Recommended Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2015-2018 GMC Canyon or Chevy Colorado  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are practically the same vehicle with 2 different names. When it comes to flat towing they both have the same instructions and fits. For the 2015-2018 model years you can flat tow a 4WD but you cannot flat tow a 2WD. Whichever way you decide to go, make sure it is a 4WD so you can flat tow it.

A complete flat towing setup includes a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, vehicle tow bar wiring, a supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. Since both the 2015-2018 Canyon and Colorado pickups are so similar the parts you need are the same for either one.

For a base plate kit I recommend the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plate Kit # RM-523182-5 for models without adaptive cruise control. This kit works great with the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain # RM-676. The Nighthawk All Terrain is rated for 8,000 lbs and includes safety cables with the same weight capacity. A 6-Way to 7-Way wiring connector is included with the Nighthawk All Terrain so you just need the Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit # RM-154 to activate the lighting functions on your pickup.

If you have adaptive cruise control, then the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BLU93FR is the way to go. Since Roadmaster and Blue Ox base plate kits have different connectors the Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar # BX7380 is what you need to use instead of the Nighthawk All Terrain. The Alpha tow bar is rated for 6,500 lbs and includes safety cables with the same weight rating.

To get the same wiring setup that I recommended with the Roadmaster option you simply need the RoadMaster Kit # RM-146-7 along with the Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit # RM-154 I mentioned earlier.

Since the battery must be disconnected and your key left in the ACC position, I also recommend installing the Charge Line Kit # RM-156-25 to keep your battery from draining. Simply wire this to the middle pin on your 6-Way connector that came with the Nighthawk All Terrain. If your motorhome doesn't have a charge line run to the 7-Way then you also need the Charge Line Kit # RM-156-75.

To make disconnecting your battery a much quicker process the Automatic Battery Disconnect # RM-766 can be installed. This helps keep your battery terminals and wiring in great condition because you won't have to keep disconnecting and connecting them.

The most popular supplemental braking system that we have is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO # SM99251 if your motorhome has hydraulic brakes. If your motorhome has air brakes then you want the SMI Air Force One # SM99243 instead. Both systems install permanently on your pickup but are designed to stay out of the way when you are not flat towing. When you get ready for flat towing it simply takes making a few quick connections and flipping a switch after the initial installation.

Most flat towing applications require the use of a high-low adapter to ensure that the tow bar can stay fairly level. I have attached a link to our selection of adapters for you to filter through as well as a link to a helpful article that explains how to choose the correct one.

To help keep your tow bar in good shape I recommend using the Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover # RM-055-3 and to help keep your pickup from getting damaged by road debris you can use the Tow Defender Protective Screening # RM-4750.

Be sure to check your owner's manual for specific directions for flat towing.

I have attached some videos and helpful articles that you can reference as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

0

Stanley

8/10/2024

I'm looking at a 2015 colorado . 4WD can be flat towed . How do I make sure it has the neutral mentioned . Is it the usual auto trans stick position or is it on that little dial on the lower left of the pictures I'm looking at ?

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Jon G.

8/12/2024

@Stanley According to the online owner's manual it says the vehicle needs to have the Neutral and Four-Wheel Drive Low setting, which I believe is the stick you're talking about. I don't have any photos of this but if you do an internet search for "2015 Chevy Colorado Four-Wheel Drive Down Shift Knob" you'll see photos that show what this is.

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Stanley

8/12/2024

@JonG hello , thanks for responding . I have found an online manual and was able to zoom in just enough to see that dial . And yes there is 2H 4H 4L N . So it looks alright . The stick I mean is the shifter between the seats . There is also instructions for shift settings and towing four down or dingy . When i shop online for a truck I'll make sure they send me a photo of it . lol

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Jon G.

8/12/2024

@Stanley Glad you were able to find more info as well!

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Stanley

8/12/2024

@JonG Is there an install video for this ? Or a suggestion on who could install it ?

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Jon G.

8/12/2024

@Stanley I'm not sure which exact part you're talking about, but we do have an installer locator tool on each product page. If you click on that link you can then type in your zip code and it will give you a list of installers in your area that we work with. For example, I've linked our locator for base plates to this comment so if that's what you're needing help with you can click on the link and check it out for yourself!

Helpful Links

installer/near-me/tow-bar-base-plate

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Stanley

8/12/2024

@JonG Thanks, that will do it for now

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