Are all base plates the same? Your preference and why.

I preferred the Roadmaster setup when we first got the tow bar and brackets. We have the toad mounted Stowmaster. I was given a Roadmaster Falcon MH mounted unit. I still prefer the Stowmaster as there is only one connection to attach to MH being the ball mount.

When I bought my Subaru, I looked at the installation instructions for the base plates, and picked the one that looked the most secure with the least damage to the car's trim. On mine, it was Blue Ox.

I think the Bluox baseplates are less obtrusive when not towing. Once you remove the tabs from the front of the car, you hardly know it's there.

Demco........3 toads, 16 years......baseplate for my Wrangler was $300. Easy install.

mikeleblanc413 wrote:
I'm interested in knowing if one manufacturer is more preferred than another and why. THANKS!

Buy what you can get a good deal on. Folks will vote on what they have, which if it gets the job done is the best in their opinion. I belong to more than a couple forums, and all of the manufacturers have folks that have posted failures, as well as "It is the best one you can get" posts.

I chose a Blue Ox base plate initially because it put the tow bar at the correct height to be nearly level. The Roadmaster base plate would have been too low, requiring a drop adapter. After installing the Blue Ox, I also like it for the nearly invisible appearance when the tabs are removed.

At least BOx and RM post their installation instructions. Good to look at if you plan on installing your own, as well as if you're concerned about cutting the bumper fascia. You could also use the pix they show of a completed install to see how high the tow bar connection will be.

If you can check the installation procedure for the vehicle you are using it helps to determine the simplest or most effective install for you. They all vary. I had a road master on my CRV but have Blue Ox now on the Cadillac.

I paid attention to the installation instructions, choosing Demco for a 2001 Ranger Edge and and BlueOx for a 2012 Honda Fit. Height of connection was reason for choosing Demco over BlueOx for the truck.

Most Roadmaster bracket installations require an external crossbar (comes with each Roadmaster tow bar) to make it a complete baseplate. Removal of this is enough of a hassle most people leave the crossbar on the toad when not towing. The Demco on my truck had tabs showing through a bumper opening, rest of baseplate was hidden. BlueOx on my Fit, the tabs can be removed in less than 10 seconds, pull a ring, twist and pull.

There are a number of sedans for which I would choose the Roadmaster brackets, however. First two generations of Saturn, and GM compacts, the tow brackets installed under the bumper and fascia, reaching back to a subframe. This leaves the OEM bumper intact, which is better in my opinion than many more recent RM installations that scrap the bumper structure and install brackets or complete hidden baseplate in its place.

I think you'll find that most peoples "preference" is dependent on the type of vehicle they tow and the types of activities they use their towed vehicle for. If like us you use the towed vehicle for off roar travel a vehicle mounted towbar presents problems. It has to be disconnected and stored while using the towed vehicle. A motorhome mounted towbar stays with the motorhome so it needs no additional storage accommodations or space.

We use a Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain for our 2004 Jeep Wrangler. The towbar is lighter than most, but still has a 6,000 lb. capacity. It's versatile in that it can be connected or disconnected at significant height and angle differences between the towed vehicle and towing vehicle. That's not to say there should be a huge difference in towing heights (3" or less is the recommended height differences), just that the system can be connected and disconnected when the vehicles are not level or square to one another.

We also use the Roadmaster baseplates. They are flush with the front of, and at the same height as the frame rails when the bar is disconnected. For us this makes off road travel easier.

There are lots of different options. The key is to decide when and where you want to use the towed vehicle. Then it will be easier to determine what type and brand of towing system would best fit your needs.