Towing behind a motorhome

[bgneumann]

We bought a 2021 Encore GX AWD Essence to tow behind our motorhome. Sorry for long story … shows you where we are with big corporations these days …. after sale marketing arrogance, buy the car & then goodbye … hoping my adventures with Buick customer support sheds some light. Per vehicle manual the car is 4 wheel down towable. We have had installed the BlueOX baseplate BX1520, towbar BX7420, safety cables, extension wiring, Brake Buddy Select 3 braking assistance, etc. The 7 pin connector from motorhome provides all connections. Our motorhome is a 2019 Tiffin Allegro RED 33AA with bigger diesel engine more than adequate to pull the under 5K pound GX.

Following are our issues limited to Encore GX AWD dinghy tow option process & airbag icons:

GM / Buick is very reluctant to correct their own manual, their customer support says it is “… complicated” but would forward concerns. Manual needs clarifications. Did contact dealers & they advised as per below. Customer support will not, it seems, provide simple advice / corrections via email. We will be following advice of dealer service departments.

Manual says 2021 Encore GX AWD can be towed 4 wheels down.

Issues with 2021 Encore GX manual (Page 312):

• Steps 1 & 2 seem to be correct.
• AWD can be towed. Vehicle has AWD & FWD mode. Vehicle manual does not say that mode must be in AWD mode. Perhaps it can be assumed but manual is not explicit & should state so.
• Step 3, manual says put vehicle in ACC / ACCESSORY by pressing ENGINE START/STOP one time without brake pedal applied. It should say hold the ACC / ACCESSORY down for some 5 seconds until chime sounds, without brake pedal applied. If you hold the brake down the car will start; you do not want that.
• Step 4, manual says to shift into Neutral & chime will ring continuously for 30 seconds. Leave transmission in Neutral. It should say shift into Neutral with brake applied (otherwise cannot shift). And, if I recall, the chime was ringing in previous step, not ringing after shifting.
• Steps 5, 6 & 7 seem to be correct.

Tried several times to communicate this to GM / Buick customer support by email & telephone …. they are reluctant to clarify & say changing the manual is “complicated” & even referred me to the manual publisher, as if he knew how to operate the vehicle better than Buick. Of course, publisher correctly suggested to contact the vehicle manufacturer. Contacted the dealer &, at first, he was also confused but advised that with above manual clarifications the vehicle is correctly placed in tow mode. Trying to get Buick / GM manufacturer to clarify their manual or at least confirm via email to avoid confusion & future issues.

Another item involves the lit icon for airbags in panel above the mirror. When passenger is seated it illuminates with a black balloon / passenger with a #2 (assume air bag active). When there is no passenger it illuminates with a X (assume air bag not active); simple to understand. However, the manual states that these lit icons should go out after a few seconds travel & if they do not go out then there may be some thing wrong with wiring connections. Again, no clarification from Buick, GM nor dealer. Dealer says “That’s OK, it’s normal … all cars do that !!” When I showed him the manual, he again said that’s normal.

There are many complicated items to describe in a manual (omissions & clarifications probably always needed); important ones should be explicit & correct. With all the new electronics new owners of new vehicles look to the manual for exact step by step instructions & should expect not to get run arounds from manufacturer customer support.

Have logically suggested if the customer service center cannot reply, they should relay concerns to their appropriate design / technical departments within head office (where the car is designed) not dealers.
Maybe we need to contact South Korea where the vehicle is built. Would have thought contacting Buick head office designers here or in Michigan makes much more common sense.

We will operate the car as per above clarifications. So far have only towed a short distance but hoping to travel to Chicago & Florida later this year if borders open.

Would love to hear from others about towing mode.

Other than our customer support experience are we very happy with the GX …. It is a nice size carries 2 golf bags & carts, has adequate pep & very comfortable to drive.

 

[wrapped]

We just purchased 21 encore and will be towing behind our motorhome. We have the Sport Touring pkg which has it's own baseplate and is roadmaster only item so far and is backordered but should have everything in a few weeks . We're full-time and should have everything ready by fall when we head to Florida. What braking setup are you using. Hope you keep posting your information ill keep checking in.

