Community Forums

LeeB · 07-26-2020, 08:20 AM

I have a Blue Ox Tow Bar and Base Plate is ordered. I have a RVi2 that a friend gave me (tey gave up RV'n). I still need to get a Battery Charge Line and a Brake Away and install it.

Owners manuel say to pull Fuse #34. BUT in my reading it says I need to pull either #15 or #16 because of a problem with towing the Equinox that is a 4 Cylinder because of a steering problem.

Thanks for any Tips and/or advice and/or Explanation. LeeB

lllkrob · 07-26-2020, 11:07 AM

As per the Chevrolet TSB you now pull the #16 fuse on a 4cyl Equinox. You leave the #32 fuse in place, and turn all accessories off with the key in the ACC position. You will also need to install a charge wire from your coach to the Equinox battery to prevent it from being discharged while towing.

HOWEVER, there is an alternate method of towing. You pull NO fuses and turn the key to full ON position, place the trans in neutral and then turn the key to full OFF position DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. The steering will stay unlocked as long as the key remains in the ignition. You then loop an bunge cord from the seat bottom up around the lower part of the steering wheel and back to the seat bottom. This provides a centering force on the steering wheel to prevent steering wobble. NO charge wire is needed since no electrical drain is on.

NXR · 07-26-2020, 12:00 PM

Please see the attached doc dated Nov. 20, 2017 from Chevrolet that is applicable to the Equinox 2010 through 2017 model years. I saved it from the FMCA forums.

The pulling of the fuse is not to reduce parasitic draw from the battery; it's to disable the anti-lock brakes:

2. Remove the Antilock Brake System Module fuse, from the engine compartment fuse block and store it in a safe location.

Ray

LeeB · 07-27-2020, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllkrob

As per the Chevrolet TSB you now pull the #16 fuse on a 4cyl Equinox. You leave the #32 fuse in place, and turn all accessories off with the key in the ACC position. You will also need to install a charge wire from your coach to the Equinox battery to prevent it from being discharged while towing.

HOWEVER, there is an alternate method of towing. You pull NO fuses and turn the key to full ON position, place the trans in neutral and then turn the key to full OFF position DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. The steering will stay unlocked as long as the key remains in the ignition. You then loop an bunge cord from the seat bottom up around the lower part of the steering wheel and back to the seat bottom. This provides a centering force on the steering wheel to prevent steering wobble. NO charge wire is needed since no electrical drain is on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXR

Please see the attached doc dated Nov. 20, 2017 from Chevrolet that is applicable to the Equinox 2010 through 2017 model years. I saved it from the FMCA forums.

The pulling of the fuse is not to reduce parasitic draw from the battery; it's to disable the anti-lock brakes:

2. Remove the Antilock Brake System Module fuse, from the engine compartment fuse block and store it in a safe location.

Ray

GREAT INFORMATION BUT HOW DO I GET THAT J FUSE #16 OUT?... I already broke off the top and I can't find anything on how to remove the J FUSE..

Thanks LeeB

NXR · 07-27-2020, 01:37 PM

Sorry, dunno. My 2020 does not need any fuses pulled.

Ray

LeeB · 07-27-2020, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXR

Sorry, dunno. My 2020 does not need any fuses pulled.

Ray

Anyone know how to pull a J Fuse?

Thanks LeeB

Cccrider · 07-28-2020, 02:42 PM

Just bought a new MH. Towed my 2015 Equinox 4 yrs, 35,000 miles w/o problem with my previous MH. 180 miles into towing with the new one & horrible wobble in tight construction zone on busy interstate. DW just resigned as backup driver.
Has anyone used the ignition OFF/bungee solution for extended time/miles? Debating that vs the charge line & Fuse 16.
To get back on the road quickly, I'm going to buy the Roadmaster immobilizer (2 or 3 apparently) & raise the hitch back up 2 or 4" to approximate my prior setup.
Anyone run with 4" slope on their Blue Ox Aventa towbar? I think book says 3" max.

NXR · 07-28-2020, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cccrider

Has anyone used the ignition OFF/bungee solution for extended time/miles? Debating that vs the charge line & Fuse 16.

Since pulling the fuse disables the anti-lock brakes I cannot see how the bungee would help. To me the best path is to do what Chevrolet says to do although that could be tough to do on the road.

If your car battery is not dying, I'd pull the fuse and stop a bit more often to run the car engine to recharge the battery.

You might want to read this entire thread: https://community.fmca.com/topic/117...-2017-terrain/

Excerpt:

3. I wonder if removal of the ABS fuse (fuse 16) is a safety issue since many dinghy auxiliary braking systems will activate the ABS system on the dinghy when required in panic conditions.

The removal of the ABS fuse is to disable the active return feature of the electric power steering to allow the wheels to steer more freely during tight turns at low speed. Auxiliary brake controllers should be set up to provide appropriate braking force for the given conditions and not rely on ABS, just like any other trailer. Most trailers do not have ABS.

Ray