New Demco Baseplate for 2025 Lariat Hybrid installed

[Backdoctor]

Good morning. Yes. I took the same shutters off as it appeared they would interfere. It was easy enough to remove and I didn’t feel there was any risk in doing that. And yes I have the 4K towing pkg.

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[RDuckF16]

By any chance do you have the 4k tow package? It came with a large radiator. Wondering if that could be part of the issue or some change Ford made. We removed shutters 1, 2 and 3 instead of what they recommended because we thought the tow bar would interfere with them. We have only run the vehicle for a couple mins to move it in the driveway since the tow bar has been installed and did not notice if the shutters even moved yet. We talked to the Demco product mgr today and he is going to talk to the design engineer and get back to us on Monday. Also, how many washers did you use? The washers are supposed to give the shutters more room to operate. We used all washers at first but then removed the ones on the tow bar and one set from the front of the tow bar support bracket.

I do not have the 4K towing package, just the straight XLT 2 Wheel Dr. hybrid. I installed one washer on each of the four bolts and two on the support bracket on each side of the bracket where it attaches to the frame. Exactly as they depicted in the parts layout on page one View attachment 230100 View attachment 230100 View attachment 230100

By any chance do you have the 4k tow package? It came with a large radiator. Wondering if that could be part of the issue or some change Ford made. We removed shutters 1, 2 and 3 instead of what they recommended because we thought the tow bar would interfere with them. We have only run the vehicle for a couple mins to move it in the driveway since the tow bar has been installed and did not notice if the shutters even moved yet. We talked to the Demco product mgr today and he is going to talk to the design engineer and get back to us on Monday. Also, how many washers did you use? The washers are supposed to give the shutters more room to operate. We used all washers at first but then removed the ones on the tow bar and one set from the front of the tow bar support bracket.

I installed the washers in the configuration, depict it on page one exactly. I removed shutters two, three, and four as instructed in the instructions.
as you can see in the picture I’m attaching. The assembly moves up and down to open and close the shutters, but there’s not enough space for the assembly to move up past the bar that goes up and over the cruise control radar area. I’m not sure if this is something Ford changed on the XLT or what but it’s very frustrating to buy and install equipment that’s supposedly designed for your vehicle only to find out it’s not working. Now I’m concerned Ford will tell me it’s not covered under warranty because of the modifications.

 

[mgraziano195]

We removed shutters 1, 2 and 3 and trimmed a small slice off #4 shutter to give it more room on rotation so it would not hit the base plate and tested that today. No fault or error. I guess we will figure out a way to secure the bottom of the fascia without using the front screws until Demco comes up with a permanent solution. We don't want to alter the fascia.

 

[Tony Pandy]

Good information & Pictures, Thanks. How did you mount the bracket for the female wire connector and the breakaway switch on the Maverick ? Unlike the Roadmaster (& Blue-Ox I think), I don't see any mounting tabs on the Demco Baseplate for the 2025. I'm going with the Demco on my 25 Lariat as I don't like the amount of cutting that has to be performed on the Roadmaster or Blue-ox.

 

[Tony Pandy]

Has anyone found any Youtube Videos of a Demco Baseplate install on a 2025 ? Not interested in previous years or other manufactures (I have for the most part viewed all of videos for the previous years and/or other Mfg. of baseplates installs).

 

[Backdoctor]

Hey Tony.
The installation on my ‘25 was pretty much the same as my ‘23. The bar just goes up over the radar unit. You don’t need to disassemble it and make any cuts to the support around it. You do need to shape the shroud around the lower rad and take out 3 vanes on each side. Otherwise it’s the same.

 

[Tony Pandy]

E-Trailer solution to getting the lower part of the fascia to align with the lower fasteners is to cut away part of the plastic cross bar on the bumper / facia cover with install of the Demco Base plate (Picture attached). Roadmaster is the same except they cut a little less. Not what I want to do but might have no alternative. Don't want to be butchering my Maverick. I want to look closer at the Blue-Ox install for the 2025 (Yes I know about previous issues on their first release of base plate in 2023 ) maybe different.

 

[RDuckF16]

Has anyone found any Youtube Videos of a Demco Baseplate install on a 2025 ? Not interested in previous years or other manufactures (I have for the most part viewed all of videos for the previous years and/or other Mfg. of baseplates installs).

I have searched and not found any videos on the Demco Baseplate. However, as an update to my prior post, I have been in communication with Demco regarding the issue with the the shutter operation behind the cross bar and the issues with reattaching the lower screws after the install. They went back to the drawing board on the baseplate and have made some modifications they claim will alleviate the issues. I am waiting for the delivery of the updated baseplate and will post pictures of the install once I get it done. Might have to wait until after Christmas based on present schedule.
Also, I read about tripping fault codes on some other posts. If you start your vehicle with the bumper electric harness disconnected, you will trip a Ambient Air Temperature Sensor fault since it is on the bumper inside the upper left opening as you look at the vehicle.
More to follow…

 

[Tony Pandy]

Please update once you receive the new Base Plate and get installed. If you can compare the differences and post. Good to hear Demco is working on a solution. I'm ready to order a base plate but will hold of a little while longer to see outcome. Thanks for updates.

 

[RDuckF16]

I received the updated baseplate from Demco last week. Unfortunately, the install will have to wait due to the holidays. But I have taken photos of the obvious changes. The crossmember bar is 1/4” higher than the original and the rounded sides have less metal bracing protruding forward which should hopefully make the bumper reinstall easier as those metal pieces were impeding the bumper from fitting without massive amounts of pulling or trimming some plastic. More to follow after install.

 

[Tony Pandy]

Thanks for the Information, Pictures and measurements. Is there any markings (Numbers etc.) that distinguish the New revision Base Plate ? The part Number shown in your first picture is the same part number as the older Base Plate (9519366). I don't know if Demco (and various resellers like eTrailer) maintains inventory (like Min-Max) or build the Base Plates as needed for each order placed. When I order my BP want to make sure I get the revision.

I can see the differences in the mounting plate and the Gussets redesign being smaller which should add clearances.

Looking forward to your install and feedback when you get the opportunity to install. Thanks again for the update your information is invaluable.

 

[RDuckF16]

There was no indication of a change in the model number or anything else I received. When you go to order, I would ask the supplier to confirm the production date. This redesign was completed at the end of November.
Rich

 

[Rob C]

I received the updated baseplate from Demco last week. Unfortunately, the install will have to wait due to the holidays. But I have taken photos of the obvious changes. The crossmember bar is 1/4” higher than the original and the rounded sides have less metal bracing protruding forward which should hopefully make the bumper reinstall easier as those metal pieces were impeding the bumper from fitting without massive amounts of pulling or trimming some plastic. More to follow after install.

Thank you for taking the time to post this update! It is most appreciated. I look forward to hearing how this revised base plate installs. I really hope the Demco revision works as it does not completely destroy the shutter system on the lower cooler like the Roadmaster towbar.

 

[Dave O]

Thank you for taking the time to post this update! It is most appreciated. I look forward to hearing how this revised base plate installs. I really hope the Demco revision works as it does not completely destroy the shutter system on the lower cooler like the Roadmaster towbar.

My RoadMaster Baseplate Installed on my 2025 Lariat AWD Hybrid - start to finish under 4 hours work great no issues after flat towing nearly 6,000 miles

 

[Tony Pandy]

@RDuckF16 Any Updates on the install of the Redesign Demco Baseplate ?

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