Forum Discussion

deprived's avatar
deprived
Explorer
Dec 19, 2015

baseplate / towbar brand mix?

I'm going to buy a tow bar and baseplate for our 2013 Honda CRV AWD. I always see tow bars and base plates for sale locally on Craigslist and the prices are so, so much better than new.

Usually the listing is for just a base plate or just a tow bar. Sometimes it's a Demco or Blue Ox or Roadmaster. I've even seen a few brands I don't immediately recognize.

My question is this: can you mix brands? Will a Demco base plate fit a Blue Ox tow bar, for example? Are they universal, like a ball-hitch? Or does a Blue-Ox tow bar only work with a Blue Ox base plate?

THANKS!!
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Dec 19, 2015
    No, they're not universal. Depending on the brand/model mix though, there may be adapters available that will let you mate them. The ReadyBrute Elite tow bar that I use is sold with a choice of arm end fittings to match the popular base plates, but that's an exception.
  • F1bNorm's avatar
    F1bNorm
    Explorer
    Dec 20, 2015
    Dutch_12078 wrote:
    No, they're not universal. Depending on the brand/model mix though, there may be adapters available that will let you mate them. The ReadyBrute Elite tow bar that I use is sold with a choice of arm end fittings to match the popular base plates, but that's an exception.


    X2 - In addition,I would check the MH hitch height against the base plate attachment point. You want the tow bar close to level.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 20, 2015
    Each brand makes adapters.
    Blue Ox and Roadmaster make many going both directions.
  • kalynzoo's avatar
    kalynzoo
    Explorer
    Dec 20, 2015
    The connection point at the end of the towbar is sort of brand specific. It will have one-two-or three pins. I had a custom baseplate (a whole long story in itself) and a Demco Aluminum towbar with a ReadyBrake end. With my new toad, an Explorer the shop installed a BlueOx baseplate (I think) and changed the endpoint on my existing Demco towbar to match the baseplate. Simple switch out. I still use the ReadyBrake also. I am not sure if the newest models of the towbars are as interchangeable. But for me, it worked out fine.
    Happy Trails.
  • rav's avatar
    rav
    Explorer
    Dec 20, 2015
    we have a Roadmaster base plate and blue ox aventa tow bar. check out etrailer- they have the adapters, that's where I got ours.
  • rr2254545's avatar
    rr2254545
    Explorer
    Dec 20, 2015
    Been running demco baseplate and blueox tow bar for years
    no adapter needed
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    Dec 20, 2015
    ReadyBrute and BlueOx...third toad with this combo. Zero problems...Dennis

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