Base Plates and Tow Bar Recommendation for 2005 Honda Civic LX

Question:

I have a 2005 Honda Civic LX 5 spd. Looking for the most inexpensive tow bar and plate combination possible for this car. I am a mechanic and will install it myself. I would like a tow bar that folds flat for storage but ball hitch is ok. Thanks.

asked by: Laramey J

Expert Reply:

The base plates we offer for the 2005 Honda Civic are specific to the version of the car. Since you do not have a hybrid, SI or SIR model you can use Roadmaster EZ Base Plates # 521537-1 which have removable arms that will help prevent bumps to your shins. The written instructions and an installation video are linked for you.

All of the base plates we offer for the various versions of the car cost pretty much the same. There is no entry-level base plate that costs substantially less than others.

The lowest-cost tow bar that can work for you is the RoadMaster Tracker Tow Bar # RM-020.

Please note that safe and legal flat towing also requires safety chains, a wiring or lighting kit for the towed car and a supplementary braking system. The linked article on flat towing explains each of these items.

For safety chains I recommend # RM-643 because their coiled design prevents them from dragging on the ground. For a low-cost easy-to-install lighting solution you can use # TLL21RK from Optronics which is a magnetic kit that requires no cutting of wires. For a supplementary braking system my favorite is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, which is fully portable and easy to set-up, as shown in the linked video.