Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2002 Chevy Suburban 1500 Behind an RV

Question:

I want to know what I would need and what I have to do so that I can tow my 2002 Chevy Suburban 1500 behind my motorhome properly without causing damage to either vehicle.

asked by: Miguel M

Expert Reply:

I checked the owner's manual for the 2002 Chevy Suburban and found that 2-wheel drive models cannot be flat towed; they have to be placed on a trailer with all 4 wheels off the ground or it could damage the transmission. But if you have a 4-wheel drive model then it can be flat towed. Check page 4-51 in your owner's manual.

If you have a 4-wheel drive model then you would start with base plates. Demco base plates # DM9518077 are a good option. I like them because there isn't much visible on the front of the vehicel and there's nothing you need to take off eah time. For a compatible tow bar I recommend the Dominator # DM9511008 because it is rated for 7,500 pounds and it comes with safety cables.

Next you will need a lighting solution. I recommend going with a simple magnetic kit such as # RM-2120 because it is easy to set up and it bypasses the vehicle wiring. It also looks like you will need to pull out a fuse to flat tow the vehicle. The manual states the following: "

When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition off. To prevent your battery from draining while towing, remove the IGN 0 fuse from the instrument panel fuse block. Be sure to reinstall the fuse when you reach your destination. See 'Fuses and Circuit Breakers' in the Index."

You may also need a high/low adapter to keep the tow bar level. I have linked a help article showing how to measure and a link to the high/low adapters we carry.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the preferred systems for our installers and what I recommend is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Be sure to consult your vehicle owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.