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Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

Item # RM-523196-5
Retail:$550.00
Our Price: $485.00
You Save: $65.00
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Shipping Weight: 50 lbs
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Designed for use with motor-home-mounted tow bars, the direct-connect brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and remove, and they eliminate the need for a quick-disconnect crossbar on your tow bar. Installs on your vehicle's frame. 1-800-940-8924 to order Roadmaster base plates part number RM-523196-5 or order online at etrailer.com. Free expert support on all Roadmaster products. Great prices and Fastest Shipping for Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms. Base Plates reviews from real customers.
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  • Reviews (2046)
  • Q & A (0)
  • Photos

Roadmaster Base Plates - RM-523196-5

  • Removable Drawbars
  • Roadmaster
  • Twist Lock Attachment

Designed for use with motor-home-mounted tow bars, the direct-connect brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and remove, and they eliminate the need for a quick-disconnect crossbar on your tow bar. Installs on your vehicle's frame.


Features:

  • Direct-connect brackets provide attachment points for your motor-home-mounted tow bar
  • Streamlined design creates supremely clean look
    • No obtrusive quick-disconnect crossbar
    • Hidden brackets sit even farther back than standard brackets
  • Drawbars attach and remove quickly and easily
    • Arms click to lock in place in brackets
    • Built-in pull rings let you unlock arms so you can twist and remove them
  • Computer-cut, all-steel construction provides exceptional strength
  • Black powder coat finish is durable and corrosion resistant
  • Simple installation - no welding required
    • Custom base plates ensure a perfect fit for your vehicle
  • Compatible with Roadmaster motor-home-mounted tow bars only
  • Instructions and mounting hardware included
  • Made in the USA
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty


Note: Roadmaster direct-connect base plates will only work with Roadmaster tow bars that slide into a trailer hitch, such as the Nighthawk, Sterling, Blackhawk, Blackhawk 2, Falcon, or Falcon 2. These base plates will not work with tow bars that require a hitch ball.


The drawbars, or front arms, on this base plate kit are supremely easy to mount and remove. Just insert them into the brackets and twist to lock them in place. To remove each arm, simply tug the built-in pull pin to disengage the lock, twist the arm back and pull it out of the bracket. 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.



523196-5 Road Master EZ-5 Base Plate Kit

Installation Details RM-523196-5 Installation instructions

This Product Fits The Following Vehicles





Customer Reviews

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms - RM-523196-5

Average Customer Rating:  4.8 out of 5 stars   (2044 Customer Reviews)

Designed for use with motor-home-mounted tow bars, the direct-connect brackets are virtually invisible, easy to mount and remove, and they eliminate the need for a quick-disconnect crossbar on your tow bar. Installs on your vehicle's frame.

by:

This is a high quality plate. Fit our 2019 Buick Envision perfectly. Install is intermediate to advanced skill level. I took my time with this project because of level of complexity. It went well. Overall it took a week because of issues related to auxiliary brake system wiring and it was best to leave vehicle disassembled. The only part I didn’t care for was drilling the frame. A Christmas tree bit works best. Paint wears off the arms quickly, I’m not saying it’s a bad paint job but in this application black color matches vehicle best but paint on arms wears off. So far we have about 4000 miles of towing this vehicle no issues everything is working as advertised. We are very pleased with this product and etrailer team. Video and phone support is tremendous.



by:

Installing is a chore, but once in place it's great. No issues or concerns. Very happy with it.



by:
2020 Chevrolet Equinox

Perfect for installing in my new Buick Envision. The kit went in exactly as was shown on the installation video and works perfectly. I installed the kit at the same time as the roadmaster baseplate so the wiring at the front was very easy! The coiled cord with the kit is high quality and should last me for quite a few years!



by:

Only towed 2000 miles so far, then rear ended and pushed into front vehicle. Hope body shop left brackets in place!!!

Install was easy. thank you



by:

Everything worked out great.



by:

etrailer support is beyond helpful. they provide answers if you have any question about doing an installation. The printed help is very clear and easy to follow. You can also watch a video if you wish.



by:

Fit the car perfectly. Had some trouble with shipping but 1 call and everything was handled



by:
2019 Buick Envision

Frank

4/29/2024

Baseplate makes it easy to flat tow. Glad this one was recommended.



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2020 Buick Envision



by:

I bought and self installed this on my 2021 GMC Sierra Duramax 1 year ago. Install took about 5 hours and wasn't difficult...I could problty install it in 2-3 hours after leaening the tricks. Weve towed the truck all over the USA since then (over 10,0000 miles) and it works great! I've used other brands and highly recommend Roadmaster tow systems over the competition.



by:

I reported that one of the removable tow arms was missing to etrailer within hours of receiving the baseplate. This was due to the shipping box being damaged during transit and likely just fell out. After four business days with no communication from etrailer I contacted Roadmaster. A couple of emails and they shipped the part. Very disappointed having to do etrailer's legwork. For this I will give etrailer one star.

