What Settings Should I Use on My Flat-Towed Vehicle when Towing?

Question:

My parents just got a RV. They took their car down to the RV dealership to get it set up for flat towing. Now are there suppose to be three different switches in your car that you have to flip before towing? They have one for brakes that has the brake adjustment slide switch on it. There’s one to kill the ignition switch when they have the car in neutral. The last one is to kill the power to Onstar. I feel like the brake adjustment should be in the RV. So if I can get some feedback on what your guys is like I would appreciate it. Thank you.

asked by: Brian H

Expert Reply:

There are some factors to consider when determining what settings you should use on your towed vehicle. The first thing to consider is that all of the functionality of your towed vehicles options are outlined in the owner's manual of the vehicle. If you cannot find the switches that you mention in the manual, it is highly probable that those switches and functions were added as by the RV dealer.

With that being said, the picture that you attached of your vehicle's braking system is the G-Force Controller that is part of the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System w/ Wireless Coachlink Monitor - Proportional # DM86VR. This system is only compatible if your RV has hydraulic brakes. If you have different brakes on your RV than hydraulic, you need a different supplemental braking system.

As far as controlling the brake settings from you RV, it really depends on what brakes you have any what controller you have. If you have have the complete setup with the # DM86VR, the adjustments you make to the braking action are done with the side knob pictured on the # DM86VR in your towed vehicle. I went ahead and attached a video that outlines this adjustment.

If you need all the components to flat tow and/or you do not have hydraulic brakes in you RV, feel free to respond to this answer with your year/make/model of towed vehicle, and I will be happy to assist you. Also, if you need those components, please respond to the model of base plate you currently have installed on your towed vehicle.

expert reply by: Bob C