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drifterpilot's avatar
drifterpilot
Explorer
Mar 29, 2019

Towing 2019 Chevy Colorado 4-Down

My owners manual states the following:

CAUTION. Failure to disconnect the negative battery cable or to have it contact the terminals can cause damage to the vehicle.

Can anyone explain this statement or is it just to CYA (Chevrolet)?

I utilize the Blue Ox Towing System with the BrakeBuddy auxiliary braking system. I need an active 12-volt connector to power it. I am aware that I can connect the 12-volt socket right to the battery.

I really don't want to disconnect the neg batt cable every time I set up to tow.

Does anyone flat tow a toad successfully without disconnecting the neg batt cable even though their manual states otherwise?

Thanks
  • IB853347201's avatar
    IB853347201
    Nomad
    Mar 29, 2019
    drifterpilot wrote:
    My owners manual states the following:

    CAUTION. Failure to disconnect the negative battery cable or to have it contact the terminals can cause damage to the vehicle.

    Can anyone explain this statement or is it just to CYA (Chevrolet)?

    I believe that disconnecting is required to disable the electric power steering feature of the Colorado. If left on every time you turn or enter a corner the power steering will constantly try to center the wheels which will cause the truck to wobble back and forth while towing.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 29, 2019
    “I really don't want to disconnect the neg batt cable every time I set up to tow”

    With the right equipment it can be a switch flip.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Mar 29, 2019
    Go on Amazon and purchase a knife style battery disconnect switch (like 20 bucks) and dsconnect the battery. Takes all of 5 seconds.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Mar 29, 2019
    IB853347201 wrote:
    drifterpilot wrote:
    My owners manual states the following:

    CAUTION. Failure to disconnect the negative battery cable or to have it contact the terminals can cause damage to the vehicle.

    Can anyone explain this statement or is it just to CYA (Chevrolet)?

    I believe that disconnecting is required to disable the electric power steering feature of the Colorado. If left on every time you turn or enter a corner the power steering will constantly try to center the wheels which will cause the truck to wobble back and forth while towing.


    Exactly why.
  • dicknellen's avatar
    dicknellen
    Explorer II
    Mar 29, 2019
    Run 12v from RV to a dedicated cig lighter style plug in for your brake buddy plus what SidecarFlip says. Or run 12v direct from battery to dedicated cig lighter plug-in that will not be effected when neg terminal is disconnected.

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