Expert Answers about Base Plates

• How Long Does It Take to Install Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit on 2009 Chevy HHR
• The Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit part # 3141-1 which is a fit for a 2009 Chevrolet HHR will take around 4-6 hours for installation based on experience. I have attached for you below the installation instructions if you would like to review them. If you need help with installation, you can use our install locater tool to get the base plate kit installed locally. The link for this is located on the product page under the videos tab.
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• Installation Troubleshooting of Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit
• The Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit, # RM-521448-4, is a confirmed fit for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler. And the Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar, # RM-576 is a match to those base plates. Manufacturing variances occasionally cause difficulties with installation. Depending on if your vehicle has a hole on the outside of the frame or not, you may have to drill one. I have attached a video of these base plates being installed on a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. Please checkout...
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• Crossbar Form Falcon 5250 Tow Bar Not Lining Up With Base Plates on a 2004 Scion xA
• All Roadmaster Base Plate Kits like the XL Base Plate Kit, item # 1170-1 that you purchased, place the brackets at 28-1/2 inches apart on the vehicle. If your cross bar is the incorrect width you will need the Roadmaster Quick Disconnect Tow Bar Base Assembly, item # 910021-00. This dimension should work correctly with the Falcon 5250 Tow Bar as long as the crossbar is the original crossbar for Roadmaster base plates. You can measure your crossbar to determine if it is correct. If your...
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• Can Blue Ox Ascent Tow Bar Connect to Roadmaster Base Plate
• Yes, a Blue Ox Ascent tow bar part # BX4370 can be used with a Roadmaster base plate kit that fits your 2017 Jeep Cherokee Outlander as long as you use the correct adapter # BX88185.
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• How to Correct Base Plate Drawbar That is Difficult to Remove from Base Plate on 1996 Saturn SL2
• Removable arm-type base plate drawbars for your 1996 Saturn SL2, such as those in the Roadmaster # 52181-1 and the Blue Ox # BX3310 that are shown on the link at right, should not be too difficult to remove. I am concerned that the difficulty you are having removing the one drawbar could be a result of an impact or other damage. Has this system been in use for some time or is it new? If it is a new system then I urge you to take it to the place of purchase for inspection. If its been...
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• Troubleshooting A Roadmaster Base Plate Kit Not Aligning Properly on a 2003 Honda Civic
• Without knowing what holes you are having a problem aligning it's hard for me to say exactly what could be going on. Was your 2003 Honda Civic in a front-end accident at one point? That could cause the mounting holes to be off if the damage wasn't fixed properly. Is the alignment problems you are seeing on both sides of the kit? Or just one side? Do you have an SI model? If so, you would have needed the Roadmaster Base Plate Kit part # 1547-1 instead. Check out the install video I attached...
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• Troubleshooting Misalignment After Roadmaster Base Plate Installation on 1994 Geo Tracker
• The Roadmaster base plate kit # 118-1 should mount on your 1994 Geo Tracker so that you have a distance between the two front braces of 28-1/2-inches (with a 1/2-inch tolerance). The instructions (linked for reference) note this dimension and also to leave all fasteners loose after initial installation to allow for final adjustment and positioning before applying the final torque. Since the vehicle's front frame crossover tube is used for this installation you might try loosening the fasteners...
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• Troubleshooting Titan XD 6.5 bed Adapter Fit and Movement with Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch
• The Demco 5th Wheel Rail Adapter for Nissan Titan XD OEM 5th Wheel Towing Prep Package # DM6200 have 4 wear pads that are 1/2 inch thick and 8 thinner shims that are 1/4 inch each. I reached out to my contact at Demco and he said you may need to add or remove shims to get a tighter fit. The number of shims does not need to be equal but you should have a snug fit to the bed of your truck. When that adapter is snug the movement should be less significant but small movement is expected...
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• Troubleshooting Excessive Tire Wear on a 2007 Ford Focus when Being Towed by a Motorhome
• There are several possible causes for the severe tire wear you are seeing on your Ford Focus. First, if the tow bar is not level with the RVs it can put extra stress (downward force in this case) on the front of the Focus. That extra force can lead to not only tire wear but also potentially damage the tow bar and base plates. Make sure that you have the steering on the Focus unlocked so that it is free to turn when being towed. If the steering is locked, it will cause severe tire wear...
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• Troubleshooting Demco Base Plate Kit on a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Binding When Connected to RV
• The Demco Tabless Base Plate Kit # DM9519340, for your 2019 Jeep Cherokee, only use 1 pin to keep them in place with the actual mounting brackets. I spoke to my contact at Demco who said that if you are having trouble disconnecting these then you likely still have your Cherokee hooked up to your RV with the Dominator # DM9511008 and you are facing a downward slope. He said if you get in the Cherokee and back up just a little that will relieve pressure on those pins and you should be able...
