Neutral Tow 2023/2024 GMC Truck Cheat Sheet

[Dutch Star Don]

I just bought a new 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. Before I signed on the dotted line, I made the dealer put the truck into NEUTRAL for towing, just to make sure. What a clown car experience. It took a while to figure it out.

GMC no longer gives you a paper Owner's Manual, it's incorporated into the vehicle's memory. You can bring it up on the center screen, but is difficult to find what you need, at least for an old guy like me.

NOTE: If you want a paper Owner's Manual for a GM product, you have to buy it from Helm Inc., about $60.00.

I always type out a cheater form for putting whatever vehicle I'm towing into NEUTRAL. The GMC Manual has a Recreational Tow section, but in line 2 or 3 of the procedure, it tells you to put the transfer case (2 speed) into Neutral, but you have to go to another portion of the Manual to look that up.

So, my procedure is to cut out sections of the Manual and paste it into a Word program. I then cut out the warnings and superfluous stuff.

I just spent the time to make up the cheater and tested it today. With GM vehicles, you have to disconnect the battery when done. I was surprised to see that you have to turn the ignition to Accessory (ACC) and then disconnect the battery. This is different from my 2016 Canyon that required a battery disconnect.

I installed the Roadmaster Electronic Battery Disconnect switch in my truck. It only works with gasoline powered engines. It allows you to just push a button in the vehicle and the battery will disconnect. Works great.

I also run the Demco AF1 and need power for the disconnect safety switch. I found a great ETrailer video that shows you how to wire the AF1 for power when the battery is disconnected and you're using the Roadmaster Disconnect.....it was so simple, I was embarrassed that I didn't think about it.

Here's the Neutral Tow Procedure ......


Shifting into (Neutral)
1. Apply the brake and start the engine.
2. Turn parking brake off.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to 2H.
5. With you foot on the brake, press 2H five times in 10 seconds until the N
(Neutral) graphic starts flashing in the instrument cluster. When the shift is
complete, the graphic stops flashing.
6. With the engine running, verify that the transfer case is in N(Neutral) by
shifting the transmission to D(Drive) and then to R(Reverse).
7. Shift the transmission to P(Park).
8. Turn the vehicle off with door closed.
9. Turn on the ignition without starting the engine. To do this, take your foot off
the brake pedal then press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for five
seconds until the green light on the button is illuminated.
10.Disconnect the positive (+) battery cable.


Shifting Out of (Neutral)
1. Connect positive (+) battery cable.
2. Step on the brake and start engine,
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to 2H. When the shift to 2H is complete, the graphic in
the instrument cluster will stop flashing.

[PanJH]

They do make it challenging !

[Jubalr]

I have the 24 Colorado and it's the same and that looks like it's right out of the manual. I had posted earlier that there is 1 error in the setup as GM posted it: You have to turn off the engine before putting it in park. You'll find that out the first time you try to put it in park with the engine running as it will grind.

The list makes it look more complicated than it is in practice. 3 main points before towing; transfer case in N, shifter in P and battery disconnected. After towing; battery on, shifter in N, start engine, transfer case to 2h.

[Cousin Ed]

We had a 2022 Silverado and each time I hooked up or disconnected I had the manual out and followed it. The '22 was totalled and we now have a '25 with the tiny manual. The whole manual is available online and you can print the pages you need but that was a pain. Don your cheat sheet is much nicer than my manual pages (236, 414, & 415) Note on page 414 Disconnecting # 3 says to turn on ignition without starting!
Thank you for the sheet I'll use it every time.
I told the salesman that for the $ 70K+ I expect them to provide me with the whole manual.

[Skip426]

I believe the instructions are missing the part where you ; rub your tummy with your left hand while patting your head with your right hand .

[Flyer15015]

Seems to me that a pair of driveshaft disconnects would be a whole lot easier / safer.

JMHO
Mike in Colorado

[Dutch Star Don]

Even though this sounds like a pain, it really isn't. My Canyon was pretty close to the same procedure. The very reason I always make the cheater card is, so it goes fast and smooth. I can put it into Neutral Tow in about 3-4 minutes.

