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Has anyone set up a 2022 Sierra to flat tow behind a motorhome?

Stratman50th
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Stratman50th Enthusiast

Stratman50th

Posted
Posted (edited)

I traded my 2011 Tahoe in last year for a 2022 Sierra 1500 LTD X-31. We were able to flat tow the Tahoe behind our motorhome without really doing anything to the vehicle itself, which we did for multiple trips and thousands of miles. Bought the Sierra primarily so we could put the golf cart in the bed on occasion.

My question is has anyone set a new Sierra up to flat tow?

The base plate is the easy part. Not sure about the rear light wiring. I had a diode setup with the Tahoe and it worked well. I just don't know if the Sierra lights are as simple as the Tahoe was. Next, GM says you have to disconnect the negative side of the battery. I figured I could just get a marine or some other type of switch to disconnect. The positive side terminal has a crazy connection, but the negative side has a weird terminal connection as well. Once the car power is disconnected I'll still have to have a dedicated 12v running from the battery to a cigarette lighter style connector in the cab to power the aux. brake. 

Lastly, (I think) I've only tried putting the transfer case into neutral once. My 03 Silverado, and the Tahoe were very simple. This thing involves the emergency brake and a sequence of button presses on the 4WD switching, dancing on one foot, tuning around, and an apparent sacrifice to the gods to get the Transfer case switched. Then a similar dance to get it back into gear when you're done. All in sequence as it needs to be done before disconnecting the battery. 

Oh yeah, I guess you have to use the little emergency key to lock and unlock the door since there's no power??

Thanks to anyone who has info and has done it. I'm hoping it's not as complicated as it seems to be.

Edited by Stratman50th
Gangly Senior Enthusiast

Gangly

Posted
Posted (edited)

With the X31 package, getting the transfer case into neutral is easy.  With the engine on, put the transmission in neutral with the parking brake on, then press the 2-Up button five times.  To get it out of neutral is a similar process, but press the 2Up button once. 

 

Personally, I would probably disconnect the drive shaft and prop shaft since they are super easy to do.

Edited by Gangly
  • Thanks 1
diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

I would pick another vehicle to tow unless the truck is needed as a truck. Hauling, towing etc. Did you consider the weight?

Stratman50th Enthusiast

Stratman50th

Posted
  • Author
Posted
4 hours ago, Gangly said:

With the X31 package, getting the transfer case into neutral is easy.  With the engine on, put the transmission in neutral with the parking brake on, then press the 2-Up button five times.  To get it out of neutral is a similar process, but press the 2Up button once. 

 

Personally, I would probably disconnect the drive shaft and prop shaft since they are super easy to do.

Thanks! Going to practice the procedure a few times. 

Stratman50th Enthusiast

Stratman50th

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, diyer2 said:

I would pick another vehicle to tow unless the truck is needed as a truck. Hauling, towing etc. Did you consider the weight?

Weight? It is my daily driver, but like I said we wanted to be able to put our golf cart in the bed when we want. 

Silverado4x4 Senior Enthusiast

Silverado4x4

Posted
Posted
21 hours ago, Stratman50th said:

I traded my 2011 Tahoe in last year for a 2022 Sierra 1500 LTD X-31. We were able to flat tow the Tahoe behind our motorhome without really doing anything to the vehicle itself, which we did for multiple trips and thousands of miles. Bought the Sierra primarily so we could put the golf cart in the bed on occasion.

My question is has anyone set a new Sierra up to flat tow?

The base plate is the easy part. Not sure about the rear light wiring. I had a diode setup with the Tahoe and it worked well. I just don't know if the Sierra lights are as simple as the Tahoe was. Next, GM says you have to disconnect the negative side of the battery. I figured I could just get a marine or some other type of switch to disconnect. The positive side terminal has a crazy connection, but the negative side has a weird terminal connection as well. Once the car power is disconnected I'll still have to have a dedicated 12v running from the battery to a cigarette lighter style connector in the cab to power the aux. brake. 

Lastly, (I think) I've only tried putting the transfer case into neutral once. My 03 Silverado, and the Tahoe were very simple. This thing involves the emergency brake and a sequence of button presses on the 4WD switching, dancing on one foot, tuning around, and an apparent sacrifice to the gods to get the Transfer case switched. Then a similar dance to get it back into gear when you're done. All in sequence as it needs to be done before disconnecting the battery. 

Oh yeah, I guess you have to use the little emergency key to lock and unlock the door since there's no power??

Thanks to anyone who has info and has done it. I'm hoping it's not as complicated as it seems to be.

All that info is in your owners manual as it tells you how to flat tow or dinghy towing.

repairman54 Enthusiast

repairman54

Posted
Posted

Paper manual in glove box is weak. At least it is with my '23. Go online to mychevrolet and view the complete manual as the paper one only glosses over features and procedures.

Stratman50th Enthusiast

Stratman50th

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Some of the things I mentioned I haven't really found addressed in other places which is why I asked. Taillights for instance. The new vehicles seem to have more than their fair share of integrated sensors and wiring. I don't want to brick this electronic wonder just by installing the diodes in the taillights for running and brake lights which are controlled by the coach when plugged in. Gears, parking brake, transfer case are all electronic, or have some electronic controls and/or components. I've never had to disconnect the battery before to tow. Even the base plate which is seemingly a simple bolt on that goes where the tow hooks are now can be dangerously close to the in-bumper sensors for the park assist. So the question is more than just about the actual "towing". Nothing in the manual addresses the actual setup, wiring, auxiliary brake, etc. I've towed several vehicles over the years and this one is the most sophisticated electronically. Oh yeah, I have gone through both the paper manual as well as on line info. Joining and posting here is just another step along the way of getting this vehicle set up to tow.

  • 4 months later...
wenco New Member

wenco

Posted
Posted

flat towing my 2022 GMC Sierra following the directions in the manual and the Roadmaster tow bar installers instructions I get a hot burn smell after i disconnect and drive the vehicle. Fluids seem fine. Goes away after a short drive. any thoughts?

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