Chevrolet 2015 Colorado Trailering Guide
Contents
1. REGULAR CAB ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR2 2500HDLONGBOX2WD 3500HDLONGBOX2WD 3500HD LONG BOX 2WD DUALLY 2500HD LONG BOX 4x4 3500HDLONGBOX4x4 3500110 LONG BOX 4x4 DUALLY Vortec 6 0L V8 4 10 20 500 14 800 14 600 14 200 14 500 14 300 13 900 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 733 16 000 9 500 10 100 9 700 9 300 9 800 9 400 Duramax 6 6L 333 24 500 17 900 17 600 17 500 Turbo Diesel V8 3 73 30 500 E 23 200 4 000 DOUBLE CAB ENGINE AXLE RATIO 2500HD STANDARD 2500HD LONG 3500HD LONG 3500HD LONG BOX 2500HD STANDARD 2500HD LONG 3500HD LONG 3500HD LONG BOX BOX 2WD BOX 2WD BOX 2WD 2WD DUALLY BOX 4x4 BOX 4x4 BOX 4x4 4x4 DUALLY Vortec 6 0L V8 4 10 20 500 14 500 14 400 14 200 13 800 14 200 14 100 13 900 13 500 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 73 16 000 10 000 9 900 9 700 9 300 9 700 9 600 9 400 9 000 Duramax 6 6L 3 73 24 500 17 600 17 500 17 500 17 300 17 200 17 200 Turbo Diesel V8 3 73 30 500 23 000 22 800 CREW CAB 2500HD 2500 0 350070 3500HD 3500HD 2500HD 25000 350070 350070 350010 ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR STANDARD BOX LONG BOX 2WD STANDARD BOX LONG BOX LONG BOX STANDARD BOX LONG BOX 4x4 STANDARD BOX LONG BOX LONG BOX 2WD 2WD 2WD 2WD DUALLY 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 DUALLY Vortec 6 0L V8 4 10 20 500 14 300 14 200 14 100 14 000 13 700 14 000 13 800 13 900 13 700 13 300 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 73 16 000 9 800 9 700 9 600 9 500 9 200 9 500 9 300 9 400 9 200 8 800 Duramax 6 6L 3 73 24 500 17 900 17 100 17 400 17 300 17 100 16 400 17 100 16 900 Turb2. includes auxiliary external transmission fluid cooler and engine oil cooler NOTES ON EQUINOX Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 of total loaded trailer weight up to 350 Ibs Addition of trailer tongue weight must not cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR Maximum trailer weight rating requires the available Trailering Package NOTES ON TRAVERSE Trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle except for any option s necessary to achieve the rating plus driver The weight of other optional equipment passengers and cargo will reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow See your Chevrolet dealer for additional details Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 of total loaded trailer weight up to 600 Ibs Addition of trailer tongue weight must not cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR Maximum trailer weight rating requires the factory installed Trailering Package 1 Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner s Manual The weight of passengers cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow 2 Gross Combination Weight Rating 13 EXPRESS PASSENGER VAN AND EXPRESS CARGO VAN TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS EXPRESS PASSENGER VAN TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR 2
3. hitch must be mounted so the kingpin load is placed over or slightly ahead of the rear axle centerline Fifth wheel trailer kingpin loads are higher than conventional trailer tongue loads so pay careful attention to the truck s payload capacity and rear axle weight ratings Your Chevy dealer can help you calculate the maximum allowable payload and GVWR required for your fifth wheel trailering application The weight of any additional equipment and all passengers must be subtracted from the payload weight to determine the maximum kingpin load available 1 Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner s Manual The weight of passengers cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow 2 Gross Combination Weight Rating 3 Fleet only 12 COLORADO TAHOE SUBURBAN EQUINOX AND TRAVERSE TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS COLORADO TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR EXTENDED CAB 2WD EXTENDED CAB 4x4 CREW CAB 2WD CREW CAB 4x4 2 5L 4 cylinder 4 10 8 500 3 500 3 500 3 500 3 500 3 6L V6 3 42 12 000 3 500 3 500 3 500 3 500 3 6L V6 with Trailering Package 3 42 12 000 7 000 7 000 7 000 7 000 TAHOE SUBURBAN TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR TAHOE 2WD SUBURBAN 2WD TAHOE 4WD SUBURBAN 4WD EcoTec3 5 3L V8 with Max Trailering Package 3 42 14 000 8 600 8 300 8 400 8 000 EcoTec3 5 3L V8 3 08 12 000 6 600 6 300 6 400 6 000 When using a weigh
4. the Gross Combination Weight Rating GCWR Base vehicle curb weight plus driver is used so additional passengers equipment and cargo weight reduce this rating TYPICAL GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT EXAMPLES NOTE The safety steps described here are by no means the only precautions to be taken when trailering See the Owner s Manual for your Chevrolet vehicle for additional guidelines and trailering tips TRAILERING CAUTION If you don t use the correct equipment and drive properly you can lose control of your vehicle when you pull a trailer If the trailer is too heavy your vehicle brakes may be less effective You and your passengers could be seriously injured Pull a trailer only after you have read the information in this guide and followed the steps on the following pages TYPICAL HITCH TYPE Light Duty I Folding camping trailer snowmobiles and personal watercraft trailers trailer and cargo combined Up to 2 000 Ibs gross trailer weight Weight carrying hitch Medium Duty II Heavy Duty III Single axle trailers up to 18 ft open utility trailers and small speedboats Dual or single axle trailers larger boats and enclosed utility trailers 2 001 3 500 Ibs gross trailer weight 3 501 5 000 Ibs gross trailer weight Weight carrying hitch Weight carrying hitch or weight distributing hitch Extra Heavy Duty IV Two horse travel and fifth wheel recreational trailers 5 001 10 000 Ibs gross trailer w
