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Thread: Toad my Buick Enclave

  1. #1
    rff105 Guest

    Default Toad my Buick Enclave

    I have given up on my stacker aspirations (for now) and am looking at going toad. I have a 2008 Buick Enclave AWD w/6 speed auto trans and the owner's manual reads like it is no problem to dingy tow 4 wheels down with out the need for a Remco circulator or anything. I have found this updated GM bulletin posted on the RV.net website:

    Models:
    2008 Buick Enclave

    2007 GMC Acadia

    2007 Saturn OUTLOOK

    This bulletin is being revised to add models and revise dinghy towing procedures. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 07-00-89-021 (Section 00 - General Information).

    The purpose of this bulletin is to inform dealers of special procedures necessary when towing the vehicle behind a recreational vehicle.

    Recreational Vehicle Towing (Dinghy Towing)

    Important: To avoid battery rundown while towing, remove the 50 amp BATT1 fuse in the UBEC. Refer to the dinghy towing procedure in this bulletin.
    Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
    Important: Vehicles with a 6-speed automatic transmission that are "dinghy towed" must be started at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for a minimum of five minutes.
    Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle -- such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as "dinghy towing" (towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly towing" (towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a "dolly"). With the proper preparation and equipment, many vehicles can be towed in these ways. Refer to the appropriate model/model year Owner Manual for towing preparation guidelines and dolly and dinghy towing procedures. The Towing Chart below summarizes powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods.
    2008 Buick Enclave, 2007 GMC Acadia, 2007 Saturn OUTLOOK Recreational Vehicle Towing Chart

    Powertrain Combination and Towing Method Rear Wheels on a Tow Dolly Front Wheels on a Tow Dolly All Four Wheels on the Ground (Dinghy)
    3.6L V6 (LY7) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and 6T75 Six-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MY9) No Yes Yes*
    3.6L V6 (LY7) Engine with All-Wheel Drive and 6T75 Six-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MH6) No No Yes*
    *Notice: If the vehicle is equipped with a 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission, it can be dinghy towed from the front for unlimited miles at 65 mph (105 km/h). To avoid vehicle damage, never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles. The repairs would not be covered by the warranty.
    Dinghy Towing Procedure
    Notice: If you tow your vehicle without performing each of the steps listed under "Dinghy Towing," you could damage the automatic transmission. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing your vehicle.
    Notice: Don't tow a vehicle with the front drive wheels on the ground if one of the front tires is a compact spare tire. Towing with two different tire sizes on the front of the vehicle can cause severe damage to the transmission.
    Important: Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles may only be dinghy towed from the front, with all four wheels on the ground.

    1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
    2. Shift transmission to PARK (P) and turn the ignition to OFF.
    3. Set the parking brake.
    4. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY.
    5. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
    6. To prevent your battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the 50 amp BATT1 fuse in the UBEC, and store in a safe location.
    7. Release the parking brake.

    Once you have reached your destination, do the following steps:
    1. Set the parking brake.
    2. Reinstall the BATT1 fuse.
    3. Shift the transmission to PARK (P), turn the ignition key to OFF and remove the key from the ignition.
    4. Release the parking brake.
    I am looking at buying the following Blue Ox Equipment. From what I have read Blue Ox has the best looking Base Plates for the Enclave but what about the tow bar itself? I have read you can get adapters to work with other manufactures tow bars. Is there anything else I might need for installation/operation? I should not need a brakeing systems? What do you guys use to protect the front of your car bra, bar mounted deflector, or both? Any recomondatio0ns on protection for the Buick would be appreciated.

    From RVupgradestore.com

    Product Name: Price: Quantity:
    Aventa LX Tow Bar - Class IV 10,000 lb rated $559.95 1

    BX1513 2008 Buick Enclave Blue Ox Base Plate $336.18 1

    Towing Accessories Kit for Blue Ox Aventa LX Tow Bar - 10,000 lb $139.43 1
    Last edited by rff105; 03-18-2008 at 08:15 AM. Reason: Web Links

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Port St. Lucie, FL
    Posts
    1,745

    Default

    We've been using the Aventa LX Tow Bar for a couple of years now and we're very happy with it.

    The ball swivel can be a bit tight. It's hard to follow the instructions in the manual and not lubricate it...

