[RandyB]

Dinghy towing is a term for pulling a car with a towbar, having all four tires on the ground. Some call is 4 wheels down, or flat towing. Most often is behind a motorhome. To accomplish this feat, there are 2 very important things to have: 1. A car that is capable of this type of activity (most cars are not) and 2. Some sort of adapter to attach the dinghy to the towing vehicle's towbar.

The 2021 Trailblazer is dinghy towable as the AWD (all wheel drive) model only. According to the owner's manual, only the AWD models can be dinghy towed. The FWD can be dolly towed, rear tires on the ground only.

Since this vehicle is brand-spanking new to the world, there is no adapter for attaching the Trailblazer to a towbar...until now. I was able to have my car accepted into the Blue Ox "Fit Program". Blue Ox is an industry leading company in towing equipment. For them to develop an adapter for the market, they must have a vehicle for fit design and testing. My Trailblazer was that vehicle. In the near future, Blue Ox should have their baseplate (adapter) available to all that would want it.

The Trailblazer was towed 650 miles back home from the Blue Ox plant. No issues what so ever. Just follow the Owner's manual's instructions.

And yes, sometimes, since the vehicle is being towed, often times it is then referred to as a toad.

 

[Trail Blazed]

Let the good times roll!....Looks like a nice motor home. When the TB is not hooked up is there any brackets sticking out? I assume there is some sort of permanent brackets attached and then some sort of pin attachment from there,

 

[RandyB]

Let the good times roll!....Looks like a nice motor home. When the TB is not hooked up is there any brackets sticking out? I assume there is some sort of permanent brackets attached and then some sort of pin attachment from there,

There are 6 connection points poking through that lower vent.
there are 2 towbar attachment posts that are the furthest outward
next inward are the 2 safety cable eyes
the next in from the left is the breakaway switch for the auxiliary braking system
then just right of center is the lighting umbilical connection for operating the Trailblazer lights from the motorhome

The furthest outward round posts are where 2 very heavy duty "tabs" are inserted for the actual connection of the towbar. They stick out about 6 or 7 inches, so having them removable is a nice feature from this company. These would be the silver colored objects in the set of photos showing it connected, but they are not very visible.

If there is one thing I could recommend to Blue Ox, is to develop some way to have the safety eyes removeable too, that would be awesome. This is how the facia looks when everything that is removeable is removed and ready for around the town driving.

 

[RandyB]

 

[Trail Blazed]

Install looks good. You hardly notice it.

 

[brownactive]

very nice. Doubt I will need this feature but with this and rob others coming out over the years (?) if I ever need it it is out there.

 

[RandyB]

 

[RandyB]

It has been brought to our attention, by an iRV2.com forum member (Sarz272000), that the procedure for getting the transmission into neutral is not correct. The author states that he has worked with a Chevy service technician to confirm this issue and the resolution. As written, step 3 is incorrect:

The gear shifter cannot be moved while in accessory mode. Brake pedal or not, it cannot be moved. Step 3 needs to be written something like this:
3. Put the vehicle into SERVICE mode by pressing the engine start/stop button and holding for 3 to 5 seconds until the green light is illuminated.
4. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission to N (neutral).

No telling if and when the manual will be updated.

 

[Jbiggs]

Randy, I’ll be hooking up our 2021 Trailblazer RS (same color as yours) Sunday for our first trip towing it. Question: If I want to lock the car, I would have to do it before I disconnect the battery? If I do that, how do I get back at the hood release to hook the battery back up? A work around to lock the doors? Thx. Jeff

 

[RandyB]

An excellent question. I have found myself locked out with the battery disconnected. The solution is very easy. It is spelled out in the manual, but I’ll try. To gain access to the key lock, there is a cover over it. Just to the right of the main drivers door handle the little missle shaped cap snaps over the key lock. There is a rectangular hole on the underside of the cap. The hole is conveniently the same size as the key. Insert the key and gently pry up to remove the cap.
The key, but where’s the key? I didn’t get a key. Patience, grasshopper. All fobs come with a key inside. When looking at the fob, with the lock and unlock at the top, on the left lower edge of the fob is a chrome button. Push in on the button and pull out on the bottom of the fob where the key ring would go. The key should slide out.
Happy travels.

 

[Jbiggs]

An excellent question. I have found myself locked out with the battery disconnected. The solution is very easy. It is spelled out in the manual, but I’ll try. To gain access to the key lock, there is a cover over it. Just to the right of the main drivers door handle the little missle shaped cap snaps over the key lock. There is a rectangular hole on the underside of the cap. The hole is conveniently the same size as the key. Insert the key and gently pry up to remove the cap.
The key, but where’s the key? I didn’t get a key. Patience, grasshopper. All fobs come with a key inside. When looking at the fob, with the lock and unlock at the top, on the left lower edge of the fob is a chrome button. Push in on the button and pull out on the bottom of the fob where the key ring would go. The key should slide out.
Happy travels.

Brilliant! Works great Thanks again!

 

[Rich]

Dinghy towing is a term for pulling a car with a towbar, having all four tires on the ground. Some call is 4 wheels down, or flat towing. Most often is behind a motorhome. To accomplish this feat, there are 2 very important things to have: 1. A car that is capable of this type of activity (most cars are not) and 2. Some sort of adapter to attach the dinghy to the towing vehicle's towbar.

The 2021 Trailblazer is dinghy towable as the AWD (all wheel drive) model only. According to the owner's manual, only the AWD models can be dinghy towed. The FWD can be dolly towed, rear tires on the ground only.

