1993 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN trailer weight

Features & Controls
Torque Lock
The parking brake should be set first whenever leaving the dri\
ver’s seat. If
you are parked on a hill and the transmission is placed in P (Park) before
the parking brake is set, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in the transmission. It may be difficult to pull the selector
lever
out of P (Park). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent this, the parking
brake should be set
BEFORE moving the selector lever to P (Park).
When preparing to move the vehicle, the selector lever should be moved out
of P (Park) BEFORE releasing the parking brake. Set the parking brake first,
then release the transmission from
P (Park), even on level surfaces.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may have to have another vehicle nudge
your vehicle uphill
a little to take some of the pressure off the transmission
while you pull the selector lever out of
P (Park).
Shifting lnto P (Park) (Automatic Transmission Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not I
A fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenl\
y.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move,
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps that foll\
ow.
If you have four-wheel drive, and your transfer case is in N (Neutral), I
your vehicle will be free to roll-even if your shift lever is in P
(Park). So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear-not in N
(Neutral).
If you are parking on a hill, or if you’re pulling a trailer, also see
I “Parking on Hills” or “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. I
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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.
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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.
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Your warranty does not r-rer parts or co ~~ ronents that fail because -
If you put things inside your vehicle-like suitmes, LWWIY, pac;Kages, or
anything else-they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
I
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a
, sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
9 Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle. Try to spread the
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases, inside the vehicle so
weight evenly.
that some
of them are above the tops of the seats.
When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can. I
I Don’t have a seat folded down unless you need to. I
Trailering Package
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING
(GCWR)
PO340
If your vehicle comes with the Trailering Package, there is al\
so a load rating
which includes the weight of the vehicle
and the trailer it tows. This rating is
called the
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
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Service & Appearance Care
When you weigh your trailer, be sure to include the weight of everything you
put in it. And, remember to figure the weight of the people inside as part of
your load.
Your dealer can help you determine your
GCWR.
Add-on Equipment
When you carry removable items, like snow plow blades, you may\
need to
put a limit on how many people you carry inside your vehicle. Be sure to
weigh your vehicle before you buy and install the new equipment.
NOTICE 1
rims
We don’t make tires. Your new vehicle comes with high quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. These tires are warranted by the tire
manufacturers and their warranties are delivered with every new \
vehicle.
If
your spare tire is a different brand than your road tires, you will have a tire
warranty folder from each of these manufacturers.
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