Electric steering & towing
2107 GMC Sierra 4X4 Crew Cab--I am all set up for towing but have a question. When I disconnect the battery I will lose my settings. I found a thingy that plugs into my OBDII port and other end connec...
Forum Discussion
sch911 wrote:
...a vehicle having EPS has introduced a new wrinkle into the Dingy towing scene. Some vehicles with it have needed modifications to the wiring and steering system to insure the steering wheel turns freely when under tow.
Pay close attention to the OM, and follow the instructions carefully for your vehicle.
It sure has. About a year ago, we started towing an inherited Chev. Equinox.
A couple of weeks ago, after a long day of towing, I stopped at a Walmart for fuel. I went to the Equinox to let it run while I got gas.
The battery was dead! I jumped it from a battery pack and decided to tow it, with the engine running, to the Automotive Department to have the original battery replaced.
As I pulled away from the pumps, I noticed that the front wheels were NOT turning to follow the RV. They never did turn to follow the RV. I ended up pulling the front end of the Equinox sideways around corners.
Doing further research, after I got home, I found that Electric Power Steering (EPS) is designed ASSIST the movement induced by the Steering Wheel DOWN to the front wheels.
EPS is also designed NOT to transmit the forces induced by the front wheels UP to the Steering Wheel. That way, if you hit a pot-hole or a curb, the steering wheel will not be ripped from your hands.
With the ignition ON, the EPS is locked, awaiting for directions from the steering wheel.
The bottom line is that, with MY Equinox, the front wheels will not turn to track the RV with the key ON and/or the engine running.
Tim
By-the-way: A new battery solved the non-starting problem.