5. truck s rear axle Fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches are most frequently used with travel trailers horse trailers and other large trailers HITCHES It s important to have the correct hitch equipment If you ll be towing a trailer that requires a weight distributing hitch be sure to use a frame mounted weight distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size lf you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle to install a trailer hitch be sure to seal the holes if you ever remove the hitch If they re not sealed dirt water and deadly carbon monoxide from the exhaust can get into your vehicle FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERING Some Silverado models can be equipped with a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer hitch Follow the manufacturer s directions for installation but note that the hitch must be attached to the truck frame Do not use the pickup bed for additional support For proper kingpin tongue load distribution and control of the trailer the hitch must be mounted so the kingpin load is placed over or slightly ahead of the rear axle centerline Fifth wheel trailer kingpin loads are higher than conventional trailer tongue loads so pay careful attention to the truck s payload capacity and rear axle weight ratings Gooseneck Hitch Weight Distributing Hitch with Sway Cover Your Chevrolet dealer can help you calculate the maximum allowable payload and GVWR required for your fifth wheel trailering appl
6. 0 9 500 9 500 9 400 9 400 9 200 9 100 EcoTec3 5 3L V8 3 42 14 000 9 000 8 700 3 08 12 000 7 000 6 800 6 700 6 500 6 500 6 200 6 400 6 400 6 200 6 100 EcoTec 3EV With 3 73 16 700 11 200 11 000 11 100 11 000 10 900 10 800 Max Trailering Package EcoTec3 6 2L V8 3 23 15 000 9 500 9 200 9 400 9 300 9 200 9 100 3 42 17 500 12 000 1 900 12 000 11 900 11 800 11 700 Max Trailering Package GENERAL TRAILERING NOTES Where available the Heavy TRAILER TONGUE WEIGHT NOTES Trailer tongue weight Duty Trailering Equipment Package Z82 provides a trailer should be 10 to 15 of total loaded trailer weight up to hitch platform and 7 pin and 4 pin sealed connectors at the 1 200 Ibs The addition of trailer tongue weight must not rear bumper cause vehicle to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR 1 Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner s Manual The weight of passengers cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow 2 Gross Combination Weight Rating 10 SILVERADO HD CONVENTIONAL TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS These charts specify the trailer weight rating for your vehicle equipped with a conventional hitch For fifth wheel or gooseneck ratings see page 11 The maximum rating for a weight carrying hitch is listed in the General Trailering Notes below Do not exceed the trailer weight ra
7. 0 9 600 9 500 9 200 9 500 9 300 9 400 9 200 8 800 Duramax 6 6L 3 73 24 500 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 000 14 500 13 000 15 000 Turbo Diesel V8 3 73 30 500 16 500 19 600 GENERAL TRAILERING NOTES A7 wire trailering harness is AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL NOTE All automatic standard on Silverado HD models Where available the transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment Package Z82 provides a KC4 and an oil to air transmission oil cooler KNP trailer hitch platform and a 7 pin sealed connector at the rear bumper An 8 wire camper fifth wheel wiring harness UY2 is also available and requires the Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment Package Z82 1 Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner s Manual The weight of passengers cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow 2 Gross Combination Weight Rating 3 Fleet only 11 SILVERADO HD FIFTH WHEEL GOOSENECK TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS These charts specify the trailer weight rating for your vehicle equipped with a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer For conventional ratings see page 10 The maximum rating for a weight carrying hitch is listed in the General Trailering Notes below Do not exceed the trailer weight rating For more information ask your Chevrolet dealer SILVERADO 2500HD AND 3500HD FIFTH WHEEL GOOSENECK TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS
8. 2015 TRAILERING GUIDE CHEVROLET SILVE RADO hemn WHEEL GOOSENECK i WEIGHT RATINGS 12 COLORADO TRAILER WEIG 02 SELECTING A VEHICLE MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS LBS The chart below gives you an idea of the maximum amount of weight you can confidently and safely trailer with different Chevrolet models when your vehicle is properly equipped When determining the total weight of trailer and cargo include the weight of any additional passengers and optional equipment driver weight and base equipment are already included See pages 09 15 for maximum trailer weight ratings by specific model 1 000 2 000 3 000 4 000 5 000 6 000 7 000 8 000 9 000 10 000 11 000 12 000 13 000 14 000 15 000 16 000 17 000 18 000 19 000 20 000 21 000 22 000 23 000 24 000 Equinox Traverse Colorado Suburban Tahoe Express 2500 Passenger Van Express 3500 Passenger Van Express 2500 3500 Cargo Van Silverado 1500 Silverado 2500HD Silverado 3500HD 1 Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner s Manual The weight of passengers cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow 03 VEHICLES AND HITCHES Hg Hitch Ball on Step Bumper Fifth Wheel Hitch SELECTING THE RIGHT HITCH Choosing the right hitc