 

[bgneumann]

We just purchased 21 encore and will be towing behind our motorhome. We have the Sport Touring pkg which has it's own baseplate and is roadmaster only item so far and is backordered but should have everything in a few weeks . We're full-time and should have everything ready by fall when we head to Florida. What braking setup are you using. Hope you keep posting your information ill keep checking in.

Am in Quebec & all the tow package dealers (we used Attaches Ethier in Saint-Jerome) that I researched in Quebec all use Blue Ox & Brake Buddy (we have Select 3).

We did not get the GX Sport Touring package vehicle as Blue Ox baseplate is not compatible.
Safe travels.

 

[bgneumann]

Note to "wrapped":

You state
"I put it in park shut off engine push start button and hold,foot NOT on brake ,light turns green now shift to neutral."

When you say '.... shift to neutral.' .... did you have to push on your brake pedal to shift ??

Please confirm.

 

[wrapped]

Yes .

 

[wrapped]

No Company makes a baseplate to flat tow a car that can't be flat towed.

 

[bgneumann]

No Company makes a baseplate to flat tow a car that can't be flat towed.

Not sure what you are trying to say ....

 

[wrapped]

Not sure what you are trying to say ....

Sorry that reply was to someone saying the 21 encore GX couldn't be flat towed

 

[Orion42]

We are setting our gx for towing also baseplate is on backorder. I put it in park shut off engine push start button and hold,foot NOT on brake ,light turns green now shift to neutral. Let me now what brake system you use and how it tows,mine won't be ready for a while. We have the sport touring pkg and only 1 company makes a baseplate for it.

Do you have front parking assist sensors in your front bumper, and if so, did you find a baseplate that works with that?

 

[wrapped]

Do you have front parking assist sensors in your front bumper, and if so, did you find a baseplate that works with that?

No front park assist and roadmaster is the only one making baseplate for gx with sport touring pkg no one else has a ST car to use for mockup.

 

[wrapped]

We bought a 2021 Encore GX AWD Essence to tow behind our motorhome. Sorry for long story … shows you where we are with big corporations these days …. after sale marketing arrogance, buy the car & then goodbye … hoping my adventures with Buick customer support sheds some light. Per vehicle manual the car is 4 wheel down towable. We have had installed the BlueOX baseplate BX1520, towbar BX7420, safety cables, extension wiring, Brake Buddy Select 3 braking assistance, etc. The 7 pin connector from motorhome provides all connections. Our motorhome is a 2019 Tiffin Allegro RED 33AA with bigger diesel engine more than adequate to pull the under 5K pound GX.

Following are our issues limited to Encore GX AWD dinghy tow option process & airbag icons:

GM / Buick is very reluctant to correct their own manual, their customer support says it is “… complicated” but would forward concerns. Manual needs clarifications. Did contact dealers & they advised as per below. Customer support will not, it seems, provide simple advice / corrections via email. We will be following advice of dealer service departments.

Manual says 2021 Encore GX AWD can be towed 4 wheels down.

Issues with 2021 Encore GX manual (Page 312):

• Steps 1 & 2 seem to be correct.
• AWD can be towed. Vehicle has AWD & FWD mode. Vehicle manual does not say that mode must be in AWD mode. Perhaps it can be assumed but manual is not explicit & should state so.
• Step 3, manual says put vehicle in ACC / ACCESSORY by pressing ENGINE START/STOP one time without brake pedal applied. It should say hold the ACC / ACCESSORY down for some 5 seconds until chime sounds, without brake pedal applied. If you hold the brake down the car will start; you do not want that.
• Step 4, manual says to shift into Neutral & chime will ring continuously for 30 seconds. Leave transmission in Neutral. It should say shift into Neutral with brake applied (otherwise cannot shift). And, if I recall, the chime was ringing in previous step, not ringing after shifting.
• Steps 5, 6 & 7 seem to be correct.

Tried several times to communicate this to GM / Buick customer support by email & telephone …. they are reluctant to clarify & say changing the manual is “complicated” & even referred me to the manual publisher, as if he knew how to operate the vehicle better than Buick. Of course, publisher correctly suggested to contact the vehicle manufacturer. Contacted the dealer &, at first, he was also confused but advised that with above manual clarifications the vehicle is correctly placed in tow mode. Trying to get Buick / GM manufacturer to clarify their manual or at least confirm via email to avoid confusion & future issues.

