Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Toads and Motorhome Related Towing
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-13-2017, 07:11 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Why Fuse Removal Before Towing

I am going to do what the manufacture says. But I would like to know WHY do I have to pull the ECM and BATT1 fuses before I dingy down the road with my 2012 Buick Enclave behind my Class A motorhome?
Bob Simpson is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 02-13-2017, 07:21 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
onechaddude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lexington NC
Posts: 1,952
I would guess that leaving the switch on so the steering doesn't lock keeps the ecm energized. GM either doesn't want the ecm energized continously or it will drain the battery in short order. Most every vehicle that is dingy towed has to have a fuse pulled or a battery cable removed to tow (except most Jeep and Ram vehicles). Many also require the transmission shifter be left in neutral which also requires the key left in the ignition.

Without removing the fuse I would guess your battery would be dead in a couple hours. Hope this helps.

Chad
onechaddude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2017, 05:46 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
bertman's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 211
Could be an issue with OnStar also. OnStar could sense the movement of the vehicle while not running and report it as stolen! Or, just mess with the system because it shouldn't see movement when the vehicle is off. My 2010 requires just one 50A fuse removed. (I installed a disconnect switch) If left on, the battery goes dead rather quickly.
__________________
Bob & Deb K.
2012 Itasca Ellipse QD 'Elli' 'COZY INN'
2018 GMC Acadia Denali 'Ginny'
bertman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2017, 09:01 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Nine Mile Falls WA / Arizona City AZ
Posts: 1,066
One of the thoughts I have is that with a low battery, that is low voltage, current flow increases using ohm's law... there are a lot of circuits on our modern vehicles that really don't like low voltage for extended amounts of time..

All the friends that I have who tow a dingy, all have a 12+ lead from the trailer connector to the vehicle battery to keep it charged up...
__________________
Retired Business Owner, Re-manufacturing HD Clutches, Brake Shoes, Air Compressors, Sales & Installation of PacBrake and other Industrial Friction
jelag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2017, 08:33 AM   #5
Senior Member/RVM #90
 
MSHappyCampers's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
Electronics in the vehicle that remains on with the key in the "accessory" position will drain the battery over several hours of towing.
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
MSHappyCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2017, 08:52 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Selah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
I believe Joe has it. It's just about battery drain. This can be remedied by connecting a charge line. The seven pin connector on the back of the coach has a 12 volt supply specificall for supplying 12 to the toad. If you use that you don't have to pull any fuses and your breaking system won't draw the tod battery down either.
__________________
Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
Selah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2017, 09:42 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Thanks

Thanks to you all for the responses. I have installed a separate 12v plug direct from battery to supply my aux brake. Hopefully that alone won't drain my battery.
Bob Simpson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2017, 09:47 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Bertman how/where did you install your disconnect switch
Bob Simpson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2017, 03:27 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Damon Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
Leaving either fuse in place depletes the battery
ECM also counts the miles as you tow
__________________
Home is where I park it!
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2017, 11:51 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
bertman's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 211
Bob Simpson:: I installed a 50A switch behind the grill which I can reach with my fingers thru the grill without opening the hood. Remove the 50A fuse from the fuse box under the hood. Using wire terminal ends divert the power thru a new 50a fuse holder and out to the switch. Returns from the switch and back into the fuse block. Simple install. Keep in mind though, mine is a 2010 Buick Enclave. Only the 50a fuse is required to be removed to tow. Other years are different. I believe 2012 and newer require three fuses to be removed. Some of the aftermarket sellers of RV accessories sell a switch kit. I thought these were a little expensive as my major expense was the switch which was about $7. BTW, I also ran 12v from the coach to the switch. When the switch is in the 'tow' position, the 12v is sent to the car battery to keep it charged. Have never had a problem with it. Good luck. If you need more info, message me. Bob
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0980(2).jpg
Views:	141
Size:	252.4 KB
ID:	151977   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0981(2).jpg
Views:	190
Size:	241.2 KB
ID:	151978  

__________________
Bob & Deb K.
2012 Itasca Ellipse QD 'Elli' 'COZY INN'
2018 GMC Acadia Denali 'Ginny'
bertman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2017, 11:51 AM   #11
Member
 
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 66
2014 Buick Enclave - able to get tranny in Neutral and wheel unlocked

I am preparing to setup Enclave to flat tow. I found the fuses required. I was testing the methods and was able to get car in Neutral and the wheel unlocked with key off. It has to do with moving key in between positions to move to neutral and then turning to off. All power appears off (no dash lights, alarms, etc) and the wheel is unlocked and free to turn. Am I missing something or doing something that will cause a problem? Thnx
maddogrdhg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2017, 03:54 PM   #12
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
Maybe, because the onboard computers are almost surely still active. Your vehicle has automatic traction control, meaning the computer is watching for wheel spin and adjusting power & braking. Might have electric power steering too, and it may record miles on the odometer. Also a strong chance of having a dead battery after a few hours of towing. The absence of visible lights on the dash doesn't mean much in modern cars.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 01:17 AM   #13
RV LIFE Support Team




 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,966
We went through this with our CRV, either remove the fuses or get a Fusemaster so you just need to flip a switch.
__________________
Sue

2015 Winnebago Vista 36Y + Honda CRV
RV LIFE Support Team
Sue46 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2017, 08:18 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Houston TX.
Posts: 2,349
I towed a CRV for two years without pulling the fuse like they said. No problems. I use a light bar and brake buddy both plugged into cig lighter. Battery will last for 15 hours before it was dead. To prevent this from happening just drive car at the end of every tow day. No more problems.
Trapper2022 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fuse, removal, tow, towing



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Why does one propane bottle go empty before the other one? scottandanna iRV2.com General Discussion 19 01-01-2017 09:28 AM
Some before and afters of my dinette and couch removal and upgrade Grandpadave Class A Motorhome Discussions 35 02-06-2014 04:32 PM
Why, Why, Why? PizzaGuy RV'ing Humor & Crazy but True Stories 7 01-19-2012 05:57 AM
Towing Mini's odometer fuse removal? coachhouselm Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 1 05-26-2011 07:17 PM
Would you buy a Bigfoot diesel? Why or why not? girlierider600 Class C Motorhome Discussions 15 12-18-2008 02:31 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:53 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.