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Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

March 22, 2015, 04:28:44 pm

We have decided on a Blue Ox towing system to tow our 2005 Toyota Corolla (manual trans).  Can anyone recommend someone to install the Blue Ox baseplate in the Houston area? 

There seems to be pros & cons on the type of wiring system for the toad.  Bulb & socket wiring vs. diode wiring kit.  To me it seems the diode wiring is the least invasive as the installers apparently run the wiring harness under the car & up to the tail light housing, cut into the car's wiring & put the diodes in to protect it.

Since it appears to us that the Blue Ox products and company are quality oriented, we are headed toward their Blue Ox Patriot proportional braking system.  Has anyone had any experience with this system?

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #1 – March 22, 2015, 07:32:34 pm

SMITTY'S RV & WELDING: HOME PAGE

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #2 – March 22, 2015, 07:43:12 pm

Any of the Discount Hitch locations would be able to do it.  I'm about to use them for installing the baseplate on my F150. I also checked with Smittys as they are recommended by some folks here; but, they were much more expensive, and couldn't install it for almost two weeks due to a backlog.

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #3 – March 23, 2015, 01:50:53 am

Smitty's is the gold standard.  He installed my Blue Ox hitch using his own welded base plate which is much more robust than the Blue Ox one that broke for Brad Metzger.

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #4 – March 23, 2015, 08:07:14 am

                           The Blue Ox base plate did not break . It was the attachment that is inserted into the base plate that broke where the pin goes thru it to  connect the tow bar arm . Half  or one side broke , the other side held . Don't see how it held but it did and all ended up well .  Sent pictures to Blue Ox , will phone to find out what they have to say about it .      Brad Metzger

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #5 – March 23, 2015, 08:23:47 am

Smitty's has provided friendly and high quality service for us on more than one occasion.  Would always be my choice.  When our toad was outfitted for towing I went with the bulb & socket wiring for the lights. I now wish I had chosen the diode method as my lights are not as bright as the normal / factory brake and tail lights. I think this may be due to the added bulbs position in the housing not taking advantage of the lens design...not sure.  Good luck!

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #6 – March 23, 2015, 08:35:56 am

I would look at M&G braking system in Athens, Texas.  They can do it all.  Arrive and they will have you leaving all done and done right.  They install base plates at same time.  Take your coach and tow car and they will put the air line on your coach.  They have done two for me and very satisfied as others on this forum.  Only way to go.  DAN

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #7 – March 23, 2015, 10:44:25 am

Oops, I mentioned the wrong part.  He uses his welded part that inserts into the car's receiver and has robust plates with the holes to accept the pin to hold the hitch to the car.  Sorry for the error there.

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #8 – March 26, 2015, 10:07:49 am

I am grateful for all the input!

What are the pros and cons of the M & G brake system over the Blue Ox Patriot proportional system?

Frank

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #9 – March 26, 2015, 10:10:19 am

Frank:  Call M&G to see if they have a brake system for your model tow.  Only way to go if you can get it.  DAN

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #10 – March 26, 2015, 11:38:33 am

I used Smitty's Welding as well.

Excellent work.

jack

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #11 – March 26, 2015, 08:35:54 pm

Dan,
I checked, the M & G brake system is not compatible with our Corolla. 

Frank

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #12 – March 27, 2015, 08:47:30 am

Since M&G is not available that helps in the decision making.  I think airforce one is simular.  DAN

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #13 – March 27, 2015, 01:35:26 pm

I have Airforce One on my 2013 Subaru Outback- it works great.  Had it on for about 14 months now.

Many of us who cannot use M&G on our toads are using AFO.

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #14 – April 14, 2015, 09:37:42 pm

I had the Blue Ox baseplate installed today at Smitty's RV & Welding in Houston.  They are as great as you advised!  I also had an LED light kit installed on my Corolla.  I was told it would be a 5 to 6 hour job but it was done in under 3 hours with two men on it!  Quality work and very friendly.  His customers I met while waiting are the friendliest including 1 Foretravel U295 owner (his 3rd FT). 

I went with the LED as it seems to make less of a footprint in the taillight assembly and draws less power.

Since my U270 has a 6 way "socket" (not sure of the terminology) I thought one of them would be a battery lead that I could use for the toad.  Foretravel advised no.  I plan to have Smitty's run a hot lead from one of the batteries on the coach to the "socket".  On the toad end, I had them run a lead to its battery.  All this to help mitigate battery power loss when using the Patriot Supplemental brake system.  I hope this makes sense.

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #15 – April 14, 2015, 09:47:25 pm

Frank,

Make sure there is a fuse at both coach and toad batteries. 

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #16 – April 14, 2015, 11:40:11 pm

We like the idea of running a charge wire from motor to dingy, and we are believers of using something like LSL Toad Charge to isolate the coach & auto batteries from each other.  On long trips that take days to reach destination, tow car might not be disconnected from motorhome for several days, so keeping the tow car battery under charge can prevent overnight discharges.
TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer

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Re: Blue Ox baseplate installation in Houston area

Reply #17 – April 28, 2015, 08:27:19 pm

We just had the LSL Toad-Charge: a Towed Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer kit installed at Smitty's R.V. In Houston.  They did a terrific job as usual.  I feel a lot better knowing my battery will not be drained  when towed behind our coach.  Thanks Barry for suggesting.

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