Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2002 Chevy Suburban 1500 Behind a Motorhome

Updated 04/29/2016 | Published 04/25/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4860)

$482.80

Blue Ox Alpha Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 8,500 lbs

(474)

$1079.00

Roadmaster High-Low Adapter for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 6" Rise/Drop - 6K GTW, 200 lbs TW

(1592)

$98.95

Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass Switch for Towed Vehicles - 20-Amp ATM Mini-Fuse

(363)

$75.23

Universal Magnetic Tow Lights - Red LEDs - 20' Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(203)

$67.33

Question:

I want to know what I would need and what I have to do so that I can tow my 2002 Chevy Suburban 1500 behind my motorhome properly without causing damage to either vehicle.

asked by: Miguel M

Expert Reply:

Flat towing a vehicle behind a motorhome requires a few components. The linked article covers each of these items, which include the tow bar, safety cables, a wiring/lighting solution, base plates, a braking system and often a high/low hitch adapter to keep the tow near level when connected.

The vehicle to be towed also has to be compatible with this method of transport. The vehicle owner's manual will tell you this (usually under the index heading 'recreational towing'). I checked an online owner's manual for the 2002 Suburban but could not find reference to flat towing the vehicle. Check your printed manual for any preparation steps that might be required to ready it for flat towing.

Let's start with base plates. You can use the linked page to select your Vehicle Style using the drop-down menu tool. You'll select the type of tow hooks you have to determine which base plates will fit. For instance, if you have tow hooks bolted externally to the bottom of the frame rails you can use Blue Ox base plates # BX1682. With these I suggest the compatible Blue Ox Alpha bar # BX7380 which includes coiled safety cables - saving you that one expense.

For a lighting kit I suggest an easy-to-install magnetic light kit like # TLL21RK. These do not require you to cut into the vehicle wiring as some other kits do. For a braking system we really like the Blue Ox Patriot # BRK2019 which is a proportional system that will slow the Suburban at the same rate that the motorhome slows down. As a bonus it is easy to install and is fully portable between vehicles.

I linked our page for high/low hitch adapters like the Roadmaster # RM-076. You'll select the one that will allow your tow bar to remain level when connected (or at least within 3-inches of level).