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• Can Older Demco Commander Tow Bar Be Used with Base Plate Kit for 2018 Chevy Equinox
• I forwarded this to our contact at Demco and what they responded with is below. The short answer is you should already have all of the parts you need: The baseplate for the 2018 Chevy Equinox ( # DM9519332) is the Demco tabless baseplate. The 2015 Demco Commander will need to have the clevis ends removed and the baseplate # DM9519332 came with new ends to replace on the tow bar. See illustration below: The yellow highlighted parts come pre-assembled in the box with the baseplate the...
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• Troubleshooting Trailer Valet XL That Does Not Sit Straight During Operation
• I would first double check to make sure that everything is installed properly. The hitch ball that comes with the Trailer Valet XL # TVXL2 has a base that you spin to lock your unit to the coupler so that it sits straight. If you have an older version it probably didn't come with the coupling plate, but newer versions all come with the coupling plate to help make sure the dolly is flush. Once you have adjusted the spinning base as much as you can by hand, use the included tool to tighten...
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• Adapting Swivel Collar on Tow Bar For Compatibility with MX-5 Base Plate on 2014 Jeep Wrangler
• The Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM-521448-5 are a confirmed fit for your 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and should fit just fine with your Falcon 5250 tow bar. I reached out to my tech contact at Roadmaster and there are different collars. The Roadmaster Replacement Swivel Collar for Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-9200-4 is what they recommend for your application. There will be some play but the 3/8 inch sounds excessive. This swivel collar will have a 3/4 inch diameter...
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• Troubleshooting 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor Off Road Skid Plate Issues with Blue Ox Baseplates
• The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # BO74FR is the proper fit for your 2018 Ford Raptor. I reached out to my contact in their tech department and he said that just the 2017 Raptor in the instructions you will only install 2 of the 4 bolts you removed when you took the skid plate off. He said the skid plate may hang slightly lower due to that, but it won't be an issue. He said the safety cables on the brackets may just need to be held up during that installation to keep them...
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• How To Re-Install Tensions Plate In The Leg Of Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch With Round Tube Slider
• I called my contact at Reese and asked about the tension plate that came out when you were using your fifth wheel. Another Expert and I went to our showroom and took a 16K Reese fifth wheel like your # RP30075 apart to see how the plate can be removed and re-installed. You obviously do not need to know how to remove it so to re-install it you will need to move the handle all the way rearward so it allows the plate to be installed with less tension. Insert the plate in the slot on the...
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• Pop & Lock Custom Tailgate Lock Is Clicking But Not Working On A 2015 Toyota Tacoma
• It sounds to me like the the metal rod may have come unattached. There are two metal rods that connect to the bronze locking plate installed on the inside of the taillight to the back of the latch handle. One is responsible for locking the tailgate whereas the other is responsible for unlocking the tailgate. The end of the metal rod that attaches to the base plate is secured by a plastic prong. One is black and the other is red. You will want to make sure the rod is secured into the connector...
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• Check Engine Light Comes On After Installing Base Plates on a 2013 Dodge Dart Limited
• This is the first time I have heard of this issue with base plates # RM-52294-1. But if the bottom louvers where in place then the motor for them will be able to do its testing procedure and the check engine light should not come on. But you may still have to first have the trouble code cleared so the light goes off and then reinstall/hookup the bottom louvers. That will solve the issue. Pay special attention to step 12 in the instructions, linked for reference, because the actuating...
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• Curt A20 5th Wheel Hitch Jaws Do Not Operate and Close Correctly
• It sounds to me like the Curt A20 hitch # C16541 may need to be lubricated. You might also have a spring or some other internal component that is about to fail. Lubricate before each individual use and every 1,000 miles thereafter. Black graphite grease is recommended for the jaw, pins and the lower bearing assembly jaw. High-pressure wheel bearing grease is preferred for the skid plate. NOTE: In severe cold temperatures a lighter grease, such as white lithium, may be substituted for...
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• Can a Flat Towing Setup Ever Be Reversed
• You may realize this now, but you should never try to reverse a flat towing setup. Even short distances can be disastrous. If all that happened was that your Jeep tires ended up scrubbing across the pavement then you got lucky and there was no damage. But I would recommend you disconnect everything and go over everything to see if you can find any bends or other damage. Specifically look at the tow bar arms to make sure they are totally straight. If the arms are telescoping make sure they...
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• Curt A16 5th Wheel Hitch Coupling Issue Troubleshooting
• It sounds to me like the Curt A16 hitch # C16120 may need to be lubricated. You might also have a spring or some other internal component that is about to fail. Lubricate before each individual use and every 1,000 miles thereafter. Black graphite grease is recommended for the jaw, pins and the lower bearing assembly jaw. High-pressure wheel bearing grease is preferred for the skid plate. NOTE: In severe cold temperatures a lighter grease, such as white lithium, may be substituted for the...
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