etrailer e98962 User manual

Pin Height- 18” Center- 22”
ETTP29329, Rev 1
04/23
TABLESS BASE PLATE - e98962
ITEM
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
-
QTY
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
DESCRIPTION
NUT, .50NC LOCK, NY. INSERT
BOLT, .625NC X 1.75 GR5 HEX
BOLT, .50NC X 1.25 SERR FLG HEX HD
CROSSMEMBER F/ 9519329
BRACE
PLUG MOUNT
BASEPLATE SAFETY CABLE KIT
TABLESS PULL STUD KIT
TABLESS PULL BLOCK KIT
LOCTITE (NOT SHOWN)
Please order replacement parts by PART NO. and DESCRIPTION.
ITEM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
QTY
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
2
DESCRIPTION
WASHER, FLAT .375
.375 LOCKWASHER
.375 HEX NUT
NUT, HEX, .50NC
.50 LOCKWASHER
.50 FLAT WASHER
WASHER SPRING LOCK 0.625
.625NC HEX NUT
WASHER, FLAT, .625
BOLT, .375NC X 1.25 HEX HEAD GR. 5
BOLT, .50NC X 1.25
Please order replacement parts by PART NO. and DESCRIPTION.

Page 2 ETTP29329
Introduction
WARNING: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAN
RESULT IN LOSS OF TOWING VEHICLE CONTROL, SEPARATION
OF THETOW BAR FROM THETOWING VEHICLE,SEPARATION OF
THE TOWED VEHICLE FROM THE TOW BAR, CAUSING SEVERE
PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Safety is of utmost importance at all times. There are several
items that must be checked each time before using and while
using a tow bar. Before allowing anyone to hook up or operate
a tow bar, be sure they have read and understand the proper
operating procedure.
DO NOT use worn or damaged cables and/or pins.
Be sure the SAFETY CABLES are hooked, chassis to chassis, to
boththe towingandtowed vehiclesusingthe criss-cross method.
Check clearance between vehicles in a turning situation.
Check base plate mounting bolts for tightness and frame for
metal fatigue.
Do not load the towed vehicle with anything as you may exceed
the towing capacity of the tow bar.
Keep fingers away from pivot points to prevent personal injury.
Be sure the steering components of the towed vehicle are
properly aligned.
etrailer base plates are designed for use on factory vehicle
suspension setups. etrailer base plates are not recommended
for use on modified suspensions lowered or raised. Towing
vehicle must be larger and at least 500 lbs. heavier than the
towed vehicle and tow bar combined.
NOTE: Do not attempt to back up with the tow bar and towed
vehicle connected. Attempting to back up with the tow bar
and towed vehicle can result in damage to the tow bar and/
or towed vehicle.
For automatic transmissions: Consult your vehicle owner’s
manual for towing suitability with the drive shaft connected.
Otherwise, the towed vehicle will have to be equipped with a
transmission pump or drive shaft disconnect.
Check to make sure that all lights are in proper working order.
The information on towability of vehicles is reprinted with
permission of MotorHome© Magazine, and is believed to be
reliable. However, etrailer does not warrant the information
to be correct. Always consult your towed vehicle owner’s
manual and follow towing instructions. Each year, MotorHome©
Magazine, compiles a list of vehicles that can be towed four-
down behind a motorhome with no modifications required.
Caution: MotorHome© Magazine left out any vehicles
that have towing speed limits slower than 55 m.p.h., or
distance limits of less than 200 miles. At a minimum, these
vehicles require significant modification, such as the use of an
aftermarket product, to make them towable. The availability
of an etrailer tow bar base plate does not imply that these
vehicles can be modified or that there is an aftermarket product
available. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or consult your
dealer to determine whether your vehicle can be modified to
make it towable. Failure to observe this precaution could result
in property damage or personal injury.
CAUTION
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION ITEMS
etrailerproductsand accessoriesareintended to beinstalled
byprofessionalinstallers withexperience,properequipment
and the ability to do modification work. Installers with these
qualifications can be found in RV and Automotive Service
Centers.
If the car to be towed has been in an accident, the chassis
may be damaged in an area where the base plate attaches.
It may no longer be suitable for towing. Extreme caution and
careful examination are required in such a situation. It is also
likely, even from a minor accident, that the hole alignment
will be more difficult due to hole alignment problems.
Many etrailer base plates are designed to use existing holes
and hardware to mount the base plate to the towed vehicle.
Even though the bolt is there, however, do not assume it is
adequate for mounting the base plate. Manufacturers make
many changes in hardware both within and between model
years. Be sure the bolt is long enough to protrude past the
nut a distance no less than 1/2 the diameter of the bolt, after
the base plate is mounted. The threads should be in good
condition. We require that " Blue" be used on
all bolts. If a new bolt is required, be sure it is SAE Grade
5 or Metric 8.8.
NOTE: The dimensional variations between otherwise
identical vehicles can be considerable. Some minor
modifications may have to be made to ensure a proper fit.
BOLT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARD BOLTS: METRIC BOLTS:
Size Grade Torque Size Grade Torque
5/16” 5 18 ft/lbs 8mm 8 23 ft/lbs
3/8” 5 30 ft/lbs 10mm 8 45 ft/lbs
7/16” 5 50 ft/lbs 12mm 8 78 ft/lbs
1/2” 5 75 ft/lbs 14mm 8 125 ft/lbs
WARRANTY:
Your etrailer base plate assembly has a Lifetime Limited
warrantyto befreefromdefectsin materials and workmanship
under normaluse andservice from date of purchase. Any part
of the etrailer base plate assembly found in the judgment of
themanufacturerto be defectivein materials or workmanship
will be repaired or replaced at the manufacturer’s option.

