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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / May 2005Mounting the base plate on a 2002 Echo
Well, I got this mounted. I purchased a baseplate from RVupgrades for about $280 shipped, this was about $50-$75 less then most competitors. I decided that I would mount this myself rather then spend the $200-400 to have it professionally done. (Note: I'm mechanically inclined, somewhat). I needed to pick up a few extras, first my baseplate was missing the grade 5 6mm bolt to connect the washer reservoir. Ok, No major problem. I picked up a Grade 6 for under $1.00 and I did not have a 3/8" drill bit. Now, the fun part... Following the Blue-Ox instructions I removed the boles, plastic rivets (Am I the only one who hates these?). Note: you need a helping hand to get the baseplate on to the frame without destroying the radiator pipe coming across the bottom. Mounting wasn't too bad after doing the metric SAE tool chase into the basement. Drilling the holes was another matter... Buy a 3/8" cobalt drill bit. I left most of the wire/zipnuts on as cutting these off was a real bitch. One broke off as the crazy turn I had to make to get it into the 1" hole so that it would align. For some reason (probably because I left 90%+ of the wire from the zip nuts on) I had some trouble re-aligning the plastic lower fairing/front of the car. Maybe I ate too much spinach but I sheared off one of the bumper mounting bolts and one of the self tapping screws for the electrical mounting (read: there are two round rods which have a 3/8 self tapping bolt to mount the wiring... I have to drill one of them out now. (Using a 3/8 ratchet. I have driven the car about 40 miles or so and no rattles or parts falling off. So, I guess I did an ok job of mounting everything. I would summarize by saying that if you can remove the plastics without damage and can put them back on without left over parts...Then you can do this yourself and save $200-400. If I were to do it again, I would cut off the wire using a bolt cutter. This would probably avoid the wrestling match I had getting the passenger side plastics to re-align. Ed Snipping almost all of great story... > I had some trouble re-aligning the plastic lower > fairing/front of the car. Gee, Ed, I'm still laughing although I really know it's not easy! That lower cowling?/plastic front can be cut or stay off. As it was on my Saturn or, later, Alero. The first time I watched an install done, I cringed at the cutting of my brand new car. Lifting brackets alone to attach them can be done by supporting them on something sturdy such as blocks. Then there's rule #1: understand what's involved and get tools ready. 'course there's always the unexpected; therefore be prepared for the trips back to the workshop. In my situation, the hardest part to get a toad ready is to get my stepson here to do the work. I have to wait almost as long as if I tried to get an appt. at Camping World.<VBG> (But it's sure cheaper!) -Dot I posted this for two reasons, the first is that I could not find any post of someone who actually installed the base plate themselves and to see if anyone else is using an echo as a toad. Ed > Snipping almost all of great story... >> I had some trouble re-aligning the plastic lower [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > -Dot >I posted this for two reasons, the first is that I could not find any post >of someone who actually installed the base plate themselves and to see if >anyone else is using an echo as a toad. > >Ed I've installed base plates but not on Toyota's. What model Echo are you towing? Toyota only lists the manual transmission model as towable. Don't know if there are lube kits or other fixes to make the autos towable or not. Take care and Happy Campin... RichA "We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart" Its a stick. 2-Door, not hatchback. It also improved the front end by adding more weight over the wheels. I think this will help me out in winter too! Ed >>I posted this for two reasons, the first is that I could not find any post >>of someone who actually installed the base plate themselves and to see if [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > RichA > "We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart" > I posted this for two reasons, the first is that I could not find > any post of someone who actually installed the base plate > themselves and to see if anyone else is using an echo as a toad. > > Ed Ed, I was not laughing AT you. Setting up your toad yourself has my utmost admiration. People who pay an RV mechanic have little idea of the research, sweat, dirt, aggravation, sore muscles, banged fingers, broken and/or missing pieces, etc. involved in DIY. No, lucky me doesn't do the heavy, nasty work, but I have been right there, probably ready to call 911 <g>, while the work was done. I don't recall your saying originally that you wanted info on the Echo; however, the work problems could apply to any model. I hope, by this time, you have it all set up. Me... I'm still waiting and not happy whatsoever about it! -Dot I realize the humor in doing this and as you stated it was a funny, well written post, no offense taken. If I only had a picture of my face when I sheared off the bumper mount bolt.... I'm awaiting the tow bar (being shipped) and I need to purchase magnet mount lights as I have decided against wiring the toad. Ed BTW I went with a Blue ox adventure tow bar using a ball mount. I can't justify 2-3X the expense for a receiver mounted tow bar. >> I posted this for two reasons, the first is that I could not find >> any post of someone who actually installed the base plate [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > not happy whatsoever about it! > -Dot
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