How To Set Up a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 To Be Flat-Towed

Published 08/21/2019

Question:

after you shift transfer case to neutral, do you leave transmission in park or shift to neutral

asked by: Bob R

Helpful Expert Reply:

I have attached for you below the proper procedure to flat-tow a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 (Two Speed Transfer Case Only) according to page: 404 of your owner's manual.

1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into N (Neutral)” under Four-Wheel Drive page: 238.
5. With the engine running, release the parking brake and verify that the transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to D (Drive) and then to R (Reverse). There should be no movement while shifting the transmission.
6. Shift the transmission to D (Drive).
7. If equipped with an ignition key, turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY. If equipped with Keyless Access, turn the engine off. Disregard the Shift to P (Park) DIC message. See Ignition Positions (Key Access) page: 219 or Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) page: 221.
8. Disconnect the negative (–) battery cable. See “Negative Battery Cable Disconnection” in Battery - North America page: 341.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column is unlocked.
11. If the vehicle has an ignition key, keep it in the towed vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORY to prevent the steering column from locking. If the vehicle is equipped with Keyless Access, keep the RKE transmitter outside of the vehicle and manually lock the doors. Access the vehicle by using the key in the door lock. See Door Locks page: 45.