Is Direct Connect Roadmaster Base Plate as Strong as Crossbar Base Plate for 2020 Jeep Wrangler

Question:

I have already ordered the RM 521453-5 base plate kit for my 2020 JUL Rubicon and it is sitting in my garage waiting for the install. Other than the obvious cross bar for the RM 521450-5 can you provide any advantages for the 453-5 over the prior version. It looks like they will both fit and my thoughts are the 450-5 would be stronger due to the presence of the cross bar. I am having second thoughts about ordering the 453-5 instead of the 450-5 and would like to hear feedback from anyone that has installed the 453-5 before I proceed.

asked by: Chris R

Expert Reply:

This is a good question. So it really comes down to preference between the Roadmaster base plate kits that have the crossbar and the ones that do not. The kits like you have # RM-521453-5 without the crossbar are actually reinforced more at the welds and have thicker brackets to compensate for the lack of support from the crossbar like # RM-521453-4. Having hooked up both styles I really prefer the kit you have as the connection is just much easier and there's one less thing to keep track of (the crossbar).

expert reply by: Jameson C