9. 500 3500 3500 EXTENDED WHEELBASE Vortec 4 8L V8 3 42 13 000 6 700 6 700 6 400 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 42 16 000 9 800 9 700 9 300 Duramax 6 6L Turbo Diesel V8 3 54 17 000 10 000 9 700 EXPRESS CARGO VAN TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR 2500 2500 EXTENDED WHEELBASE 3500 3500 EXTENDED WHEELBASE Vortec 4 8L V8 3 42 13 000 7 400 7 200 7 400 7 100 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 42 16 000 10 000 10 000 10 000 10 000 3 42 16 000 9 900 3 Tank 9 700 3 Tank 9 800 3 Tank 9 600 3 Tank Vortec GOL V Compressed Natural ise CNG 3 42 16 000 9 600 4 Tank 9 400 4 Tank 9 500 4 Tank 9 300 4 Tank Duramax 6 6L Turbo Diesel V8 2 a 10 000 10 000 10 000 man NOTES ON EXPRESS Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 of total loaded trailer weight up to 1 000 Ibs Addition of trailer tongue weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR The standard base cooling system includes all content required to attain maximum trailer weight rating No optional cooling equipment is available The Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment Package Z82 includes trailer hitch platform and 7 wire trailer wiring harness 1 Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner s Manual The weight of passengers cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow 2 Gross Combination Weight Rating When using a weight carrying hitch the ma
10. KEV SS SUBURBAN TAHOE TRAVERSE TRAX VOLT 2WD No No No Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes No No No No Yes No No 4x4 Yes Yes Yes Yes AWD 5 Yes 5 5 Yes No 1 With manual transmission only 2 Requires available 2 speed transfer case 15 DINGHY TOWING continuen TRAILERING WITH YOUR CHEVROLET Chevrolet vehicles are built strong and durable to handle the demands of trailering Certain equipment that prepares a Chevrolet vehicle for trailering is standard a large fuel tank a high capacity alternator and a front stabilizer bar For other available trailering related equipment talk to your dealer You ll need a hitch of course and a wide selection of hitch types is available either as factory equipment or from your dealer In addition if you plan to tow frequently you should equip your Chevrolet vehicle with the available Trailering Package This package includes a trailer hitch platform and an electrical harness Also required with this package are a hitch ball a mounting head and possibly weight distributing and anti sway assemblies these are available through aftermarket sources Please carefully review your Chevrolet Vehicle Owner s Manual for important safety information about trailering with your vehicle WORDS ABOUT THIS GUIDE We have tried to make this guide comprehensive and factual We reserve the right however to make changes at any time and without notice in prices colors
11. LERING MIRRORS These vertical manual folding and extendable mirrors have 50 square inches of flat mirror surface and 20 square inches of convex mirror surface to help you see what s happening around you They are available as a factory option on Silverado Tahoe and Suburban or as a dealer installed Chevy Accessory 1 With available 3 6L V6 engine 2 With available Tow Package 3 Requires Regular Cab model with available Duramax 6 6L Turbo Diesel V8 engine and fifth wheel hitch Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner s Manual The weight of passengers cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow 09 SILVERADO CONVENTIONAL TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS These charts specify the trailer weight rating for your vehicle equipped with a conventional hitch The maximum rating for a weight carrying hitch is listed in the General Trailering Notes below Do not exceed the trailer weight rating For more information ask your Chevrolet dealer SILVERADO 1500 CONVENTIONAL TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS REGULAR CAB 4 DOOR DOUBLE CAB CREW CAB ENGINE AXLE RATIO STANDARD BOX LONG BOX STANDARD BOX LONG BOX STANDARD BOX STANDARD BOX SHORT BOX STANDARD BOX SHORT BOX STANDARD BOX 2WD 2WD 4x4 4x4 2WD 4x4 2WD 2WD 4x4 4x4 3 42 12 000 7 600 7 400 7 200 7 100 7 000 00 603 4 3L V6 3 23 11 000 6 100 5 900 5 600 5 600 5 500 3 42 15 000 9 800 9 50
12. The difference between the two is the capacity you have available for your cargo passengers trailer load and any other equipment you might use to set up your trailer Put another way your GCWR should always be greater than or equal to the weight of your vehicle passengers cargo trailer with equipment and load It is also important that your vehicle and your trailering combination do not exceed the tongue weight Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR or Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR limitations for your vehicle The only way to be sure to not exceed any of these ratings is to weigh the tow vehicle and trailer combination fully loaded for the trip getting individual weights for each of these items This can be done at a weigh station with a multi platform scale The tongue weight for your trailer is the downward force of the coupler of the trailer on the vehicle hitch You can calculate the tongue weight by placing the tongue of the trailer onan appropriate scale For conventional trailering the tongue weight should be 10 to 15 of the loaded trailer weight For fifth wheel gooseneck trailering the tongue weight should be 15 to 25 of the loaded trailer weight The GVWR is the maximum amount the vehicle itself should weigh including the as equipped weight of the vehicle plus the cargo passengers and trailer tongue weight Put another way the GVWR should always be greater than or equal to the weight of your vehicle passen
