Tow Dolly/Buick Enclave Advise

[gfarmcafe]

We own a 2020 Buick Enclave that we want to haul it on a dolly behind our motorhome. It is front wheel drive, so the front wheels must be on it. The owners manual says it can be done as long as the neutral battery cable is disconnected. I'm concerned about losing memory settings, so wondering if anyone else has had to do this and what kind of settings must be reset once it's off the dolly. Seems like a big pain, but it's less expensive than trading cars, or buying an 18' flat bed trailer.

[bsheet2]

I think the owners manual is giving directions on how to "flat tow" the car, with all wheels on the ground. You should not have to do that if you are towing on a dolly. Suggest you investigate flat towing and dolly towing on the internet to make sure understand all this.

[twinboat]

Just read your manual, yup, for dolly towing,, they require the negative cable to be removed after following a few steps to override the electric parking brake.

They may require removing the negative cable so the parking brake doesn't come on.

I would add a battery disconnect switch.

[Dodge Guy]

These have electric parking brake. Disconnecting the battery elimates the possibility of the brakes accidentally engaging. The memory setting should be kept.

[speedway]

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

These have electric parking brake. Disconnecting the battery elimates the possibility of the brakes accidentally engaging. The memory setting should be kept.

What would cause the park brake to engage on its own?

[Dodge Guy]

Originally Posted by speedway

What would cause the park brake to engage on its own?

Possible low voltage if the battery runs down. New vehicles with all the various electrical systems do crazy things when voltage drops.

BTW, did they change something with the Enclave? They used to be 4 down towable.maybe they changed the trans? The 6 speed was towable.

[speedway]

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

Possible low voltage if the battery runs down. New vehicles with all the various electrical systems do crazy things when voltage drops.

BTW, did they change something with the Enclave? They used to be 4 down towable.maybe they changed the trans? The 6 speed was towable.

This is my first Enclave, it has 9 speed trans. My previous tow was SRX Cadillac which was easy to load and didn’t require anything other than putting in park and locking steering wheel.
I am disappointed that I may have additional steps to take before dolly towing the Enclave.
Should have done more research!

[iowaone]

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

Possible low voltage if the battery runs down. New vehicles with all the various electrical systems do crazy things when voltage drops.



BTW, did they change something with the Enclave? They used to be 4 down towable.maybe they changed the trans? The 6 speed was towable.

Yes
2017 was last year of 4 down on the enclave. The Traverse may be different

[gfarmcafe]

Originally Posted by speedway

What would cause the park brake to engage on its own?

From what I've been told by a Chevrolet/Buick mechanic, a sensor in the electric parking park will engage if the rear wheels are free wheeling, such as the case if the car has the front wheels on the dolly and the battery is not disconnected.

[speedway]

Originally Posted by gfarmcafe

From what I've been told by a Chevrolet/Buick mechanic, a sensor in the electric parking park will engage if the rear wheels are free wheeling, such as the case if the car has the front wheels on the dolly and the battery is not disconnected.

Thanks for the info. I will be ordering a disconnect switch. Can anyone recommend a quality switch?

[Winger2]

Originally Posted by speedway

Thanks for the info. I will be ordering a disconnect switch. Can anyone recommend a quality switch?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T288VN8...p&ref=aa_scomp

[BillJinOR]

Originally Posted by speedway

What would cause the park brake to engage on its own?

The brakes will auto set if it’s off and moves they are electrically controlled …. It’s a safety deal assuming you forgot to set them … lol my 9 speed push button 20 terrain is the same. You have to disconnect power so it doesn’t. I bought a cheap $2500 02 manual escape to 4down tow and sold the dolly leave the comfortable terrain parked at the home base.

[speedway]

Originally Posted by speedway

Thanks for the info. I will be ordering a disconnect switch. Can anyone recommend a quality switch?

Disconnect switch install is looking more difficult than anticipated.
No room for switch close to the battery. I have a spot for mounting switch up by the firewall but the OE negative cable ( with secondary plug ) is too short to move more than an inch or two away from the battery.

Wondering if the emergency brake in on a circuit by itself? If so maybe simpler to pull e brake fuse?

[DutchStarJez]

I would be interested in the fuse idea as well.