Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2020 Chevy Spark
Question:
Need help in ing with links on what all is needed to safely tow Thanks
asked by: Thom
Helpful Expert Reply:
I'll start off by saying that from what I was able to determine from the owner's manual, the automatic transmission version of the 2020 Chevy Spark cannot be dinghy towed and would need to be towed on a dolly like the Demco Kar Kaddy # DM9713045.
If you've got a manual transmission, there are a number of parts you'll need to flat tow a vehicle: base plates, a compatible tow bar, safety cables, tow bar wiring, supplemental braking and most likely a high/low adapter. I've also linked some helpful articles on flat towing to this answer that you might want to refer to if you're new to flat towing your vehicle.
To start, for base plates I recommend using the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms part # BX1725 which have removable base plate tabs for a discreet look when not in use. For a compatible tow bar with those base plates, I recommend The Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar part # BX7420. This tow bar has a non-binding design to make hooking up and unhooking the Spark from the motor home much easier. The Blue Ox Avail also comes with safety cables so you don't need to worry about purchasing those separately, which is a nice feature.
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. To help combat this I do recommend that you 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 to apply the Spark's brakes when the motor home's brakes are depressed. I recommend The Blue Ox Patriot # 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 need to install a charge line kit -part # RM-156-25 in order to charge the vehicle battery during transit; this will allow it to provide power to the Patriot system without draining the battery (which will be disconnected during travel).
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, as well as a number of video reviews on the parts I've mentioned above.
Products Referenced in This Question
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Blue Ox
more information >
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Blue Ox
more information >
Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 10000 lbs
- Fits Blue Ox Base Plates
- Stores on RV
- Non-Binding
- Blue Ox
more information >
Demco Kar Kaddy SS Tow Dolly with Disc Brakes - Foldable - 4,800 lbs
- Trailers
- Tow Dolly
- Wheel Decks
- 4800 lbs
- Folding Tongue
- Cars/Trucks/SUVs
- 8-1/2W x 11L Foot
- Galvanized Steel
- Demco
more information >
Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Battery Charge Line Kit
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Battery Disconnect with Switch for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System - Gas
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Auto Battery Disconnect
- Roadmaster
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Blue Ox
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Brake System
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Q&A: Blue Ox Baseplates For 2021 Chevrolet Spark LT Manual Transmission
- Shop: Roadmaster Smart Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Wiring Kit for Variable Voltage Incandescent Tail Lights
- Shop: Demco Air Force One Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Air Brakes - Proportional
- Q&A: Parts Needed and Guide To Flat Tow A 2020 Chevy Spark LS With Manual Transmission
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Search Results: rm26fr
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Shop: Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Shop: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Video: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit Installation - 2021 Chevrolet Spark
- Search Results: anti rattle clamp
- Search Results: draw bars
- Article: How Level Should a Tow Bar Be When Flat Towing
- Search Results: bx7322
- Search Results: safety cables
- Search Results: light wiring harness
- Article: Diode Installation Instructions for a Dinghy with Separate Tail Light Wiring
- Video: Optronics Trailer Lights - Tail Lights - STL64RB Review
- Video: Best 2021 Chevrolet Spark Flat Tow Set Up
- Video: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit Installation - 2017 Chevrolet Spark
- Video: Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar Review - 2020 Chevrolet Spark
- Video: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit Installation - 2020 Chevrolet Spark
- Video: Roadmaster Falcon 2 Motorhome Mount Tow Bar Review
- Q&A: Flat Towing a 2022 Chevrolet Spark