Installing Baseplate - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

kleverd1 · 10-31-2008, 02:04 PM

I am currently installing a Blue Ox baseplate on my smart. As mentioned in another post, the directions leave alot to be desired. It give good directions for every little push pin and then leaves you hang when it is time to remove the inner fenders. I ended up pulling the struts out of their top mounting with the aid of a borrowed spring compressor. I'm not sure how I am going to get them back in because I had to do the final compression of the shock and springs by hand and the bushings fell out as I was doing this. perhaps my wife can assit to hold them in place during reassembly.

There is only one very bad picture showing location of the baseplate side pieces with very little explanation for their exact location or orientation before drilling mounting holes. I'll be working on that this weekend. It would also be helpful to have a kit for the wiring with good inline plugs so that I do not have to cut any original harnesses and to also have routing instructions included.

If there is anyone out there that can help with suggestions on some of these details your reply would be greatly appreciated. I'm anxious to get this done so that I can push my 35 foot Dutch Star.

fortow · 11-01-2008, 11:04 PM

The inner fenders are only folded out of the way - no need to remove struts.

The brackets that mount to the frame should be aligned level with the bottom of the frame and back about 1/4 inch - use a fabricated spacer to keep them on place and held with a clamp while drilling.

I agree tthat the directions leave much to be desired. If I had to do this over again it would be done properly but because of poorly written and poorly illustrated directions I had to make some modifications and mounted it on a slight angle and a little too far forward. It works fine nontheless.

I also decided to not wire into the car's harness. I fabricated two plates that attach to the tow hook locations on the rear fender and use tow lights mounted on these plates with exterior wiring that connects to the motorhome. These can be installed and removed quite easily and quickly.

ThomasL · 11-11-2008, 07:33 PM

Fortow, if you are near USA ontario are you available for hire and doing another blue ox plate..I can not find anyone to do this work...Great idea for tail lights, have heard cutting into system gets ugly. Thanks Tom

fortow · 11-13-2008, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasL

Fortow, if you are near USA ontario are you available for hire and doing another blue ox plate..I can not find anyone to do this work...Great idea for tail lights, have heard cutting into system gets ugly. Thanks Tom

I do live in Ontario.

Blue Ox should be redesigning their brackets for this base plate. Nontheless, as I said, if I were to do it again the job might be easier since I'd know what to expect. It isn't a simple drill, bolt, and be happy installation though. You can make things fit but some minor modifications are required. I did it myself because installers around here were claiming it was a 10 hour job - and for someone who hasn't done one before it is just that. That time can be cut in half or less for an experienced installer.

No, I'm not for hire but surely someone who sells trailers or RV's should be able to do the job. On the other hand, with the ability to contact those who have done the job before through these forums you should be able to tackle it yourself. It just takes time, patience, a little ingenuity, and a friend to help. The installation of most baseplates does take time, so this is not too unusual. I think what complicates the issue is the removal and installation of the body panels. Even that, however, is quite simple once you know how it's done and with the experience of having done it once.

Go ahead, if you are able, try doing the job yourself. Just take your time, double and triple check everything including making certain the bar clears the front body panel before bolting with locktight for the final fitting.

lschmitt · 11-15-2008, 07:36 PM

Yes, we do install Blue Ox base plates or Road Master brackets. I work as the Parts Manager in a large Rv Dealership located in Calera, AL 35040, we take care of our Customer's needs.
I have just returned from a Florida trip last month where we towed our car over 1500 miles, that makes close to 3,500 miles now towing our car.
Need help drop me a note.

Take Care,
Larry

dandg96h · 01-09-2009, 05:09 PM

Does your Smart have fog lights? If so what is the number of the Blue Ox base plate that you used. I understand that BX 1983 is for no fog lights.

dandg96h · 01-09-2009, 05:13 PM

Can you use a blue ox tow bar on a Roadmaster base plate for a smart for two?

bcope01 · 01-09-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandg96h

Can you use a blue ox tow bar on a Roadmaster base plate for a smart for two?

Yes, Roadmaster makes adapters so you can use Blue Ox towbars with Roadmaster brackets/baseplates. Camping World carries them here:

Towbar Adapter Brackets - Product - Camping World