2024 Chevy Equinox flat towing question

[Big Allen]

We just purchased a new 2024 Chevy Equinox for flat towing. Hopefully there are some who are flat towing 2023 or 2024 Equinoxes and can give me an answer on a few issues.... Our owner's manual had a supplement page added that directs you to disconnect the negative battery cable as the last step before flat towing. Does anyone know why previously this was not required (only a motorhome to battery charge line was needed) and now the battery is taken totally out of the system? Secondly, if you disconnect the battery before each tow do you loose all the saved information in the electronics such as the: radio presets, Bluetooth phone numbers, seat settings and etc. each time?
Thanks, Allen

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Big Allen

Our owner's manual had a supplement page added that directs you to disconnect the negative battery cable as the last step before flat towing. Does anyone know why previously this was not required (only a motorhome to battery charge line was needed) and now the battery is taken totally out of the system?

Chevy changed the power braking system from the standard vacuum booster used for like forever to a new electric always-on power braking system beginning with the 2023 model year. People towing began experiencing chattering of the brakes and screeching of the tires during extended turns such as cloverleafs.

Secondly, if you disconnect the battery before each tow do you loose all the saved information in the electronics such as the: radio presets, Bluetooth phone numbers, seat settings and etc. each time?

So far the reports say no. A few people say that you will get a message saying to open the driver window and close it and that seems to be it.

Ray

[LTbar]

We recently purchased a AWD 2024 equinox. Shortly after our purchase we received the update for flat towing requiring the negative battery terminal to be disconnected.
Interestingly when I reviewed the original procedure in the manual, it also required the AWD to be engaged but the new procedure eliminated that step. Am I reading that correctly?

[NXR]

You are reading it correctly however some people have asked their dealer and Chevy directly to clarify that and no one has gotten an answer. The new procedure is found at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...49182-0001.pdf

It does say AWD vehicles need a lubrication cycle, something not in the older procedures and something I've read in other GM dinghy towing instructions.

FWIW,

Ray

[LTbar]

I called Chevy customer service this morning. The gentleman I talked to couldn’t explain why the Awd didn’t need engaged but referred to the lubrication cycle after 1700 miles of towing.
I’m planning on conducting a short test tow later this week. Hopefully by following the new procedure, I won’t encounter any issues.
Thanks.

[macnut]

I understand from this thread that the disconnect switch should be installed on the positive terminal to avoid ground issues with the lights. Did you install it similar to the picture below?
Thanks!

https://www.irv2.com/photopost/showfull.php?photo=38524

[NXR]

Originally Posted by macnut

I understand from this thread that the disconnect switch should be installed on the positive terminal to avoid ground issues with the lights. Did you install it similar to the picture below?
Thanks!

https://www.irv2.com/photopost/showfull.php?photo=38524

Installing the disconnect on the positive post makes it a whole lot easier to supply power to a supplemental braking system because those still need battery power (usually) in the event of a breakaway.

It also makes it a lot easier to install a charging line from the motorhome directly to the battery positive post (through a fuse or breaker, of course).

Both a braking system and a charging line can still use the normal frame grounds because those are still connected to the battery negative post.

Just be darn sure to remove ALL GM/Chevy installed wires except for the disconnect switch from the positive post (the relocated wire in that pic).

Ray

[ditto]

Has anyone confirmed if AWD should be activated or not to flat tow?

[Wrapped]

We flat tow our buick encore gx which has the same flat tow process and I installed the Roadmaster battery disconnect solenoid kit #766 . Easy installation and works great also I installed the remote switch in the front driver side wheelwell so I can't accidentally lock myself out.

[ditto]

Thanks, but do you activate AWD or leave it off?

[NXR]

Originally Posted by ditto

Has anyone confirmed if AWD should be activated or not to flat tow?

On one forum someone said that Chevy told them that with the battery disconnected AWD would disengage.

I had the battery replaced in my 2020 last summer. AWD was engaged and when the new battery was installed and the car started I saw AWD was disengaged.

I have no idea how the AWD system works so the question is whether disconnecting the battery causes AWD to disengage or whether reconnecting the battery causes AWD to disengage. I can hear mine whir when it's very quiet so perhaps someone with the battery disconnect can test.

One limitation on ours is that the car cannot be flat towed with the donut spare on the front. But there is no mention of having the donut spare on the rear of an AWD vehicle.

But installing the donut spare at any position causes AWD to disconnect, per the owners manual.

I have seen that 1,700 mile statement in other GM AWD vehicles, though.

I dunno...

Ray

[Wrapped]

When battery is disconnected awd drops out.

[BillJinOR]

Originally Posted by Wrapped

When battery is disconnected awd drops out.

That would make sense why no longer having it in awd is required, since it disengages with the battery disconnect. It also makes sense that’s why the “lube” cycle was added to the procedures. I doubt many of us go 1700 miles without using the toad anyway.
The electric “parking brake” with its auto engage I was told was the primary reason for the battery disconnect now required and that made the other changes needed.

[LTbar]

Originally Posted by Big Allen

We just purchased a new 2024 Chevy Equinox for flat towing. Hopefully there are some who are flat towing 2023 or 2024 Equinoxes and can give me an answer on a few issues.... Our owner's manual had a supplement page added that directs you to disconnect the negative battery cable as the last step before flat towing. Does anyone know why previously this was not required (only a motorhome to battery charge line was needed) and now the battery is taken totally out of the system? Secondly, if you disconnect the battery before each tow do you loose all the saved information in the electronics such as the: radio presets, Bluetooth phone numbers, seat settings and etc. each time?
Thanks, Allen

I lose seat positions but not radio settings. When I reconnect the battery I immediately reset the #1 seat position that way I really only lose the #2 position. I also get a prompt to open and close the drivers window. I towed my 2024 about 6k miles last summer without issue.