanent installation that doesn't...
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  • Correct Wiring Kit for Flat Towing 2009 Jeep Wrangler JKU
  • The difference in the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267 and the RoadMaster Falcon 2 and Falcon All-Terrain Combo Towing Kit with Straight Wiring # RM-9243-1, is the RM-9243-1 has everything you need to tow with RoadMaster's Falcon 2 and Falcon All-Terrain system in one convenient kit. Includes wiring kit, power cord, mounting bracket, safety cables, padlocks, tow bar cover, and a vinyl bag to store it all. The # RM-15267 just contains the wiring kit, not...
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  • Which Tow Bar is Better Blue Ox Avail # BX7420 or Roadmaster Nighthawk # RM-676
  • The Blue Ox has a life expectancy of 8-10 years, Blue Ox does recommend replacing it at this point. There are a few big differences between the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - RV Mount - 8K # RM-676 and the Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar - Motorhome Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs # BX7420. As you said, the Blue Ox is made of steel and the Roadmaster is made of aluminum. The Blue Ox has a weight capacity of 10,000 lbs, while the Roadmaster is 8,000...
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  • What is the Difference Between the Roadmaster EZ4 and EZ5 Base Plate Kits on a 2021 Jeep Wrangler
  • That is a great question because overall there is not much of a difference. The difference between the Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit (EZ4) # RM-521453-4 and the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit (EZ5) # RM-521453-5 is going to be in what type of tow bar attaches to each base plate. The # RM-521453-4 (EZ4) will use a crossbar style tow bar like the etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plates # e44ZR. The # RM-521453-5 (EZ5) will use a direct...
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  • Differences of Roadmaster Direct Connect and Cross Bar Base Plates for 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
  • The main difference between the Roadmaster direct connect base plate kit (previously known as the EZ5) # RM-521453-5 and the cross bar style base plate kit (previously known as the EZ4) # RM-521453-4 is how the tow bar attaches to the base plate. The cross bar style base plate uses a quick disconnect bar to connect the tow bar up, the direct connect uses pins and clips to mount to the tow bar. They install exactly the same, the arms are the only difference. A direct connection makes it...
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  • Difference Between Roadmaster Direct-Connect & Crossbar-Style Base Plates on 2021 Ford F-150
  • The difference between the Direct-Connect # RM38VR and Crossbar-Style # RM58VR that fit your 2021 Ford F-150 is the type of tow bar that they accept, and the ease of connection. The direct-connect base plates allows you to simply connect your tow bar right to the base plate, eliminating the need for a middle man - the crossbar - so it is definitely the route I recommend: - Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM38VR Along with the base plates, there are a number of other things...
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  • What is the Difference Between the EZ4 and EZ5 Base Plate Kits for a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
  • Since both the EZ4 # RM-521448-4 and EZ5 # RM-521448-5 base plate kits fit your 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and have removable draw bars there really doesn't seem to be much of a difference at first glance. However, there are some significant differences that are important to take note of. The EZ5 kit is easier to connect your Falcon tow bar to but does not allow the use of the anchor brackets for sterling cables. Sterling cable anchors will have to be attached to the frame or welded...
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  • Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Vs. Direct-Connect Base Plate Kits for 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
  • The biggest difference between the Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit # RM-521453-4 and the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-521453-5 for your 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is going to be the style of tow bar that you can use. The Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit # RM-521453-4 will allow you to use a tow bar like the etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plates # e44ZR. The Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-521453-5 will allow you to use a tow...
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  • What is the Difference Between Roadmaster Direct Connect and Crossbar Style Base Plates?
  • To answer the essence of your question before getting into some specifics, the difference between the cross bar and direct connect style of base plate can be broken down like this: the Roadmaster Direct Connect Base Plate # RM-523173-5 is going to provide for an easier connection to your tow bar than the Roadmaster Crossbar Style Base Plates # 523173-4 . A lot of people stick with Crossbar style base plates because they have an old tow bar they want to continue using from a previously...
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  • Comparing Roadmaster Base Plates for 2007 Hummer H2 and Recommended Flat Towing System Components
  • The Roadmaster MS Base Plate Kit - Fixed Arms # 2503-1 does not have the removable connections like the # 2506-1 or even the # 2506-3. The removable option gives you a cleaner look when not connected, but the connection will be similar. The # 2506-1 style of arms is compatible with Quick Disconnects and all Roadmaster tow bars, where the other options are not able to use the Quick Disconnects and are not compatible with coupler style tow bars. This compatibility is the only reason why...
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