Super Easy Flat Tow Setup w/ Roadmaster Nighthawk, Demco Stay-in-Play Duo SBS

[BradnChristine]

As promised, I can report and verify that the Roadmaster RM-034 adapter bought from Amazon DOES serve to convert the Demco baseplate to fit my Roadmaster Falcon 2 Towbar. The adaptor pieces replace the current end connectors on the Falcon 2 and the kit includes new bolts.

Demco has shipped my new Baseplate already, so hopefully I will have more to report on the adjusted fitment. It is supposed to arrive 9/12 and I will be installing it ASAP. My diodes arrived today and are half-installed. They should be finished and tested this weekend.

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[Dad]

Thank you! Personally, I'm going to stay away from the Roadmaster or Blue OX basplates and go with the Demco. Good to know the Demco is compatible with a Roadmaster tow bar which I already own.

 

[Dad]

As promised, I can report and verify that the Roadmaster RM-034 adapter bought from Amazon DOES serve to convert the Demco baseplate to fit my Roadmaster Falcon 2 Towbar. The adaptor pieces replace the current end connectors on the Falcon 2 and the kit includes new bolts.

Demco has shipped my new Baseplate already, so hopefully I will have more to report on the adjusted fitment. It is supposed to arrive 9/12 and I will be installing it ASAP. My diodes arrived today and are half-installed. They should be finished and tested this weekend.

Again, thanks for your pioneering efforts on finding a much better option for the Maverick other than RM or BO items.

 

[BradnChristine]

Again, thanks for your pioneering efforts on finding a much better option for the Maverick other than RM or BO items.

My friend in FL thinks that from what he sees, Demco's welding jig might have slipped over about 1/2" and that might have caused the problems we are seeing. We are still working (for free) with Demco to try to get the right product made for Mavericks. He was able to elongate 2 of the holes in his baseplate, but is still in mid-installation.
I am anxious to get my second baseplate to see what differences the spacing will make. FedEx keeps teasing me with alternating emails that it will arrive EARLY on Monday, followed by a message that it will be ON TIME on Tuesday. I've gotten 2 of each of those status emails so far.

Anyway, we are still working on the final solution.

 

[Me B]

Hi, I can't tow my EB but was wondering if anybody used a baseplate as a, lets say removeable bicycle mount?

 

[BradnChristine]

Hi, I can't tow my EB but was wondering if anybody used a baseplate as a, lets say removeable bicycle mount?

It would be a VERY expensive way to avoid using the pickup's bed or its REAR hitch.

 

[Me B]

Yep, can't use the rear hitch because I tow a 20' Lance travel trailer. The bed is full of wood. The trailer bumper is too weak. Don't care about the cost, just need something that will hold 125 lbs.

 

[BradnChristine]

Yep, can't use the rear hitch because I tow a 20' Lance travel trailer. The bed is full of wood. The trailer bumper is too weak. Don't care about the cost, just need something that will hold 125 lbs.

I suppose you could put one on your EB. Weight of the baseplate was around 50 lbs and it wouldn't be too hard to rig up something to fit in between the two tow points to mount some rack out front.

I have no idea if the EB's structure behind the fascia is identical to the hybrid, but if it is, the baseplate is $665 plus shipping from Iowa. It is still a struggle getting the correct bolt distance for the hybrid. If you seriously want to check, pull the fascia off and measure the distance across the 4 lower bolts you see. It should be approximately 48-3/4" from outer bolt on passenger side (out of the picture) to outer bolt on the driver's side.

 

[Me B]

Thanks for the info. The mount looks robust enough.

 

[gwrace14651]

Thought I would suggest another option. If you look at the Demco install guide there is still some cutting required for their baseplate just not the shutters. It also costs quite a bit more. I went with the Roadmaster baseplate and NSA tow bars and ReadyBrute surge brake system. No electrical brake system required or splicing into vehicle wiring. I also plan to use wireless magnetic lights. Cost $2050 for the entire kit that included tow bars, readybrute, baseplate, safety chains break away cable etc. I had them delete the lighting system and received a $50 credit on the order.

 

[BradnChristine]

Thought I would suggest another option. If you look at the Demco install guide there is still some cutting required for their baseplate just not the shutters. It also costs quite a bit more. I went with the Roadmaster baseplate and NSA tow bars and ReadyBrute surge brake system. No electrical brake system required or splicing into vehicle wiring. I also plan to use wireless magnetic lights. Cost $2050 for the entire kit that included tow bars, readybrute, baseplate, safety chains break away cable etc. I had them delete the lighting system and received a $50 credit on the order.

The Demco cutting is only on the plastic shroud that is easily removable. Doesn't show anywhere. Although the instructions just show the picture and tell you where to cut the shroud, I took my shroud off and will get a better idea where I need to make a small cut.

As I have repeatedly stated, a Roadmaster install requires DESTRUCTION of the entire lower Active-shutter system. I'd suffer trying to make a Blue Ox install look good long before I'd destroy that shutter system and risk warranty issues.

Cutting small pieces out of the side plastic shroud isn't very invasive, and you could actually buy that shroud to put back on to return to stock if you had a heat-related warranty issue.

Spend $18.50 for 4 diodes for the rear lights. A lot cleaner than magnetic lights and they are easy to install.

 

[BradnChristine]

Status report on Demco baseplate installation.