13. behind the vehicle when traveling in reverse at low speeds TOW HAUL MODE Standard Tow Haul mode on Express Silverado Silverado HD Suburban and Tahoe as well as available Tow Haul mode on Colorado and Traverse adjusts the shift schedule in the automatic transmission so it isn t hunting for the correct gear while towing or trailering AUTO GRADE BRAKING Standard on Silverado HD this feature works with the cruise control to maintain vehicle speed on long steep grades CRUISE GRADE BRAKING Included with the standard 6 speed automatic transmission on Silverado the cruise grade braking feature automatically downshifts to help slow the truck and preserve your brake pads on long steep descents EXHAUST BRAKE SYSTEM The diesel brake system on Silverado HD works with the available Allison transmission and the Tow Haul mode and auto grade braking features After adjusting for the load and grade a variable vane geometry turbo creates back pressure to slow the vehicle and help reduce brake use That means reduced brake fade prolonged brake life and more confidence when you re pulling 23 200 Ibs especially on steep grades increasing the vehicle s ability to trailer heavy loads AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL This GM exclusive feature sends maximum drive power to the wheel with grip whenever rear wheel slippage happens Available on Colorado Express Silverado Silverado HD Tahoe and Suburban models EXTENDABLE TRAI
14. cle and trailer should safely clear the inside of the turn PASSING When passing allow additional time and distance to safely pass the other vehicle Signal your intention to pass well in advance and when reentering the lane after passing make certain your trailer is clear of the vehicle you have passed Never pass on hills or around curves BACKING UP To back up a trailer place one hand at the six o clock position on the steering wheel To move the trailer to the left move your hand to the left To move the trailer to the right move your hand to the right Back up slowly and move the steering wheel in small increments to help maintain control To assist in backing up it is helpful to have someone outside the vehicle to guide you Make certain you can see your spotter at all times DRIVING ON GRADES Before going down a steep grade reduce your speed and shift the transmission into a lower gear This provides engine braking and reduces the need to brake for long periods Chevrolet crossover SUV and pickup models equipped with a 6 speed automatic transmission as well as pickups equipped with the available 8 speed automatic have a grade braking feature in the transmission which can do this for you See your dealer or Owner s Manual for additional information When driving up a steep incline shift to a lower gear for more torque to maintain speed and avoid lugging Lugging occurs when the vehicle s engine stutters because it
15. eight Weight distributing hitch or fifth wheel hitch Maximum Heavy Duty V Largest horse travel and fifth wheel recreational or commercial trailers 10 001 Ibs and above gross trailer weight Weight distributing hitch fifth wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch 1 Represents minimum recommended hitches Please refer to your trailer s Owner s Manual or ask your Chevrolet dealer 2 Not required on Silverado 2500HD or 3500HD 05 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRAILERING The information below is intended to give you some details about the trailer ratings on your vehicle and a way to ensure that the vehicle you use can handle the load you want to pull TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS AND GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATINGS Chevrolet engineers perform extensive testing of acceleration handling braking and thermal and structural performance to determine the Gross Combination Weight Rating GCWR and the trailer weight rating for your vehicle The GCWR is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer including any passengers cargo equipment and conversions You should not exceed the GCWR of your vehicle when you tow a trailer Chevrolet also calculates and publishes a trailer weight rating for each model or series of Chevrolet vehicles for comparison purposes The trailer weight rating is not specific to an individual vehicle and is most useful for comparing product lines to one another to help you select a product tha
