Community Forums

DancinCampers · 07-29-2020, 09:33 AM

Ray

My controller has a sensitivity knob for the decelerameter, a push button to activate the car brakes by themselves and a switch to enable latch mode (auto brakes activated in unison with coach brakes). It also has a LED and buzzer to alert when auto brakes are activated.

Dan

NXR · 07-29-2020, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DancinCampers

My controller has a sensitivity knob for the decelerameter, a push button to activate the car brakes by themselves and a switch to enable latch mode (auto brakes activated in unison with coach brakes). It also has a LED and buzzer to alert when auto brakes are activated.

Nice. The only wireless offering now is your last sentence and it's like $250.

There's now a red LED strip in the car which most people put on the back of the rear view mirror. It lights when the brakes are actually applying so you can see the red LEDs in the camera in the motorhome. Many people say it's difficult to see due to sun glare. I decided to put my LED strip at the top of the A pillar on the driver's side. I'm hoping that will reduce any glare effect but we have not yet towed with the motorhome.

The current version has the sensitivity setting, which they term a G setting, inside the car. The car brakes will only activate when the motorhome brakes are being applied and the G sensor detects a deceleration. The brakes are supposed to deactivate below 20 MPH or so.

So there's no longer a way to trigger just the car brakes manually in the event of a sway or wobble problem.

Ray

skyking421 · 01-02-2021, 08:42 AM

I'm finishing the tow install for our 2020 Equinox premier and wonder if the odometer runs while towing.
Thanks, Richard

oldecmech · 01-02-2021, 07:38 PM

Ours does not.

NXR · 01-03-2021, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldecmech

Ours does not.

Same here. 2020 Equinox Premier AWD.

I've always wondered how people are supposed to answer the question on a title transfer as to whether the odometer accurately reflects the mileage, though. The only part of the car that sees no additional mileage is the engine.

Ray

skyking421 · 01-04-2021, 03:59 AM

Ray (NXR),
Somewhat true about the mileage, but the engine is the part that is usually too expensive to replace. Some of the transmission parts turn while towing, but don't have any load on them, so probably get little wear. There are dozens of other wear parts that don't get used while towing, like blowers for A/C or heat, window mechanisms, doors, many lights, wear on seats, all those fancy electronic parts, all the engine compartment pieces that don't run or get heat, like belts, hoses, fans, valves, sensors, radiator, compressor, turbos, pumps, etc.
Well, if nothing else, making the list made me feel a little better about the odometer. The next owner would get a car that is in much better shape, than what the towed mileage would indicate.

BTW, We really like our 2020 Equinox Premier. It rides very smooth and quiet. The 2.0L engine was hard to find, but well worth it to me. It has impressive acceleration, yet gets great mileage on the highway. Love that adaptive cruise control! (My other car came with 650hp, so that's saying something)
Happy travels, Richard

NXR · 01-04-2021, 07:20 AM

Thanks, Richard. I did not make such a list and yours is thoughtful. The axle and transmission, while not powered, are still turning but likely not as stressed.

I, too, have the 2.0L and when I drove a 1.5 it definitely was laggy, especially when merging on to a highway on an entrance ramp that angled up.

My previous car also had adaptive cruise control so that was a must for me. And the heated steering wheel.

I do have AWD but only because I bought the car used (it was a GM company car originally). I'd prefer not having AWD because if any tire needs replaced, you need to replace them all to keep them the same circumference. With AWD on an Equinox, you must have AWD engaged to flat tow and all four tires must be the same size. So if I get a flat and need to install the donut spare, we're driving the car instead of towing it. Or if the AWD malfunctions. <sigh>

But the price was good.

FYI, twice now, within a minute or two after leaving a rest area, we've gotten an OnStar text alert that that the StabiliTrak and AntiLock brakes need serviced within the next seven days. The warning light was on in the car and the dash said the same thing the first time. We continued to tow the car and took it to the dealer the next day. They found some codes that said the StabiliTrak was active for more than fifteen minutes and was automatically shut off.

But by the time we got to the campground, all was normal so it was normal for the dealer as well. The dealer in Nashville said they see a lot of cars that are towed and it is common for them to have numerous fault codes where no fault exists. He thought it might be some electrical spike from the motorhome or something.

I do run the car at rest areas for five minutes and we do shut the motorhome engine off so he may be correct. This is just an FYI because it kind of freaked me out the first time it happened.

The Owners Manual says to just turn the car completely off for a minute to reset the StabiliTrak system but I have not tried that yet.

Ray

Bikinjim · 01-04-2021, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXR

FYI, twice now, within a minute or two after leaving a rest area, we've gotten an OnStar text alert that that the StabiliTrak and AntiLock brakes need serviced within the next seven days. The warning light was on in the car and the dash said the same thing the first time. We continued to tow the car and took it to the dealer the next day. They found some codes that said the StabiliTrak was active for more than fifteen minutes and was automatically shut off.

But by the time we got to the campground, all was normal so it was normal for the dealer as well. The dealer in Nashville said they see a lot of cars that are towed and it is common for them to have numerous fault codes where no fault exists. He thought it might be some electrical spike from the motorhome or something.

I do run the car at rest areas for five minutes and we do shut the motorhome engine off so he may be correct. This is just an FYI because it kind of freaked me out the first time it happened.

The Owners Manual says to just turn the car completely off for a minute to reset the StabiliTrak system but I have not tried that yet.

Ray

I have had that happen on my 2018 Equinox 3 times. In all three cases, the malfunction light went out after driving the car 100 yards. It did not clear by just turning off the car for a period of time.

rtcadman · 01-05-2021, 11:24 AM

We are looking to upgrade our 2014 Equinox for a 2020'ish (newer) model. Wondering if the Blueox tow package can be transferred to our new toad. All suggestions would be appreciated.

NXR · 01-05-2021, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtcadman

We are looking to upgrade our 2014 Equinox for a 2020'ish (newer) model. Wondering if the Blueox tow package can be transferred to our new toad. All suggestions would be appreciated.

You'll probably need a new baseplate. What other items will need transferred, specifically, even though the answer is "probably".

If you select a 2018 Equinox, be aware that there are certain engine/transmission combinations that cannot be flat towed. Be certain to check the Owner's Manual prior to purchasing whatever you select.

Ray

skyking421 · 01-06-2021, 07:52 AM

To rtcadman,

I think the 2020 Equinox is a good choice. AWD will not help you unless you do a lot of driving in snow or serious off roading, but they usually have the 2.0L engine, which I like. A Chevy dealer can search, and trade for, any new car at other dealers. They can signify any options you may want. We found our 2.0L Premier that way. Again, love that Adaptive Cruise. Wife is happy when set on the 3rd distance setting (max).

I installed the Roadmaster Baseplate #523193-5 with the twist off arms. With any baseplate on the Equinox, the whole front fascia has to come off. There are videos on etrailer.com. There are 5 frame attaching bolts on each side, with 2 going into major parts of the frame and 3 others on the frame pinch weld. Once the fascia is off, bolting on the baseplate was not very difficult.
My one glitch was the positioning of the two 1/4" rods, that are used to mount the electrical receptacle. I had to bent them upward quite a bit to get them through the fascia. I'm guessing that something is different on the 2020.
It's best to have a helper for those bulky parts.

Although I don't have anything to compare it to, I am satisfied with the Roadmaster baseplate.
Wish you the best on whatever you choose.
Richard