Since this vehicle is brand-spanking new to the world, there is no adapter for attaching the Trailblazer to a towbar...until now. I was able to have my car accepted into the Blue Ox "Fit Program". Blue Ox is an industry leading company in towing equipment. For them to develop an adapter for the market, they must have a vehicle for fit design and testing. My Trailblazer was that vehicle. In the near future, Blue Ox should have their baseplate (adapter) available to all that would want it. View attachment 152 View attachment 153
The Trailblazer was towed 650 miles back home from the Blue Ox plant. No issues what so ever. Just follow the Owner's manual's instructions. View attachment 154

And yes, sometimes, since the vehicle is being towed, often times it is then referred to as a toad.

Randy,

Can you email me a list of all that you had Blue Ox install on your TB the only difference is mine is the Activ version AWD.

Much appreciated - [email protected]

Rich

 

[Pigeonman]

Question in the towing prep. My Trailblazer Activ has a push button for AWD/2WD. I normally keep it in 2wd for regular driving. The manual does not state where this should be set at when the procedure for dinghy towing is performed. Maybe it does not matter?

 

[RandyB]

I have it in 2WD before disconnecting the battery. Not because of any special reason or instruction. I’ve never had it in AWD while on dry or simply wet pavement, and it is under those conditions that I get connected.

 

[RandyB]

It has occurred to me that I did not place a link to a longer, more detailed post on an RV forum. By the way, RVForums.com is relatively new forum with friendly and knowledgeable members.

2021 Chevy Trailblazer & Blue Ox (long read)

It became time to replace our primary vehicle. The choices are somewhat limited when you need it to be towable 4 wheels down (dinghy). Being a long-time Chevy guy, I first started looking at that brand. A couple years ago they came out with the reintroduced Blazer. I immediately fell in love...

rvforums.com

 

[Becci]

What type of braking system do you use with your 2021 Trailblazer RS

 

[RandyB]

What type of braking system do you use with your 2021 Trailblazer RS

I use an auxiliary braking unit called an RVI Brake 3.

RVibrake3 Portable Flat Towing Braking System

RVibrake3 Portable Braking System for flat towing a car behind a motorhome. Next generation braking with Brake Lock Detection. Supplement Flat towing braking system. Towed vehicle braking system. RVi3

rvibrake.com

 

[mdavid13]

Question in the towing prep. My Trailblazer Activ has a push button for AWD/2WD. I normally keep it in 2wd for regular driving. The manual does not state where this should be set at when the procedure for dinghy towing is performed. Maybe it does not matter?

Hi! I have an Activ AWD as well. What base plate and tow bar did you end up going with?

 

[tdharley]

It has been brought to our attention, by an iRV2.com forum member (Sarz272000), that the procedure for getting the transmission into neutral is not correct. The author states that he has worked with a Chevy service technician to confirm this issue and the resolution. As written, step 3 is incorrect:
View attachment 263


The gear shifter cannot be moved while in accessory mode. Brake pedal or not, it cannot be moved. Step 3 needs to be written something like this:
3. Put the vehicle into SERVICE mode by pressing the engine start/stop button and holding for 3 to 5 seconds until the green light is illuminated.
4. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission to N (neutral).

No telling if and when the manual will be updated.

It has bThanks for the information. I have a 2021 TB Activ, I followed your direction and irt works better than the manual. The only thing I could not find was a green light that comes on? Were is it? Thabnks againeen brought to our attention, by an iRV2.com forum member (Sarz272000), that the procedure for getting the transmission into neutral is not correct. The author states that he has worked with a Chevy service technician to confirm this issue and the resolution. As written, step 3 is incorrect:
View attachment 263


The gear shifter cannot be moved while in accessory mode. Brake pedal or not, it cannot be moved. Step 3 needs to be written something like this:
3. Put the vehicle into SERVICE mode by pressing the engine start/stop button and holding for 3 to 5 seconds until the green light is illuminated.
4. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission to N (neutral).

No telling if and when the manual will be updated.

View attachment 257

Dinghy towing is a term for pulling a car with a towbar, having all four tires on the ground. Some call is 4 wheels down, or flat towing. Most often is behind a motorhome. To accomplish this feat, there are 2 very important things to have: 1. A car that is capable of this type of activity (most cars are not) and 2. Some sort of adapter to attach the dinghy to the towing vehicle's towbar.

The 2021 Trailblazer is dinghy towable as the AWD (all wheel drive) model only. According to the owner's manual, only the AWD models can be dinghy towed. The FWD can be dolly towed, rear tires on the ground only.

Since this vehicle is brand-spanking new to the world, there is no adapter for attaching the Trailblazer to a towbar...until now. I was able to have my car accepted into the Blue Ox "Fit Program". Blue Ox is an industry leading company in towing equipment. For them to develop an adapter for the market, they must have a vehicle for fit design and testing. My Trailblazer was that vehicle. In the near future, Blue Ox should have their baseplate (adapter) available to all that would want it. View attachment 152 View attachment 153
The Trailblazer was towed 650 miles back home from the Blue Ox plant. No issues what so ever. Just follow the Owner's manual's instructions. View attachment 154

And yes, sometimes, since the vehicle is being towed, often times it is then referred to as a toad.

Thanks

It has been brought to our attention, by an iRV2.com forum member (Sarz272000), that the procedure for getting the transmission into neutral is not correct. The author states that he has worked with a Chevy service technician to confirm this issue and the resolution. As written, step 3 is incorrect:
View attachment 263


The gear shifter cannot be moved while in accessory mode. Brake pedal or not, it cannot be moved. Step 3 needs to be written something like this:
3. Put the vehicle into SERVICE mode by pressing the engine start/stop button and holding for 3 to 5 seconds until the green light is illuminated.
4. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission to N (neutral).

No telling if and when the manual will be updated.

I followed your directions and they are much better than the manual. The only thing though I cannot find a green light. I have 2021 TB Activ

 

[RandyB]

I think the reference to a green light is to the light on the start/stop button.