Battery Drains When Being Towed
08-03-2010, 08:36 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-02-2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 5
Battery Drains When Being Towed
I have just started towing my 2008 HHR SS behind my motorhome. In order to tow with all four wheels on the ground I have to put the ignition key in the first position so the front wheels are unlocked and can turn and follow the motorhome. Since I have a manual transmission I was told that this was all I should have to do.
On short trips everything seemed to be fine, but when driving all day the last two days the HHR battery is completely dead and I have to jump start it when I unhook from the motorhome. As I see it, my choices are:
1) disconnect the battery every time I tow it--which will be a real pain since the hatch door won't open with the battery dead or disconnected.
2) jump start it after every tow--which will ruin the battery
3) hook up a hot wire to the tow vechicle (where to where?) to offset the drain on the HHR battery, or
4) find out which fuses I can pull when towing to avoid the battery drain.
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Jim Nichols
On short trips everything seemed to be fine, but when driving all day the last two days the HHR battery is completely dead and I have to jump start it when I unhook from the motorhome. As I see it, my choices are:
1) disconnect the battery every time I tow it--which will be a real pain since the hatch door won't open with the battery dead or disconnected.
2) jump start it after every tow--which will ruin the battery
3) hook up a hot wire to the tow vechicle (where to where?) to offset the drain on the HHR battery, or
4) find out which fuses I can pull when towing to avoid the battery drain.
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Jim Nichols
08-03-2010, 11:30 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 04-22-2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 763
Yes, you need to also pull fuse 8, which will kill power to the radio, the odometer and the SRS system. Also your umbilical should be wired to provide some low level charging from the motorhome to the HHR. We have towed ours for several years, with no problems.
08-03-2010, 01:55 PM
#4
Former Sponsor
Join Date: 08-18-2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,036
might want to check ur harness..something doesnt sound right..should be feeding enough hyrdo to run signals and brake lights on the HHR as well as a mild charge..older model???
08-03-2010, 07:41 PM
#5
New Member
Join Date: 06-05-2009
Location: CA
Posts: 20
This morning I recommended pulling #8. But as soon as I sent it, I was sorry for not having said to just read the owners manual. I 6k on my SS's odometer, and about 12k being towed all over Mexico. Never had a problem, towing with a four flat cable operating only the tailights. No power going to vehicle at all. Demco bracket with custom inserts Roadmaster tow bar.
p.s. Mexico has some of the nicest high speed roads in North America. I've been in cruise at 125mph and have literally had my doors blown off my an array of vehicles. I never give chase. I'm thankful my wife doesnt mind my driving fast, but absolutely no fooling around.
p.s. Mexico has some of the nicest high speed roads in North America. I've been in cruise at 125mph and have literally had my doors blown off my an array of vehicles. I never give chase. I'm thankful my wife doesnt mind my driving fast, but absolutely no fooling around.
08-03-2010, 08:28 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-21-2008
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,457
This morning I recommended pulling #8. But as soon as I sent it, I was sorry for not having said to just read the owners manual. I 6k on my SS's odometer, and about 12k being towed all over Mexico. Never had a problem, towing with a four flat cable operating only the tailights. No power going to vehicle at all. Demco bracket with custom inserts Roadmaster tow bar.
p.s. Mexico has some of the nicest high speed roads in North America. I've been in cruise at 125mph and have literally had my doors blown off my an array of vehicles. I never give chase. I'm thankful my wife doesnt mind my driving fast, but absolutely no fooling around.
p.s. Mexico has some of the nicest high speed roads in North America. I've been in cruise at 125mph and have literally had my doors blown off my an array of vehicles. I never give chase. I'm thankful my wife doesnt mind my driving fast, but absolutely no fooling around.
To the OP- If you are doing long distance towing, I would recommend a tow dollie. The trans does not circulate fluid the same when it is being towed compared to when it is under power. Don't know how the HHR trans handles this, but a buddy that flat towed a Cavalier locked up a trans that way after about 5 years of towing.
08-03-2010, 08:47 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-15-2008
Location: Newburgh, NY
Posts: 1,599
x2 on Mexico highspeed roads. I was doing 90km/h in a 50 km/h and getting passed by buses....
To the OP- If you are doing long distance towing, I would recommend a tow dollie. The trans does not circulate fluid the same when it is being towed compared to when it is under power. Don't know how the HHR trans handles this, but a buddy that flat towed a Cavalier locked up a trans that way after about 5 years of towing.
To the OP- If you are doing long distance towing, I would recommend a tow dollie. The trans does not circulate fluid the same when it is being towed compared to when it is under power. Don't know how the HHR trans handles this, but a buddy that flat towed a Cavalier locked up a trans that way after about 5 years of towing.
Been towing flat for many miles, but not my HHR just yet. I don't have the baseplates installed yet, so my Samurai will have to do.
Here's a prefab switch to disconnect fuse #8
http://www.rv-partsplus.com/home/accessories/
08-03-2010, 09:25 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-21-2008
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,457
The HHR is approved by GM for flat towing. GM clearly does not recommend using a tow dolly. Check the owner's manual.
Been towing flat for many miles, but not my HHR just yet. I don't have the baseplates installed yet, so my Samurai will have to do.
Here's a prefab switch to disconnect fuse #8
http://www.rv-partsplus.com/home/accessories/
Been towing flat for many miles, but not my HHR just yet. I don't have the baseplates installed yet, so my Samurai will have to do.
Here's a prefab switch to disconnect fuse #8
http://www.rv-partsplus.com/home/accessories/
I don't intend to tow my HHR, so I never read that part.
Oh, and Sammys and Sidekicks are perfect tow behind vehicles!
08-04-2010, 08:15 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: 01-13-2006
Location: Superior, WI - Over the Hill Warranty Club member
Posts: 2,999
I read on one of the threads or on another site that the auto trans has a secondary pump that provides needed lubrication during flat towing. Maybe ChevyMgr can verify.