1996 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA weight

Three important considerations have to do with weight:
0 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?
It should never weigh more than 5,000 lbs. (2 270 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 are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have
on your vehicle. You
can
ask your retailer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write
us at:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 30095
Lansing, MI 48909
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1 H 8P7
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Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because
it affects the total or 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.
A 6
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should.weigh 12 percent 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/Tire label on the driver’s door edge, above
the door latch or see “Tire Loading”
in the Index. Then
be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight of
the trailer tongue.
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:
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0
0
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than 2,000 Ibs. (900 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.
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 trailer. 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 hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to
the bumper. 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 lbs. (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.
Your trailer’s brake system can tap into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system only
if:
0 The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650
kPa) of pressure.
0 The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise,
both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.
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.
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Driving with a Trailer
A CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull
a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You 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:
a
a
a
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
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
MAX A/C because.it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
L
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 yaurself 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 as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
’
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets-you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the ,lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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Steering ....................................... 4-8
Column Lock Check
.......................... 7-42
In Emergencies
................................ 4-9
Power
....................................... 4-8
Wheel. Tilt
.................................. 2-23
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-34
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-30
Storing
a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ............... 5-28
Stuck:
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-29
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-42
Sunglasses Storage
.............................. 2-37
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
.................. 1 - 16
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
Tachometer .................................. 2-49
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-33
Tape Player Care
............................... 3- 14
Temperature Display ............................ 2-36
Theft
.......................................... 2-9
Theft-Deterrent Feature.
CD Player ................ 3- 11
Thermostat .................................... 6- 23
Third Gear
.................................... 2- 16
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-23
Time. Setting
................................... 3-6
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-43
Tires Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-42
Buying New
................................. 6-40 Changing
a Flat .............................. 5-20
Cleaning .................................... 6-49
Inflation
............................... 6.38. 7.39
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-39
Pressure
............................... 6.38. 7.39
Temperature
................................. 6-42
Traction
.................................... 6-41
Treadwear
................................... 6-41
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-41
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-40
TorqueLock
................................... 2-19
Torque. Wheel
Nut ......................... 5.27. 6.57
TowingaTrailer
................................ 4-43
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-6
Trailer Brakes
..................................... 4-47
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-50
Driving
with a Trailer .......................... 4-48
Hitches
..................................... 4-46
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-50
Safety Chains
................................ 4-47
Tongueweight
............................... 4-46
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-46
Towing
..................................... 4-43
Turnsignals
................................. 4-49
Weight
..................................... 4-45
Wiring Harness ............................... 4-52
TopStrap
..................................... 1-33
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-51
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