Today I received a replacement Baseplate from Demco to try. This one is a bit shorter bolt pattern and the holes are also enlarged slightly to try to account for Ford's variances. Didn't measure, but I think they are 1/2" holes while the original were 3/8". This one fits my 2023 Lariat's bolt holes just fine, but that isn't the end of the issues.

When it is in place, it is too close to 2 of the lower active shutters on each side. The baseplate prevents their movement, open and closed. I suspect that would cause a shutter motor problem and at least throw a code. After adding washers to the mounting to test, I discovered that about 11/16" worth of washers is needed to move the baseplate out to let the shutters clear the baseplate.

That is unacceptable. Besides being likely a structural issue, it most likely would not let the fascia go back into place properly.

So the next step for me is to take the 4 vanes out that would hit the bar. Thanks to @jsus providing me the instructions, I hope to pull those out tomorrow and see if the bar can be successfully mounted. A friend in FL is also working on the issue. Once we succeed or fail, I'll report here.

There are 3 other folks currently with Demco Baseplates. I know they have been contacted by Demco already, and 2 of them do not have their trucks yet. Whoever the 3rd person is, feel free to contact me if you are trying to install yours.

I still believe this is the best towing solution, although it is not ready for Prime Time. In the unlikely event that the additional vane removal causes an issue, with this method, they can be replaced...unlike having the entire section cut out like Roadmaster. I just don't know how long it is going to take to get everything right. If you are in a big hurry, you probably want to consider the Blue Ox version with its challenges to make pretty...as well as its very wide tow points.

The model they used must have had some real differences. My truck is a 2023 Lariat, and I think my friend's truck is an XLT. Our issues are similar but not identical.

That's it to date.

 

[Dad]

Hi, I can't tow my EB but was wondering if anybody used a baseplate as a, lets say removeable bicycle mount?

If you have a hitch, I believe a regular bike rack would be cheaper outright and much, much easier to install.

 

[BradnChristine]

Status report on Demco baseplate installation.

Today I received a replacement Baseplate from Demco to try. This one is a bit shorter bolt pattern and the holes are also enlarged slightly to try to account for Ford's variances. Didn't measure, but I think they are 1/2" holes while the original were 3/8". This one fits my 2023 Lariat's bolt holes just fine, but that isn't the end of the issues.

When it is in place, it is too close to 2 of the lower active shutters on each side. The baseplate prevents their movement, open and closed. I suspect that would cause a shutter motor problem and at least throw a code. After adding washers to the mounting to test, I discovered that about 11/16" worth of washers is needed to move the baseplate out to let the shutters clear the baseplate.

That is unacceptable. Besides being likely a structural issue, it most likely would not let the fascia go back into place properly.

So the next step for me is to take the 4 vanes out that would hit the bar. Thanks to @jsus providing me the instructions, I hope to pull those out tomorrow and see if the bar can be successfully mounted. A friend in FL is also working on the issue. Once we succeed or fail, I'll report here.

There are 3 other folks currently with Demco Baseplates. I know they have been contacted by Demco already, and 2 of them do not have their trucks yet. Whoever the 3rd person is, feel free to contact me if you are trying to install yours.

I still believe this is the best towing solution, although it is not ready for Prime Time. In the unlikely event that the additional vane removal causes an issue, with this method, they can be replaced...unlike having the entire section cut out like Roadmaster. I just don't know how long it is going to take to get everything right. If you are in a big hurry, you probably want to consider the Blue Ox version with its challenges to make pretty...as well as its very wide tow points.

The model they used must have had some real differences. My truck is a 2023 Lariat, and I think my friend's truck is an XLT. Our issues are similar but not identical.

That's it to date.

Today's slow update:
I pulled the 4 vanes out with no trouble and nothing broke. I gave some consideration to replacing 2 of the vanes into the area that Ford removed, but decided just to leave the 3 vanes out on each side...the 2 that were behind the baseplate bar and Ford's removal which still is in compliance with the recall.

Got the baseplate installed with no extra washers, etc. I test fit the fascia back on and it seems to fit fine, although 2 vertical "bars" in the lower grill were tight. I may have to shave a bit off...or they might just push over and fit fine.

Then I tried to follow the instructions to reinstall the PAD. A lot of revision needed in the instruction manual, which I have sent to Demco. One example directs you to use a 3/8" drill to drill out a hole for a 7/16" bolt. Um...NO, that's not how that works. The reinstall instructions need to be changed. There is a good place to remount it that doesn't involve torqueing a bolt assembly to 50 ft-lbs when included in the assembly is the plastic base of the PAD.

Now that I found a good place for the PAD and mounted it, I will have to take it back off in order to torque the upper brace with locktite. I saved all the torqueing and locktite for last, after I was satisfied that it would fit. I told Demco that the PAD replacement should be LAST on the install...not before the torqueing.

It has been a struggle, but I think I am near the finish line, and Demco has been receptive to all our info. I still feel this is the best of the three choices because it is all reversable and won't leave damaged shutter system or holes in the fascia. I am getting tired of being a trailblazer though, and I want my truck back on the road!

Hopefully tomorrow will see it back together with just the front wiring to terminate in connectors (breakaway switch and 6-pin socket).

 

[KathyG]

Thanks for being a guinea pig.
You are maintaining a much better attitude than I would!!!
Let us know how it works out and maybe post a few photos ?
Regards,
Kathy

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