Accident revealed loose TOAD Baseplate bolts

[Ron_H]

Sometimes an auto accident can be a blessing in disguise.

In the fourth month of our trip across Canada we were sightseeing in Yarmouth, NS yesterday when we were involved in traffic accident with our TOAD. A local resident failed to stop at a stop sign and we T-boned her with our 2008 Honda CR-V. The front passenger door of the other car, a Honda Civic, was totally caved in while the front of our vehicle did not look to be too bad. On examination I noted that one of the anchor points for our Blue Ox base plate was bent. Though it did not appear to compromise any critical parts I felt it would be best to have a closer look, just to be sure. Unfortunately the base plate assembly is well hidden behind the front bumper and underskirt so I went to a local repair shop to have then strip the front and check it out thoroughly.

It turns out that this was a good decision. Though all the base plate parts appeared to be in good order, other than the bent safety chain anchor point, the mechanic discovered that several of the bolts that attached the base plate to the car had loosened off. It appears that after about 35K of towing the fasteners had loosened off and could have resulted in a far more significant issue had it not been discovered.

You may want to check your baseplate's bolts. I'll be putting this on my annual checklist.

[Mr_D]

Should be noted in your Blue Ox owners manual that checking the bolts is needed.

[Skip426]

I think some base plate manufacturers are now marketing , additional safety cables , that run from the base plate back to the suspension " K " frame ; because of similar problems with the mountings .
Something that wasn't available when I installed my base plate.

[CLIFFTALL]

Thanks for the heads up. Not everyone reads their manual.

[CLIFFTALL]

My 09 base plate came with them.

Originally Posted by Skip426

I think some base plate manufacturers are now marketing , additional safety cables , that run from the base plate back to the suspension " K " frame ; because of similar problems with the mountings .

Something that wasn't available when I installed my base plate.

[swampdog2]

I put lock tite on my bolts in 2008 just sold the car and removed base plate bolts were still tight , .so will use it on my new toad

[Ron_H]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Should be noted in your Blue Ox owners manual that checking the bolts is needed.

No, the manual for the baseplate does not include any mention of checking the bolts. It does however stress, in bold print, that Locktite Red should be used on all the bolts. I did not do the baseplate installation myself but replied upon "Redlands Truck and RV Performance Center" to do a professional installation. It now appears that their installation may not have been done correctly in that they did not appear to have use the Locktite Red.

Regardless, after reading the Blue Ox recommendation that the baseplate should be replaced after a front end collision, her insurance will be replacing ours and I'll be making sure that the body shop uses the Locktite Red on all the bolts.

[Ron_H]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Thanks for the heads up. Not everyone reads their manual.

I wrote hundreds of technical manuals during my years in the computer industry so I do understand the importance of the information they contain so yes, I did read mine even though I did not do the actual installation. As noted earlier, it does not contain any mention of checking the bolts.

[walt2137]

Loc tite is the answer also torque the bolts, never had one to come loose.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by walt2137

Loc tite is the answer also torque the bolts, never had one to come loose.

Ditto

[Atom Ant]

Originally Posted by Skip426

I think some base plate manufacturers are now marketing , additional safety cables , that run from the base plate back to the suspension " K " frame ; because of similar problems with the mountings .
Something that wasn't available when I installed my base plate.

Ya, mine came with cables for the baseplate - very awkward for a Jeep off road so I don't use them. the bolts are easy to check on mine.

I parked next to a couple that said their baseplate on their new Chev pickup actually pulled the bolts through the holes because they had loosened. He had to repair it with large washers.

[Polyian]

My Blue Ox Baseplate instructions specified the bolt torques and the use of RED Loctite..that's what I did....so far no issues.

[computerguy]

Originally Posted by Polyian

My Blue Ox Baseplate instructions specified the bolt torques and the use of RED Loctite..that's what I did....so far no issues.

Mine is the same (Loctite red). Also have the cables that secure the baseplate to the frame should the bolts become undone.

[MSHappyCampers]

Thanks for the heads-up!