Can a Front Mount Hitch and Base Plates be Installed on a 2010 Ford Ranger  

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Nine times out of ten you will not be able to have a front mount hitch installed and tow the vehicle behind an RV. The problem is that to flat tow a vehicle you need to install base plates. The base plates attach to the same area as a front mount hitch would. And on the other side, bolting or welding base plates to the hitch in some way can weaken the hitch and make it unsafe to use.

So basically, you could either flat tow the 2010 Ranger or put a front mount hitch on it, but not both at the same time.

That is, unless, you have universal base plates, # BX88230, installed by a qualified professional. There are some very specific installation instructions for these base plates, linked, that need to be followed to ensure everything is safe. The base plates are rated for 5,000 pounds.

With the base plates installed you will then need a tow bar. I recommend the Blue Ox Alpha, # BX7380. It also includes safety cables and it is rated for 6,500 pounds.

For lighting, if you will not be towing the Ranger very often you can use magnetic kit # RM-2120. If you will be towing the Ranger frequently use diode kit # RM-154.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the easiest systems to set up and use is the Even Brake proportional system # RM-9400. It will apply the Ranger brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the easiest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Be sure to consult your Ranger owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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