Chevy Colorado battery disconnect

[Dbud428]

Hello,
I just bought a 2019 Chevy Colorado LT and I am setting it up for towing 4 down. The baseplate and towbar side of the equation is done, and I have purchased a battery backup to power the brake buddy, because I have to disconnect the battery while towing.
I was going to use a knife switch type of disconnect so that I could easily connect/disconnect the battery when towing, but the battery’s positive post has an assembly over it that distributes current to several large fuses making installation of the knife switch impossible.
Has anyone installed a disconnect on one of these trucks? If so what did you use? I really would rather not have to keep taking the cable off the battery every time I need to tow.
Thanks for your help!
Dale

[LJowdy]

Why not disconnect the negative side of the battery using one of these. (They work great) All you have to do is to twist the green knob.

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Dis...a-601662578568

[exgman]

I disconnect the negative side of mine with a knife switch like you’re talking about. Works great. Road master also makes a disconnect that you can operate from inside the cab. I know Dutch Star Don uses one.

[Finance]

I removed the short bit of cable from the positive. Installed the low tech type with the knob and made a new short cable from the disconnect to the fuse block.

I have read of others who used the remote relay type disconnect with a switch in the cabin.

[vettenuts]

I used the Roadmaster remote disconnect and installed a small bracket to mount the switch so I didn’t have to drill my panel inside the truck. Here is a link to my installation.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/chevy...on-399364.html

[Granite17]

Originally Posted by vettenuts

I used the Roadmaster remote disconnect and installed a small bracket to mount the switch so I didn’t have to drill my panel inside the truck. Here is a link to my installation.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/chevy...on-399364.html

You can install it under the dash next to the steering column. Will not be able to see it and no worries
screwing it in.

[dan-nickie]

I use a knife blade disconnect switch on my negative cable, which I thought was the one recommended.

[Divide Wee]

I am getting ready to set up a Chevy Silverado to be towed. I was looking for the answer to the same issue and checked the owners manual. GM recommends disconnecting the negative side not the positive. Most likely due to the mess on top of the battery. I found a locking solenoid setup, similar to the one above, and plan on using it on the negative side.

[LarryinID]

I currently use a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk as my toad. No need to disconnect the battery because you tow with the button OFF.

I suppose the GMC vehicles want you to do that because they still use a mechanical steering lock and this require the key in ACC position to unlock the steering to tow. One of the reasons I bought a GMC Canyon is so it might in the future become my toad. This discourages me from doing that.

Newer push button vehicles have done away with the mechanical steering lock. I wonder if you could have it removed?

[LarryinID]

BTW it is amazing GMC vehicles use the proven unsafe and useless steering wheel lock technology: https://carsafe.org/steering-locks/

PS: I checked my new Canyon. it really has steering wheel lock.

[redcolorado]

The reason for disconnecting the battery on the Colorado/Canyon is because of the electric power steering assist. It is always active. When I first got my Colorado I towed it with the key in the off position (the steering wheel locks when the key is removed not when it is turned off) and the battery connected. After 6 hours I had a dead battery. I installed a Battery Brain 5 years ago and have not had a repeat issue.
There is a long thread about the Colorado/Canyon under Toads that starts in November 2014. Good reading and will answer most of your questions.

[LarryinID]

Originally Posted by redcolorado

The reason for disconnecting the battery on the Colorado/Canyon is because of the electric power steering assist. It is always active. When I first got my Colorado I towed it with the key in the off position (the steering wheel locks when the key is removed not when it is turned off) and the battery connected. After 6 hours I had a dead battery. I installed a Battery Brain 5 years ago and have not had a repeat issue.
There is a long thread about the Colorado/Canyon under Toads that starts in November 2014. Good reading and will answer most of your questions.

That’s interesting because Jeep Cherokees prior to 2019 had a problem called the ” death wobble”. The solution is a fix that keeps the electric steering powered.

I have trouble believing the steering stays powered with the key off.

In any case the GMC solution to unhook the battery means using brake systems like brake buddy, which need power, more difficult. Also means the brake lights won’t work when using one.

[vettenuts]

Originally Posted by LarryinID

That’s interesting because Jeep Cherokees prior to 2019 had a problem called the ” death wobble”. The solution is a fix that keeps the electric steering powered.

I have trouble believing the steering stays powered with the key off.

In any case the GMC solution to unhook the battery means using brake systems like brake buddy, which need power, more difficult. Also means the brake lights won’t work when using one.

Brake lights are powered straight off the seven pin just like a trailer.



Unfortunately I didn't find out until after I installed the diode kit, but they make a straight quick plug and play for the lights. Simply disconnect the tail lights cables at the rear and plug in the pigtail.

[Dennis4809]

2019 Blazer AWD. Trans in neutral, shut off engine, tow away. No need to disconnect battery nor fuses to pull.

You could disconnect the battery but still run a separate power outlet off the battery to power the brake. I installed one as the factory outlets power down after a few minutes.