16. gers cargo and tongue weight Finally the RGAWR is the maximum allowable weight the rear axle can carry You can weigh your fully loaded vehicle and trailer at a multi platform weigh station to determine the weight on the rear axle of the vehicle and ensure that you do not exceed the RGAWR You can find both the GVWR and the RGAWR on the Certification Tire label which is found on the rear edge of the driver door 06 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU START TRAILERING BEFORE YOU TRAILER SAFETY CHAINS Always attach safety chains between your vehicle and your trailer and cross them under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will be less likely to drop if the trailer should separate from the hitch Leave enough slack in the chains so you can corner without the chains impeding the movement of the trailer Do not allow safety chains to drag on the ground LOADING YOUR TRAILER Load your trailer to attain a 10 15 tongue weight A good rule of thumb is to distribute 60 of the load over the front half of the trailer and evenly from side to side Loads sitting either too far forward or too far back in the trailer can create unstable trailering conditions such as trailer sway at highway speeds and during heavy braking Once the trailer has been loaded and the weight is distributed properly all cargo should be secured to prevent the load from shifting SAFETY CHECKLIST Before starting out on a trip double check the hitch and pla
17. h and making the proper electrical connections affects how your vehicle handles corners and brakes and allows you to alert other drivers of your intentions Before selecting a hitch or trailering package you should be familiar with the weight ratings specific to your Chevrolet vehicle which are detailed on pages 09 13 SELECTING TRAILERING EQUIPMENT Most Chevrolet vehicles offer a variety of standard and available equipment for enhanced trailering performance Aside from the equipment described below features such as heavy duty cooling and extendable trailering mirrors may be available See your Chevrolet dealer for more information on the model you re interested in WEIGHT CARRYING HITCH This consists of a hitch ball mounted to a step bumper or draw bar Hitch balls are available ina range of sizes Make sure that the diameter of your hitch ball matches your trailer coupler Also check that the ball meets or exceeds the gross trailer weight rating WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING HITCH This hitch type distributes the trailer tongue load by using spring bars to shift some of the hitch weight forward onto the tow vehicle s front axle and rearward to the trailer s axles FIFTH WHEEL HITCH AND GOOSENECK HITCH These are designed for heavy trailering Located in the bed of the truck these hitches position the trailer s kingpin weight over or 1 Not required on Silverado 2500HD or 3500HD Hitch Ball on Draw Bar slightly in front of the
18. ication The weight of any additional equipment and all passengers other than the driver must be subtracted from the payload weight to determine the maximum kingpin load available WIRING HARNESS This allows you to connect the electrical components of your trailer such as turn signals and brake lights to the trailering vehicle Select Silverado models and all Suburban and Tahoe models feature a seven pin wiring harness to streamline hookup of trailer lighting and brakes and a bussed electrical center makes it easier to connect the integrated trailer brake controller TRAILER BRAKES These are required above a 2 000 Ib trailer weight on Silverado Tahoe and Suburban and above a 1 000 trailer weight on all other models The most common trailer braking systems are surge brakes found primarily on boat trailers and electric brakes often used on travel trailers horse trailers and car haulers Surge brakes are a self contained hydraulic brake system on the trailer activated during deceleration as the trailer coupler pushes on the hitch ball An electric trailer brake system uses a brake control unit mounted inside the trailering vehicle it operates by sensing the vehicle brakes and then applying the trailer brakes SERIES In general a higher series number in a model indicates a greater load carrying capacity In addition a vehicle with a higher series number typically has a stronger frame stiffer suspension and higher capacity brakes i
19. materials equipment specifications models and availability Information may have been updated since the time of publication Please check with your Chevrolet dealer for complete details Chevrolet reserves the right to lengthen or shorten the model year for any product for any reason or to start and end model years at different times Chevrolet vehicles are equipped with engines produced by GM Powertrain or other suppliers to General Motors worldwide Allison is a registered trademark of Allison Transmission Inc GM the GM logo Chevrolet the Chevrolet logo and the slogans emblems vehicle model names vehicle body designs and other marks appearing in this guide are the trademarks and or service marks of General Motors its subsidiaries affiliates or licensors 2014 General Motors All rights reserved
20. ncreasing the vehicle s ability to trailer heavy loads 04 TRAILERING BASICS Towing a trailer involves all major vehicle systems of your Chevrolet vehicle Easy and safe trailering requires a properly equipped vehicle additional trailering equipment and an appropriate trailer It also requires loading both the vehicle and trailer properly using safe driving techniques meeting regional legal requirements and following break in and maintenance schedules The vehicle owner is responsible for obtaining the proper equipment hitch ball hitch type of the proper size and capacity required to safely tow both the trailer and the load that will be towed For more information consult your Owner s Manual or speak to a trailering expert at your Chevrolet dealer These charts will assist in determining how to best equip your Chevrolet vehicle for trailering To help you understand the charts consider these trailering factors TRAILER CLASSIFICATION TYPICAL EXAMPLES RGAWR AND GVWR Addition of trailer hitch weight cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or doorframe GCWR The Gross Combination Weight Rating is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer TRAILER WEIGHT RATING This rating is determined by subtracting the tow vehicle s weight curb weight from
