Base Plates, Tow Bar, Wiring, Safety Cables, and Braking System to Flat Tow a 2000 Chevy S-10  

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The first thing you will need are base plates on the 2000 Chevy S-10 LS. There are several options available depending on if the truck has 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. For 2 wheel drive, I recommend Roadmaster Base Plates, # 161-1. For 4 wheel drive, use Roadmaster base Plates, # 179-2. These are XL style base plates which means the visible part can be removed when not towing.

Next, you will need a tow bar compatible with XL style base plates. I recommend the RoadMaster Tracker Tow Bar, # RM-020 as it is a little more economical than the Falcon 2 that you have referenced. The Tracker Tow Bar is compatible with the XL base plates, but to make them removable, you will also need Roadmaster Tow Bar Quick Disconnect Kit, # RM-201. The tow bar couple accepts a 2 inch diameter ball.

You will also need safety cables and a light kit as required by law. For safety cables, I recommend the Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables, # RM-643. For a temporary lighting solution, use the Magnetic Towing Light Kit, # RM-2120. These lights have a magnet that will stick to a flat metal surface and plug into a 4-flat on the tow vehicle. For a more permanent solution, I recommend the Tail Light Isolating Diode System with Wiring Harness, # 38955. I have included an installation video and demonstration video of this kit below.

Finally, you will need to check with the manufacturer for instructions on the proper procedure for towing your vehicle because some vehicles must be equipped with a transmission lube pump, an axle disconnect, drive line disconnect, or free-wheeling hubs before they can be towed.

If the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee does not have a trailer hitch, you will need to add one. I recommend a Class III trailer hitch with 2 inch receiver like Curt Trailer Hitch, # 13251. This hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 500 pounds and a gross trailer weight capacity of 5,000 pounds. I have included a link to the installation details below. If the Grand Cherokee already has a trailer hitch, you will just need the appropriate ball mount and/or ball.

The recommended ball mount is # C45010 with pin and clip # PC3, and a compatible ball for the tow bar is # 19247. The Grand Cherokee will need trailer wiring for either of the recommend light kits to work. The correct trailer wiring harness for a Grand Cherokee without a tow package is Tow Ready Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring, # 118394. I have included a link to the installation details and a video review below. If the Grand Cherokee has a tow package, the correct wiring harness is Tow Ready Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring, # 118381. I have included a link to the installation details below.

Finally, you may also be interested in adding a supplemental braking system in the S-10 to achieve better braking which will be safer and cause the brakes to wear less on the Grand Cherokee. The easiest system is the Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Proportional Braking System, # RM-9400. The benefit of this system is the fact that it is a proportional system meaning that it brakes in proportion to how much the towed vehicle is braking. Other systems brake at one preset level for all braking situations.

expert reply by: Michael H

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