    Good luck with your project!!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Indian Hills
    Posts
    1,137

    Default

    We used the Aventa II and it has 7 years and over 100,000 miles of towing various "toweds" over the years. On the Chevy, we have the Blue Ox baseplate. On the Rover, we have a Roadmaster baseplate since it allowed Rover to retain its brushguard. With the MX Roadmaster Adaptor, we still use the Aventa II. And on the E-350 Airstream B Van, with a Remco driveshaft disconnect with also use a different Roadmaster base[plate and MX adaptor. Blue Ox didn't make a baseplate for the E-350 for the same Aventa II towbar, so we went to Roadmaster. We also carry a spare Aventa II just incase the first has a failure. We ran into a failure 6 years ago when one of the springs that hold the arm retraction lever in place broke. Blue Ox was very good at sending a new spring to out next destination, but in the interim we jury-rigged the lever so that the towbar arm stayed extended while towing.
    Jim and Chris
    2001 Featherlite Vogue XLV 2 slide with Rivets-current coach, 1999 shell
    Previous 22 years,
    We have owned every kind of Prevost shell but an H3-40

  4. #4
    lewpopp Guest

    Default

    On our 2008 Outlook we have the Blue Ox system with the SMI braking system.

    More importantly because of the debris flying all over a new car, I purchased one of those car covers from a California co advertised in the back of the FMCA magazine. I found that once I fit it on the car, It was easy to remove and put back on. I worried that it would be a pain but I fold it up (if clean) andput it in the supplied storage bag with no problem.

    I would like someone to come up with a switch inside I could flip to cut the power to the 50 amp Batt fuse. That I find is a pain. Some of you motorheads should come up with that solution. Let me know.

    Another suggestion I have is if you use the Blue Ox system, when the pins are removed go to a hardware store and buy a couple of 7/8" table leg cups. Like what is on the end of a cane. Put them in the holes and slightly turn as you put them in and it will keep the shaft hole clean. Blue Ox sometimes give you some plastic inserts and sometimes they don't.

  5. #5
    rff105 Guest

    Default

    Here is how one guy on the other site added a switch.

    I placed a switch under the dash 50 amp ran wires to the Batt I fuse - this is a fuse which receives the spades from the fusebox. Installed a spade connector on one of the wires then pushed it on the fusebox connector where Batt I fuse was removed, made up a pigtail from the other terminal to one side of the 50 AMP fuse and then the other fuse terminal to the switch. This set up works well not having to get under the hood.
    You will loose some of the memory but not the A & B trip mileage. There is one thing I have had happen is the check engine light will come on if I don't follow this procedure of turning the key to off prior to turning the installed switch on.
    Hope this helps.
    Here is the link to the whole thread http://www.rv.net/forums/Index.cfm/f...g/1/page/1.cfm

  6. #6
    rff105 Guest

    Default

    Do you think I will need a braking system? I have toad a chevy minivan with our old Vogue 5000 without brakes, no problem. But the Vogue felt like it could stop on a dime with or without a toad. The H3 is a different story, i definitely don't have the same level of confidence in the stopping ability. Although I would prefer to stay away from the expense, hassel, and ware on my vehicle if it is not necessary to have a brake system.
    Last edited by rff105; 03-19-2008 at 09:27 AM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    thomasville,nc
    Posts
    1,209

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    I have the m&g brake system on a chevy P/u and I can tell that the brakes on the P/U work.I wanted brakes because of legal issues,I am comfortable without them as far as stopping but not from a legal standpoint.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Nichols Hills
    Posts
    2,465

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    Richard,

    Don't you have to be like 90 years old to own a Buick? I'm not buying all the Tiger Woods crap.

    We have a Roadmaster tow bar and I just had to have the springs in the locks replaced. Not a good deal given the fact that it is only a little more than two years old and the spring "kit" was $17 and the labor to replace it was $90. I would have changed it myself but I was out of the country and thought it was under warranty.

    I also have the SMI Silent Partner brake system. I would not recomment it either unless you want to put up with the brakes coming on every time MangoMike calls on the cell phone.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    anytown
    Posts
    8,908

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    Isn't a Roadmaster a Buick?

    I'm thinking "out of the country" is a weak excuse for "hands so shaky from old age I need someone else to do it for me".

  10. #10
    rff105 Guest

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    My wife loves her Buick. It is somewhat like a glorified minivan with doors that open, but it does the job of hauling 4 kids and their stuff around. We actually traded in our Toyota Sequoia and went back to an american car. I still would not by GM stock though.

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