Community Forums

Snap-On Man · 07-16-2020, 01:36 PM

Are all base plates the same? What I’m asking is, do the base plates need to be the same brand as the tow bar? Or is there standard plates that work on all tow bars?

**Lt Dan** · 07-16-2020, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snap-On Man

Are all base plates the same? What I’m asking is, do the base plates need to be the same brand as the tow bar? Or is there standard plates that work on all tow bars?

No, the connectors are not all the same and some are not interchangeable from brand to brand. I do know that the Demco base plates will work with a Blue Ox tow bar as that's what I had for three years. Some tow bars require that you order different clevises to connect to other brand base plates.

**Spdracr39** · 07-16-2020, 01:45 PM

E-trailer is a good resource for what tow bar will work with what base plate and which adapters it will need.

NXR · 07-16-2020, 08:28 PM

When I was looking for a baseplate for my Equinox I knew I wanted a Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar. So I looked at the etrailer installation videos for the baseplates from Roadmaster, Blue Ox, and Demco.

The Roadmaster bolted on to existing flanges in the same way as the other two and also picked up a subframe mounting bolt. But it does not have the safety cables that wrap around the baseplate and a frame member in case the baseplate attachment points fail for some reason.

The Blue Ox required that you use a hammer and "gently" hit the frame mounting flange to bend it in just a little. While the Blue Ox did have safety cables I do not remember exactly how it mounted because I lost interest after seeing the fellow whack the frame flange with the hammer. I mean, seriously? The only real attraction for the Blue Ox baseplate to me was that their tow bar attach points were a bit lower than the others so no fascia trimming is needed. That does mean I would need a slightly longer drop hitch as well, maybe 2" more drop.

The Demco bolted to the same flanges, has safety cables, and also has a second attach point. A heavy steel plate goes between the bumper and the frame (you temporarily remove the four bolts securing the bumper on each side, one side at a time, and slip the plate behind the bumper and re-secure the bumper bolts). Then the bottom of that heavy plate bolts to the baseplate itself. So the baseplate is bolted to those flanges and also has a second attach point, that steel plate placed behind the bumper.

I have no idea which is stronger or more durable but I did go with the Demco and should be starting that installation this weekend. Please wish me luck because I've never installed a baseplate before.

So I guess my advice would be to watch the etrailer installation videos for each of the major manufacturer and see which one you like the best.

Ray