Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 Behind an RV w/Discontinued Roadmaster Tow Bar

Question:

I am looking to get base plates for a Roadmaster All Terrain tow bar that has an 8000 rating. I believe it is the prior bar. I currently have a Stowmaster which is not adequate for my 2016 Silverado with 2 Harleys in the back. Will the 3167-1 work with the Roadmaster All Terrain 8000ib version? Can it hadle the 8000 lbs? PS I have bought multiple bars and even more mounts from you and you have been great

asked by: John S

Expert Reply:

First let me say that I am glad to hear that the tow bars/base plates have worked out for you and thank you for your continued business!

The Roadmaster base plates # 3167-1 for the 2015 Chevy Silverado are compatible with all Roadmaster tow bars, past and present. There are several Roadmaster tow bars that have an All-Terrain version so I assume you have either the Eagle or the Blackhawk but it really doesn't matter in this case since they are all compatible.

There are a few other things you will need (if you don't have them already) including safety cables. I recommend set # RM-653 because they are rated for 10,000 pounds which more than covers the capacity of the tow bar.

For lighting you have several options. The 4-diode kit # RM-154 is a popular option for the Silverado. It also looks like the battery has to be disconnected to flat tow the truck. Consult the owner's manual to confirm. Please research GM Technical Service Bulletin 13-00-89-007 for info on disconnecting the battery. We do have battery disconnect # RM-766 but it cannot be used on diesel models or models with dual batteries.

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.

To ensure the braking system works properly you will also need stop light switch kit # RM-751463. Also, if your vehicle's brake lights do not illuminate when the vehicle is off or if the ignition is in the "tow" position, the listed stop light switch kit is required. Similarly the # RM-88400 relay is required to prevent the towed vehicle's brake signal from overriding the turn signal from the RV when applying the brakes during a turn. The relay is not required if you use magnetic tow lights.

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.