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Toad Question

January 21, 2017, 02:29:56 pm

I know this is not a Foretravel tech question bu maybe some of you techies can help me figure this out.  I tow a 2013 GMC Terrain 2.4 L 4 cycle ECO Boost engine which has electric power steering.  Every once in a while when towing while going down some of these ruff highways and roads the tow will start moving left and right.  I have to come to a complete stop and take off again. At first I thought it was my tow bar arms not locking in place.  Every time I come to a complete stop I checked the tow bar arms and they are locked.  I discussed this with another Foretravel owner here at the Super RV Show and he said that he read it somewhere that these vehicles with electric power steering have this problem.  Has anyone heard of this or experienced this?  I checked my car manual and found the fuse for my power steering under the hood.  Their is a large cable going to the other end of the fuse and it has constant voltage even with the keys off.  I'm just wondering if this is the cause.  The power steering motor is never off making it easier for the wheels to drift on rough roads.  I am going to experiment and disconnect the cable from the source to see if it makes a difference.  Don't know if doing this will hurt anything on my vehicle. What are your thoughts?

John M.

John M.

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Re: Toad Question

Reply #1 – January 21, 2017, 04:18:05 pm

I have a Honda Civic Hybrid with electric steering. However, we tow it with the key in Accessory mode and no power to the power steering. The car tracks fine.

Your tires may be wearing badly while it is moving left and right.

I would think that the electric power steering power should removed while towing.

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Reply #2 – January 21, 2017, 04:30:14 pm

Tim,
That is what I'm thinking.  I just didn't know if it would stop turning if it were disconnected.  I will test it on my way home from the show.  If it seems to be working I will put a switch on the circuit to cut power. 

Thanks for the response, John M.

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Reply #3 – January 27, 2017, 12:27:28 pm

John,
I would exercise caution when disconnecting power to the steering.
I pull a 2011 Malibu with electric steering and it moves a little left to right going down the road, but nothing I would consider excessive.
If you did install a switch I would worry about the possible issue if the switch failed going down the road.  I'm sure the chances are small, but.....

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Reply #4 – January 27, 2017, 04:27:57 pm

Jerry,
If I get into a rough road situation where the coach is rocking left and right the car wheels will start going left and right almost like a whiplash motion.  It does it very hard.  I have to come to a complete stop in order to stop the whiplash, then take off again.  I am not going to put a switch.  The fuse is 80A with a heavy gage wire.  There nuts holding the the fuse and cable going to the motor.  I just disconnected the cable side while towing to shut the power steering down.  I guess I can put a battery disconnect switch also.
John M.

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Reply #5 – January 27, 2017, 05:27:36 pm

I suggest you check the manual. I tow a 2016 GMC Terrain  and per the manual pull the Discrete Logic Ignition switch fuse. I have not had this problem.

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Reply #6 – January 27, 2017, 06:17:54 pm

Eric,
We do remove the fuse 32 Discrete Logic Ignition.  The V6 has hydraulic power steering.  The 2.4L 4 cylinder EcoTech has electric power steering for economy.  Their is power to the steering power even with the fuse removed and the ignition off.
John M.

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Re: Toad Question

Reply #7 – January 28, 2017, 09:12:39 am

John,
 we pull a 2015 chevy equinox and have had the same experience you have discribed. It also has the a fuse disconnect per manual. I looked at other forums on this rocking and it seems to be something that occurs. We find it happens when the road is rough or coming across train tracks at a slight angle.  All we can do is pull over and stop. We usually check to make sure the tow bars are still locked. Why it occurs once in a while remains a mystery.

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