2018 Chevy Equinox Flat Tow

[johnpam19]

2018 Equinox towing.

Just had this done. Everything went great. Had the same done as Snoway95. The wireless light bar works great. Thanks for that info Snoway95. I pulled for the first time ever and was a little nervous. I have a 2006 Mandalay Valencia diesel 300HP ISB. When I got home I noticed they did not put on a breakaway disconnect. Do I really need one?????

[desertdeals69]

You only need it if the hitch comes loose.  If you have one it probably won't come loose!

[2usaretired]

On 6/27/2017 at 9:21 AM, kaypsmith said:

Here is an interesting article about your question, apparently the 2018 is the first year that it can be towed 4 down with AWD. It is nice to know that GM has tackled this problem for us RV'ers. http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/09/how-to-properly-tow-a-chevrolet-equinox-with-an-rv/

This article does not address 2018 Equinoxes.  Further it does not discuss AWD.  I was just informed by my Chevy dealership, after going round and round, that the 2018 Equinox with AWD is not flat towable.

[2usaretired]

I would like to hear from those who are flat towing their 2018 Equinoxes about the trype of drive your veh has.  There are two:  (1) front wheel only and front wheel/All wheel switchable.

I was informed by my local chevy dealership, a major company in New England, that the 2018 Equinox with switchable FWD/AWD is not flat towable.  

[Johnston]

This is John Johnston, associate editor for Family Motor Coaching magazine. According to GM and the owners manual, the 2018 Equinox can be towed four wheels down only when it is configured in one of these ways:

-- 1.6-liter diesel, AWD

--1.5-liter gas, FWD

--1.6-liter diesel, FWD.

Also, in regard to a statement in the previous post, GM says that switchable AWD is not the reason some Equinox models cannot be flat towed. Here is the detailed explanation from GM: 

You CANNOT dinghy tow the following:

• 2.0 liter Turbo with 9 speed automatic transmission front wheel drive or all-wheel drive ( 9 speed is not capable in 2018 because it does not meet our lubrication requirements when being towed).
• 1.5 liter Turbo with 6 speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive ( 6 speed is not capable because it has a 3.87 final drive ratio when used in the all-wheel drive vehicle – this ratio spins the transmission too fast when being back driven by the wheels with the engine off ( that is, when being towed) . Transmission lubrication is the potential issue.  Transmission lubrication comes mainly from an internal transmission pump that is driven by a running engine.  

 

 

Edited December 1, 2017 by johnston
Clarify information from GM

[i90689]

I just had my 2018 Equinox Premier set up to be towed. I had a Blue Ox base plate installed, and they used the diode kits for the lighting. When I tested the lighting the tail lights and left and right turn signals were fine, but the brake lights are not working. I checked all the wiring from the coach through the pigtail to the front socket on the car and everything looks fine. Anyone have any ideas before I drive the 63 miles back to the dealership??

[boshersand@msn.com]

I just finished towing my 2018 Equinox from Tucson AZ. to Lake Havasu City AZ. This was the first tow with the new Chevy. I have a Demco tow plate and tow bar. I choose to install separate bulbs for tail lights and turn signals. I installed a separate 12 V outlet wired directly to my battery for the Brake Buddy.

I followed the Mfg. procedure for flat towing.  Easy and tows well, but on arrival at Havasu the battery was flat dead. I have towed a Ford Ranger, Jeep Wrangler and a HHR using the Brake Buddy and had no Battery issues.  I am calling Brake buddy tomorrow and the GM to find out what issue needs to be resolved. I may have to run a charge line from the Tiffin.  I'll let you know.

 

Turbo T

[elkhartjim]

Welcome to the forum. Seems I've read on most GM products either the battery needs to be disconnected and /or some fuses pulled. Let us know what you find out.

On edit. I assume you read this entire thread before posting as it seems to be a known problem.

[hermanmullins]

I have possibility a stupid question. I understand needing power for a Brake Buddy's pump. But when you must leave the key on to be able 1) unlock the steering wheel and 2) be able to move the shifter into Neutral , Does the Odometer rack up the milage?   

Herman

[wildebill308]

5 hours ago, hermanmullins said:

I have possibility a stupid question. I understand needing power for a Brake Buddy's pump. But when you must leave the key on to be able 1) unlock the steering wheel and 2) be able to move the shifter into Neutral , Does the Odometer rack up the milage?   

Herman

I am gong to say no. I think it is the same as with my Honda. Just to clarify you turn the key all the way to the right to "start" then it goes back to "run" one spot to the left shuts off the engine but you can still have power to the radio "on /accessory". If you left the key in run it might show mileage as all the gages are powered up. Your battery won't last very long because of the drain from all the electrical components like navigation and driving lights 

Bill

[Romulus]

On 8/28/2017 at 7:34 AM, johnpam19 said:

2018 Equinox Towing

As I stated have the same Equinox. The chimes will stop around 25-30 minutes. GM is working with me and telling me to get a battery disconnect for now because some power is still on. They are sending this back to the proving grounds. It is safe to tow.

 

How can you disconnect the battery if you are supposed to be in "accessories" mode?  Why be in accessories mode?

[boshersand@msn.com]

I talked to Brake Buddy and then tested my BB unit and it is working correctly and not leaking pressure or running  down the battery by running excessively.