21. needs to be in a lower gear Crest the hill no faster than the speed at which you want to descend and in the gear you expect will require little braking Pay attention to your temperature gauges for any signs of overheating 07 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU START TRAILERING continuen OVERHEATING Prolonged driving with overheated fluids can cause damage to your vehicle If temperature gauges register abnormally high if there is a marked decrease in power or if you hear unusual engine noises immediately take the following steps Pull your vehicle to the side of the road Once stopped shift into Park automatic transmissions or Neutral manual transmissions and apply the parking brakes Leave the engine running Turn off air conditioning and other accessories to reduce load on the engine Roll down the windows and turn the heater on to maximum and the fan to its highest setting The heater core provides a second cooling surface that can help reduce engine temperatures If you suspect that the overheating is the result of climbing a long steep grade run the engine at fast idle around 1500 rpm until the temperature gauge registers a normal reading With the vehicle in Park or Neutral the parking brake engaged and being mindful of traffic exit your vehicle and look for steam or leaking coolant underneath the engine If you see either of these shut off the engine and allow the engine to cool To avoid being burned do n
22. o Diesel V8 333 30 500 22 900 22 600 GENERAL TRAILERING NOTES A7 wire trailering harness is standard on Silverado HD models Where available the Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment Package Z82 provides a trailer hitch platform and a 7 pin sealed connector at the rear bumper An 8 wire camper fifth wheel wiring harness UY2 is also available and requires the Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment Package Z82 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL NOTE All automatic transmission models are equipped with an engine oil cooler KC4 and an oil to air transmission oil cooler KNP FIFTH WHEEL GOOSENECK KINGPIN WEIGHT NOTES Fifth wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 to 25 of total loaded trailer weight The addition of trailer kingpin weight cannot cause vehicle to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or doorframe Fifth wheel hitch is available as a dealer installed accessory on select models See the Trailering Basics for more trailering information FIFTH WHEEL GOOSENECK TRAILERING NOTES Silverado HD can be equipped with a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer hitch Follow the manufacturer s directions for installation but note that the hitch must be attached to the truck frame Do not use the pickup bed for additional support For proper kingpin tongue load distribution and control of the trailer the
23. orse Speed is a major contributor to trailer sway So you need to slow the vehicle braking however could lead to a jackknife or other loss of control TO CONTROL SWAY Hold the steering wheel as steady as possible Release the accelerator but do not touch the brake pedal Activate electric trailer brakes if equipped by hand until the sway condition stops Use the vehicle brakes to come to a complete stop You should then pull your vehicle to the side of the road and attempt to determine the cause of the instability Check the cargo load for shifting and improper weight distribution Check tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer and the condition of the suspension and shocks If the sway was caused by strong winds wait for conditions to improve before continuing your trip Finally some trailers can be equipped with anti sway devices Contact the manufacturer of your trailer for availability CORNERING The turning radius of a trailer is typically much smaller than that of your vehicle therefore a trailer may hit soft shoulders curbs trees or other objects when making tight turns Taking turns sharply can also cause the trailer to strike against and damage the tow vehicle When approaching a sharp corner brake sooner than normal to reduce vehicle speed before entering the turn Drive the vehicle slightly past the normal turning point then firmly turn the steering wheel By cornering at a wider angle both the vehi
24. ot attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled PARKING ON GRADES Parking on steep grades with a trailer is not recommended if you must follow this procedure Apply the brakes and shift into Neutral Have someone place trailer wheel blocks on the downgrade side Release the brakes until the blocks absorb the load Apply the parking brake and shift into Park LEAVING YOUR PARKING SPOT ON GRADES the brake pedal down and start the engine Shift into gear and release the parking brake Release brake and drive uphill slightly until free from the blocks Apply brakes and have someone retrieve the blocks 08 TRAILERING TECHNOLOGIES TRAILERING PACKAGE An optional Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment Package is available for a wide variety of Chevrolet models and is standard on some Silverado models The Z82 Package includes a trailer hitch platform and may include other trailering equipment TRAILER SWAY CONTROL Working in conjunction with the StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System and integrated trailer brake controller if equipped the Trailer Sway Control feature on Silverado single rear wheel models only Suburban and Tahoe senses trailer sway and automatically applies the vehicle and trailer brakes and reduces engine power if necessary to help you get back on track HILL START ASSIST Oninclines greater than a 5 grade Hill Start Assist on Silverado single rear wheel model
