2015 Ford Focus flat tow damage

j wackerly wrote:
I have done some research on base plates and nobody makes a base plate that extends past where my failed at . If you look at the photo on page 4 . This is where the base plate should extend to .

I agree, it looks like none of the baseplate manufacturers have done a good design job for the Focus. A lot of them make sub par baseplates for the Wrangler too. The fix for this design flaw is almost always a short little cable to attach to another location in case the primary attachment point comes apart. Even that kind of indicates the baseplate manufacturer knows there's a problem.

Unfortunately, it's up to the consumer to figure it out. Shouldn't be that way but it is. I suppose the Focus used by the baseplate manufacturer for the initial design could have been manufactured differently than subsequent years. The baseplate guys should be sure of that before telling a customer "yeah, it'll work."

I put it in the same category as the RV sales person who says "sure your F-150 can pull a 40' bumper pull toy hauler with no WDH". But it happens.

j wackerly wrote:

Y-Guy wrote:
Have you had any communications with Roadmaster about the failure and the connection point?

I did send my photo to roadmaster . I have not heard back yet ?

Thanks, that is sort of what I would expect. Sadly, in this day and age of lawsuits many will not respond. While I personally think each part car & baseplate worked fine on its own they did not work together as the consumer would expect. I wish you the best with your new toad! Thanks for sharing the problem you ran into, though I wish it hadn't happened in the first place.

The consumer is stuck in the middle if you tow a unibody car . Did Ford or Roadmaster do there home work on the stress on a unibody car ? They are going to point there fingers at the consumer because nobody but you installed it . The car I replace it with a Buick SUV . The dealer probably thot I was crazy because i got under under the car in the show room looking at the way the unibody was made . The unibody was all one piece and the Roadmaster base plate had 8 bolts on each side not 3 like the Ford . I hope i made the right choice . It is a shame the consumer has to a structure engineer in this case .

Y-Guy wrote:
Have you had any communications with Roadmaster about the failure and the connection point?

I did send my photo to roadmaster . I have not heard back yet ?

dodge guy wrote:
A Jeep Wrangler or a base model 1/2 ton 4X4 will be under 5k lbs.

Right, but as I said in my post, 'unless you want a small SUV or pickup...'.

Everything you mention here is just that, either a SUV or pickup.

Have you had any communications with Roadmaster about the failure and the connection point?

I have done some research on base plates and nobody makes a base plate that extends past where my failed at . If you look at the photo on page 4 . This is where the base plate should extend to .

willald wrote:

j wackerly wrote:
After reading all the post . It looks like if you have a unibody car you are on your own when you have any base plate installed to it . The only sure way is not to tow a unibody unless you you know the stresses points on your car . A full frame car would be the best way to go .

How many cars are still made that way, with a full frame, flat towable, and fit within the 5k towing limit many have?

Unless you want a small SUV or pickup, I’m thinking, none.

Flat towable vehicles are getting more and more scarce for sure. However, even the Focus can be towed flat with a properly designed and installed tow bar. Your experience shows that not all tow bars are properly designed and installed.

A Jeep Wrangler or a base model 1/2 ton 4X4 will be under 5k lbs.

j wackerly wrote:
After reading all the post . It looks like if you have a unibody car you are on your own when you have any base plate installed to it . The only sure way is not to tow a unibody unless you you know the stresses points on your car . A full frame car would be the best way to go .

How many cars are still made that way, with a full frame, flat towable, and fit within the 5k towing limit many have?

Unless you want a small SUV or pickup, I’m thinking, none.