1999 CHEVROLET C/K Owners Manual

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Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver's door or in the Incomplete Vehicle Document
in the cab.
The label shows the size of your original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to obtain the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.The Certification/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
CAUTION:
In the case of a sudden stop or collision, things
carried in the bed of your truck could shift
forward and come into the passenger area,
injuring you and others. If you put things in the
bed of your truck, you should make sure they are
properly secured.

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Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
NOTICE:
Some vehicles may be equipped with RPO VYU
(snow plow prep package). With this option, the
payload your vehicle can carry is reduced when a
snow plow is installed. Your vehicle can be
damaged if either the front or rear axle ratings,
or the GVW are exceeded.
As a general guideline, with a 650 lb. (295 kg)
snow plow, the weight of the occupants and cargo
must not exceed 300 lb. (135 kg). However, this
may depend on the vehicle's option content.
Therefore, to help avoid vehicle damage:

Make sure the weight on the front andrear
axles does not exceed their respective
axle ratings.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)

For the front axle, if more cargo or
passengers need to be carried, appropriate
counter ballast must be installed rear of the
rear axle and properly secured.

Total vehicle weight must not exceed the
GVW rating.

See your dealer for advice and information
about using a snow plow on your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.

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NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they 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.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and
injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.

Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.

Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
There's also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See ªLoading Your Vehicle for
Off
-Road Drivingº in the Index.
Truck-Camper Loading Information
The Truck-Camper Loading label is located inside your
glove box. It will tell you if your vehicle can carry a
slide
-in camper, how much of a load your vehicle can
carry, and how to correctly spread out your load.
Also, it will help you match the right slide
-in camper
to your vehicle.
When you carry a slide
-in camper, the total cargo load
of your vehicle is the weight of the camper, plus

everything else added to the camper after it left
the factory,

everything in the camper and

all the people inside.

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The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It doesn't
include the weight of the people inside. But, you can
figure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each seating position.
The total cargo load must not be more than your
vehicle's CWR.
Refer to the Truck
-Camper Loading Information label in
glove box for dimensions A and B as shown in the
following illustration.
Use the rear edge of the load floor for measurement
purposes. The recommended location for the cargo center
of gravity is at point C for the CWR. It is the point where
the mass of a body is concentrated and, if suspended at
that point, would balance the front and rear.Here is an example of proper truck and camper match:
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.
You must weigh any accessories or other equipment that
you add to your vehicle. Then, subtract this extra weight
from the CWR. This extra weight may shorten the
center of gravity zone of your vehicle. Your dealer can
help you with this.

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If your slide-in camper and its load weighs 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 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.
Open your driver's door and look at the Certification/Tire
label to find out your GAWR and GVWR.
If you've gone over your weight ratings, move or take
out some things until all the weight falls 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 ªConsumer Information,
Truck
-Camper Loading.º
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 ªTrailer Towingº in
the Index.

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Camper Wiring Harness
(If Equipped)
A five-wire harness may be stored under your vehicle.
The harness is located inside the frame rail and is even
with the front of the pickup box. This harness has a
30 amp battery feed wire and no connector, and should be
wired by a qualified electrical technician. After choosing
an aftermarket mating connector pair, have the technician
attach one connector to the five
-wire camper harness and
the other connector to the wiring harness for the camper.
The technician can use the following color code chart
when connecting the wiring harness to your camper.
Brown: Rear Lamps

Yellow: Left Stoplamp and Turn Signal

Dark Green: Right Stoplamp and Turn Signal

White (Heavy Gage): Ground

Light Green: Back
-up Lamps
When the harness is not being used, store it in its
original place. 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 Customer Assistance Office
for your area for information on such conversions
specific to this vehicle. (See the ªWarranty and Owner
Assistanceº booklet for Customer Assistance 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 Customer Assistance Office.

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Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
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 dealer for advice
and information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
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 dealer for
important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
Your vehicle may be able to tow a trailer. To identify
what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle,
you should read the information in ªWeight of the
Trailerº that appears later in this section.
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.

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4-50 If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:

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 km/h) and
don't make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
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.