1993 CHEVROLET BLAZER trailer

Features & Controls
mailer. Wiring Harness
K2373
The 7-wire harness is stored under your vehicle along the rear\
frame
crossmember. The harness has a
30 amp in-line fused battery feed wire and
no connector, and should be wired by a qualified electrical se\
rvice person.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or strap\
it
to your
vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure you leave it
loose enough so the wiring won’t
bind or break when turning with the trailer, but not
so loose that it drags on
the ground.
Store the harness in its original position. Wrap the harness t\
ogether and tie it neatly
so it won’t be damaged.
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Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving different kinds of roads and in
varying weather conditions . We’ve also included many other useful tips on
driving
.
Road Signs ........................................................................\
.................................... 4-2
Defensive Driving
........................................................................\
.......................... 4-9
Drunken Driving
........................................................................\
........................... 4-10
Control of a Vehicle
.................. ; ........................................................................\
. 4-13
Braking
........................................................................\
...................................... 4-13
Steering
........................................................................\
.................................... 4-18
Steering in Emergencies
........................................................................\
......... 4-19
Passing
........................................................................\
..................................... 4-21
Loss of Control ........................................................................\
........................ 4-23
Driving Guidelines (Utility
Models) ..................................................................... 4-24
Off-Road Driving With Your Four-wheel Drive Vehicle
.................................... 4-24
Driving at Night
........................................................................\
........................... 4-35
Driving in the Rain
........................................................................\
...................... 4-37
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze
........................................................................\
.. 4-40
City Driving
........................................................................\
.................................. 4-42
Freeway Driving
........................................................................\
........................... 4-43
Driving
a Long Distance ........................................................................\
............. 4-44
Hill and Mountain Roads ........................................................................\
............ 4-47
Parking
on Hills ........................................................................\
........................... 4-49
Winter Driving
........................................................................\
.............................. 4-53
Towing a Trailer
........................................................................\
........................... 4-56
Power Winches
........................................................................\
............................ 4-64
4-1

Your Driving and the Road
AN480044
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run
the engine, make
it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses
less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps
the battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlights. Let the heater
run for awhile. Then,
shut the engine off and close the window almost all the
way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible.
Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so
until help comes.
If You’re Stuck in Deep Snow
This manual explains how to get the vehicle out of deep snow without
damaging it. See “Rocking Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Towing a mailer
I A If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive properly, you can
lose control when
you pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well-or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured. Pull a trailer only
if you have
followed all the steps in this section.
4-56

I NOTICE
’
I advice in this section.
Wing a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result in costly
epairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow the
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing,
If it was built with trailering
options, as many are, it’s ready for heavier trailers. But \
trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes \
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In
it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers,
So please read this section carefully before you
pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
e
e
There are many different laws having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig
will be legal, not only where you live but also where you’ll be\

driving.
A good source for this information can be state or provincial
police.
Consider using sway control with a utility model
if your trailer will weigh
3,000 pounds (1361 kg) or less, or with a wagon model if your trailer
will weigh
4,000 pounds (1800 kg) or less. You should always use sway
control with a utility model
if your trailer will weigh more than 3,000
pounds (1 361 kg), or with a wagon model if your trailer will weigh more
than
4,000 pounds (1800 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer about sway
controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (800 km) your new
vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle, or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
drive over
50 mph (80 kmlh) and don’t make starts at full throttle. That
will help your engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
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Your Driving and the Road
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
For utility vehicles, a trailer should never weigh more than 7,000 pounds
(31 75.2 kg).
For wagon models, a trailer should never weigh more than 10,000
pounds (6125.6 kg).
But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature, \
and how
much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer all are important\
. And,
it can also
depend on any special equipment that you have
on your vehicle. You can
ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or y\
ou can write us at
the address listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance Inform\
ation
Booklet.
In Canada, write
to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because
it affects the total, gross weight of your vehicle. The gross vehicle weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight
of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it,
and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer,
you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index for more
information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
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A B
AN490002
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh \
10%
of the total loaded trailer weight (8). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch,
the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find
these numbers on the Certification label at the rear edge of \
the driver’s
door
(or see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index). Then be sure you don’t go over
the
GVW limit for your vehicle.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going by, and rough roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch,
Here are some rules to follow:
If your vehicle has a step bumper and you are going to use a ball-type
hitch, remove the pad and cut holes in it to match the hitch and safety
chain holes in the bumper.
If you’ll be pulling a trailer with a utility model that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
3,000 pounds (1361 kg); or with a wagon model that
when loaded, will weigh more than
4,000 pounds (1 800 kg), be sure to
use a properly mounted weight-distributing hitch and sway control
of the
proper size. This equipment
is very important for proper vehicle loading
and good handling when you’re driving.
4-59

Your Driving and 0% Road
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later
when you remove the hitch.
If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see “Carbon
Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trail\
er. Cross
the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer
so that the tongue will not
drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety chains. Always leave just
enough slack
so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs
its own brakes-and they must be adequate. Be sure
to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the trailer’s brake system will use
more than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicles master cylinder.
If it does, both braking systems won’t work well. You could even lose your
brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000 psi (20 650 kPa) of pressure? If
not, the trailer brake system must not be used with your vehi\
cle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake fluid tap at the
port on the master cylinder that sends fluid
to the rear brakes. But don’t
use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out
for the open road, you’ll want
to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with
the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And
always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal
longer and not nearly
so responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety \
chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric brakes,
start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trail\
er brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets vou check your
electrical connection at the same time.
4-60

I
If you have a rear-most window open and you pull a trailer with \
your
can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or death (See
“Engine Exhaust” in the Index).
To maximize your safety when towing
a trailer:
- vehicle, carbon monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle. You
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks and make
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle through a window in the
rear or another opening, drive with your front, main heating or
cooling system
on and with the fan on any speed. This will
bring fresh, outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use RECIR
because it only recirculates the air inside your vehicle. See
“Comfort Controls” in the Index.
necessary repairs before starting on your trip.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a tr\
ailer.
And, because you’re
a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer left, just move your hand to the left.
To move the trailer to the right,
move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than n\
ormal. Do this so
your trailer wheels won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-61