Towing a Chevy Equinox

[The_Works]

We are new to motorhomes and towing as can be seen in my last post about steering a motorhome. Next issue. We bought a new 2016 Chevy Equinox to be towed behind the motorhome. We had Lazydays install a Blue Ox tow bar on the Equinox and elected to go with a Blue Ox Patriot braking system. For 12vdc power for the braking system I plugged it into the cigarette lighter in the middle of the console. The Equinox owners manual says to put the key in the Auxiliary position, put the car into Neutral remove fuse 32 while towing. When one removes this fuse you loss 12vdc to the Patriot braking system. So what is my next step? Thanks!

[hershey]

TRust me....if you don't pull the fuse, the battery will run down very quickly. Go ahead and ask me how I know that?
I did as others, a dedicated line from the battery to the Brake Buddy. No problems now.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Mr.Mark wrote:

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Don't pull the fuse.
I tow a CR-V Honda and never pull any fuse.
I run the car once or twice a day to keep the battery charged.
You will figure it out.

What does the book say that fuse controls?

Well, that works good for you MP. It all depends on the car. We were required to pull a fuse on our 2013 Honda CR-V (also on the 2007). I had a disconnect switch installed on both as both had Navigation that required that the fuse be removed.

I also run the car at the start and end of each day as required.

The added braking system is the 'clicker'. Ours is connected to the air brakes on the coach so there is no additional system needing power.

The original poster should follow what is in the manual.

If I don't flip the switch, will get a dead battery.

MM.

I spoke too soon. If you have a nav system the battery will probably run down.
Then do like Mr Mark said and run a separate 12 volt wire.
Jerry Parr

[chuckftboy]

I have a Patriot and have towed my Jeep from Florida to Yellowstone without a coach charge line and it didn't kill my battery.

[Heisenberg]

I bought a 12v extension cord at Amazon and get power for my RVI2 brake from the driver side rear compartment. I have a 2012 Equinox which we sometimes prefer to tow over the Wrangler.

[jkcruzer1]

On our 2013, the 12VDC outlet in the cargo area remains hot all the time. A heavy gauge extension might provide power for your Patriot.

[Executive45]

The number 32 fuse controls several things. One important thing is the odometer. Without pulling the fuse, the odometer will rack up miles, the nav system remains active as does the radio. Even with the radio off the nav and radio system are linked and run through the same computer system as the odometer. That's why you can't program the nav system while you're underway...I installed the toggle switch so the fuse doesn't have to be pulled. Install the toggle switch and tap into another power source for your braking system, and you'll be in high cotton.....Dennis

[lanerd]

We tow our Terrain (same as the Equinox...just different body style) 4-down, but have the US Gear Unified Brake system for the car when towing so no additional battery drain as you have with the Patriot system. As mentioned, you just need to provide a different connection for the 12v. HOWEVER, unless you have a auxiliary 12v line coming from the motor home's battery(s) to the toad battery, the Patriot will drain your toad's battery.

If you don't pull fuse 32, you will also have a dead battery once you're at your destination.

I made and installed a switch to toggle fuse 32 off and on so that I wouldn't have to go through the uncomfortable position to pull/install the fuse.


Ron

[DutchmenSport]

I have a 2015 Equinox, but I don't dingy tow it. Here's from my manual: Look like you pull fuse 32 so the battery does not drain. To run you brake system, you may need to run a separate wire from the battery dedicated for the brake system used in the car.



Dinghy Towing

Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles may be dinghy towed from the front. These vehicles can also be towed by placing them on a platform trailer with all four wheels off of the ground. For other towing options, see “Dolly Towing” following in this section.

For vehicles being dinghy towed, the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components.

To tow the vehicle from the front with all four wheels on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle to be towed and secure it to the towing vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
5. Turn all accessories off.
6. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove fuse 32, the Discrete Logic Ignition Switch fuse, from the instrument panel fuse block and store it in a safe location. See Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 10-34.

{Caution
If the vehicle is towed without performing each of the steps listed under “Dinghy Towing,” the automatic transmission could be damaged. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing the vehicle.

{
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed 105 km/h (65 mph) while towing the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Install fuse 32, the Discrete Logic Ignition Switch fuse. See
Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 10-34.
5. Start the engine and let it idle for more than three minutes before
driving the vehicle.


(Here's our "baby" beside "big brother" who simply loves to pull our travel trailer!)

[Mr_Mark1]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Don't pull the fuse.
I tow a CR-V Honda and never pull any fuse.
I run the car once or twice a day to keep the battery charged.
You will figure it out.

What does the book say that fuse controls?

Well, that works good for you MP. It all depends on the car. We were required to pull a fuse on our 2013 Honda CR-V (also on the 2007). I had a disconnect switch installed on both as both had Navigation that required that the fuse be removed.

I also run the car at the start and end of each day as required.

The added braking system is the 'clicker'. Ours is connected to the air brakes on the coach so there is no additional system needing power.

The original poster should follow what is in the manual.

If I don't flip the switch, will get a dead battery.

MM.

[Vegas1]

I experienced the same problem. To solve it, I installed an auxilliary 12 volt plug beneath the dash, close to the console. It was difficult to get the wire through the firewall, but after finally getting it through, I was able to connect it directly to the battery. When you get ready to tow, make sure the ignition is in the "accessory" position and not the "on" position. I learned the hard way after arriving at my destination with a dead battery.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Don't pull the fuse.
I tow a CR-V Honda and never pull any fuse.
I run the car once or twice a day to keep the battery charged.
You will figure it out.

What does the book say that fuse controls?