Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard
to drive on. But wet
ice can be
even more trouble because it may offer the
least traction
of all. You can get wet ice when it’s about
freezing
(32°F; OOC) and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there. Whatever the condition
-- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow -- drive with
caution.
Accelerate gently. Try
not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and
polish the surface under the tires even more.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability
when
you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though you have an anti-lock braking system,
you’ll
want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. See “Anti-Lock”
in the Index.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear
in
shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around
clumps of trees, behind buildings or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface
of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear.
If
you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are
on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on
the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
4-38
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Recreational Vehicle Towing
(Four-wheel Drive Oniy)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Set the parking brake firmly.
Place
an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission in FIRST (1).
Firmly attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
Do not tow the vehicle by the rear bumper
bar. Refer to
the hitch manufacturer’s instructions.
Place the transfer case shift lever in NEUTRAL (N).
Recreational vehicle towing is not recommended for
vehicles
with the optional electronic shift transfer case
because the transfer case has
no neutral position.
Shifting the transfer case into NEUTRAL (N) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in
PARK (P), for an automatic transmission,
or if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual
transmission. This is because the transfer case
overrides the transmission.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is firmly attached to the tow vehicle.
6. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch and
turn it one notch forward of the LOCK position. This
places the key
in the OFF position, which unlocks
the steering column while preventing battery drain.
Unlocking the steering
column will allow for proper
movement
of the front wheelshires during towing.
4-41
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here is an example of proper truck and camper match:
I .c
J
A. Camper Center of Gravity
B. Recommended Center of Gravity Location Zone
The camper’s center of gravity should fall within the
center
of gravity zone for your vehicle’s cargo load.
Campers can only,be installed
in a long box pickup. Check
your Truck-Camper Loading Label
in your glove box to
determine if your vehicle can carry a slide-in camper.
You must weigh any accessories, trailer hitches or other
equipment
you add to your vehicle. Then, subtract this
extra weight from the CWR. This extra weight may
shorten the center of gravity zone for your vehicle. Your
dealer can help you with this.
I
I
~ - ~~~ - ~~
~~
If your slide-in camper and its load weigh less than the
CWR, the center of gravity zone for your vehicle may
be larger.
Your dealer can help you make a good vehicle-camper
match. He’ll also help you determine your CWR.
After you’ve loaded your vehicle and camper, drive
to a
weigh station and weigh on
the front and rear wheels
separately. This will tell you the loads on your axles.
The loads on the front and rear axles shouldn’t be more
than either of the GAWRs. The total of the axle loads
should
not be more than the GVWR. The GAWR and
GVWR are found on the Certification/Tire label located
on the driver’s door edge, above the door latch.
If you’ve gone over your weight ratings, move
or take
out some things until all the weights fall below the
ratings. Of course, you should always tie down any
loose items when you load your vehicle or camper.
When you install and load your slide-in camper, check
the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you want more information on curb weights, cargo
weights, cargo weight rating and the correct center
of
gravity zone for your vehicle, your dealer can help you.
Just ask for a copy of “Consumer Information,
Truck-Camper Loading.”
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 If you haw a11 automatic transmission, you should Vehicle Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
use DRIVE (D) (or, as you need to, a lower gear)
when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in 2-Wheel Drive,
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will minimize heat 2.Z Engine 3.73 2,000
lbs. (908 kg)
4.10 2,000 lbs. (908 kg)
buildup and extend the life
of your transpission. If 2-Wheel Drive, 3.08 5,000 lbs.(2 270 kg)
you have a manual transmission and you are towing
“VORTEC” 4300 3.42 6,000 lbs.(2 724 kg)
a trailer, it’s better not to use
FIFTH (5) gear. Just Auto. Trans.
drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a -
lower gear). pi,. 2-Wheel Drive,
“-“‘VORTEC” 4300 3.08 4,000 lbs.( 1 816 kg)
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
Man. Trans. ,I+, : = . -
the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? 4-Wheel Drive,
3.08 4,500
lbs.(2 043
kg)
“VORTEC” 4300 3.42
5,500 lbs.(2 497 kg)
Auto. Trans. 3.73
5,500 lbs.(2
497 kg)
4-Wheel Drive, 3.08 3,500
lbs.( 1 589 kg)
“VORTEC” 4300 3.42
4,000 lbs.( 1 816
kg)
Man. Trans. 3.73
4,500 lbs.(2 043 kg)
It depends
on how you plan to use your rig. For
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
driver and one passenger are in the tow vehicle and it
temperature and how Your vehicle is used to Pull a
’ has all the required trailering equipment. The weight of
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
agditional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum
The following chart shows how much your trailer can trailer weight. Two-wheel-drive models
with a GVWR
weigh, based upon your vehicle model and options. of
4,200 lbs.
(1 907 kg) and four-wheel-drive models
JT”;’ ,-p?? , ,- -&-I:. , * with the ZR2 suspension package are limited to a 2,000
’ , :-qqg$+. r *? *. F:. rr I‘
ty+ : ‘ -.. 4 I lbs. (908 kg) trailer rating.
4-49
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 trailer. 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 to the left, just move that 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
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in
advance.
4-53
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be,injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
--
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet, or into gear for a manual
transmission. When parking uphill, turn your
wheels away from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Thenapply your
parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P), or
REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission.
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a
manual transfer case shift lever, be sure the transfer
case is. in a drive gear
-- not in NEUTRAL, (N).
6. Release the regular brakes.
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehiclt: if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly.
You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, ev
‘en
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you have €our-wheel drive with a manual
transfer case shift lever and your transfer case
is
in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will, be free to
roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So; be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not in
NEUTRAL
(N).
4-55
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able
to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured
if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transmission
in PARK (P) or a manual
transmission in NEUTRAL
(N). If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle with a manual transfer case
shift lever, be sure the transfer case is not
in
NEUTRAL (N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter, or accessory power outlets,
if you have this
option. Turn off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries.
In addition, it could save your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repair wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
-7 any underhood electric fan.
5-3
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your vehicle. See “Roadside Assistance”
in the Index.
If
your vehicle has been changed since it was
factory-new by adding things like fog lamps, aero
skirting, or special tires and wheels, these instructions
may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
0 Whether your vehicle has rear-wheel drive,
four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can move the shift lever for the
transmission and shift the transfer case, if you
have one.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When
the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains these towing
instructions. The operator may want
to see them.
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured. Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always use separate safety chains on each
side when towing
a vehicle.
Never use J-hooks. Use
T-hooks instead.
5-7