25. s only Suburban Tahoe Traverse and Equinox automatically engages to hold the vehicle stationary for about a second allowing the driver time to press the accelerator before the vehicle can roll backward It can be extremely helpful when you re stopped on a steep grade with a vehicle two feet from your rear bumper Silverado 3500HD Dually Crew Cab Long Box LTZ 4x4 shown in Brownstone Metallic The available integrated trailer brake controller will also assist with this feature and apply the trailer brakes STABILITRAK ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL StabiliTrak standard on single rear wheel models improves vehicle stability particularly during emergency maneuvers The StabiliTrak control module compares your steering input with the vehicle s actual response and then if necessary makes small individual brake and engine torque applications to enhance control and help you keep on track StabiliTrak automatically intervenes when it senses loss of lateral traction INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER This is optional on Silverado Suburban and Tahoe Completely integrated within the electrical system antilock braking system and StabiliTrak on SRW models it allows your trailer s brakes to operate simultaneously with the vehicle s brakes REAR VISION CAMERA This available feature is designed to allow the driver to use the navigation radio screen if equipped or the rearview mirror to see certain stationary obstacles located
26. t carrying hitch the maximum trailer weight is 5 000 Ibs with a 600 Ib trailer tongue weight A weight distributing hitch and sway control are required for trailer tongue weights greater than 600 Ibs TRAVERSE TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR FWD AWD 3 6L V6 VVT DI FWD 3 16 10 250 5 200 3 6L V6 VVT DI AWD 3 16 10 450 5 200 When using a weight carrying hitch the maximum trailer weight is 5 000 Ibs with a 600 Ib trailer tongue weight A weight distributing hitch and sway control are required for trailer weights greater than 5 000 Ibs EQUINOX TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR FWD AWD 2 4L 1 4 SIDI FWD 3 23 5 87 1 500 2 4L l 4 SIDI AWD 3 53 5 952 1 500 3 6L V6 SIDI FWD 2 77 7 937 3 500 3 6L V6 SIDI AWD 2 77 8 157 3 500 Weight distributing hitch and sway control not required NOTES ON COLORADO TAHOE AND SUBURBAN Trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle except for any option s necessary to achieve the rating plus driver The weight of other optional equipment passengers and cargo will reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow See your Chevrolet dealer for additional details Trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15 of total loaded trailer weight up to 1 000 Ibs Addition of trailer tongue weight must not cause vehicle weights to exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating RGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR The Heavy Duty Trailering Package K5L
27. t will meet your needs When you buy a vehicle you should ensure that the total load including passengers cargo and equipment you intend to pull with it will be less than the trailer weight rating of the vehicle Because the trailer weight rating is calculated for a line of vehicles rather than an individual load situation some standardized assumptions are made when calculating the trailer weight rating First the base curb weight of that type of vehicle is used the weight of a standard equipped vehicle without any options Second it is assumed that there is only one person in the vehicle the driver who weighs 150 Ibs Third it is assumed there is a certain tongue weight for the load a tongue weight is the weight of only the tongue of the loaded trailer For conventional trailering a tongue weight that is 10 of the loaded trailer weight is used For fifth wheel gooseneck trailering a tongue weight that is 16 7 of the loaded trailer weight is used HOW TO KEEP YOUR LOAD WITHIN THE CAPABILITIES OF YOUR VEHICLE To be sure that your trailering combination is appropriate for your vehicle you must first obtain the weight of your specific vehicle with all the optional equipment you ordered You can take your vehicle to a weigh station to get this figure or you can see your dealer who can help you calculate this figure based on the weight of the options you ordered You can then subtract the weight of your vehicle from the GCWR
