2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Owners Manual - Towing the Vehicle

Towing the Vehicle

GM recommends a flatbed tow truck to transport a disabled vehicle. Use ramps to help reduce approach angles, if necessary.

A towed vehicle should have its drive wheels off the ground. Contact Roadside Assistance or a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle must be towed.

The vehicle is equipped with specific attachment points to be used to pull the vehicle onto a flatbed car carrier from a flat road surface. Do not use these attachment points to pull the vehicle from snow, mud or sand.

Recreational Vehicle Towing

Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a motor home. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are dinghy and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels on a dolly.

Here are some important things to consider before recreational vehicle towing:

Before towing the vehicle, become familiar with the local laws that apply to recreational vehicle towing. These laws may vary by region.

The towing capacity of the towing vehicle. Read the tow vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

How far the vehicle can be towed. Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long the vehicle can be towed.

Whether the vehicle has the proper towing equipment. See your dealer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations.

. Whether the vehicle is ready to be towed. Just as preparing the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is prepared to be towed.

Follow the tow vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. See your dealer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations.

Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with a Two-Speed Transfer Case)

Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive vehicles with a two-speed transfer case that have an N (Neutral) and a 4 n (Four-Wheel Drive Low) setting.

Two-wheel-drive vehicles and vehicles with a single-speed transfer case should not be towed with all four wheels on the ground.

To dinghy tow:

Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a level surface.

Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.

Apply the parking brake and start the engine.

Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See

"Shifting into N (Neutral)" under

Four-Wheel Drive 0 241.

With the engine running, release the parking brake and verify that the transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to D (Drive) and then to R (Reverse). There should be no movement while shifting the transmission.

Shift the transmission to D (Drive).

If equipped with an ignition key, turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.

If equipped with Keyless Access, turn the engine off. Disregard the Shift to P (Park) DIC message. See Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) 0 229 or

Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0 228.

Disconnect the negative (–) battery cable. See "Negative Battery Cable Disconnection" in Battery - North America 0 341.

Shift the transmission to P (Park).

Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column is unlocked.

If the vehicle has an ignition key, keep it in the towed vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORY to prevent the steering column from locking. If the vehicle is equipped with

Keyless Access, keep the RKE transmitter outside of the vehicle and manually lock the doors. Access the vehicle by using the key in the door lock. See Door Locks 0 21.

Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle

Before disconnecting from the tow vehicle:

Park on a level surface. Secure the vehicle with wheel blocks.

Re-connect the negative (–) battery. See

Battery - North America 0 341.

Turn on the ignition with the engine off. For vehicles with a key, turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off. If the vehicle is equipped with Keyless Access, with your foot off the brake pedal, press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for

five seconds until the green light comes on in the button. See Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) 0 229 or

Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0 228.

Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0 245.

Disconnect from the tow vehicle.

Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

Shift the transfer case to 2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High). When the shift to 2 m

(Two-Wheel Drive High) is complete, the

light in the instrument cluster will stop flashing and stay lit. See

Four-Wheel-Drive Light 0 117.

Start the engine. Check that the vehicle is in 2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High) by starting the engine and shifting the transmission to D (Drive) and then to

R (Reverse). There should be movement of the vehicle while shifting.

Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the ignition.

Release the parking brake and remove the wheel blocks.

Reset any lost presets.

The outside temperature display will default to 0 °C (32 °F) but will reset with normal usage.

Dolly towing this vehicle is not allowed with either the front or the rear tires on the ground for two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, regardless of transfer case.