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Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

18274 messages,  Last post on Oct 22, 2009 at 2:57 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy XL, Isuzu Ascender, Oldsmobile Bravada, SUV

#18159 of 18274 Re: Trailer Towing [hardhawk] by handyandy3 Aug 20, 2008 (3:15 pm)
Replying to: hardhawk (Apr 06, 2004 3:43 am) in your message about trailer towing you mentioned that the air suspension worked great to keep the load level---I am getting conflicting answers about the auto air suspension on my 2005 rainier some GM people say to disengage the system when towing others say leave it alone these same conflicting answers are also coming from RV dealer service people---so who do I believe which mode should I tow my trailer in----any insight from you could be very helpful   thanks handyandy3 Replies to this message: hardhawk (Aug 21, 2008 12:25 pm) handyandy3 (Aug 21, 2008 2:09 pm) envoyager (Aug 23, 2008 8:23 pm) glubash (Aug 25, 2008 8:19 am)
#18160 of 18274 Re: Trailer Towing [handyandy3] by hardhawk Aug 21, 2008 (12:25 pm)
Replying to: handyandy3 (Aug 20, 2008 3:15 pm) HandyAndy3:   I do not have the ability to turn the air suspension on or off in my Envoy. It is "on" all the time and usually I hear it come on every time I start the car. It has done that since new. I can turn on or off the aux. air pump outlet located in the passenger side rear panel in the cargo area. I cannot imagine why someone would not want it on when towing unless there was some fear it would overload the system. That has never happened to me. I would think that even if you could turn it off while towing that the back end would sag lower due to the extra weight of the trailer tounge. My Envoy has the extra duty towing package so I have always assumed that the air rear suspension was designed to work in towing situations. Mine is a 2002 that I bought new 7 years and 1 month ago and the air suspension has worked the entire time. We have towed with it during the summer since new. Our boat/trailer weighs 5000# and the Envoy tows it just fine. Does your owner's manual say anything about it? Do you have a switch that lets you turn the air suspension feature on and off? On mine the air suspension has air bladders instead of rear coil springs. I replaced the rear shocks last year but they are not connected to the air suspension bladders and are just plain old shock absorbers. Good luck and keep us posted!   Hardhawk Replies to this message: handyandy3 (Aug 21, 2008 2:09 pm) envoyager (Aug 23, 2008 8:23 pm) glubash (Aug 25, 2008 8:19 am)
#18161 of 18274 Re: Trailer Towing [hardhawk] by handyandy3 Aug 21, 2008 (2:09 pm)
Replying to: hardhawk (Aug 21, 2008 12:25 pm) I have only had my rainier for a month now and did not tow my trailer (4800#) with it yet because I wanted to be sure about the air suspension----the fellow from the help desk at buick customer service told me to disable the system by just pulling the fuse when I am towing----I think that I will judge for myself by towing with and without the suspension activated----I am going camping for the holiday so I will try it at that time and let you know what happened   thanks handyandy3 Replies to this message: envoyager (Aug 23, 2008 8:23 pm) glubash (Aug 25, 2008 8:19 am)
#18162 of 18274 Re: Trailer Towing [handyandy3] by envoyager Aug 23, 2008 (8:23 pm)
Replying to: handyandy3 (Aug 21, 2008 2:09 pm) "the fellow from the help desk at buick customer service told me to disable the system by just pulling the fuse when I am towing,"   That sounds like the absolutely most absurd "customer service rep's" advice I've ever heard.   If towing something caused an adverse response in the model you own, the manufacturer would have designed something a little more "sophisticated" than pulling a fuse.   And I would sure get hold of the franchise owner and get, in writing, what he would suggest in the situation you describe.
#18163 of 18274 Re: Trailer Towing [handyandy3] by glubash Aug 25, 2008 (8:19 am)
Replying to: handyandy3 (Aug 21, 2008 2:09 pm) The air bladders can handle the rating of the hitch. I would not tow with the suspension system turned off because the back end will sag like crazy and the handling will probably stink. If you are concerned about overloading the system, check your trailer weight (fully loaded) as well as the load on the hitch. You should be able to do that at any public scale.   Good luck.
#18164 of 18274 trailer towing wih my rainier by handyandy3 Aug 25, 2008 (1:15 pm)
thanks guys for all of the input---going on the popular opions of your answers and my hunch I will not disengage the air suspension when towing---my vehicle will not be overloaded (I had it scaled) so the system should handle it with no problem at all plus the fact that it towed fine to and from the the yard where the scale was located   thanks again Replies to this message: hardhawk (Aug 25, 2008 5:55 pm) floep (Sep 19, 2008 12:55 pm) handyandy3 (Sep 20, 2008 10:10 am)
#18165 of 18274 Re: trailer towing wih my rainier [handyandy3] by hardhawk Aug 25, 2008 (5:55 pm)
Replying to: handyandy3 (Aug 25, 2008 1:15 pm) You are most welcome. I have gained a lot of insight in 7 years in this forum. I hope your Rainier serves you as well as our Envoy has us. We had a few first year minor glitches, but overall the Envoy has been a great vehicle. With our oldest son getting his learner's permit soon we plan on keeping the Envoy for a good long time. It will be a great vehicle for him to learn to drive in. If you ever have a question be sure to check the search feature here as you may find that it has already been answered by someone. I have done that many times.
#18166 of 18274 How do I turn on the reading, dome, and vanity lights on my Buick Rainier? by buickrain Sep 08, 2008 (4:49 am)
We bought a 2005 Rainier and we are not able to turn on the reading, dome and mirror vanity lights except by using the instrument panel brightness knob. The vanity mirror lights have never come on. The dome and reading lights will come on when you open the doors and when you shut the engine off and pull out the key. I was wondering if there was an adjustment I was missing? Replies to this message: handyandy3 (Sep 08, 2008 5:45 am) buickrain (Sep 08, 2008 7:17 pm) handyandy3 (Sep 09, 2008 2:40 pm) and 6 more...
#18167 of 18274 Re: How do I turn on the reading, dome, and vanity lights on my Buick Rainier? [buickrain] by handyandy3 Sep 08, 2008 (5:45 am)
Replying to: buickrain (Sep 08, 2008 4:49 am) very simple to do so by 1) reading lights--push either lens to turn on then push lens again to turn off 2) dome lights--same as reading lights 3) the vanity lights come on automatically when the mirror is opened if not then the bulbs are burned out and will need replacing usually by the dealer or a person who knows their way around cars quite well Replies to this message: buickrain (Sep 08, 2008 7:17 pm) handyandy3 (Sep 09, 2008 2:40 pm) buickrain (Sep 10, 2008 10:56 am) floep (Sep 19, 2008 1:13 pm) and 4 more...
#18168 of 18274 Re: How do I turn on the reading, dome, and vanity lights on my Buick Rainier? [handyandy3] by buickrain Sep 08, 2008 (7:17 pm)
Replying to: handyandy3 (Sep 08, 2008 5:45 am) Thank you for your help, but I don't think you understand. I have pushed the lenses and when the lights are on with the door open or after the engine is shut off and the key is pulled I can turn them off and on. If I am driving or just stopped with the engine on or off none of the reading lights, dome lights or the mirror lights will come on. I am not sure if the vanity mirror lights are working because neither one has ever came on. Replies to this message: handyandy3 (Sep 09, 2008 2:40 pm) buickrain (Sep 10, 2008 10:56 am) floep (Sep 19, 2008 1:13 pm) buickrain (Sep 20, 2008 6:28 pm) and 3 more...

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