Will My Tow Bar Cross Bar Work with a Roadmaster Base Plate Kit # 317-2 on a 1997 Nissan Pickup

Question:

Bob sorry it took so long to get back to you. The 91 nissan pickup parts that I have taken pictures of are attached. I believe I have what I need except the frame horns. In the pics you see 2 cross bars on mine bolted together and I think the bar that fits the tow bar itself will bolt to the frame horns for the 97 Nissan. If not can you tell what i need as you mentioned car side adapters Thanks

asked by: Leonard

Expert Reply:

If the tow bar you have is a Roadmaster tow bar or you have a cross bar adapter to Roadmaster base plates then, yes, the Roadmaster Classic Base Plate Kit, item # 317-2, for your 1997 Nissan Pickup will work with it. You will most likely need a set of car side quick disconnects, item # RM-222, to connect the cross bar to the base plates, if you did not retain the car side brackets from your 1991 Nissan.

If you have a different brand of tow bar, and do not have a Roadmaster tow bar adapter, see link, let me know the brand of tow bar that you have and I will be glad to make a recommendation.

You will also need wiring for the pickup. I would recommend using the RoadMaster Tail Light Wiring Kit , item # RM-154, to install lighting from the tow vehicle to your 1997 Nissan Pickup.

expert reply by: Robert G

click to enlarge

Leonard

5/26/2011

Bob G.

5/26/2011

It looks to me like you have the correct parts, and an additional cross bar on your setup. It looks to me like the old frame brackets you have there have the attachment point on the top when installed. The new frame brackets for the 1997 will have the attachment point on the front and will be 28-1/2 inches on center apart. So as long as the attachment points on the crossbar that attach to the tow bar are 28-1/2 inches on center apart you will not have to use that 2nd cross bar that is bolted to the one that attaches to the tow bar. I added the dimension you are looking for to your picture for clarification. If your crossbar to base plate attachment points are not 28-1/2 inches apart, it is not a Roadmaster Tow Bar adapter. I would need to know what brand the tow bar is to find the correct adapter to go between your tow bar and the new base plate kit. If you want to leave the cross bar on the Nissan, then you will not need the quick disconnects that I mentioned in the first email. You can use the pins at the ends of your tow bar to disconnect. If you would like to remove the cross bar from the base plates, # 317-2 each time without unbolting the crossbar, and make disconnecting much easier, you would need a set of the quick disconnects, # RM-201, This kit includes both the car side which would attach to the base plate, and the tow bar side which would attach to the crossbar.