Questions to those towing an Equinox with Roadmaster

[Healeyman]

We have inherited my MIL's 2011 Equinox (12K miles). I have read the manual on RV towing and it is.

Since I have a Roadmaster tow bar, I intend to install a Roadmaster base plate.

Roadmaster has two models for this car. The chassis mounted base plate is the same for both models, but one utilizes the cross-bar in front of the grill between the plug-in brackets and the other one does not use the cross-bar.

Which model do you use and why did you choose that model?

Do you use a fuse switch? Any issues there?

How did you configure the tail lights?

Thanks in advance.

Tim

[Carjon]

Until this summer I owned a 2010 That was towed with a Road master tow bar. In 2010 there was only one choice, the one with the crossbar.
Having not seen the one with out I can.t comment. I would look carefully at one with out to see how well it is braced crosswise in the base plate area. There is not a lot of heavy metal in the front of the newer cars. You will want to put a fuse disconnect switch in. Pulling the fuse out where it is located will get old very quick.
I used a Blue Ox lighting kit which contains wire and two bulbs. It is close but you can drill a hole in the tail light and install the bulb. There will no requirement for interface with the cars oem lighting. By the way you will not find anyone unhappy with the way an Equinox tows.

[enblethen]

The MX series allows for the towbar to be connected straight to the brackets without the use of the quick disconnects. The "ears" connect to the Falcon style towbar.
All Terrains come in different configuration. It is for releasing the tension from the sliding arms. Many have the small buttons where the all-terrain have the levers.

[Healeyman]

wildtoad wrote:
I went with the one that does not make use of the cross bar.

That is probably the one that I will go with also. I currently tow a Miata with Roadmaster in-and-rotate brackets. I cannot remove the crossbar without removing the barackets. Unless I am stopped for a while, I drive around with the crossbar in place. UGLY!

wildtoad wrote:
I have not installed a fuse switch ( yet ). I'm sure if I find pulling the fuse a real pain, it may be added to the list.

I have read that some towers have had issues with the fuse-switch in this model car. Probably has to do with using too small wires and/or a high resistance switch and the ECU reads too much voltage loss.

wildtoad wrote:
Camping world is doing the install for me and they will take care of the lights.

In the 3 cars that I have towed and a handful of others in which I have done installations, I have added my own wiring and used individual diodes (no kit) for the lighting. I will probably do the same with this car.

Thanks for your answers.

Tim

[DutchmenSport]

Funny, in 2015 we traded our Sonic for an Equinox. BUT we tow neither, so I have no clue how to hitch em' up.

[Healeyman]

enblethen wrote:
Depends on which tow bar you have.

Bud, Thanks for your input.

I have both the Falcon 2 and the All Terrain. Both RV mounted.

In examining the Installation Instructions, it appears as if either of my tow bars will fit either the 3160-1B AND the 3160-3B.

As an engineer, I can appreciate the added sturdiness of the cross-bar, but I wonder if it is really "necessary". If not, it's just another piece to mess with.

Tim

[wildtoad]

I just went through the decision process for my Chevy sonic. I went with the one that does not make use of the cross bar. Less parts to deal with, but you give up something. Roadmaster has some protective shields that can attach to the tow bar if you use the cross bar, won't with the other.

I have not installed a fuse switch ( yet ). I'm sure if I find pulling the fuse a real pain, it may be added to the list.

Camping world is doing the install for me and they will take care of the lights. There is a Roadmaster accessory kit ( pricey ) which includes wiring, safety chains, locks, tow bar cover.

[enblethen]

I do not have a Equinox but close.
Depends on which tow bar you have. The 3160-3B is for MH mounted towbars. See note 37Roadmaster Brackets