Dingy towing a Chevy Colorado

[RossPursuit]

I just bought a Chevy Colorado 4x4 because it was dingy tow-able. Like other vehicles it says to disconnect the negative battery cable once the transfer case is in neutral. Ok I can deal with that. However won't that erase all my radio and engine tweak codes? Other manufactures say to just remove a specific fuse which makes more sense to me.

There must be a better way?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

May remove the radio presets, but many newer vehicles store them in permanent memory. I know my 2014 Buick does.

Modern vehicles have so much electronics that engineers have given up trying to selectively remove power from the ones that may have an impact on towing. Electric power steering, body & engine control computers, traction control, ABS, etc.  Few vehicles can get away with just one or two fuses anymore.

I'd suggest adding a disconnect switch at the battery terminal, either a manual type or one of the nifty remote controls.

 

[RossPursuit]

Ok thank,

I was planning on putting a battery disconnect switch on. I know the last generation of ECUs stored engine data tweaks and thing like check engine light stuff.

I guess the only way to find out out is to pull the battery and see how many things I need to setup after words.

Bought it on the weekend so naturally the salesmen "No problem". Right along with ON-Star works even if you out of Cell phone range because it uses satellite.  It uses the ATT cell network, which doesn't even work at my place. I had to switch to Version.

Thanks,

 

[Alpena Jeff]

I tow a 2018 Canyon and do not lose my presets or anything else.
I have a battery disconnect.

 

[AStravelers]

Does the ignition key lock the steering wheel?  On my 2009 Colorado, the steering wheel is free to move with the ignition key off and the key removed, so I just put the truck in park and remove the key. 

I realize there is a lot of differences in the new Colorado, but it is worth checking.

 

[Alpena Jeff]

Does the ignition key lock the steering wheel?  On my 2009 Colorado, the steering wheel is free to move with the ignition key off and the key removed, so I just put the truck in park and remove the key. 

I realize there is a lot of differences in the new Colorado, but it is worth checking.

If this is directed toward me....
My key is required to be in the ACC position to keep the wheel from locking.

 

[RockyHill]

Does the ignition key lock the steering wheel?  On my 2009 Colorado, the steering wheel is free to move with the ignition key off and the key removed, so I just put the truck in park and remove the key. 

I realize there is a lot of differences in the new Colorado, but it is worth checking.

Ours is older [2007] but does the same.  Nothing to do to battery.

RossPursuit, what year is yours?

Shelia

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The locking steer column (or not) is a federally-mandated anti-theft component. If the vehicle has some other type anti-theft device, e.g. electronic ignition disablement, then the steering will NOT lock.  Vehicles with keyless ignition, for example, do not have locking steer columns.


It has nothing to do with the battery disconnect requirement and most vehicles that allow the key to be off still require either fuses pulled or battery disconnected for 4-down towing.

 

[AStravelers]

The locking steer column (or not) is a federally-mandated anti-theft component. If the vehicle has some other type anti-theft device, e.g. electronic ignition disablement, then the steering will NOT lock.  Vehicles with keyless ignition, for example, do not have locking steer columns.

It has nothing to do with the battery disconnect requirement and most vehicles that allow the key to be off still require either fuses pulled or battery disconnected for 4-down towing.

I am puzzled....If I can put vehicle in park and remove the key, why would there be any need to pull a fuse?  I don't pull a fuse when park the vehicle after driving it.  When I tow, I am just park the truck behind the RV hook it up and away we go.

If the vehicle has some other type anti-theft device, e.g. electronic ignition disablement, then the steering will NOT lock.  Vehicles with keyless ignition, for example, do not have locking steer columns.

The above would apply to just about all vehicles manufactured in the last 10 years or so.  My 2009 Colorado has no really fancy anti-theft stuff, not even a key with a chip in it, and the steering wheel doesn't lock.  I put the truck in park and remove the key and away we go.

 

[RossPursuit]

Thanks for all the reply's.

I put a Neg battery disconnect. I didn't notice any lost data, they must be using non-volatile memory now days.
The Owners manual has a page on Dingy towing with a procedure to put the transfer case in Neutral Key and verify it when into N. The set the key to ACC to unlock the wheel, and Trans in Park, just like my last dingy. 2000 Ford Ranger

Thanks, everyone

Happy Trails