Flat Towing a 2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0 L

[luv2bretired]

Originally Posted by NXR

I have a 2020 Equinox Premier 2.0L with the Demco baseplate. I'm sitting on dirt right now but the center of the hole where the adapter inserts is 14" off the ground. A friend with a 2019 installed the Roadmaster baseplate and his was almost 1" higher.

He uses a 4" drop hitch but what you'll need really depends on how high your motorhome hitch is. I also use a 4" but I could have gone with a 6" and been OK because my baseplate sits lower than the Roadmaster.

Yeah, not much help, is this?

Ray

I am looking at purchasing a 2020 Equinox Premier 2.0L as a Toad. Wondering if you still have yours and do you recommend it as a Toad?

[rpasetto]

Originally Posted by Darwin

We tow a 2019 Equinox, it doesn’t record miles. It charms or alarms for 30 minutes when towing. I ran a charging line. Roadmaster sells charging kit which was an easy install. Overall a good tow vehicle.

Has anyone here found a way to shut the 30 minute alarm? Maybe wire a switch in the circuit? That must be taking at least part of the current draw while being towed for the first half hour.

[Hermes2]

Originally Posted by dlduck

Does anybody currently flat tow a 2020 Chevy Equinox 2.0L and does it change the odometer reading ? Also, is there any special work around to prevent the toad's battery from discharging? Any other lessons learned would be appreciated also.
Thank you in advance,
Dave

NXR beat me to the punchline, as usual . I've towed a 2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0L Turbo for two years and 18,000 miles.

SET-UP:

• Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System (SM99251)
• Roadmaster Baseplate w/removable arms (RM-523193-5) -- these have a center height of 15" from the ground for determining correct drop hitch.
• Roadmaster Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit (RM-154)
• Roadmaster Brake Light Switch (RM-751489)
• Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit (RM-156-25)
• Roadmaster RV Battery Charge Line Kit (RM-156-75)
• Roadmaster Nighthawk non-binding Tow Bar (RM-676)
• Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover (RM-055-3)
• Blue Ox 6” Drop Hitch Receiver (BX88130) – 2” shorter than Roadmasters’
• Quiet Hitch U-Bolts for Receiver and Tow Bar (x2)
• MasterLock Hitch Receiver Locks – Keyed Alike (x2)

Tows easy, five minutes to connect or disconnect. Big plus is that we really like the Equinox. Rides well, great ergonomics, lots of bells & whistles. So far its been a great vehicle (and the turbo is quick!).

FWIW, there are a good number of threads on towing the Equinox on the forum, just do a search.

No, the odometer does not register towed miles.

No, you can't shut off the alarm.

[rpasetto]

Originally Posted by Hermes2

NXR beat me to the punchline, as usual . I've towed a 2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0L Turbo for two years and 18,000 miles.

SET-UP:

• Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System (SM99251)
• Roadmaster Baseplate w/removable arms (RM-523193-5) -- these have a center height of 15" from the ground for determining correct drop hitch.
• Roadmaster Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit (RM-154)
• Roadmaster Brake Light Switch (RM-751489)
• Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit (RM-156-25)
• Roadmaster RV Battery Charge Line Kit (RM-156-75)
• Roadmaster Nighthawk non-binding Tow Bar (RM-676)
• Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover (RM-055-3)
• Blue Ox 6” Drop Hitch Receiver (BX88130) – 2” shorter than Roadmasters’
• Quiet Hitch U-Bolts for Receiver and Tow Bar (x2)
• MasterLock Hitch Receiver Locks – Keyed Alike (x2)

Tows easy, five minutes to connect or disconnect. Big plus is that we really like the Equinox. Rides well, great ergonomics, lots of bells & whistles. So far its been a great vehicle (and the turbo is quick!).

FWIW, there are a good number of threads on towing the Equinox on the forum, just do a search.

No, the odometer does not register towed miles.

No, you can't shut off the alarm.

Seems like shutting the alarm chime would be possible if a wire to it, or fuse powering it could be located. Has anyone done that?

[NXR]

Originally Posted by luv2bretired

I am looking at purchasing a 2020 Equinox Premier 2.0L as a Toad. Wondering if you still have yours and do you recommend it as a Toad?

Yes and yes. At 25,000 miles driven I had the dealer inspect the transmission fluid for any color or smell problems, because there is no dipstick, and they said the fluid was like new. I'd towed it about 8,000 miles at that point.

With a solid charge line it just works.

Ray

[NXR]

Originally Posted by rpasetto

Has anyone here found a way to shut the 30 minute alarm? Maybe wire a switch in the circuit? That must be taking at least part of the current draw while being towed for the first half hour.

Unless someone is riding in the car while it's being towed it's irrelevant. A chime might pull all of one one-hundredth of an amp.

It plays through the same system as all warnings so you really do not want to mess with it.

Ray

[luv2bretired]

Appreciate the reply and the information about your setup. I did purchase the equinox so I'm very excited this spring to get it all set up and get on the road. Cheers! Maybe we'll see you out there. ��

[luv2bretired]

This is super helpful for me for the setup that I'll be doing this spring. Purchased my motorhome then downsized my Jeep Grand Cherokee to the Chevy Equinox Premiere 2.0L and your info is GOLD for my future setup. Thanks for taking the time to add all that info to the forum. Cheers!

[jrj89134]

Check with Chevy but I believe only the 1.6lt with a 6 speed transmission is towable? The 2.0 lt has a 8 speed transmission.

[Camp CA]

Not a 2.0L 2020, but a 2021 1.5L AWD............does not change the odometer reading and recommended to have a battery charger installed to minimize battery discharge. Recommend reading the owner's manual on dinghy towing.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by jrj89134

Check with Chevy but I believe only the 1.6lt with a 6 speed transmission is towable? The 2.0 lt has a 8 speed transmission.

Only certain engine/transmission combination of the 2018 model year have flat tow prohibitions. That prohibition was removed for the all combinations beginning with the 2019 model year Equinox.

The 2.0L has a 9-speed.

Ray