Towing behind a motorhome

[bgneumann]

Here's what I do:

1. hook up car to Motorhome, make sure it's in AWD mode
2. Engage 2021 Buick GX Essence parking brake
3. Press & hold down Engine Start / Stop button (WITHOUT brake pedal) until lights up, approx. 3 seconds; manual says once, but nothing happens unless button held for approx 3 seconds
4. Shift gear to Neutral, WITH brake pedal applied. (Car does not start). Leave in Neutral.
5. Release parking brake
6. Disconnect negative battery cable, cover terminal with a plastic battery cap, ensure no contact possible during tow mode.
7. Keep tow speed under 70 mph (113 km/hr).

No problems, driven over 7000 kms towing, 2 years.

 

[Mcli759]

Here's what I do:

1. hook up car to Motorhome
2. Engage 2021 Buick GX Essence parking brake
3. Press & hold down Engine Start / Stop button (WITHOUT brake pedal) until lights up, approx. 3 seconds; manual says once, but nothing happens unless button held for approx 3 seconds
4. Shift gear to Neutral, WITH brake pedal applied. (Car does not start). Leave in Neutral.
5. Release parking brake
6. Disconnect negative battery cable, cover terminal with a plastic battery cap, ensure no contact possible during tow mode.
7. Keep tow speed under 70 mph (113 km/hr).

No problems, driven over 7000 kms towing, 2 years.

We followed your great indyrvtions have now towed our 2021 over 500 miles no issues. Thanks for the help. Have any idea why there is 70 mph limit. I found my self cruising at 75 for about 10 mins not paying attention? Normally I’m on cruise control at .65.

 

[G-711880]

It can overheat the transmission hopefully a few minutes won't hurt but I'd be more careful.

 

[bgneumann]

We followed your great indyrvtions have now towed our 2021 over 500 miles no issues. Thanks for the help. Have any idea why there is 70 mph limit. I found my self cruising at 75 for about 10 mins not paying attention? Normally I’m on cruise control at .65.

Updated what I did, to also add to have in AWD mode.

I also had a decent email discussion with a lady from Buick customer service. I think she now understands that there is confusion with owner manual written instructions on P312. She said she will relay info to appropriate department. Maybe Buick will hopefully issue clarifications re dinghy towing.

 

[G-867973]

I have no idea why the manual says not to exceed 70 mph when towing. Maybe something to do with transmission; am not a mechanic.
In any case, it's just plain common safety sense to limit maximum to 70 mph. While in dinghy tow mode or not that's what we follow ... usually at 65 mph where allowed & always try to stay in right lane.
Happy safe travels.

 

[bgneumann]

Don't know why manual says not to exceed 70 mph while towing. Maybe something to do with transmission ... am not a mechanic.
We always drive while dinghy towing around 65 mph where allowed & try to stay in right lane. Just makes common safety sense.

 

[Mcli759]

Don't know why manual says not to exceed 70 mph while towing. Maybe something to do with transmission ... am not a mechanic.
We always drive while dinghy towing around 65 mph where allowed & try to stay in right lane. Just makes common safety sense.

Question we’ve been towing per the direction for over 1000. Now when I pulled into the campground and started the Buick I have a notice to service AWD Ever see that on your Buick. We’ve been putting it in AWD per your directions.

Don't know why manual says not to exceed 70 mph while towing. Maybe something to do with transmission ... am not a mechanic.
We always drive while dinghy towing around 65 mph where allowed & try to stay in right lane. Just makes common safety sense.

hi one more question. We have now flat towed our 2021 encore GX AWD over 1000
Miles no problem following your directions until today. When we disconnected and restarted the car we have a notification to “ service AWD”. And now the car won’t go into AWD. Press AWD button and it won’t light up. Everything seems to function ok Have you any experience with this issue?

 

[bgneumann]

Take the car to a reputable Buick dealer.
Ours has been serviced 4 times at Buick for oil changes & recall re tire jack. We never had an issue.
Hoping yours is a minor glitch & resolved.

