Recommended Complete Flat Towing Setup for a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse W/ Lower Active Shutters

Question:

I have a 1 2003 Safari with air brakes, both 6 and 7 pole plugs for trailers, 2 2023 Traverse with Active Cruise Control and Lower Shutters and 3 Remco tow bar. Ive been looking at using an Air Force One AFO or a Roadmaster BrakeMaster for RVs with air. Ive watched your video on installing on a older Traverse for the Roadmaster. And some for installing an AFO. What equipment do I need for the Traverse Base plate and is there a easy way to electrically connect the RV to the Traverse?

asked by: Marty R

Expert Reply:

Hey Marty, you can't go wrong with either and they basically do the exact same thing, so if it were up to me I'd go with the Demco Air Force One # SM99243. They (Demco) have a pretty good track record with this system, and a lot of people have used this and been very satisfied with it.

Alright with that out of the way, you're still going to need:

-A base plate kit ; Since you have active shutters your only option is the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BLU63CR, not a bad choice by any means and is still custom fit to your frame.

-A tow bar ; the Demco Dominator Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox Base Plates # DM9511008-BX is what I'd use. This bar has plenty of capacity to handle your traverse, and will also work with your base plates.

Finally, the last thing you're going to need is a wiring harness which I'd recommend going with the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267. This is a bit more involving of a wiring harness, requiring you to do some splicing, but once it's installed you don't have to worry about it again, just hook up and go. The other options for your Traverse use magnetic lights that stick to the top of the car and that to me doesn't look very good.

Since your vehicle requires your battery to be disconnected when you flat tow, you're also going to need the Roadmaster Battery Disconnect with Switch for Towed Vehicle w/ Flat Tow Brake System # RM-766 & # RM-156-25.

expert reply by: Bryce D

Marty R.

4/1/2024

Bryce, Thanks for getting back to me in a timely manner. I want to confirm the base plate is compatible with both Shutters and Active cruise control. I leaning towards the Roadmaster as it seems to be an easier install. You did not mention reusing the Remco tow bar. Mine is rated to 10,000 lbs and has what appears to be the same style 3 tabs into 2 tabs as used by Blu Ox.

Bryce D.

4/1/2024

@MartyR So the only base plate # BLU63CR that works with your vehicle does work with lower shudders, but does not work with adaptive cruise control, unfortunately. Your Remco tow bar should be compatible with all Blue Ox base plates, but if it turns out to not be compatible the Demco Dominator linked above will work great.

Marty R.

4/1/2024

@BryceD With the ACC what are my options? Or if I use the BLU63CR does that just mean my ACC doesn't but the non-ACC still works?

Bryce D.

4/2/2024

@MartyR It looks like there aren't any options unfortunately. I checked through Roadmaster and Blue Ox and they don't have any options for both bottom shutters and ACC, but they do have options for one or the other, i.e, ACC but no shutters or shutters but no ACC.