Disabling steering wheel lock on Toad?

[SC5thWheeler]

2022 GMC Canyon (same as a Chevy Colorado)

The setup to tow this truck is to put the transfer case in neutral, turn on the physical key (to unlock the steering wheel) and then disconnect the negative side of the battery (because the key is left on).

This is pretty easy but I'll have to install a battery disconnect switch and run a separate ground wire to the battery to power the braking system

Seems like less hassle to disable or remove the steering lock system and leave the key off and the battery connected. Has anyone done this? Any undesirable side effects to removing it?

 

[NY_Dutch]

Or run a charge line from the tow vehicle to the toad to keep the battery up.

 

[SC5thWheeler]

Or run a charge line from the tow vehicle to the toad to keep the battery up.

That might work, just leave the dash lit up the whole time.

 

[NY_Dutch]

That might work, just leave the dash lit up the whole time.

Does your Canyon have an "Accessory" position that leaves the dash off, and only supplies power to the radio, fan, etc., that can be individually turned off, but still unlocks the steering? Many do...

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I've owned & towed a couple of GM vehicles and they all unlocked the steering with key in ACC rather than ON, but since around 2006 it was still necessary to disable part or all of the electrical system. The reason for that had nothing to do with the key being ON. There are now body computer (BCM) controlled systems that remain active at all times, as long as they have power.

I doubt that a 2022 Canyon even has a steering wheel lock. That sort of anti-theft device went out of style several years ago when keyless lock/unlock became common and was replaced by electronic disablement.

A battery disconnect is quite simple to add. It doesn't even have to be remote - just pop the hood and flip a switch. Takes all of about 10 seconds. But if that's too much hassle, run a remote switch wire to the under-dash area.

 

[SC5thWheeler]

First thanks to @NY_Dutch and @Gary RV_Wizard .

I checked the truck and turned the wheel 180 in both directions and the steering wheel never locked (key out).

I guess I assumed it locked because the owner's manual specifically mentions the steering wheel lock. I'll try to attach a photo of the page... perhaps this is a leftover from when previous years had the steering lock? Thus truck does have a physical key, not just a fob.

If there's no steering wheel lock, is there any reason to turn on the key? This may be a dealer question...........

 

[NY_Dutch]

First thanks to @NY_Dutch and @Gary RV_Wizard .

I checked the truck and turned the wheel 180 in both directions and the steering wheel never locked (key out).

I guess I assumed it locked because the owner's manual specifically mentions the steering wheel lock. I'll try to attach a photo of the page... perhaps this is a leftover from when previous years had the steering lock? Thus truck does have a physical key, not just a fob.

If there's no steering wheel lock, is there any reason to turn on the key? This may be a dealer question...........

I know some vehicles no longer use a steering wheel lock, but I don't know which ones. It does seem your Canyon may be one of them, in which case there would no need for the key.

 

[SC5thWheeler]

I know some vehicles no longer use a steering wheel lock, but I don't know which ones. It does seem your Canyon may be one of them, in which case there would no need for the key.

Well I have to say I'm a little gun shy about ignoring a step in the owner's manual.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

You should be reluctant to ignore the manual, but [unfortunately] errors in the owner manual, especially the towing section, aren't rare. Sometimes just a mistake and other times caused by late changes in design that obsolete what was originally written. This is not the sort of thing that gets "real world" tested at the factory. Dealer techs should have access to GMC Engineering to sort out problems like this, but it's often time consuming and often not a billable expense under warranty services, so many simply won't bother..

Please be aware that it may still be necessary to disconnect the battery ground cable even though the key is off.

 

[Kirk]

I suspect that your manual is guilty of the same thing that other manufacturers often do. Each year there is an update to sections that may be applicable to the specific models, but the generic part is identical between the years and the models. The attitude of the tech writers may well be that leaving that part in doesn't harm the vehicles that have no steering wheel lock but would damage the ones which do.

 

[Laura & Charles]

fwiw: Our 2022 Ford has an electronic park. To flat tow, the battery must be disconnected because, if it senses the car is moving and engine isn’t running, it will automatically put it in park.

I just tried turning the wheel without the key and found, like you, our steering does not lock.

Not to say your GM has that feature; but just wanted to give an example of how there could be a not-so-obvious reason for disconnecting the battery.

 

[Alaskansnowbirds]

One way I think you could check this out is go to a large parking lot, hookup the truck to the MH. With someone walking beside the truck, slowly drive in a circle or make some sharp S turns and see if the front wheels and steering wheel turn. I don't think you have to worry about the parking brake because the transfer case is in neutral. But if the parking brake is a problem, the wheels that are locked by the parking brake will skid as soon as the MH starts to move. Test done!!

As someone else mentioned, you can run a "charge" line from the MH to the truck to keep the battery charged, if needed.

 

[ennored]

Two things.

- The Ignition switch assembly for a 2022 Colorado shows as GM part number 84638333. Google image search finds pictures that show a locking pin.

- Electric power steering.

Both may or may not apply to the exact truck OP has. But either could be reasons for the instructions GM put in the manual.

 

[Ray-IN]

It's not hard to remove a steering wheel lock. Many utubes exist showing how.
If someone is strong enough it can be snapped off with enough strength turning the wheel with engine off.