towing 2014 gmc 4-wheel drive truck.

I would be careful about using one of the setting saver devices. They have you disconnect the battery for a reason. Back feeding through the 12VDC receptacle defeats disconnecting the battery. I am thinking they want the power disconnected to turn off all the computers in the vehicle. Having power may active some braking system that you don't want to engage while towing it. Do the new trucks have electric assist steering? That could explain the warning about the damaging the steering column. Maybe too much road feedback cause the electric assist to overheat.

If needed, there is a small powered unit that you plug into your 12VDC receptacle, formerly known as a cigarette lighter, that provides power to the radio and other items through a 9V battery. NAPA, AutoZone and I believe Wal*Mart carries them.....Dennis

Just talked to the service manager at our dealer and he said there is NO change in the truck from 2013 to 2014 other than a CYA memo by GM to for stall any lawsuits. He said there is no steering lock and he would NOT advise any owner to disconnect the battery..... He read the memo to me and it is as posted by klewis98 and reiterated it was a CYA not due to change. I would suggest talking to your own service manager and ask their advice.

Copyright 2013 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Service Bulletin
File in Section: 00 - General Information
Bulletin No.: 13-00-89-007
Date: June, 2013
INFORMATION
Subject: Information on Recreational, Dinghy or Flat Towing Procedure
Models: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 2-Speed Transfer Case RPO Codes NQG, NQH
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 with 2-Speed Transfer Case RPO Codes NQG, NQH
Some customers may want to tow their vehicle behind
another vehicle with all four tires on the ground. This is
referred to as flat, dinghy towing or even as a
“
toad
”
(slang for towed vehicle).
Towing in this manner is acceptable only on certain
4WD trucks depending on the transfer case option. The
vehicle should be properly equipped and prepared as
described below.
The information contained in this bulletin supplements
the Owner
’
s Manual.
Please provide a copy of this bulletin to customers that
want to dinghy tow their truck.
Towing Set Up Procedure
Notice:
Use extra care whenever towing another
vehicle. Do not exceed the towing vehicle's ratings
such as the gross combination weight rating (GCWR)
by adding the weight of the dinghy towed vehicle or
vehicle damage may result.
Recreational/Dinghy tow basic setup procedures
Four wheel drive pick-ups with a two speed transfer
case (that have a neutral and a 4 low position):
1. Tow only in forward direction. Position the vehicle
to be towed behind the towing vehicle.
2. Securely attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake, start the engine
and shift the transmission to neutral.
Caution:
Shifting the transmission to neutral can
cause the vehicle to roll and may cause personal injury.
4. Shift the transfer case to neutral.
Caution:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can
cause the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in
park (automatic) or 1st gear (manual), and may cause
personal injury.
5. Check for transfer case neutral by shifting
transmission to reverse then drive and verify there
is no engagement.
6. While the transmission is in drive, turn the ignition
key to Accessory.
7. Shift the transmission to Park.
8. Depower the vehicle by removing the negative
cable at the battery. This procedure must be
followed or the steering column could be damaged.
•
Cover the negative battery post with a
nonconducting material and prevent any
contact between the negative battery terminal
and the negative battery cable.
Notice:
If power is provided by accidental contact of
the cable and terminals, damage to the towed vehicle
may result, which would not be covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
9. Verify the steering column is unlocked.
10. Release the park brake only after verifying the
towed vehicle is attached to the towing vehicle.
11. The ignition key must remain in the towed vehicle.
Manually lock the doors and use 2nd key for
access.
Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
1. Leave the truck connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Connect the battery.
3. Set the parking brake and place transmission
in Park.
4. Shift the transfer case to 2 HI.
5. Disconnect the truck from the towing vehicle.
6. Reset any lost presets.
Additional Information
•
Any towing wiring, electronics, controls, lighting or
any other system cannot be tied into the towed
vehicle electronic system or serious damage may
result.
•
There may be a loss of various memory presets.
•
Installation and/or damage caused by equipment
installed or flat towing the truck is not covered
under the terms of the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Page 2 June, 2013 Bulletin No.: 13-00-89-007
All relevant laws and safety procedures regarding
towing vehicles must be followed including but not
limited to:
•
Use of the appropriate running, stopping and
signal lights.
•
Use of an appropriate auxiliary/break-away
braking system in the towed vehicle.
•
Use of the appropriate towing equipment
(including safety chains/cables) rated for the
weight of the towed vehicle.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "
do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described,
DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY
TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION

Depower the vehicle by removing the negative
cable at the battery. This procedure must be
followed or the steering column could be damaged.
•
Cover the negative battery post with a
nonconducting material and prevent any
contact between the negative battery terminal
and the negative battery cable.
Notice:
If power is provided by accidental contact of
the cable and terminals, damage to the towed vehicle
may result, which would not be covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
9. Verify the steering column is unlocked.
10. Release the park brake only after verifying the
towed vehicle is attached to the towing vehicle.
11. The ignition key must remain in the towed vehicle.
Manually lock the doors and use 2nd key for
access

Well,
First off, the OP states that the battery has to be disconnected "as per GM requirement". So, at this point, without reading his/her owners manual, I would assume that he/she is attempting to do things correctly. Yes, our 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 does not require any battery disconnect during towing but, as I've said before many times, THINGS CHANGE! And, it can change from model year to model year. So, at this time, I'd say to the OP, double check your procedure for getting your truck ready to tow, in the owners manual and verify that the battery does IN FACT, need to be disconnected.

And, as has been stated, if in fact the battery needs to be disconnected during towing, then there's a couple of ways out on this issue. You can use a "Knife" switch, like the one shown, or, just disconnect the negative cable or, a charge line from the RV will most likely charge the trucks battery enough to overcome whatever is still on, if the key needs to be in any position but off. Good luck.
Scott

Moved from class A forum

When did GM start requiring a battery disconnect on their trucks? I know the 2011 Silverado does NOT have such a requirement and have had NO problem with a discharged battery after 3 days behind the motorhome without being started. They do NOT have a steering lock, so there is no way for anything to discharge, with the key in your pocket. It is the same as your truck setting in your driveway all day. There is something fishy here.

However, if GM did require something to keep the battery from discharging, I would use a charge line from the motorhome to the battery in the toad and NOT use a disconnect. If you disconnect the battery, you lose all info in the computer and it takes up to 100 driving miles for the vehicle to relearn the settings after you reconnect the battery.

If you only need to disconnect the battery, you could use this.

check your owners manual under recreational towing