28. tform the hitch nuts and bolts mirror adjustments safety chains and vehicle and trailer lights Make sure that a sway control device is installed if required and that the device is working properly see charts on pages 09 14 Check tire pressure on both the tow vehicle and the trailer If your trailer has electric brakes test them by manually engaging the brake controller while the vehicle is moving slowly Check to see that the breakaway switch if available is connected and functioning properly Finally make certain that all loads are secure ON THE ROAD ACCELERATING BRAKING Avoid overworking your engine when trailering by applying gradual pressure on the accelerator Allow your vehicle to safely reach a comfortable driving speed Give yourself extra time and room when merging onto highways Braking when pulling a trailer requires extra distance Allow ample room to come to a safe stop A good measure for determining a safe following distance is to allow one vehicle and trailer length between you and the vehicle ahead of you for every 10 mph of speed When braking use firm steady pressure on the brake pedal CONTROLLING TRAILER SWAY Sway refers to instability of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle and often results from improper weight distribution excessive speed or overloading Other factors that can cause sway are crosswinds poor vehicle maintenance and road conditions Trying to steer out of sway will likely make it w
29. the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in Park automatic and may cause personal injury 5 Check for transfer case Neutral by shifting transmission to Reverse then Drive and verify that there is no engagement 6 While the transmission is in Drive turn the ignition key to Accessory 7 Shift the transmission to Park 8 Depower the vehicle by removing the negative cable at the battery This procedure must be followed or the steering column could be damaged 9 Cover the negative battery post with a nonconducting material and prevent any contact between the negative battery terminal and the negative battery cable Notice If power is provided by accidental contact of the cable and terminals damage to the towed vehicle may result which would not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty 10 Verify the steering column is unlocked 11 Release the parking brake only after verifying the towed vehicle is attached to the towing vehicle 12 The ignition key must remain in the towed vehicle Manually lock the doors and use second key for access DISCONNECTING THE TOWED VEHICLE 1 Leave the truck connected to the tow vehicle 2 Connect the battery 3 Set the parking brake and place transmission in Park 4 Shift the transfer case to 2 HI 5 Disconnect the truck from the towing vehicle 6 Reset any lost presets CAMARO COLORADO CORVETTE CRUZE EQUINOX EXPRESS IMPALA MALIBU SILVERADO SONIC SPARK SPAR
30. ting For more information ask your Chevrolet dealer SILVERADO 2500HD AND 3500HD CONVENTIONAL TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS REGULAR CAB ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR2 2500110 LONG BOX 2WD 3500HD LONG BOX 2WD 3500HD LONG BOX 2 DUALLY 2500HD LONG BOX 4x4 3500HD LONG BOX 4x4 3500HD LONG BOX 4x4 DUALLY Vortec 6 0LV8 410 20 500 13 000 13 000 14 200 13 000 13 000 13 900 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 733 16 000 9 500 10 100 9 700 9 300 9 800 9 400 Duramax 6 6L 3 73 24 500 13 000 13 000 13 000 Turbo Diesel V8 313 30 500 z 5 5 16 000 4 DOOR DOUBLE CAB ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR 2500HD STANDARD 2500HD LONG 3500HD LONG 3500HD LONG BOX 2500HD STANDARD 2500HD LONG 3500HD LONG 3500HD LONG BOX BOX 2WD BOX 2WD BOX 2WD 2WD DUALLY BOX 4x4 BOX 4x4 BOX 4x4 4x4 DUALLY Vortec 6 0L V8 4 10 20 500 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 800 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 500 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 733 16 000 10 000 9 900 9 700 9 300 9 700 9 600 9 400 9 000 Duramax 6 6L 3 73 24 500 13 000 13 000 13 000 5 13 000 13 000 13 000 Turbo Diesel V8 3 73 30 500 16 500 18 000 CREW CAB 2500HD 2500HD 3500HD 3500HD 3500HD 2500HD 2500HD 3500HD 3500HD 3500HD ENGINE AXLE RATIO GCWR STANDARD BOX LONG BOX STANDARD BOX LONG BOX LONG BOX STANDARD BOX LONG BOX STANDARD BOX LONG BOX LONG BOX 2WD 2WD 2WD 2WD 2WD DUALLY 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 4x4 DUALLY Vortec 6 0L V8 410 20 500 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 700 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 000 13 300 Vortec 6 0L V8 3 733 16 000 9 800 9 70
31. ximum trailer weight is 5 000 Ibs with a 600 Ib tongue weight A weight distributing hitch and sway control are required for trailer weights greater than 5 000 Ibs 14 DINGHY TOWING DINGHY TOWING Many motor home drivers like to dinghy tow a smaller vehicle as they travel The chart below shows which Chevrolet vehicles can be dinghy towed without a dolly or trailer and with all four wheels on the ground Rear wheel drive and all wheel drive trucks should not be dinghy towed Towed vehicles or dollies or trailers carrying them should have a separate functional braking system DINGHY TOWING SETUP PROCEDURE Use extra caution whenever towing another vehicle Do not exceed the towing vehicle s ratings such as the gross combination weight rating GCWR by adding the weight of the dinghy towed vehicle or vehicle damage may result SPECIFIC DINGHY TOWING INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLORADO AND SILVERADO 4x4 MODELS WITH A 2 SPEED TRANSFER CASE WITH A NEUTRAL AND A 4 LOW POSITION 1 Tow only in a forward direction Position the vehicle to be towed behind the towing vehicle 2 Securely attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle FLAT DINGHY TOWING CAPABILITY 3 Firmly apply the parking brake start the engine and shift the transmission to Neutral Caution Shifting the transmission to Neutral can cause the vehicle to roll and may cause personal injury 4 Shift the transfer case to Neutral Caution Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause
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