Do you want to flat tow a Chevy Equinox? Is it even possible to flat tow an Equinox? We were curious if you could tow a Chevy Equinox behind an RV so we did a little research and this is what we learned.

Can You Flat Tow A Chevy Equinox?

Yes, you can flat tow a Chevy Equinox. As long as you have the right equipment for the flat towing and as long as you follow the proper steps, you can safely and efficiently tow your Chevy Equinox.

Some cars can simply be flat towed if needed, but the Chevy Equinox is one that can easily be flat towed, which means that it is engineered or built to be so.

Before We Dive In…Here is What You Will Need to Know

Many people reading this part are probably rolling their eyes thinking, “I know how to flat tow a car” or “I do not need a general rundown on flat towing.” Yet, there are so many people, maybe you included, that do need these basic rundowns and you know what? That is perfectly acceptable.

Most people do not learn how to flat tow their car unless they have a reason for it. For example, they love to go camping and they want to bring their vehicle as well as a trailer. Or maybe they are moving across the country and want to bring their car with them so they learned how to flat tow.

Truth be told, unless you have a reason for learning how to flat tow your car then you probably do not know how to flat tow your car. Flat towing your car is not like changing a tire (something we believe everyone should learn just for safety reasons) and not everyone knows how to.

If you already know the flat towing basics then please feel free to step through this section and head over to “The Simple and Easy Way to Flat Tow Your Chevy Equinox.” If not, then please take a few minutes to read about the flat towing basics. 

Flat Towing Basics

What is flat towing?

Now, you might not have known what flat towing is but were asked to flat-tow a vehicle or were told that for your Chevy Equinox, flat towing is preferred over Dolly towing. We will talk more about Dolly towing later (towards the end of the article) if you are interested. 

Flat towing is also called “dinghy towing” or even “four wheels down towing.” Flat towing simply means you are pulling your Chevy Equinox (or any other car) behind another car with all four of the Chevy Equinox’s tires on the road. This is done when the Chevy is behind a recreational vehicle (RV) that has the power to pull it behind it.

Now the opposite of flat towing is using something like a large flatbed tow truck with which to pull a car up onto the bed and then towing it without the vehicle coming into contact with the road at all. This is very important to note because most people brush it off like it is a very small/minor distinction.

In actuality, however, it is very important because flat towing makes the wheels of your car turn and that can definitely impact the drivetrain and transmission of your Chevy Equinox if it is not done correctly.

Flat Towing a Disabled Vehicle | Why You Should Never Do It

Now there is a popular saying, “Never say never” but when it comes to flat towing a disabled vehicle, we really do mean never. You should never flat tow a vehicle that is damaged or disabled. If your Chevy Equinox is damaged or disabled in any way then you will need to call a tow truck.

We understand that it costs more money and it is time-consuming but this is a step you do not want to skip over. The tow truck will then load your vehicle onto a flatbed and tow it somewhere for you. This is important to note because although it may not sound like a big deal, it actually is.

If you flat tow a vehicle that is damaged or disabled in any way, you could void your warranty coverage for it. Please note this does not only apply to a damaged transmission but even something as small as a spare tire-since spare tires was not designed for long-term use which means you should not put a spare tire on a car that is going to be flat towed.

The Simple and Easy Way to Flat Tow Your Chevy Equinox

Flat towing your Chevy Equinox is luckily, a lot easier than it looks. If this is your first time, please consult your Chevy Equinox owner’s manual to ensure that you have gotten each step right. If you can’t find your booklet, you can easily find an online version of the manual specific for your year and model.

• Properly position your Equinox behind your RV and securely connect it for towing.

• Start your Equinox.

• Shift your Equinox into Neutral.

• Next, you will want to put your Chevy Equinox in ACCESSORY or ACC mode. You can do this by pressing the engine stop-start button without pressing on the brake pedal.
  • If done correctly, a golden/amber light will appear on the button to indicate that it is in ACCESSORY MODE. you will also notice a light chime that will ring for 30 minutes to alert you that the vehicle is in ACCESSORY mode. Do not worry, this is completely normal.
  • Also, be sure to leave your car in NEUTRAL. 

• Lastly, turn off all ACCESSORIES you do not need, such as the air conditioning or radio. This is done so it will help prolong your battery life during flat towing.

What Happens When You Reach Your Destination?

Please note that when you are on the road be sure to not drive any faster than 65 mph. This is important to note because while going faster might be an instinct, it can also damage your vehicle.

You should also check the battery of your Equinox to ensure that it is adequately charged. Lastly, run your Equinox for about five minutes at the start of each day when flat towing it, and also make sure to start your Chevy every time you stop to fuel your RV (or any other tow vehicle of your choice).

• Set the parking brake on your Chevy.

• Shift the transmission from neutral to park.

• Turn the Chevy off.

• Start the engine and let your Chevy Equinox sit with the engine running for at least three minutes before driving it.

What about Dolly Towing?

We sort of touched base on dolly towing a bit when we mentioned it at the beginning of this article. Dolly towing is a type of towing that you can also use with the newer Chevy Equinox models, such as the 2020 Chevy Equinox.

Dolly towing is when only two of the wheels are on the ground. Please note, not all Chevy Equinox can be dolly tow.  You cannot dolly tow a Chevy Equinox that has AWD (all-wheel drive).

You can only dolly tow models with front-wheel drive. Also, you can only pull a front-wheel-drive Equinox model from the front and never (yes, we are using that word again), never tow it from the rear because you will guarantee to damage your Chevy Equinox.

Here is how you dolly to tow a Chevy Equinox (remember, only if it has four-wheel drive):

• Put the front wheels of your Chevy on the dolly.

• Put it in park.

• Secure the parking brake.

• Secure your Chevy to the dolly.

• Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the dolly you are using to prepare and use it for RV towing.

• Release the parking brake before towing.

Final Thoughts

Obviously, there is a lot that goes into flat towing any vehicle. While we covered quite a bit about flat towing the Chevy Equinox, a visit to your local dealership for additional guidance is never a bad idea.

This being said, if you own an RV and you are thinking about buying a tow behind vehicle, the Chevy Equinox is one to put on your list of possible vehicles to check out!