Another item involves the lit icon for airbags in panel above the mirror. When passenger is seated it illuminates with a black balloon / passenger with a #2 (assume air bag active). When there is no passenger it illuminates with a X (assume air bag not active); simple to understand. However, the manual states that these lit icons should go out after a few seconds travel & if they do not go out then there may be some thing wrong with wiring connections. Again, no clarification from Buick, GM nor dealer. Dealer says “That’s OK, it’s normal … all cars do that !!” When I showed him the manual, he again said that’s normal.

There are many complicated items to describe in a manual (omissions & clarifications probably always needed); important ones should be explicit & correct. With all the new electronics new owners of new vehicles look to the manual for exact step by step instructions & should expect not to get run arounds from manufacturer customer support.

Have logically suggested if the customer service center cannot reply, they should relay concerns to their appropriate design / technical departments within head office (where the car is designed) not dealers.
Maybe we need to contact South Korea where the vehicle is built. Would have thought contacting Buick head office designers here or in Michigan makes much more common sense.

We will operate the car as per above clarifications. So far have only towed a short distance but hoping to travel to Chicago & Florida later this year if borders open.

Would love to hear from others about towing mode.

Other than our customer support experience are we very happy with the GX …. It is a nice size carries 2 golf bags & carts, has adequate pep & very comfortable to drive.

 

[wrapped]

Did you figure out if you need to put in awd to tow?

 

[wrapped]

Did you figure out if you need to put in awd to tow?

I start car put foot on brake shift to neutral push start/stop button shut engine off still in neutral chime doesn't stop but car is ready to tow, now have to find out if it has to be in awd, and can I leave neg battery cable on and charge battery from motorhome plug. Not getting much help from anyone.

 

[wrapped]

Yesterday called buick dealer about flat towing procedures his online owners manual says with car running shift to neutral shut off engine. I should have everything to flat tow by next Tuesday ,I'm installing everything myself, baseplate, taillight wiring battery disconnect,battery charger and brake setup.

 

[Orion42]

We bought a 2021 Encore GX AWD Essence to tow behind our motorhome. Sorry for long story … shows you where we are with big corporations these days …. after sale marketing arrogance, buy the car & then goodbye … hoping my adventures with Buick customer support sheds some light. Per vehicle manual the car is 4 wheel down towable. We have had installed the BlueOX baseplate BX1520, towbar BX7420, safety cables, extension wiring, Brake Buddy Select 3 braking assistance, etc. The 7 pin connector from motorhome provides all connections. Our motorhome is a 2019 Tiffin Allegro RED 33AA with bigger diesel engine more than adequate to pull the under 5K pound GX.

Following are our issues limited to Encore GX AWD dinghy tow option process & airbag icons:

GM / Buick is very reluctant to correct their own manual, their customer support says it is “… complicated” but would forward concerns. Manual needs clarifications. Did contact dealers & they advised as per below. Customer support will not, it seems, provide simple advice / corrections via email. We will be following advice of dealer service departments.

Manual says 2021 Encore GX AWD can be towed 4 wheels down.

Issues with 2021 Encore GX manual (Page 312):

• Steps 1 & 2 seem to be correct.
• AWD can be towed. Vehicle has AWD & FWD mode. Vehicle manual does not say that mode must be in AWD mode. Perhaps it can be assumed but manual is not explicit & should state so.
• Step 3, manual says put vehicle in ACC / ACCESSORY by pressing ENGINE START/STOP one time without brake pedal applied. It should say hold the ACC / ACCESSORY down for some 5 seconds until chime sounds, without brake pedal applied. If you hold the brake down the car will start; you do not want that.
• Step 4, manual says to shift into Neutral & chime will ring continuously for 30 seconds. Leave transmission in Neutral. It should say shift into Neutral with brake applied (otherwise cannot shift). And, if I recall, the chime was ringing in previous step, not ringing after shifting.
• Steps 5, 6 & 7 seem to be correct.

