1997 GMC SIERRA trailer

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
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4-27 4-29 Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control
of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss
of Control
Driving Guidelines
Driving
at Night
Driving
in Rain and on Wet Roads 4-32
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4-45 City Driving
Freeway Driving
Before Leaving
on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving
Loading Your Vehicle
Camper Wiring Harness Pickup Conversion
to Chassis Cab
Towing a Trailer
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Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for
your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached,
so that you won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR.
You’ll get
the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see ‘Trailer Towing”
in the Index.
Camper Wiring Harness (If Equipped)
A five-wire harness is stored in the front stake pocket on
the driver’s side of the bed. The harness has no connector
and should be wired by
a qualified electrical technician. It
must be routed out of your vehicle and securely attached
so that it won’t be pulled or rubbed while you’re using
it. Store the harness in its original position. Wrap the
harness together and tie
it neatly so it won’t be damaged.
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners
may consider having the pickup box removed and a
commercial or recreational body installed. Before
you
do so, first contact the GM Zone Office for your area for
information on such conversions specific to this vehicle.
(See the “Warranty and Owner Assistance” booklet for Zone
Office.) Owners should be aware that,
as
manufactured, there are differences between a chassis
cab and a pickup with the box removed which may
affect vehicle safety. The components necessary to adapt
a pickup to permit its safe use with
a specialized body
should be installed by a body builder in accordance with
the information available from the Zone Office.
Towing a Trailer
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.
Ask your GM dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
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NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your
GM dealer
for important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing. If yours
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 part. 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:
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There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, 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
a sway control if your trailer will
weigh less than the capacity stamped on your step
bumper.
You should always use a sway control if
your trailer will weigh more than the capacity
stamped on your step bumper. 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 kmh) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
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a If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow
in OVERDRIVE (@). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD
(3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions). If
you have a manual transmission and you are towing
a trailer, it’s better not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just
drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to,
a lower gear).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
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. Use
one of the following charts to determine how much
your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle model
and options.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are in the tow vehicle and it
has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight of
additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Above the
2,000 lbs. (908 kg) trailer rating, the engine
oil cooler is required
on C/K-1500 and C/K-2500
models with gas engines. Refer to the Trailering Guide
for oil cooler recommendations.
Above the
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg) trailer rating, heavy-duty
or gas shock absorbers are required on
C- 1500 models,
and heavy-duty shock absorbers or the off-road chassis
package are required on
K- 1500 models.
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4.3L (Manual) 5.0L
(Auto.)
5.0L (Manual)
5.7L
6.5L Diesel
C-1500 (2WD)
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio
4.3L (Auto.) 3 .OS
3.42
3.73
3.08
3.42
3.73
3 .OS
3.42
3.08
3.42 3.08
3.42
3.73
3.08
3.42
Max. Trailer Wt.
4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg)
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg)
2,000 lbs. (908 kg)
2,500 lbs.
(1 135 kg)
3,000 lbs.
(1 362 kg)
4,500 lbs. (2 043 kg)
5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg)
2,000 lbs. (908 kg)
3,000 lbs.
(1 362 kg)
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
6,000
lbs. (2 724 kg)
7,000 lbs. (3 178
kg)
6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
7,000 lbs. (3 178 kg)
K-1500 (4WD)
Engine (Trans.)
4.3L (Auto.)
4.3L (Manual)
5.0L (Auto.)
5.0L (Manual)
5.7L
6.5L Diesel
Axle Ratio
3.73
3.73
3.42
3.73
3.42
3.73
3.42
3.73
3.42
3.73
Max. Trailer Wt.
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
2,500
lbs. (1 135 kg)
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
2,500 lbs.
(1 135 kg)
3,500
lbs. (1 589 kg)
5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg)
6,500 lbs. (2 95 1 kg)
6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
7,000
lbs. (3 178 kg)
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C-2500 (2WD) K-2500 (4WD)
5 .OL (Manual)
5.7L
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.0L (Auto.) 3.42 5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg)
3.42 3,000 lbs.
(1 362 kg)
3.42 6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
4.10
8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
6.5L Diesel 3.42 6,500 lbs. (2 951 kg)
(Auto.) 3.73
7,500 lbs. (3 405 kg)
4.10 8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg)
7.4L (Auto.) 3.73 9,000 lbs.* (4 086 kg)
4.10
1 I ,OOO lbs.** (4 994 kg)
3.73 6,500
lbs.
(2 95 1 kg)
3.73
4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg)
3.73 7,000 lbs.
(3 178 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg).
**Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg). 6.5L Diesel
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L
3.73 6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
4.10 7,500 lbs. (3 405 kg)
3.42 6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
4.10 8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
7.4L (Auto.) 3.73
8,500 lbs.* (3 859 kg)
4.10 10,500 lbs.** (4 767 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to
8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg).
**Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg).
3.73
6,500 lbs.
(2 951 kg)
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C-3500 (2WD) K-3500 (4WD)
6.5L Diesel
7.4L
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 4.10 7,500 lbs. (3 405 kg)
4.10
8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
4.56
9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
4.10 10,500 lbs.* (4 767 kg)
4.56 12,500 lbs.*
(5 675 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to
10,000 Ibs. (4 540 kg).
Engine(Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 4.10 7,000 lbs. (3 178 kg)
6.5L Diesel 4.10 7,500 lbs. (3 405 kg)
7.4L 4.10 10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg)
4.56 12,000 lbs.* (5 448 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to
10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg).
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C-3500 Crew Cab (2WD)
6.5L Diesel
7.4L
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 4.10 7,000 lbs. (3 178 kg)
4.56 8,500 lbs.
(3 859 kg)
4.10 8,000 lbs.
(3 632 kg)
4.10 10,500 lbs.* (4 767 kg)
4.56 12,500 lbs.*
(5 675 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to
10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg).
K-3500 Crew Cab (4WD)
6.5L Diesel
7.4L
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 4.10 6,500 lbs. (2 951 kg)
4.56
8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
4.10 7,500 lbs.
(3 405 kg)
4.10 10,000 lbs.* (4 540 kg)
4.56 12,000 Ibs.*
(5 448 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 10,000 lbs. (4
540 kg).
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