Community Forums

BeeIndy · 04-30-2021, 06:52 PM

Getting ready to set up a 2021 Silverado 1500 with the “baby” Duramax as a toad. The etrailer website says the Roadmaster baseplates are for gasoline engine only, however when looking at the installation manual, there is a section for installing the baseplate on Diesel engine trucks. Has anyone put one of these on the diesel 1500 Silverado? I checked the Demco site and it doesn’t say there is any issue with their baseplate and a Diesel engine. Any comments on Demco vs. Roadmaster for the baseplate for this install? Probably going to use an Air Force One system and a Roadmaster or Demco tow bar (depending on whichever baseplate is used) and wiring kit. Also, the truck manual says the battery must be disconnected. I looked up the Roadmaster battery disconnect and it says it is not to be used for Diesel engines unfortunately. Curious what others are using instead, just a blade style switch under the hood or manually disconnecting the battery terminal and securing with electrical tape? I wasn’t able to find much info on this truck, particularly with the “baby” Duramax. Appreciate any thoughts, comments, or suggestions.

SuperGewl · 05-01-2021, 06:46 PM

Call Roadmaster, they are very good with the help you need.

BeeIndy · 05-09-2021, 07:17 PM

To anyone interested in this toad in the future, I spoke with Roadmaster and the standard baseplate will work for the diesel 1500 truck. Their battery disconnect will not work, you need to get a Demco that is located at the battery.

Aangulo1 · 05-09-2021, 10:55 PM

Monty at M&G Engineering in Athens, TX just installed a Roadmaster baseplate with no front end parts removal on my 2021 Duramax Diésel GMC 1500 Elevation edition. He also installed his manual battery disconnect right next to the battery. The baseplate installed was the 523198-5 Road Master EZ-5 Base Plate Kit. I went with this one in particular since it does not required any trimming around the area of installation. Very clean install.

BeeIndy · 05-11-2021, 07:17 AM

Great looking truck, thanks for sharing.

Aangulo1 · 05-11-2021, 08:43 PM

Thanks!!

MFortie · 05-12-2021, 07:12 AM

I have the RM baseplate on my ‘15 GMC diesel (2500). I also use the RM Brakemaster setup. But with dual batteries in the diesel, I had to be ‘creative’ regarding disconnecting the batteries yet still keeping power for the brake setup. Meaning disconnecting one battery from the other while pulling the the positive cables off, etc.

Did it for one trip and realized it was a PITA, so I bought a Jeep Gladiator for a toad. Still have the Jimmy and could tow if I needed, but the Jeep is much simpler to hookup.