 

[bgneumann]

Take the car to a reputable Buick dealer.
Ours has been serviced 4 times at Buick for oil changes & recall re tire jack. We never had an issue.
Hoping yours is a minor glitch & resolved.

Please advise on how issue resolved.

 

[rrevis]

Question we’ve been towing per the direction for over 1000. Now when I pulled into the campground and started the Buick I have a notice to service AWD Ever see that on your Buick. We’ve been putting it in AWD per your directions.

hi one more question. We have now flat towed our 2021 encore GX AWD over 1000
Miles no problem following your directions until today. When we disconnected and restarted the car we have a notification to “ service AWD”. And now the car won’t go into AWD. Press AWD button and it won’t light up. Everything seems to function ok Have you any experience with this issue?

Had the same problem. Took car to the local dealer and they checked it out. Found a defective, part that switched from 2wd to awd. They ordered the part and replaced it under warranty. No problem since. Hope this helps.

 

[G-341582]

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

What type of brake system do you use?

 

[wrapped]

What type of brake system do you use?

Rvi3

 

[Mcli759]

Please advise on how issue resolved.

Sorry for delay It Cleared itself. I brought it to dealer they could not find anything not even a code in history.
I did discuss the error in the 2021 owners manual
And they looked for updates and gave me this Document Id 5373952. This is a very simple process and it works we towed from Ohio to Cape Cod using these directions. . .
View attachment 44660

 

[wrapped]

Interesting it doesn't mention 2wd or awd, I've been leaving in 2wd since new, probably 6000mi towing and no problems.

 

[Mcli759]

Not sure if original post got all his questions answered ....

WE HAVE the 2021 Encore GX AWD Essence Model. Follow the manual, make sure vehicle is in AWD mode, confirm operation with dealer.
We have now towed it several times, including to Florida & back from Quebec. All is well. It has all the sensor & safety features; the proper baseplate does not interfere with anything. It was installed by a reputable hitch dealer.
I recall that back last year the baseplate for the Sport Touring model (that car had a red trim in front grille) may not be suitable; today I don't know. We don't have the sport model.
We find the Essence model excellent, peppy with the turbo, roomy with rear seats down, for 2 golf bags, lawn chairs electric walk golf cart, etc. This year we had a 2" rear hitch installed & plan to take our 2 bikes to Florida.
The only nuisance is the required disconnect of negative battery terminal ... tight space sine we also have electronic rustproofing attachement at battery. I simply unscrew the negative & place a plastic battery terminal cap over the negative. For the Brake Buddy Safety switch brake cable release we have a portable battery booster with separate connection in rear sear leg space (so GX battery remains disconnected). Investigated using a battery disconnect instead of manuly disconnecting / connecting before / after tow but decided it wasn't that inconvenient to manually disconnect battery. Just make sure you do all the operations, attach tow bar, install Brake Buddy claw to vehicle pedal, AWD tow mode, etc. that require vehicle battery. Remember that power door locks will not work with battery disconnected, but Buick FOB has a key & then one can open driver side to reach rear door lever as well, or to open Buick hood. It will take a learning curve but so does everything.

So far very happy with Buick 2021 Encore GX Essence.
Happy travels.

when you flat towed your 21 encore GX. Did you put it in AWD then shift to neutral, then power off, and then battery disconnect?
I’ve been towing mine for a couple of years without AWD on, but now have a transmission issue. Wondering if the AWD not being on might have caused issue?

 

[Mcli759]

Interesting it doesn't mention 2wd or awd, I've been leaving in 2wd since new, probably 6000mi towing and no problems.

I’ve also towed mine in 2WD, but now it’s in the shop with trans issue. Are you still
Towing in 2WD? Or have learned something new since you last post on this subject?

 

[Mcli759]

Please advise on how issue resolved.

Hi. Are you still flat towing your GX AWD? Have you always placed it in AWD then neutral? I’ve towed ours 6000 plus miles not in AWD, but now have trans issue. Won’t go into reverse, may be unrelated to towing. From forum discussions it sounds like so AWD tow other not.

 

[G-756982]

Still towing in 2wd 9,000mi towing now and heading to Florida keys in 2 weeks 1,500mi . No problems.