I talked to the national GM hot line several times during the last two weeks and am sad to report that they were little help. I was given a reference number and promised a return call from an electrical specialist with in 24 hours. After the first call on Feb. 13 I did receive a call back, but from a PR type who advised me to take the Equinox to a Chevy dealer. The service writer at the dealership sent me to a local hitch and welding shop as he thought that they might have the answer. It turns out they did.  They said that a charge line from the moterhome must be run to keep the Equinox battery up.

I called  GM line on the 24th and the 28 to confirm this information and both times was told I would get a call back within 24 hours but to date no call from GM.

I was able to confirm the need for the charge line today by reading on the FMCA motorhome forum that Chevy is changing the information in the Equinox owners manual to advise that a charge line is needed.  The electrical architecture is different in the 2018 Equinox from the 2010-2017 models so no fuses are pulled also do not need to disconnect the battery. There is no steering wheel lock-out on the 2018 Equinox. 

I hope this helps guys.

 

[hermanmullins]

Tiffin10,

M&G Engineering in Athens Texas Makes a Braking System for the 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox. It is their P/N 403 ET. Their unit requires no electrical hook except for the Brake Away that has no draw util the Brake Away is needed.  903-675-2812 or montymg@live.com

Herman

[boshersand@msn.com]

I installed a RVi towed battery charger and changed my 4 pin connector to a 6 pin on the Equinox to accommodate the new towed battery charger.

All good now.

 

 

Turbo T

[Johnston]

Updated and more thorough flat-towing instructions for the 2018 Equinox with push-button start, from GM:

 

  To tow the vehicle from the front with all four wheels on the ground:

1. Position the vehicle to be towed and secure it to the towing vehicle.

2. Start the vehicle.

3. In vehicles equipped with AWD, engage the AWD system and confirm it is on. AWD switch and indicator light are on the center console. 

4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

5. Then put vehicle into ACCESSORY MODE by pressing the ignition button one time without the brake pedal applied. An amber light will appear in ignition button when in   

    ACCESSORY MODE. Chime will ring continuously for 30 minutes. Leave transmission in neutral.

6. Turn all accessories off that are not needed.

7. It is recommended to charge the battery of the towed vehicle during recreational towing.

 

[thundr56]

Just towed my 2018 1.5 liter two wheel drive Equinox for my first all day drive. Using magnetic LED light bar plugged into rear12v outlet. Mid day check, started for 5 min., all seemed ok. At end of day, completely dead. Do not have battery maintainer installed, thought the LEDs wouldn’t draw enough to faze it in daytime driving. Guess I was wrong. 

Not responding to charger, at a loss. Stuck.

[wolfe10]

thundr56,

Welcome to the FMCA Forum.

Yes, some smart chargers will not charge a completely dead battery.

Find one of the older "stupid" ones to get you started.  You could also start it by jumping it off to the coach house battery, but, I would have the coach battery charger or inverter charger breaker OFF so you don't take a chance on a voltage spike when connecting a totally dead battery.

[thundr56]

Thanks for the comment. Got it going with a jump start finally. Towed it idling for awhile then used a different charger and it’s back to 100%. Trying it without the maintainer was a bad idea.

[fagnaml]

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 8/5/18) I was traveling from a family gathering in New Orleans to Houston on I-10 and saw a shorter 36 foot (??)  Itasca Meridian towing a new model Chevy Equinox four down (not a motorhome trip this time for me).   At first I was surprised an Equinox could be towed four down until I saw this thread and looked at the 2018 Towing Guide.

Concerning for me was the Equinox was "fish tailing" as it was being towed which I haven't seen from any other vehicles I've seen in tow.  Granted I-10 through Louisiana in into east Texas is in bad shape so a driver of any size vehicle has to make some rather sudden moves to avoid large pot holes, broken concrete and buckled joints in the highway.   I don't know if some sudden quick moves by the driver of the Meridian translated to the fish-tailing of the Equinox or if towing an Equinox four down has some unexpected challenges.

Just sharing what I observed yesterday for Equinox owners and forum members to ponder.

[rclmml]

To charge battery while towing, after following GM procedure for flat towing, do we run a wire from the RV connection directly to the battery? If we already have the patriot being powered by a direct plug in from the RV, will plugging in a cord from that to one of the towed vehicles plug ins charge the battery? Need help as I am frequently running the battery down.

[wolfe10]

rclmml,

Welcome to the FMCA Forum.

Really depends on how your coach/toad wiring is currently done. You may already have the proper wiring, but if you are running your battery down, probably not.

For charging, best to have 10 gauge wire from coach chassis battery to plug and then from toad plug to toad battery.  IMPORTANT: fuse at each battery.

If you want it to automatically disconnect when the coach engine is not running, use a 40 amp relay at the coach battery end with an "ignition hot" as the close relay trigger.

Be sure your wiring also includes a good ground between the two vehicles.

[SDeuker]

All of you that have 2018 Equinox's, do you run them at very gas stop?

[manholt]

Mike, I don't even feel that stretch and my Wrangler don't move side to side!  I have seen TT's fish tail, never a toad.

[sun914]

16 hours ago, SDeuker said:

All of you that have 2018 Equinox's, do you run them at very gas stop?

Yes, the following was copied from my 2018 Equinox owners manual.

"For vehicles being dinghy towed,
the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components."

[manholt]

In my coach, that would be once a day...It takes me 5 days to get from TX  to CA and 2 fuel stops!