Recommendations for Flat Towing a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500

Question

Question:

can i flat tow a 2018 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD Crew Cab or do i have to change any think. its V8 5.3L transmission 8 Speed thanks

asked by: Bud K

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Expert Reply:

Your 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT is capable of being flat towed. It will require a few things to be added. The first is the Base Plate # RM-3177-3. This will replace the tow hooks that are on the front of the Sierra currently. I recommend this as its a direct connect base plate that doesn't require use of a cross bar. That means less parts to connect and a simpler hookup every time. You will want to measure the height of your current tow hooks and compare that with the motorhome's trailer hitch receiver height. I always recommend doing this ahead of time so that when you're ready to tow you know you have everything you need. The heights should be within 3" of each other otherwise you will need to get a corresponding High Low Adapter for Tow Bars similar to # RM-058-4. This may or may not be what you are looking for based on your measurements. If you are unsure of what you need here please let me know and I will give you my recommendation.

For Tow Bars I suggest the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain # RM-676. They are rated for 8,000lbs which exceeds that of your Sierra. The wiring is already attached to the Tow Bars for added convenience. These bars are made of aluminum and powder coated to last. They also have channels built in for running your safety cables to keep them dragging or getting caught up by the roadway hazards. The RoadMaster Nighthawk All Terrain Towing Combo Kit # RM-9284-2 will give you the storage bags, locks, and electrical to add lighting to your Sierra so that you don't have to use the removable magnetic lighting. Less parts equals fast and easy hook ups.

Your Sierra will require the battery to be disconnected while in tow. Rather than manually doing this I recommend Automatic Battery Disconnect with Switch # RM-766. It utilizes a remote switch that can be mounted inside your cab so that your not trying to access the battery under the hood every time you tow.

Since I don't know what you are towing with I will give you two suggestions for a braking system.

For a motorhome that uses air brakes the Air Force One # SM99243 is the one I recommend. It connects with the air brakes on the motorhome so that the Sierra will only supply braking when the motorhome applies braking. It is a small unit that is mounted under the hood of your Sierra and once it is set up the first time it never needs to be reset.

For a motorhome with hydraulic brakes the Stay-IN-Play DUO # SM99251 will be what I recommend. This system is in my opinion the best for supplemental braking as it is one of the few systems that looks for both brake light activation and the inertia caused by using the brakes in the motorhome. Which means no false braking because you are coasting down a hill or letting the vehicles weight slow you down. It is also a one time setup so the only thing you will need to do to use the system is flip a switch once it is ready to tow.

expert reply by: Bud M

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Answer 1

The Blue Ox AutoStop is compatible with the Aladdin to bar. However, we don't recommend the AutoStop for you. It's not near as reliable for braking as other systems. Portable systems, like the SM99251, are the easiest to install…

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Answer 2

It sounds like you already have the parts and just need to know the process of preparing the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 for flat towing. To start only 4-wheel drive models that have a two-speed transfer case with neutral and Four-Wheel Drive Low setting…

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Answer 3

GM states in the owner's manual that to recreationally tow the vehicle, the negative battery cable must be disconnected. The owner's manual doesn't list a specific reason, it only states that failure to do so could damage the vehicle. The…

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Answer 4

For your 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 1500, I recommend starting with the Roadmaster MX Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms #RM-3177-3 and then using the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - RV Mount - 8K #RM-676 which includes…

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Answer 5

The Ultra-Fab Steel Jumbo Roller, #UF48-979023, was designed to help prevent taildragging on motorhomes and trailers so this would work great to help prevent damage to the undercarriage of your camper when going up steep driveways.

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Answer 6

We do have base plates for your 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 but #RM-3180-2 will not fit. The comparable set that will fit your 1500 is #RM-3177-3. This set actually has removable arms so that when you take them out the base plates are essentially invisible.…

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Answer 7

You would not lock out the steering on the vehicle being flat towed. Doing so would cause the wheels to scrub (drag sideways) when turning. The steering needs to be unlocked and the wheels will turn accordingly and straightened back out when needed.…

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Answer 8

Flat towing components like what you mentioned for your 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 aren't overly difficult to install but it can be pretty time consuming. So if you are mechanically inclined and have the free time you could definitely handle it…

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Answer 9

The first thing you need to flat tow your 2020 Chevy Colorado is a base plate kit like the Roadmaster #RM-523182-5 which fits your truck and provides the connection point for a tow bar. I attached an install video for this on a similar 2019 Colorado…

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Answer 10

First, yes you can flat-tow your 2015 Sierra 1500. When flat-towing any vehicle you need 5 items. You need base plates for the towed vehicle, a tow bar, safety cables, lighting for the towed vehicle, and most states now require a supplemental brake…

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Answer 11

For your 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave I recommend the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms #RM77VR which will only require you to cut a slot in the skid plate on each side as shown in the included cut out from the instructions, but…

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Answer 12

If your 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is a 4WD model that has a two speed transfer case with a Neutral and 4WD Low setting, it can be flat towed. If its a 2WD or if it DOES NOT have a two speed transfer case, it cannot be flat towed and would need to be…

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