​​How to Flat-Tow with your Chevrolet​

You need to tow another vehicle behind you. However, it does not need a trailer to do so. It would be easier with one, but in some cases, it could work. How?

MotorTrend has come up with a handy, basic guide to flat-towing another vehicle. Since many of us own a Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, Tahoe, or Suburban, we wanted to use this guide when you need to tow another vehicle without using a trailer. As they explain it, “what we can do is provide some tips and tricks we’ve learned along the way to get you started or help you sort out flat-towing issues you may be having and make sure your toad, or towee, stays behind your tow rig until you disconnect it.”

What is flat-towing exactly? This towing method allows you to pull a vehicle behind a truck, RV, or Motorhome. All four wheels of the towed vehicle are in contact with the ground during towing. Most likely, you will see this type of towing with a Class A recreational vehicle. You can accomplish this using a pickup truck or SUV with a substantial maximum tow rating.

How do you flat-tow another vehicle? You will hook the vehicle up with a tow bar. MotorTrend suggests “make sure your alignment is good enough so that your rig tracks straight and true with you behind the wheel before you try sending it down the road with no occupants. Also, when flat-towing, you need to have the steering wheel unlocked so the front tires can follow the tow vehicle through turns.”

When it comes to the towed vehicle’s electrical system, MotorTrend offers this tip: “Just run marine-type battery terminals. It’s quick and easy to unfasten the wing nut and pull the Positive cable before towing. As for lights, there are cheapie magnetic-base lights you can attach to the vehicle being flat-towed.” Those lights are required by law.

To connect the towed vehicle to your Chevrolet, it should have “a good, quality towbar bracket with Grade 5 (minimum) mounting hardware and safety chain with a solid attachment point is must-haves.” They also add that “you want to pay close attention to the angle of the towbar. Ideally, it will be flat or as close to flat as you can get it. There are a variety of different drop hitches to raise or lower the attachment point depending on how tall your toad is and to where the towbar attaches.”

Considering that a flat-towed vehicle could weigh up to 6,000 pounds or more, take into consideration your maximum tow rating for your Chevrolet. This is why flat-towing with a Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, Tahoe, and Suburban is a great option.

If you are considering these vehicles for your next tow rig, contact us at McFarland Chevrolet to explore how they can help you tow your other vehicle.