[Cousin Ed]

I received this email but some how it never made it to the forum.
I think AveryF got it right


iRV2 Forums
​
You
​
Dear Cousin Ed,

AveryF has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - Neutral Tow 2023/2024 GMC Truck Cheat Sheet - in the Toads and Motorhome Related Towing forum of iRV2 Forums.

This thread is located at:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.ou...%3D&reserved=0

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
We have a '23 GMC Canyon AT4 and we didn't get a traditional owner's manual, either. I downloaded a copy but think I recall that it's actually available some how through the infotainment system as well but I have no idea how to access it.

Anyway, I put together a checklist to set up our Canyon and have laminated copies in the truck and the RV.

*To Dinghy Tow*
1. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
2. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
3. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral).

a. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
b. Shift the transfer case to 2H.
c. Apply the parking brake and/or brake pedal.
d. Press 2H five (5) times in 10 seconds until the N (Neutral) graphic starts flashing in the instrument cluster. The flashing stops when the shift is complete.
4. With the engine running, release the parking brake and verify that the transfer case in in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to D (Drive) and then to R (Reverse). There should be no movement while shifting the transmission.
5. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Turn the vehicle off.
8. Turn on the ignition without starting the engine by taking your foot off the brake and hold ENGINE START/STOP for five seconds until the green light on the button is illuminated.
9. Verify the transmission is in P (Park).
10. Lock doors and disconnect the negative (-) battery cable.

*Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle *
1. Re-connect the negative (-) battery cable.
2. Turn on the ignition without starting the engine by taking your foot off the brake, then press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for five seconds until the green light on the button is illuminated.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Disconnect from the tow vehicle.
5. Start the vehicle.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
7. Shift the transfer case to 2H. When the shift to 2H is complete, the light in the instrument cluster will stop flashing and stay lit.
8. Check that the vehicle is in 2H by starting the engine and shifting the transmission to D (Drive) and then to R (Reverse). There should be movement of the vehicle while shifting.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the vehicle.
***************


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[Old Scout]

Yup--but add in electric steps and push button ignition--now you have some real fun. Also be careful with the electric parking brake--seems there are some conditions that can trigger an auto parking brake set! Final test when leaving the driver's seat is to verify that steering wheel is free to turn. If not, start over!

[AveryF]

Sorry for the confusion, Cousin Ed. I was actually trying to delete the message since it was pretty well addressed in a previous reply but I guess I must've hit the wrong button.

[FIRE UP]

Geeze Don!
I think I've seen pilot check-off sheets for 747's that were less complicated!
Scott

P.S. I think we'll keep our good ole '11 GMC for towing. Transfer case into N, Trans in park, turn off engine, get out, DONE. But I sure like the smell of a new truck!!!

[Dutch Star Don]

My Ford Raptor was only one or two steps less. However, I was always worried about the Ford coming out of Neutral.

Got my low back injection today, to relieve the aches and pains of setting this one up. People wonder why these setups are so expensive. I'm pretty quick and have done 10 set ups over the years now, but I make everything fit with custom brackets and installs which takes time. I've been doing one big project a day. Even for a shop with younger guys and less time-consuming custom installs, it's still many hours to set up.

I wasn't kidding, the hardest part for me at 68 with a bad back is shimmying around on the garage floor. Today, now that everything is done, I had an L4, L5 low back injection. Get my shoulders injected in two weeks and I'll be good for another year. I can afford to pay someone to do it, but I don't trust many people. I worked in the automotive industry in my younger days and there are a lot of crooks and people that do crappy work.

In all honesty, it's like working on a hot rod for me and I enjoy everything but the pain part.

It took me two weeks overall, but I'm done with all the new truck upgrades.

- Tow base plates
- Custom umbilical connections on the front
- Taillight harness
- AFI brake install
- Roadmaster electronic battery disconnect
- Roadmaster custom brake switch/dash indicator
- Front leveling kit
- Black out the running boards
- Custom wheel well liners as none are offered for the Carbon Pro bed
- Tonneau cover
- Emblems delete
- Custom phone holder
- Chrome mirror cap delete
- Black door handle upgrades
- Dash cam hidden wiring and power
- Logo black out on sides and rear
- Cerakote application to all black plastic
- Center console insert
- WeatherTech floor mats
- Bed mat

I'm done, the truck looks custom and it's fun to drive. It's got the 6.2L V-8 and is smidge quicker than my Raptor.