towing/baseplates/brackets

[bergdoll]

hello all, got my bus skinned & a few windows in & am now working on getting my bus on the road...getting new tires this week,
and i have a 2006 PT(manual shift) cruiser i am going to tow.  i am a little concerned on some of these "brackets/baseplates that attatch to the car, as one i've seen the installation instructions on 'require' some cutting/drilling, removal of the whole front grille!?!
anybody out there tow a PT cruiser (2006) & what bracket did/do you use & how difficult to install? i have a blue ox tow bar & hitch on my bus, but since i just got the car & haven't been anywhere in my bus but to the dump, & now the bus & car want to take a trip together...
any info/help/references would be greatly appreciated.
                                     bobbybergdoll@yahoo.com

[gumpy]

Bobby,

Are you sure you can tow a PTC 4 down? 

Reason I ask, is that I was under the impression it could not be, and on the way home last week, I met a fellow in York, NE who converted a skoolie, and tows his PTC (don't know year) on a dolly.

I have installed the Blue Ox base plates on two different Explorers. On both, I had to do significant deconstruction of the grill/bumper area, and drilling of holes was required, but not difficult. On the recent 03 Explorer, it required only two holes, one through each side. The bottom holes were alread there. It also required a sensor in the grill be relocated, which presented no difficulty.

The older 91 Explorer required more mods to the air dam, and more holes, if I recall correctly.

But my experience with Blue Ox is that their equipment will match up pretty well and is pretty easy to install.

craig

[Len Silva]

You can go to the Blue Ox website and check the installation instructions before you buy it.
http://blueox.com/

Here are the ones for you '06 Cruiser:
http://www.aemfg.com/pdfs/BX1968.pdf

I just installed one on an '06 Honda CR-V and found the instructions very thorough.
I am 99% sure your stick Cruiser can be towed.

Len

[busguy01]

I have an 05 PT Convertible, stick shift that I tow with BLUE OX. I use the removeable "horns" that leaves a clean front end when not towing. The installation is TOUGH! You must drill (hole saw) the front facia. Tows like a dream. Don't even think of using towmaster - the base plate looks bigger than the car - even when not being towd. If you are in the area of Pender, NE, they have a free RV park with hook ups you can stay at while they install your base plate. A great way to go.
JimH

[NJT5047]

After looking at both Blue Ox and Roadmaster, I bought Roadmaster brackets.  Roadmaster brackets are  much easier to install than a Blue Ox baseplate.  I've got a Blue Ox tow bar and use a Roadmaster to Blue Ox adaptor.   The adaptor is a bar that ties the two brackets together and has the "fingers" for Blue Ox towbars.  About $60.   
A Blue Ox baseplate is a big complicated affair....unlike Roadmaster brackets.  Roadmaster brackets are usually less expensive than Blue Ox baseplates (fixed brackets are) too....not much less.   Removeable brackets are sort of expensive.    On a large vehicle, Blue Ox baseplates may be more robust....? On a PT Cruiser, or my 3200 lb Jeep Cherokee...it won't matter. 
Both Roadmaster and Blue Ox have "towable" recommendations on their websites.  Easily find out what is towable and what is not.  I don't recall seeing a PT Cruiser towed...however...it may be. 
Best, JR   

[Kristinsgrandpa]

For dinghy towing try this:

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/

Close to the botom of the page, on the right side,"dinghy towing".

Ed