Community Forums

DraginRat · 01-20-2015, 05:49 PM

We just acquired a 2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial 40PWD.

Right now, finances are a bit low, so we are considering four down towing our 02 Silverado K-3500. I understand it is a bit heavy, but should be do-able for awhile.

My question is: If we have a base plate installed on the truck, and buy a tow bar that can handle its size and weight, can we later use that same tow bar to tow a much smaller, lighter car. We know the base plate will not be re-usable, but hope that the tow bar will be. Trying to keep expenses down as much as we can.

Thanks

Ken Gasbarri

denlock · 01-20-2015, 05:52 PM

Yes! You would need to buy new base plates. Make sure your hitch rating can handle the weight of the pick up.

96 Wideglide · 01-20-2015, 06:03 PM

I tow a 3000lb car with a 10,000lb bar

!

wa8yxm · 01-21-2015, 05:58 AM

If you mean can a base plate made by Blue ox be used with a Roadmaster (or some other company) tow bar the answer is: Sometimes.

There are 3 ways it goes, depending on who made the base plate and who made the tow bar, also what MODEL base plate you have (And what model tow bar)

100% compatable.
Will work with an adapter (Way cheaper than a new bar/base)
Will not work together.

Alas, I am not good enough to give you a list.

True story (Short): When I went to get the baseplate installed, I told 'em I needed a Blue-Ox unit.. Another customer in the hitch store said "Oh, so Blue-Ox is the best, I responded that I had Blue-Ox tow bars so far as I was concerned it was the ONLY.

That said I do know several Roadmaster models work well with Blue-Ox or the other way around,, but I do not know which ones.

vsheetz · 01-21-2015, 07:01 AM

Yes if the new base plate matches the tow bar, or the tow bar has interchangeable ends to accommodate various base plate vendors.

mel s · 01-21-2015, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DraginRat

My question is: If we have a base plate installed on the truck, and buy a tow bar that can handle its size and weight, can we later use that same tow bar to tow a much smaller, lighter car? We know the base plate will not be re-usable, but hope that the tow bar will be. Trying to keep expenses down as much as we can.
Thanks
Ken Gasbarri

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Yes if the new base plate matches the tow bar, or the tow bar has interchangeable ends to accommodate various base plate vendors.

vsheetz

IMO, that is the best, (and only), answer to Ken's simple question, (any other tow bar, and/or base plate, information is unnecessary "fluff").

Mel
'96 Safari

Thunderfoot · 01-21-2015, 07:30 PM

Ken, buy a 10k tow bar from Craigslist, Ebay, etc. and fabricate the mounts for your pickup. Utilizing the frame "horns" made this a very simple mod to perform to my Chevy 3500 & GMC 2500. When you acquire a smaller toad (car) purchase the baseplate for it and use your existing tow bar.

**Congrats on the Imperial purchase!

Mr_D · 01-21-2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Yes if the new base plate matches the tow bar, or the tow bar has interchangeable ends to accommodate various base plate vendors.

RoadMaster offers several different adapters, and I assume others do too.

walt2137 · 01-22-2015, 07:41 PM

Yes I tow with a Blue Ox Aventa LX 10,000 tow bar and have Roadmaster brackets on both our tow vehicles and use a X over to fit the Roadmaster brackets and the reason I used the Blue Ox tow bar is the price was over $300 Below a 10,000 Roadmaster tow bar and I think the B O bar is just as good. I had to replace my Roadmaster because of wear, age and was to close to being undersized for our F150 at 5800 lb. Bought the B O tow bar new on EBay. Roadmaster also have X overs for the Blue Ox brackets. I also like the rubber covers on the B O tow bar arms to help keep the arms cleaner.
Check Hitch Trader or Classified on IRV 2 for used eq.