The baseplate RM 524473-5 for a 2023 Ford Escape fit as expected sorta. Had to apply a 3 pound hammer as the mounting brackets were tweaked a little likely from welding and pulling a little out of square. I felt the instructions had a lot of reading between the lines, a couple of times I just about picked up the phone and called them to see if my interpretation was correct. But I just consulted with my analytical 15 year old grandson and we figured it out. (His 18 year old brother served to knock me to the floor and pull me back up again, faster than calling a crane service.)

My big complaint was that they could have provided actual measurements where to drill the Tupperware where the arms go through, there is a couple of reverence points that could be used. There was a few minor things that didn't/did need to be done but likely could easily be because of running production changes. (And better packing of 45 pounds of steel by RM)



by:

The tow bars hook up easily to my dinghy car, a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid. I like that the arms dis-attach easily and can be stored elsewhere. The tow arms attach quickly and easily to the baseplate arms. I do like this system. The installers put it in, so I cannot comment on how easy that was. I know the installers contacted etrailer for their questions, so I was glad to hear that.



by:

The Roadmaster direct connect base was a perfect fit for my 2013 focus S to flat tow. We had it installed in about 3 hrs following the complete direction and pictures. I highly recommend using etrailer.



by:

Good product. If you are reasonably handy and have some tools, you can install this yourself in a few hours. I'm a mechanic, it took me a little over 2 hours to install on my own toad. The fit is good, there are 4 holes you have to drill, otherwise it is plug and play. When you insert and twist lock the tow bar mounts into their sockets they feel a little sloppy but they are secure, and i never noticed any rattle when towing. Overall i give it a 4 out of 5 for easy install and clean look after install. Pic included of installed base plate.



by:

Installed on my 2020 Jeep Cherokee for flat towing behind our motorhome . I wanted a tow bar connection that integrated with the front end of the Jeep and the removable arms did the trick . I had one issue with the driver side receiver bracket not lining up with the upper mount bolt hole on the Jeep, image 0547. Had to make a slight adjustment to the receiver bracket so the holes would line up, image 0551 and image 0559. The rest of the install went smoothly
I also installed the Demco braking Stay n Play Duo system , image 0565 which went in without any issues, image 6028. 7 thousand miles of towing later, couldn't be happier with the products



by:

This is a rock solid baseplate. Installed on a 2023 Equinox LT (AWD). I followed etrailer's videos for installation and they are spot on. We connect with a Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar, charge line kit, smart diode lighting kit, and a Demco Stay-in-Play supplimental braking system. It is fairly well hidden when not in-use. This setup is great!



by:

Exactly what I needed. Written jbstructuons were spot on and video was very helpful.



by:

I installed them on my new RAM 1500. Works great, very heavy duty. I also modified and attached a push bumper and used the Roadmaster base plates.



by:

Easy install. Looks great. Apparently they have made some changes so that the video is not accurate. Install instructions though were spot on. A template for cutting the grill would be an added plus.



by:

I was very pleased with the way you handled my order. I called and was greeted pleasantly and knowledgeable about what I needed and in just a few minutes my order was placed. It arrived just as they said it would in a timely matter.
I would recommend e-trailer to anyone!



by:

Installed on my 2020 jeep jl sport s with factory plastic bumper and plastic rock guard. Shane’s video was very helpful but I did not like how the metal plate behind the rock guard was cut away and how the rock guard had two big cut outs so I did some modifications. I cut two slots in the metal bracket and added angle brackets for extra support. As a result i did not use the supplied brackets for the rock guard. I created a template for the rock guard which resulted in two small cut outs. A lot of extra time but i am retired so time is relative. I think it looks great.



by:

Installing on 2020 Jeep Trailhawk :



Pic #0557 : Roadmaster Base Plate Kit , Demco Supplemental Braking System , Diode Wiring Kit , Demco Battery Charge Wire Kit



Pic # 0548 ,0551 , 0559 Had to adjust the bracket plate to line up with the upper bolt holes



Pic #6028 finished install , mounted the operating unit to the top fuse box cover using automotive Velcro . Air cylinder , controller and LED light installed . Aside from the base plate bracket not lining up with the upper bolt holes I would give it 4 stars . My son in law is a master at solving mechanical issues .



by:

I bought this base plate kit for my 2022 Jeep Rubicon Gladiator so I could flat tow behind my class a motor home with a Roadmaster Falcon all terrain non binding tow bar. The instructions were easy to follow and went smoothly except drilling the holes. That was my fault because I was using a dull drill bit. See attached photo


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2045
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See what our Experts say about this Roadmaster Base Plates

