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Topic: New Toad and "Wife" Driving (Read 1186 times) previous topic - next topic
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New Toad and "Wife" Driving

Yahoo Message Number: 6676
We just got a new toad - a 2003 GMC Yukon - which is a dream to tow.
Hooking up and unhooking takes less than five minutes, and that includes setting up the Brake Buddy. Push two buttons on the Yukon transfer switch panel and it's ready to go - no fuses to pull, and the ignition switch is turned off and the key is out. We're pulling the Yukon with a 2002 36 ft Allure with the 350 ISC engine - just did a trip from West Virginia down I-77 to South Carolina and back.
And, by the way, I'm the "wife" and I've been driving this rig since we bought it, as well as the previous SeaBreeze. It doesn't handle quite as well as my Camaro Z28, but it's not bad.

Jim and Mary Jo Brown
2002 Allure 30778 (11/01)

New Toad and "Wife" Driving

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6678
How do you get the front wheels to 'steer' with the key out of the ignition?

Glen R. Fotre - Tucson, AZ

1996 Beaver Patriot/Toyota 4x4 Xtra Cab/Toyota RAV-4 AWD/Miata/VW Sandrail FMCA #F36478 Good Sam #043833367 BAC glen@...

Re: Subject: New Toad and "Wife" Driving

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6682
:

Quote
How do you get the front wheels to 'steer' with the key out of the

ignition?



Since I think 2001 GM no longer "locks' the steering wheel when the key is removed. Only on "truck" size chassis. Not sure about Saturn.

Bill-PA-CC Prevost XL 40 1998

Re: Subject: New Toad and "Wife" Driving

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6687
As someone else has already mentioned, the newer GM vehicles do not have a steering lock. Even in Park, with the key out, the front wheels are free to turn. Pushing two buttons on the transfer case panel puts the entire system into neutral, and a little red light appears to confirm neutral. However, you must always read the owner's manual on these vehicles to confirm they are towable. For instance, the 2003 regular GMC Yukon is towable, but the Denali version is not (it has full-time 4-wheel drive).

And, in response to a later comment about parking coaches, we use a pair of headset two-way radios (cheap at Radio Shack)to communicate between driver and lookout person. We often arrive after dark and it's nearly impossible to see anyone giving signals. The headsets are voice activated, so the lookout person can walk around the coach and notice trees, curbs, etc. out of sight of the driver, and still be in complete contact.

Jim and Mary Jo Brown
2002 Allure 30778 (11/01)
2003 GMC Yukon

Quote from: Glen R\. Fotre, CCIM,\[br\
RECS"] > How do you get the front wheels to 'steer' with the key out of the

ignition?

Quote
>

Glen R. Fotre - Tucson, AZ

1996 Beaver Patriot/Toyota 4x4 Xtra Cab/Toyota RAV-4 AWD/Miata/VW

Sandrail
 

Re: Subject: New Toad and "Wife" Driving

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 6710
I have a 2001 Yukon. I leave the key in the ignition switch in the off position. GMC dealer showed me the locking mechanism behind the steering wheel cover and there are two locked positions. It is not as sensitive as older vehicles but it has a locked position. Also this is per the GMC directions in the manual. It calls for you to put the vehicle in neutral with the motor running and select neutral on the transfer case. You then shift to reverse with the transmission lever and then to drive to make sure that the transfer case is in neutral. At that point you shut off the vehicle, turn the key to the off position( It will not go to the locked position) and then shift to Park.