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Setting up toad

Yahoo Message Number: 109832
HI gang.

Getting very close to setting up my toad for this year. After much research,  I am 1 week away from purchasing a 2007 lexus gx470. I've been in touch with both road master and blue ox to verify the availability of a baseplate. Both have verified. Now I need to figure out who to use. Based on reading some forums about the subject it seems people like both brands. I was told blue ox is primarily on the east coast, and road master on the west coast, with some overlap. I guess whichever baseplate I use, I might as well use the same companies tow bar. I have a 10k hitch, on an intrigue with the C-12 motor. I'm thinking a 10k rated tow bar. And the GX470 weighs approx 6500 lbs. Any reason to use one over the other?

Thanks in advance for responses. 
Dave

P.'s  I was all over the map with deciding on a toad. I was going to use my 2014 dodge 3500, but was told by http://etrailer.com not to use since it had a plow frame installed already. The guy seemed pretty confident and knowledgeable. Therefore I'm selling my Chrysler for the GX470.

Re: Setting up toad

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109855
Dave

Here's my 2 cents... Going to both sites and looking at the baseplates for your lexus gx470, to me it's very obvious to use Blue Ox. My reason is the roadmaster plate mount comes under the front fascia versus Blue Ox that comes thru the lower grill between the license plate. My reason is, first I think it looks better, second with RM you still have to add the cross bar in front of the car off the baseplate mounts that you can take off when not towing but adds to the clunky-ness of the deal (more parts & pieces to deal with) Versus Blue Ox that the mounts coming out of the grill are what the towbar hooks up to. Yes you can remove those tabs and have an even cleaner look when not towing. Maybe I'm somewhat bias being a dealer for Blue Ox, but I always look at the finished product for the specific vehicle and then make a decision. I think either of the manufactures equipment is very good for the basic purpose of towing, that said I put a lot into the finished look and function. The less parts & pieces I have to deal with is always a big plus.

Here are the links for the photos I looked at,

BX2908 Lexus GX470 | Blue Ox

http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdfinst/1185-1.pdf

Jim Lewis
Infinity Coach
PS "" being such a heavy toad, I'm sure your planning on a brake system? I recommend the SMI stay-n-play

Re: Setting up toad

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109856
Dave,

I got to thinking and looked up the curb weight of the 2007 GX470 and google says 4871 lbs. GVWR is 6200 and towing is 6500.

Being under 5000lbs you'd be perfectly fine going with a 6500 rated tow bar and save some cash. The Blue Ox Alpha would be a great choice.

Jim

Re: Setting up toad

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109862
Dave

If you decide to go with Blue Ox, I have a BX7365 Alpha Tow bar with 4" drop receiver for sale. I purchase in Dec 2011 and used for towing Kia behind 5th Wheel. Can send picture if Interested. Asking $500. Item is Az now but could be going to Houston Mid March. Rich 256-457-3252

Re: Setting up toad

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109869
On my lx470 I kept my Blue Ox Adventa II  tow bar, but found the Roadmaster base plates to be a far superior arrangement since they mount underneath and the things that attach to the tow bar are removable leaving just mostly hidden base plates that are pretty much invisible. There is no need for a crossbar. The Blue Ox base plates last I saw them use this massive crossbar permanently mounted big ugly thing. Blue Ox makes an adapter for the bar to attach to the Roadmaster base plates. Works perfectly.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Setting up toad

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109870
Dave, I didn't read this carefully enough. I thought you were getting an LX 470, so ignore everything I said. I know nothing about the base plates for the GX470 which are not the same. I also know nothing about the four down towability of the GX470 so I presume you have looked into that. My statements relate only to the lx470 which is not the same vehicle.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Setting up toad

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109876
One comment on the Rancho vs Blue OX. The Rancho is chunkier but the front cross bar on the Rancho allows you use the Rancho Rockguard for a little more protection of the body paint.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348       
Dan

Re: Setting up toad

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109881
Hi Rich, I did look into the tow ability of the 4 down of the GX. Thanks for the clarification though.

Dave