Base Plates and Equipment Needed to Flat Tow Honda Element 2003 EX Behind Motorhome
Question:
Which brand towing set up would you recommend...base plate, towing bar, wiring and brakes? Roadmaster or Blue Ox? Falcon??
asked by: Sunny C
Helpful Expert Reply:
I looked up an online copy of your owner's manual and confirmed that your vehicle can indeed be flat towed, at speeds up to but not exceeding 65mph. Honda lists very specific steps that must be taken before manual or automatic transmission equipped vehicles are flat towed. This information begins on page 198 of the manual.
For your vehicle, I like the Blue Ox base plates a bit better. After looking at the installation instructions, I'd recommend the Blue Ox baseplate # BX2232 because the install procedure looks a bit more straightforward. I'll link you to an install video showing this very base plate kit being installed on a 2003 Element. The Blue Ox Alpha, part # BX7380 would be an excellent choice for a tow bar, and it includes the safety cables you'll need. To wire your Element for flat towing, I recommend the Roadmaster diode kit, part # RM-154.
You'll also need a supplemental braking system for the Element. I can highly recommend the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR. There are other less expensive supplemental braking systems out there, but they'll cost you a few hundred dollars to have installed, or will take a few hours if you install it yourself, while the Patriot will just drop into place and attach to the brake pedal. Install and set-up take just a few moments.
I'll also link you to some FAQ articles about flat towing that I hope you'll find helpful.
Products Referenced in This Question
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Blue Ox
more information >
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Blue Ox
more information >
Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,500 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6500 lbs
- Fits Blue Ox Base Plates
- Blue Ox
more information >
Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 4-Pole Flat Connectors
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Tracker Tow Bar - Coupler Style for 2" Ball - 5,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Coupler Style
- Fixed
- Steel
- 5000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Crossbar
- Stores Separately
- Standard
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Shop: Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Shop: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Shop: Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 4-Pole Flat Connectors
- Shop: Replacement Swivel Collar for Roadmaster Sterling All-Terrain and Nighthawk Tow Bars - Qty 1
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Article: Routing the Power Wire for a Trailer Wiring Harness
- Search Results: 1541~5
- Search Results: 910661
- Search Results: rm62zr
- Search Results: roadmaster 039~2
- Q&A: Adapters For Connecting Blue Ox Tow Bar With Roadmaster Base Plate Kit
- Shop: Universal Triple-Lug Tow Bar Adapter for Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plates
- Q&A: Adapting Roadmaster Nighthawk For Blue Ox to Use With Roadmaster Direct Connect Base Plates
- Video: Trailer Wiring Harness Installation - 2007 Honda Element
- Video: Hopkins 7-Way RV to 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector Adapter Review HM47365
- Q&A: Easiest 4-Way Flat Wire Harness Kit for Installation On a 2005 Honda Element
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Video: Review of Roadmaster Replacement Sterling or Nighthawk Swivel Ear - RM-910661
- Q&A: Can Vehicle with Roadmaster Base Plate Kit be Towed by Blue Ox Tow Bar
- Q&A: Base Plates for 2007 Honda Element With Falcon Tow Bar
- Q&A: What Brush Guard is Compatible with Roadmaster Base Plate for 2003 Honda CR-V
- Q&A: Receiver Tube Opening Dimensions For The Roadmaster Base Plate Kit # 1541-5
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Brake System
- Video: Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Braking System Installation - 2021 Ford Ranger
- Video: Review of Demco Tow Bar Braking Systems - Brake Systems - SM99251
on Tow Bar
