Can anyone tell what brand the bar is?

[DallasOregon]

Thinking about going to look at this car. 2002 Kia Sportage It comes with the base plate, but nothing else. Trying to figure out how easy it would be to buy the rest, and what all I would need.

[vsheetz]

I think you mean to say it comes with the base plate, and you want to know what tow bar mates to the existing base plate.

Do you know if there is also a braking system installed or included? Is it wired already for the stop/turn lights?

[DallasOregon]

Thanks, base plate. First day of reading. I don't know what else it has. Thought of going to go look at it. How can I tell about the wiring?

[Mr_D]

Looks home built to me, I know it's not a RoadMaster as that's what we have.

[DallasOregon]

Well that makes me nervous. Better to know now though.

[Waiter21]

Ask if the seller has the tow bar or any of the little clip pins that connect the tow bar to the "U" plate. Try and make the bar part of the sale, If they won't, at least get photos and model numbers. Ask how they do their hookup.

I looked at your photo very carefully, the "U" shaped plates with the holes for the clip pins looks similar to mine, but I suspect they all look like that.

"Tow Ready" tow bar is what I use on my Honda Civic. This is an inexpensive tow bar thats done a good job for me.

https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bars/Tow-Ready/63180.html

In the bottom photo, you can see the "U" shaped part that is on the front of your car. The tow bar attaches to that "U" with a clip pin.

This "U" looks very similar to the one on your car.

[Waiter21]

Roadmaster makes something similar.

https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bars/Ro...er/RM-020.html

When looking carefully at the "U" plate on this bar (where the bar attaches to your car), it doesn't look like yours.

[Waiter21]

182k miles is a lot. I always ask about timing belt replacement. (I'm not sure about the Kia, but when I buy a car that uses a timing belt, unless someone can prove when it was replaced, I replace it.)

LIGHTS - Ask how its wired for lights. On older cars you can get away with simply tapping into the front turn signals and marker lights. I install a four flat connector on the front of my cars, the same connector thats on the back that a trailer plugs into. Then use a four connector male-to-male cable to plug into the MH and then plug into the front of the TOAD.

Using steering (blocking) diodes and wiring directly to the rear lights is a little better option, (And may be the only option if your TOAD uses a body computer to control the lights)

BRAKES - Yes, you should. No, I don't.

My Civic TOAD is light, 2500 lbs, If my TOAD was 3 tons, yes, I would also have brakes on it.

Brakes offer a safety factor in the event of a break away. So lets prevent a break away from happening;

A proper hitch receiver offers the first line of defense. Lock pins offers the second, two separate safety chains offer the third and fourth line of defense.

If those four components fail, OR - more likely, are not connected or utilized, then the brakes will offer the fifth line of defense.

Brake discussion will bring out opinions from all corners. Stand by

[wa8yxm]

Drive it to the dealer and see what fits..Several brands of bars use that configuration abut the spacing of the "Tabs" may be different.

[DallasOregon]

They don't have the tow bar. Sounds like this never used it as that and bought it from the last owner already set up.

[Waiter21]

They don't have the tow bar. Sounds like this never used it as that and bought it from the last owner already set up.

Darn.....

OK, What kind of tow bar are you looking for? If its a simple inexpensive like mine, I'll measure the holes and the spacing on mine and report back to you.

Regardless of what you do, I would climb under there and put a wrench on every bolt on the base plate to make sure everything is tight and there are no problems.

[DallasOregon]

I just want something that works. I have no opinion as on now. Well, I don't want a dolly, that is it. My current cars are a 2002 Chevy Malibu and a 1998 Dodge Ram. My thought is that getting a car with parts already on may cost the same as putting these parts on my Malibu. Plus, it isn't manual. Wouldn't manual be better to haul, or am I overthinking?

[DallasOregon]

Or I am finding stuff like this, but aren't they all car specific? Blue Ox Tow Bar and Baseplate

[firedoc]

Originally Posted by DallasOregon

Or I am finding stuff like this, but aren't they all car specific? Blue Ox Tow Bar and Baseplate

The base plates are generally car specific but the towbar generally is not.