RoadMaster Base Plate for CRV, -1 or -4

[CVD]

I see 3 RoadMaster base plates for the 2012 – 2014 CRV; 521567-1, -4, and -5. I’ll be using an older Falcon 5250 tow bar. I emailed both Roadmaster and Etrailer.com; both responded saying I need the -1. I then called Etrailer.com to order it, talked to a nice lady who offered to call Roadmaster for me, just to double check. She came back, saying the -4 is the right fit for my tow bar. The -1 and -4 are described nearly identically in the literature I’ve found.

There are lots of late model CRV’s out there being towed, anyone else figure out the difference between these Roadmaster versions?

[dicknellen]

Sounds like something new and better, go with the 4. I don't remember having that option in 2013 when I purchased our baseplate. Dick

[j-d]

Agree with the -4. I installed an "XL" baseplate on our Frontier. It's well-designed and if anything it's over-built. Not that that's a bad thing when you're trying to keep a ton or two in line back where you can't see the nitty gritty of what it's doing. Still, it looks like something I'd build in my garage. The older RM systems are so awkward to remove that most owners don't. In a campground, their cars look like they have snowplow frames on them and the BlueOx owners' cars look like they were driven in by visitors. RM's new stuff levels that playing field.
From what I've seen, read, and heard from a good RV shop, the RM stuff is the best of the popular brands.
Good choice. Put'er on and GO. But by all means with a Coach-Mounted Tow Bar. I went Toad-Mounted and dearly wish I had not.

[CVD]

Back on topic (thank you j-d). Per the Roadmasterinc.com site, the -1 is an EZ2 series and the -4 is an EZ4. The EZ4 description says:
"A spring-loaded locking system allows the brackets to be recessed even farther than earlier models. Both locks 'click' as each of the front arms are rotated into position; pull a ring and twist the front arms 90 degrees to remove them.

I've also received a follow up email from the Roadmaster customer service guy saying:
"I would go with the 521567-4, it is the newer and better kit. The -1 does not have the spring loaded retainer pins like the newer -4 that holds the removable arms."

Looks like the -4 is the way to go. Thanks,

[lj2654]

2014's are towable...2015's are not

[robatthelake]

The CVT Transmission was not installed in the 2014 Honda CRV ! They started in the 2015 model Year!

[j-d]

The Roadmasterinc.com webpage lists the three baseplates. It seems they all fit the 12-14 CR-V, the three models are based on how the tow bar adapters interface with the baseplate. Go to their page, click on the "style" to see how the adapters mount. There are notes there indicating some incompatibilities depending on the tow bar you use. Then look at the "notes" to see if there's any other limitations.
Finally, you can click up each model number and get to the install instructions. If you plan a DIY install, it'll show you what you're getting yourself into. The "time" column tells you how long it should take a shop, presumably one that's done these before, to install it. I believe the "H" stands for "Hard", and I haven't seen too many install instructions that went to so many pages. I've only done five baseplates and the work didn't seem as difficult as all that detail indicated.

[othertonka]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
Are you sure that 2014 CRV is 4 down towable?

I agree that the 2014 CRV has a different transmission, CVT, and may not be towable 4 down. Better check with Honda before you buy. Just a heads up before you spend the money.

[DownTheAvenue]

Are you sure that 2014 CRV is 4 down towable?

[dicknellen]

I have a 2013 CR-v and I purchased this Roadmaster 521567-1 Tow Bar Baseplate $327.38 in July 2013. I use a RM Falcon ll tow bar that stays with the motor home. Not sure what your tow bar is or the other numbers. Does your tow bar stay with the toad? Dick