Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2017 Chevy Traverse

Question

Question:

We will be towing a 2017 Chevy Traverse with a gas engine class A motorhome. I would like to use your RoadMaster Falcon 2 - #RM 250. Do I use the Roadmaster direct or crossbar baseplate? Also what braking systems and wiring do you recommend? Is there anything else needed for towing this vehicle? Thanks

asked by: Aaron

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Whenever available I recommend going with the Direct Connect Roadmaster base plates as having used both I have found that these are easier to use and don't require you to keep track of an extra component (the crossbar). So you'd want the part # RM-523175-5 for your 2017 Chevy Traverse.

Now the Roadmaster Falcon # RM-520 is a really nice tow bar, but for a much easier to connect/disconnect option I would recommend the off-road version of the tow bar part # RM-522. This setup has easy to release telescoping arms which allows you to connect to the base plate kit without having to be perfectly level and square. The Falcon 2 has a similar feature but requires you to use a tool to release the arms. The Off-Road Falcon has the levers built into the arms so it's one less thing to potentially lose or not have handy when needed.

In addition to the base plates and tow bar, you'll need safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle.

For lighting/safety cables, locks, and covers for the tow bar we have the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain kit part # RM-9243-1 which comes with all of that as one part number. The diode kit that comes with this allows you to splice into the taillight wiring so that your RV controls the vehicle taillights and does not require drilling into the taillight housings. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, that applies 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.

Most likely you will also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. I attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry.

I have included a couple of helpful links to our articles on flat towing for you. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual for more specific information on flat towing your vehicle.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Answer 1

There is one key difference between the Blue Ox Patriot 2 Portable Braking System part BRK2016 and the Blue Ox Patriot 3 Portable Braking System part #BLU37TR. The difference is an extra safety measure built into the Patriot. The Patriot #BLU37TR has…

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Answer 2

The first thing to check when you're wanting to flat tow your vehicle is your owners manual. There will be a sectional usually labeled as "Recreational Towing" that will state if your vehicle is able to be flat towed and what steps have…

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Answer 3

The black cable on the Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass Kit #RM-76517 should be running to the negative side of the fuse terminal. If you're getting power on the black wire then you have it attached to the positive side of the fuse terminal…

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Answer 4

It sounds like you are looking for a supplemental braking system that will allow the RV to activate the vehicle's brakes while in tow. If this is the case then a brake controller will not work for this purpose. You will instead need to install a…

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Answer 5

Does your 4WD transfer case have a high gear and low gear setting? If so, that would indicate you have a 2 speed transfer case. If there's no indication it has a high or low speed then it's a single speed transfer case. If you have the 4x4…

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Answer 6

The Roadmaster XL base plates #920-1 are a fit for your 2014 Subaru Outback Wagon and the Stowmaster tow bar #RM-501. The Tow bar does fold up and store on the tow vehicle. There are no speed restrictions when the tow bar is folded up but it…

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Answer 7

You are correct that the 2011 GMC Yukon 4x4 with single speed transfer case cannot be flat towed as is. I've attached a photo of the pages from the owners manual to assist. It is logical to think because the 2 speed transfer case models can be…

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Answer 8

The parking break is not required on the 2017 Chevy Equinox when prepping the vehicle for flat towing because it will be connected to the RV as the first step. It is needed when disconnecting the vehicle because once it is no longer connected there…

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Answer 9

Yes, to mount your Blue Ox Aventa II Tow Bar to a Roadmaster baseplate, you will need the RoadMaster Base Plate to Blue Ox and Demco Tow Bar Adapter, part #RM-033. The Roadmaster Base Plate that will fit your vehicle is the Roadmaster XL Base Plate…

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Answer 10

I checked with our vendors and to flat tow your 2023 Chevy Traverse you will need the following parts: Tow Bar and Safety Chains - Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar item #BX7380 Base Plate Kit - Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms item #BLU33XR…

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Answer 11

Yes, you can flat tow a vehicle with a Roadmaster base plate with a Blue Ox tow bar as long as you get the correct adapter like the part #RM-032 to connect the two. This is the style of adapter for the Roadmaster base plates that have to use a…

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Answer 12

When flat towing a 2016 Chevy Equinox you just need to pull the number 16 fuse that is in the engine compartment. It used to be that you also pulled the 32 fuse that is in the cab but that was causing steering issues. The correct Roadmaster base…

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