Page 3 ETTP29329
Installation
2. Remove three 8mm bolts on each side.
4. Pull fender flare out and remove three 10mm
screws from each side.
6a. Loosen the fascia and unplug any electrical
connectionsand capthe fluidlines,if equipped.
5. Remove three 8mm screws from the bottom of
the fascia.
1. Remove seven 10mm screws and two plastic
push fasteners from the top edge of the fascia.
6b. Remove fascia and set aside.
7. If the vehicle is equipped with Adaptive
Cruise Control, carefully remove the device
by unplugging the electrical connections,
removing the two bolts.
3. Remove the seven 5.5mm bolts from along the
edge of the wheel well. Remove one phillips
push fastener from the top of the wheel well.
NOTE: Remove more phillips push fasteners if
needed to aid in step 4. Do this on both sides
of the vehicle.

Page 4 ETTP29329
Installation
9. Carefully slide the bumper.
11. Trim shutter system as shown for both sides and
all the way across the front. Trim as needed.
8. Remove four 13mm bolts from each side of the
bumper. Drill out or grind out the spot welds to
remove the bumper.
10. Removetwo 11mmnuts andone 8mm boltfrom
the fluid tank.
12. With an assistant, place base plate up against
bumper flange and clamp. NOTE: Center base
plate side-to-side evenly.

Page 5 ETTP29329
Installation
14. Reinstallbaseplate andfasten with5/8” X1-3/4”
bolt, 5/8” flat washer, 5/8” lock washer, and 5/8“
nut. Do this to the front hole on each side of the
base plate. Install a 1/2” x 1-1/4” bolt, 1/2” flat
washer, 1/2” lock washer, and a 1/2” nut.Do this
to the back hole on each side of base plate.
16. Space fluid tank out with three 3/4” nuts and
replace the one bolt with a M6-40 bolt and 1/4”
flat washer.
13. Mark the rear hole to be drilled in frame.
Temporaily remove base plate and drill one
1/2” hole on each side of the base plate.
15. Loosely install the rear support brace with
two 3/8” x 1-1/4”, 3/8” flat washers, 3/8” lock
washers, and 3/8” nuts. Balance out the slop,
up and down and clamp.Drill 1/2” holes, using
the brace as a template. Install brace wtih 1/2”
x 1-1/4” bolt and 1/2” nut. Tighten all bolts on
base plate.
18. Reinstall fascia and bumper with orignial
fasteners. Reinstall any connections that were
disconnected in disassembly.
17. Cut fascia as shown in picture. (This picture is
taken from the passenger’s side of the vehicle.)
Further trimming may be necessary. Trim as
needed.

Page 6 ETTP29329
Instructions
Example #1
Wrap the safety cable around the base plate crossmember and attach with one quick link. Attach the other end
of the safety cable to the vehicle’s frame rail or crossmember of the vehicle’s frame using another quick link.
See illustration below. NOTE: When routing cable, make sure cable does not touch or rub against wires, brake
hoses, brake lines, or axle shafts. Do this on each side of the base plate.
Example #2
Some base plate models have a hole to mount the quick link and cable. Example: Some base plates may not
have a crossmember from one side to the other, thus you have a quick link mounting hole. See illustration
below: This shows the use of just one quick link. Other installs may require 2 quick links depending on base
plate model. NOTE: When routing cable, make sure cable does not touch or rub against wires, brake hoses,
brake lines or axle shafts. Do this on each side of the base plate.
Base plate pictured is for illustration
only and is not your specific base plate.
Base plate pictured is for illustration
only and is not your specific base plate.
Instructions for Towed Vehicle Base Plate Safety Cables & Parts Breakdown
ITEM DESCRIPTION QTY
1 36" NYLON COATED SAFETY CABLES RATED @
14,000 LBS PER PAIR
2
2 1/2" QUICK LINKS RATED @ 10,000 LBS EACH 4
Please order replacement parts by Item and Description.

Page 7 ETTP29329
Installation
ITEM DESCRIPTION QTY
1 36" NYLON COATED SAFETY CABLES RATED @
14,000 LBS PER PAIR
2
2 1/2" QUICK LINKS RATED @ 10,000 LBS EACH 4
Please order replacement parts by Item and Description.
Plug Cover Instructions
1. To remove cover, rotate by the tabs
about 1/8 of a turn.
2. Pull and the cover will pull off. 3. To install cover, push into socket and
rotate until it snaps into place.

1507 Highway A, Wentzville, MO 63385
(800) 298 - 8924
More etrailer product information can
be found online: www.etrailer.com