Parts Needed and Guide To Flat Tow A 2020 Chevy Spark LS With Manual Transmission  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Congratulations on the new 2020 Chevy Spark LS. To flat tow the Spark, it will need a base plate to begin with. I recommend Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms part # BX1725 which have removable base plate tabs for a discreet look when not in use.

For the tow bar, I recommend The Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar part # BX7420 which is a non-binding design to make hooking up and unhooking the Spark from the motor home so much easier. The latches release tension to allow you to unhook the Spark from multiple angles compared to other tow bars that require the setup to be completely in line. The tow bar also comes with safety cables so you don't need to worry about purchasing those separately.

The best tow bar wiring option available for the 2020 Chevy Spark is the Demco Tail Light Wiring Bulb and Socket kit part # DM9523047-54. The Demco kit comes with plugs and sockets that mount in the tail light housing to illuminate when the motor home lights/signals are activated. It also comes with a 6-way plug for the front of the Spark and an adapter cord to plug the Spark into the motor home's 7-way for a clean install.

The 2020 Chevy Spark with manual transmission does require the battery to be disconnected while being flat towed so the vehicle's electrical accessories and features do not drain the battery. I do recommend to add the Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect with Switch for Towed Vehicle w/ Supplemental Braking System part # RM-766 to make it easier to disconnect the battery each time you are ready to flat tow the Spark. Otherwise, you would have to disconnect it every time while the Roadmaster battery disconnect gives you a switch to flip.

Almost all states require a supplemental braking system so the Spark brakes when the motor home's brakes are depressed. I recommend The Blue Ox Patriot part # BLU37TR which will sit in the floor board of the Spark and depress the brake pedal when it receives signal from the motor home. It is a very simple install, it just requires an active 12V outlet which you can add with part # RM-9332 since the Spark's battery needs to be disconnected to flat tow according to the owner's manual.

You will also need a charge line since the vehicle battery will be disconnected. You want to feed the battery from the motor homes battery with part # RM-156-25 that will charge the vehicle battery even though it's disconnected so you can power the 12V outlet for the braking system.

Finally, the last thing you may need is a high low adapter to help you tow the vehicle level with the motor home. I have attached a helpful article that explains how to measure for the rise or drop you may need with the adapter.

I have attached the process of setting up the Spark with manual transmission to be flat towed:

1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the tow vehicle.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Shift the transmission to Neutral.
4. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery.
5. Cover the negative battery post with a non-conductive material to prevent any contact with the
negative battery terminal.
6. Release the parking brake.

expert reply by: Heather A

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Dalkeith E.

8/4/2020

I bought a 2020 Chevy spark yesterday and need parts to flat tow can you send me a list of parts, how fast is the delivery, and the cost of all parts

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Chris R.

8/13/2020

If you have the LS model all of the parts mentioned above will work perfectly. Pricing is included on the product pages. Just let me know if you have a different model Spark.

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Nancy C.

3/11/2021

@ChrisR I am buying a 5 speed 2021 Spark. Is the information here the same for the 21?

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Jon G.

3/11/2021

@NancyC Yes, the information is the same.

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