Flat Towing a 2019 silverado 3500 HD Duramax

Question:

Can the 3500 HD Duramax be flat towed?

asked by: James P

Expert Reply:

According to the owner's manual, if your truck is a 4x4 model with a 2 speed transfer case that has a Neutral and a 4wd Low setting, it can indeed be flat towed. Two wheel drive models and models with different transfer case settings cannot be flat towed without installing a driveshaft coupling.

To flat tow the truck, you'll need base plates, a tow bar with sufficient capacity to tow a truck that could weigh up to 7100 lbs, safety cables, a wiring harness, a supplemental braking system and possibly a high/low adapter.

For base plates, you can use the # RM-3180-2 base plate kit you'd looked at. For a tow bar, use the Roadmaster Sterling, part # RM-576, which includes safety cables. The tow bar is self aligning and non binding, which means you don't need to have the truck perfectly lined up behind the tow vehicle. Even if the terrain you're on isn't perfectly level, the non binding design will make hooking up and detaching easy.

To wire the truck for flat towing, use # RM-15267. Once installed, the kit is simple to use. Simply plug in the umbilical, and you're ready to go.

For a supplemental braking system, it doesn't get much easier than the Roadmaster Even Brake, part # RM-9400. The system can be set up or removed in just a couple of minutes and if you should ever switch vehicles later the Even Brake can easily be moved to a different vehicle. Per the owner's manual, the battery needs to be disconnected when flat towing, and a 12V oultet kit # RM-9332 as well as a # RM-751460 Stop Light Switch is also needed.

For safety, the tow bar should be within 3 inches plus or minus of level. If it isn't, you'll need a high/low adapter to place it within that range. I'll link you to our selection of adapters as well as to some installation videos you might find helpful.