Why Do Some Vehicles Need Battery Disconnected When Flat Towed

Updated 12/09/2024 | Published 12/06/2024

Question:

I just installed these on my 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71. Many of your products have a video to show the step by step instructions for installing the item. Unfortunately, there was no video for the Chevy, but there was one for the GMC Canyon. It was helpful to see the process, but there are some differences with the overall design of the Colorado vs the Canyon. Having installed a few baseplates on other vehicles, I found the written instructions with photos to be sufficient to get the job done. One difference is a battery disconnect is mentioned in the GMC instructions, so I installed one on my truck. After the fact, I looked at the QandA for this model and saw it mentioned that a battery disconnect is mentioned here as well. I checked the owners’ manual for the 2024 Chevy Colorado and it does not mention the need to disconnect the battery to flat tow the truck. Previously, I setup a Chevy Trail Blazer for towing and the owners’ manually specifically said the battery must be disconnected to flat tow. All that said, can you explain if and why a battery disconnect would be needed when flat towing the 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71 with a 2 Speed transfer case that can be placed in Neutral? Is it a necessity or requirement? Thanks in advance. I truly love your website, customer service and the simplicity in ordering products.

asked by: Joseph M

Expert Reply:

Hey Joseph, thank you for the kind words and the feedback on your base plate kit install. Battery disconnects are typically needed because the key of the truck needs to be in on position so that the steering wheel will be unlocked and the battery won't get drained since that normally turns on radio and dash lights etc.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Joseph M.

12/9/2024

Hey Jameson. I was a little confused with your answer. My truck, as well as the Trail Blazer I had, have push button ignitions and the steering wheel does not lock, even when the vehicle is off. Additionally, I previously towed a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 that used a key and had a locking steering wheel. I was not required to disconnect the battery on that truck and the steering wheel automatically unlocked when the transfer case was put in Neutral. Today I finally got a test run on towing the new truck prior to heading out on a trip. What I found was the transfer case AND the transmission must be in Neutral on the 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71 according to the owners manual. When the transmission is in Neutral and the engine is shut off, the dash board lights, radio and components will not shut off and a warning comes up saying, “Shift Into Park.” To clear all the dash lights, bells and buzzers, the battery must be disconnected. The Trail Blazer was the same regarding the battery disconnect and the dash components remaining lit and ringing. So, this made sense to me when setting up the Colorado for towing. Please let me know if any information I have provided is in conflict with anything your experts are aware of regarding this set-up. Again, I appreciate etrailer.com for everything the company provides for us consumers. Thanks, JM