Tried several times to communicate this to GM / Buick customer support by email & telephone …. they are reluctant to clarify & say changing the manual is “complicated” & even referred me to the manual publisher, as if he knew how to operate the vehicle better than Buick. Of course, publisher correctly suggested to contact the vehicle manufacturer. Contacted the dealer &, at first, he was also confused but advised that with above manual clarifications the vehicle is correctly placed in tow mode. Trying to get Buick / GM manufacturer to clarify their manual or at least confirm via email to avoid confusion & future issues.

Another item involves the lit icon for airbags in panel above the mirror. When passenger is seated it illuminates with a black balloon / passenger with a #2 (assume air bag active). When there is no passenger it illuminates with a X (assume air bag not active); simple to understand. However, the manual states that these lit icons should go out after a few seconds travel & if they do not go out then there may be some thing wrong with wiring connections. Again, no clarification from Buick, GM nor dealer. Dealer says “That’s OK, it’s normal … all cars do that !!” When I showed him the manual, he again said that’s normal.

There are many complicated items to describe in a manual (omissions & clarifications probably always needed); important ones should be explicit & correct. With all the new electronics new owners of new vehicles look to the manual for exact step by step instructions & should expect not to get run arounds from manufacturer customer support.

Have logically suggested if the customer service center cannot reply, they should relay concerns to their appropriate design / technical departments within head office (where the car is designed) not dealers.
Maybe we need to contact South Korea where the vehicle is built. Would have thought contacting Buick head office designers here or in Michigan makes much more common sense.

We will operate the car as per above clarifications. So far have only towed a short distance but hoping to travel to Chicago & Florida later this year if borders open.

Would love to hear from others about towing mode.

Other than our customer support experience are we very happy with the GX …. It is a nice size carries 2 golf bags & carts, has adequate pep & very comfortable to drive.

Thanks for the excellent, comprehensive writeup. This solves a quandary for me regarding my toad options.

 

[wrapped]

Finished installing baseplate 4 1/2 hours not bad at all, only surprise was ac didn't work after installing, outside air temperature said -40 degrees, after driving for 10 minutes all was good I guess after unplugging front wire harness, the sensor is in front facia, it had to reboot.

 

[rrevis]

We purchased a 2021 Encore GX Essence last Monday. Had the dealer in stall the Blue Ox base plate on Tuesday ($500 labor). Hooked up to the motorhome Tuesday afternoon and followed the directions on putting the car in neutral (hold the start button until it beeps/light blinks) and then disconnected the battery. Left Wednesday morning for home. Drove 250 miles Wednesday and 200 miles Thursday. Followed the directions to unhook the car. It started right up with no issues. It even kept the radio setting we had before disconnecting the battery. Towed like brand new (pun intended). Did not start the car before towing either day, by the way we left the car in FWD. Hope this continues for a long time. The dealer was Magic City Chevrolet in Covington, VA. A great team there. My salesman was Anthony Thompson and was just super. He stayed on top of everything to make sure got done on time and to our satisfaction. Even gave us an Encore GX to drive while we were there.
Hope this helps.

 

[G-354632]

We purchased a 2021 Encore GX Essence last Monday. Had the dealer in stall the Blue Ox base plate on Tuesday ($500 labor). Hooked up to the motorhome Tuesday afternoon and followed the directions on putting the car in neutral (hold the start button until it beeps/light blinks) and then disconnected the battery. Left Wednesday morning for home. Drove 250 miles Wednesday and 200 miles Thursday. Followed the directions to unhook the car. It started right up with no issues. It even kept the radio setting we had before disconnecting the battery. Towed like brand new (pun intended). Did not start the car before towing either day, by the way we left the car in FWD. Hope this continues for a long time. The dealer was Magic City Chevrolet in Covington, VA. A great team there. My salesman was Anthony Thompson and was just super. He stayed on top of everything to make sure got done on time and to our satisfaction. Even gave us an Encore GX to drive while we were there.
Hope this helps.

Did you leave the engine running put in neutral then push button to shut off engine?

 

[rrevis]

I did not have the car running when I put it in neutral.

 

[wrapped]

Finished wiring taillights with diodes 3hrs,battery disconnect switch 2hrs, battery charger and brake a way switch 1hr. Very happy with everything, first tow all goods