  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2020 Buick Envision
    I can definitely help you out with a flat towing setup for your 2020 Buick Envision! You can definitely use the Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit # 523196-4 with the Adapter # RM-033 so that the base plate kit is compatible with a Blue Ox tow bar, but in all honesty it would be much easier to use the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-523196-5 with the Adapter Kit # BX88185 instead because you don't have a whole bar that you need to use as an adapter. I'm guessing that...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2020 Buick Envision
    That's correct, if you used the Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-523196-5 with the Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-520 you wouldn't need the Blue Ox Adapter Brackets # BX88185 to tow your 2020 Buick Envision (and you wouldn't need to use the crossbar that comes with the tow bar). Just be sure you pick up a pair of safety cables like part # RM-643 as well. The Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR is a very popular choice for a portable braking system and would allow you to transfer the kit to future vehicles,...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed for Flat Towing a 2020 Buick Envision
    In order to use the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain # RM-522, you'll just need base plates that are compatible with both the tow bar and your vehicle; it looks like you were looking at the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms # RM-523196-5, which are compatible with the Falcon All-Terrain and fit on your 2020 Buick Envision. When it comes to the flat towing procedures for your vehicle, those will be outlined in the owner's manual and each vehicle has a different procedure;...
    view full answer...
  • Can 2020 Buick Envision be Flat Towed Behind Motorhome
    I pulled up the owners manual of your 2020 Buick Envision and on page 297 it states the vehicle can be flat towed without excluding the FWD models. The first thing you'd need is a base plate kit like the part # RM-523196-5 which is a confirmed fit and would be very easy to use. 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 All Terain,...
    view full answer...
  • Is Roadmaster Falcon 5250 Tow Bar Compatible with Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit for 2020 Envision
    Yes, the Falcon 5250 tow bar is compatible with the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-523196-5 for your 2020 Buick Envision. This particular tow bar has been discontinued for a while now so I would imagine that you'd need the Repair Kit # RM-910003-55 to make sure everything has been properly serviced on the tow bar and that it's safe to use. I would personally prefer to go with a brand new Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-520 simply because you are towing a brand new vehicle, but I...
    view full answer...
  • Parts Needed To Flat Tow 2020 Buick Envision Behind Motorcoach
    To flat tow your 2020 Buick Envision behind your Tiffin motor coach you will a few parts starting with a vehicle specific base plate kit. For your Envision I would choose the Roadmaster # RM-523196-5 Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit which features simple twist and lock attachment, and it hidden very well when not being towed. Next add a tow bar. An excellent choice here is the Roadmaster # RM-522 All Terrain Non-Binding tow bar. A non-binding tow bar will let you easily disconnect your...
    view full answer...
  • How is Power Supplied to the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO
    I'll start off by saying that aside from a supplemental braking system, there are a couple of other components you're going to need in order to flat tow your 2019 Buick Envision; flat towing requires base plates, a tow bar, tow bar wiring, safety cables and most likely a high/low adapter. You've made a good choice by choosing the Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO # SM99251 as your supplemental braking system. This system is powered via a connection with the battery on your 2019 Buick Envision....
    view full answer...
  • Roadmaster Rock Guards for Towed Vehicle
    The Roadmaster # RM-4000 "Guardian" rock guard you mentioned only works with a "crossbar" style base plate system. Same with the # RM-4700 "Tow Defender." (Also works with some other crossbar base plate systems by other companies.) However the Roadmaster Tow Defender # RM-4750 will work with "direct connect" style base plates systems such as the Roadmaster # RM-523196-5 that you have installed on your Buick.
    view full answer...
  • Flat Towing A 2019 Buick Envision
    Before flat towing any vehicle you should always check your owner's manual to ensure your vehicle can be flat (dinghy) towed. After looking through the manual for your 2019 Buick Envision it looks like your vehicle is approved for flat towing and you'll need to: 1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the towing vehicle. 2. Turn the ignition on, and shift the transmission to N (Neutral). 3. With the transmission in N (Neutral), turn the ignition off. 4. To prevent the battery...
    view full answer...
  • Flat Tow 2019 Buick Envision Set Up
    You asked about Blue Ox and Roadmaster complete systems but set ups to flat tow a vehicle are an a-la-carte situation where the user picks the pieces that they prefer based on features and value. In my recommendation below I have parts from several companies. Personally, where value is equal, I prefer to use one brand mainly. In this case, Roadmaster, as they carry many of the pieces we need and I can be assured that they will work together well. To flat tow your 2019 Buick Envision...
    view full answer...
  • Does 2020 Buick Envision Need Brake Light Relay and Which is Easier Blue Ox or Roadmaster Setup
    Does our Allegro have trailer wiring already present at the rear of the vehicle? Like with a 7-way connector? If so the circuits are already combined regardless of what you see on the vehicle taillights. If you plan to use a diode kit or bulb and socket tow bar lighting solution you will need a brake light relay like # RM-88400 when using the brake system you mentioned so that the brake lights won't override the blinkers. It's a toss up on which is easier to use between the Roadmaster...
    view full answer...

Do you have a question about this Base Plate?


Info for this part was:

Employee Lindsey S
Edited by:
Lindsey S
Employee Joshua S
Video Edited:
Joshua S
Employee Jacob T
Video Edited:
Jacob T
Employee Dustin K
Video by:
Dustin K
Employee David F
Test Fit:
David F
Employee Mike S
Written by:
Mike S
Employee Isabelle B
Updated by:
Isabelle B
Employee Amanda K
Updated by:
Amanda K

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