Got the Toad now I need bars and plates

When it comes to plates and brackets, I tend to prefer Roadmaster products.

www.roadmasterinc.com

A good place to buy online from:

etrailer.com

93mastercraft wrote:

Effy wrote:
Amazon has the ready brute elite with the cables and wiring for $1,100, the blue ox base plate for $360, Breakaway for $80 and Blue ox adapter clevis for $100 - all free shipping. So all in I am at about $1700. Not too bad.

Then you have to have some kind of brake-turn signal lighting. Amazing how much all this costs just to tow a vehicle. (Safely).

Yeah I had the Roadmaster 155 on my list too. $60.

Rwake901 wrote:
We have a 2012 CRV. I too used Blue OX base plate because of the removable pins and a Blue OX tow bar. The wiring is simple if you use this kit --> http://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-155-Taillight-Wiring-Kit/dp/B003VAPEHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427464799&sr=8-1&keywords=Roadmaster+155+Taillight+Wiring+Kit You don't have to cut into your cars wiring with this and risk messing something up. This has it's own set of bulbs so you just drill an extra hole in the back of the taillight and install the bulbs.

This is a nice, easy setup. Blue Ox offers a similar kit as well. I used the Blue Ox kit.

Clicky(s):

Roadmaster 155 Taillight Wiring Kit

Blue Ox BX8869 Bulb and Socket Tail Light Wiring Kit

Effy wrote:
Amazon has the ready brute elite with the cables and wiring for $1,100, the blue ox base plate for $360, Breakaway for $80 and Blue ox adapter clevis for $100 - all free shipping. So all in I am at about $1700. Not too bad.

Then you have to have some kind of brake-turn signal lighting. Amazing how much all this costs just to tow a vehicle. (Safely).

Amazon has the ready brute elite with the cables and wiring for $1,100, the blue ox base plate for $360, Breakaway for $80 and Blue ox adapter clevis for $100 - all free shipping. So all in I am at about $1700. Not too bad.

Effy,
I just went through this exercise, or shall I say "going through" since I have not done the install yet. But if you want to save a few bucks, I bought a blue ox Aladdin off CL for $200. It's in like new condition. I went with the blue ox baseplate, and the ready brake system with break-away. Note, if you go with blue ox, there is a small adapter you need to buy for the ready brake. It's cheap. I see various base plates for sale on CL. I ended up buying the end plate new from Hitchsupply. They beat everyone's price and their customer service is excellent.

We have a 2012 CRV. I too used Blue OX base plate because of the removable pins and a Blue OX tow bar. The wiring is simple if you use this kit --> http://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-155-Taillight-Wiring-Kit/dp/B003VAPEHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427464799&sr=8-1&keywords=Roadmaster+155+Taillight+Wiring+Kit You don't have to cut into your cars wiring with this and risk messing something up. This has it's own set of bulbs so you just drill an extra hole in the back of the taillight and install the bulbs.

Just installed a Blue Ox base plate on a 2005 CRV that I got off Amazon. Very easy and nearly invisable for my CRV model year. Don't have pics at the moment. The lights took a bit more since the CRV has seperate brake and turn signals. Rather than cutting holes and installing seperate lights I used a signal splitter (THIS ONE).

I also added a rear camera and wireless video link back to the coach monitor so I can see out the back of the CRV when going down the road. My monitor will accept two video inputs that I can switch between.

Executive wrote:


Whichever baseplate you choose, please also install the ReadyStop. You may save a life if you're toad ever separates from your coach.....Dennis

Thanks Dennis. For $100 it seems like a no brainer.

NSA does make ends for their Ready Brute to match any of the three you mentioned. You have to decide beforehand which baseplate mfg you're going to use so they can provide the right ones. If you buy used, not to worry, cuz the ends are changeable....for a price. I've used the Blue Ox baseplates on my last three vehicles for one simple reason. When you're not towing, they're virtually invisible. The tow pins turn 90 degrees and you pull them out and the rest is not really noticeable. The roadmaster seemed to be pretty bulky. I've been happy with the BlueOx but I don't think you can go wrong with any of them...personal choice.

My coach came with a 7 pin wiring harness as I'm sure yours did. The 7 pin harness includes wiring for the brake lights, turn signals and taillights, with an additional blue wire for 12V hookup if necessary. I don't use one myself but I don't do much night driving. You'll need some diodes installed to prevent backfeed to your coach. Easy to wire up. If there's room, you could drill a hole inside the taillight housing and snap in separate bulbs which would negate the need for the diodes as you'd be bypassing all the SUVs electrical system. I did that with my Saturn, but wired the HHRs and the Equinox through their systems.

Whichever baseplate you choose, please also install the ReadyStop. You may save a life if you're toad ever separates from your coach.....Dennis