How to tow a modern GM pickup: flatbed, neutral, and avoiding damage

Modern GM pickups call for a specific approach when a serious engine failure leaves them stranded. The electronic gear selector, electric parking brake, and other systems mean that conventional tow methods can easily cause extra damage.

GM strongly recommends using a flatbed truck that lifts all four wheels off the ground. This keeps the load off the transmission and wheels. Before loading, shift the transmission into neutral and release the electronic parking brake. If the battery still has juice, the whole thing is relatively straightforward.

Some models include special modes to quickly get the truck ready for recovery. But without power, things get tricky: the transmission may refuse to shift, and the parking brake stays locked. In that case, restoring power—via a jump-start, for instance—is the essential first step to unlock the systems.

If that’s not possible, wheel dollies are an acceptable fallback to avoid damaging the transmission and tires. Dragging a truck with locked wheels is a definite no-no. And when securing the vehicle on the flatbed, stick to the factory tie-down points only; using the wrong ones can wreck the suspension or bodywork.

As vehicles grow more sophisticated, even a routine task like towing demands some expertise. Mistakes here get expensive fast, so it’s smarter to hand the job to professionals who know the brand’s ins and outs.