Flat Towing a 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 6.2L engine
Question:
There was a question/answer that was noted that for the 6.2L engine you would need a driveshaft disconnect. However, when reviewing my owners manual it doesnt mention anything about that. I have the electronic transfer case that can be shifted into Neutral. A little confused on what I really need to flat tow my truck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
asked by: Mike
Expert Reply:
As long as your 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 4WD and A two-speed transfer case that has a neutral and four-wheel drive low setting it can be flat towed. From my research, Silverados with 2WD do need the drive shaft to be disconnected in order to flat tow with all 4 wheels on the ground. If you have a 4WD, All you have to do is shift the transfer case to neutral and disconnect the battery. You can use a quick battery disconnect part # RM-766 so you do not have to disconnect the battery each time. This kit comes with a switch that you can flip to cut power to the battery when it is time to flat tow.
The baseplate I recommend for the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Plate kit part # RM-3176-1. The Roadmaster base plate has two pieces, the bracket that attaches to the frame and a drawbar that pins into the bracket. The draw bars can be unpinned and removed when not flat towing so the base plate is hidden when not in use. This Roadmaster base plate can be used with other Roadmaster accessories such as the Roadmaster Rock Guard part # RM-4000 and all Roadmaster tow bars compared to other base plates available for the Silverado that do not offer as much versatility. I have attached an installation video of the base plate on the 2014 Silverado 1500.
For the tow bar, I recommend Roadmaster Blackhawk 2 All Terrain part # RM-422. This is my favorite Roadmaster tow bar because it is the easiest to use. You can connect and disconnect the tow bar on uneven terrain compared to other tow bars that have to be disconnected on perfectly level ground. The Freedom Latch on the Blackhawk tow bars allow you to release the tension if the bars get in a bind and have built up tension. You also need safety cables part # RM-645 for added security if the tow bar were to ever disconnect from the setup.
For tow bar wiring, I recommend Roadmaster 7-wire to 6-wire wiring kit part # RM-15267. This kit allows you tap into the tail lights of the Chevy to accept the motorhome's tail, brake and turn signal lights while flat towing. It also comes with diodes to prevent backfeed.
All states require a supplemental braking system when flat towing. The Stay-IN-Play DUO part # SM99251 allows your truck to brake when the motorhome does. The main unit of the Stay-IN-Play DUO stays hidden under the hood and an actuating cylinder depresses the brake pedal when it gets the signal from the motorhome. The cylinder remains attached to the brake pedal and does not interfere with driving the towed vehicle compared to other supplemental braking systems that you have to remove each time you need to drive the vehicle like other braking systems.
Most flat towing setups require a high low adapter to tow level with the motorhome. To determine how much rise or drop you need to be level with the motorhome, measure from the top of the hitch receiver opening on the motorhome to the ground. Then measure from the center of the baseplate attachment points to the ground. If the motorhome measurement is greater, you need a drop. If the truck's measurement is greater, you need a rise. I have attached a link of the high-low adapters we carry.
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Guardian Rock Guard for Towed Vehicles
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar
- Vehicle Guards
- Rock Guard
- Guardian
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster BlackHawk 2 All-Terrain Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 10000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Non-Binding
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster 64" Single Hook, Straight Safety Cables - 8,000 lbs
- Safety Cables
- Straight Cables
- 64 Inch Long
- 8000 lbs GTW
- Snap Hooks
- Coated Cables
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Battery Disconnect with Switch for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Auto Battery Disconnect
- Roadmaster
more information >
Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Demco
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Hitch Pin Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
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