Tips for Installing Reese Tow Bar Bumper Bracket Kit and Flat Towing Parts for 2005 Chevy Colorado  

Question:

Expert Reply:

In order to install the Replacement Bumper Bracket Kit # 40602 on your 2005 Chevy Colorado you will need a professional installer/fabricator experienced in selecting vehicle attachment areas with adequate strength. I have included a picture that has more details.

Also you should know that the Reese tow bar is limited to 5,000 pounds and just 45 miles per hour.

If you would like some alternate recommendations I would use vehicle specific base plates # 3122-1 (excludes Xtreme models). Then you could use a tow bar that is not limited to 45 miles an hour such as the Tracker, # RM-020.

You will also need safety cables # RM-643 if you don't already have a set.

In addition to the base plates, tow bar, and safety cables you will also need a lighting solution. You could use a magnetic kit such as # RM-2120 which will keep costs down. Or for a more permanent solution I recommend a diode kit, # RM-15247.

You may also need a high/low adapter to keep the tow bar level. I have linked a help article showing how to measure and a link to the high/low adapters we carry.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the preferred systems for our installers and what I recommend is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

For a braking system to function properly relay # RM-88400 is required to prevent the towed vehicle's turn signal from overriding the signal from the RV if your towed vehicle is wired with a standard 4-diode kit.

Be sure to consult your vehicle owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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