Base Plate Install Cost

[jacwjames]

I got a ball park quote for a complete system at Camping World, just about hit the floor for the total price. No way was I going to pay that.

So I started shopping around and found a used Blue Ox tow bar for about 1/3 the price of new. It was in very good condition so I had no concerns. I then bought a base plate from Etrailer, I think around ~$400. It took me about 8 hours total but more then half of that was taking off and reinstalling the front skirting etc and also installing the break away for the braking system. Since the coach already had air plumbed for a braking system I decided to install the Brakemaster 9000, which cost ~$1000 at the time. I added the turn signal bulbs to the rear taillights completely bypassing the toads wiring, the brake lights work since the brake system. So I had less then $2000 for the whole thing, about 1/3 of what CW wanted.

[txcpl]

Having the installation of tow bar assembly and toad lighting is not cheap, whichever way you go. Your best bet is to call around to find someone to do this, unless you dec ice to do it yourself. RV's can be a deep hole in the pocket book.

[2cyber71]

Funny I just called a dealer about an install of a Blue Ox basepate & tail light kit on a new 2021 Wrangler, the quote was $1,900. Which included everything with 8 hours labor.
I said thank you and hung up.
I called Blue Ox and questioned them on the cost
Baseplate $590
Tail light kit $109
Estimated labor by a professional is 4-5 hours.
So I’m going to my local body shop with the install PDF and goin to get his price.
I bet it isn’t $1200 labor.

I just might keep my 17 year old Liberty 4x4, it’s still looks new and in great shape

A new Wrangler With the V6 or 4 will work with my Alladin tow bar, the diesel weighs over 5,000 lbs. so that’s out.

[Teamfoxy]

I have a 2017 Equinox and used the Roadmaster tow bracket because it bolted on without cutting any metal on the car and the Blue Ox did.
The tow bracket installation was the easy part and took about 3 hours. Running the wiring (including charge wire and brake monitor in the coach), the Invisibrake, lights, fuse bypass, etc was the time consuming part and took another 8 hours. I could cut that considerably after doing it once. Part costs were close to $2k with me doing the labor.
I did it myself, not to save $$, but to know the complete system in case of trouble in the future. There is nothing worse than finding someone to fix things when traveling.

[Ken C]

I paid $2500 for the following:
Provide and install base plate on our Jeep Cherokee
Provide and install AF1 on Jeep and Coach
Install Light wiring on Jeep
Install wiring to charge Jeep battery
Modify (install adapters) for my Demco tow bar to connect to the Blue Ox base Plate

This was done by a company in Eugene OR that specializes in toads and 5th wheel setups