Alternatives to a Complete Flat Towing Setup to Transport 2016 Chevy Silverado 2WD

Updated 05/30/2019 | Published 05/28/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(3335)

$575.00

Roadmaster Tow Dolly with Electric Brakes - 4,250 lbs

(9)

$3525.00

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2126)

$575.00

Question:

I’m going to flat tow my silverado from south Texas to west Texas. I’m going to remove the drive shaft... my main question is what tow bar should I use? This will be the only time of me doing this so I don’t want to spend crazy amounts of money ... I just need the best advice to to solve this problem as easily and without breaking the bank... do I have to drill holes? Take off the front number? Tips?

asked by: Gudberto N

Expert Reply:

Flat towing a vehicle behind another vehicle requires a few different components, including a tow bar of course, along with matching base plates that will mount on the frame of the vehicle being towed and connect to the tow bar. Some base plates do require drilling and mods to the front fascia.

Typically a fully legal and safe flat towing setup also includes a lighting/wiring kit, safety cables and a supplemental braking system for the vehicle being towed. The linked article will explain all the needed items in more detail.

The available base plates for a 2016 Silverado 1500 all cost several hundred dollars (roughly $400 to $500) and a compatible tow bar will cost at least as much if not more. You can figure that just about any combination of suitable tow bar and base plate together will cost the better part of a thousand dollars. I linked our pages that show both base plates and tow bars for a 2016 Silverado, such as Roadmaster parts # RM-522 and # RM-3176-1.

Since you are looking for a cost effective way to transport the truck only the one time and not on a repeated basis you may find that your lowest cost option is to rent a tow dolly like # RM-2050-1 or to hire a vehicle transport service. I expect that either of these options will have a lower cost. A few years back I had a vehicle transported 1000-miles cross-country and at that time the cost was under $500.

expert reply by: Adam R