How Do I Flat Tow My 2011 GMC Terrain With A 4Cyl Engine

Question:

I read that this vehicle canbe flat towed, yet it does not vive me any information that tells me that it can be flat towed. Do you just put the car in neutral and pull the fuse you suggested.

asked by: George G

Expert Reply:

Your 2011 GMC Terrain can be flat towed if it is FWD, not AWD. You will need the following items to flat tow your vehicle: base plate, tow bar, supplemental braking system, vehicle tow bar wiring, and safety chains.

My recommended base plate is the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms, part # BX1689. You cannot see this base plate when it is installed, yet it is always ready to be towed. I have included a video of this base plate being installed on a 2012 GMC Terrain below.

The next thing you will need is the tow bar. I recommend the Blue Ox Ascent Non-Binding Tow Bar - Motorhome Mount - 2" Hitch - 7,500 lbs, part # BX4370. You should always choose a tow bar with a weight rating slightly higher than what you need, just in case you decide to load your towed vehicle with gear. This is a non-binding tow bar, so you do not have to worry about being on level ground to hook up. It also comes with safety cables, no need for stand-alone safety chains or cables.

The wiring will allow your flat towed vehicles lights to mirror the lights of your tow vehicle. You will get the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit, part # RM-15267. You will need some other items to complete the wiring for your vehicle. You will need the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles, part # RM-156-25, this will allow your RV battery to be used to maintain the charge on your towed vehicle's battery. Nothing can be worse than arriving at your destination, unhooking your car, and finding out your battery has been drained. The last part of the wiring system for your towed vehicle is the fuse bypass switch, part # RM-76517. Installing this allows you to flip a switch to prep for towing. It will bypass the fuse of your tow vehicle without draining the battery. I have included a video link of the wiring kit and the battery charge line being installed on a 2012 GMC Terrain below.

The last piece is the supplemental brake system. I like simple, that is why I prefer the Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System - Proportional, part # HM39524. It is a proportional braking system, meaning it applies the same force to your flat towed vehicle's brakes as your tow vehicle.

You will need to remove the ABS fuse when you are flat towing your vehicle. It will be either fuse #15 or #16. You will put this car in neutral, turn the key to ACC/Accessory, and turn off all your accessories. You will not have to remove fuse #32 because of the charge line kit, but you will still have to remove the ABS fuse. I have included product description links and video review links below.