1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO towing capacity

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4-54
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. 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:

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 DRIVE (D). 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).
See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the Index. 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.

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9-4
Driving (Continued)
Through Water 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wet Roads 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken Driving 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Easy Entry Seat 1-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 2-17, 3-26, 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-56 . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-10, 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-29, 6-75, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Heater 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Level Check 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System Capacity 6-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Level Check 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running While Parked 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications 6-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your 2-16, 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underhood Electrical Center 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Fan Noise 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil 6-12, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additives 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oil Life Monitor 6
-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure Gage 2-79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Change 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Overheated Message 2-85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust, Engine 2-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric Cleaning 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fan Control, Climate Control System 3-2, 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Fuel Container 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner 6
-16, 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air 3-5, 6-18, 6-77 . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Damage 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat Tire, Changing 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Capacities 6-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluids and Lubricants 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamps 2-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign Countries, Fuel 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-Wheel Drive 2-27, 6-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
French Language Manual ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Axle 6
-27, 7-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Axle Locking Feature 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Axle Reserve Capacity 4-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Towing 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-40 . . . . . . . . . .

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9-11
Treadwear 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform Quality Grading 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When It's Time for New 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque Lock 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque, Wheel Nut 5-30, 6-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Vehicle Reserve Capacity 4-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tow/Haul Light 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tow/Haul Mode 2-23, 4-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing
Trailer 4
-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recreational Vehicle 4-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Vehicle 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer
Brakes 4
-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on Grades 4-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving with 4-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitches 4-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance When Towing 4-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking on Hills 4-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Chains 4-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tongue Weight 4-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Weight on Tires 4-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 4-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals 4-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weight 4-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiring Harness 4-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trans Fluid Hot Message 2-82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trans Hot....Idle Engine Message 2
-83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer Case, Automatic 2-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer Case Lubricant 6-26, 7-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfer Case, Manual 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Fluid
Automatic 6
-19, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual 6-22, 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Temperature Gage 2-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmitters, Keyless Entry 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation, Courtesy 8-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer 2-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TTY Users 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer 4-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underbody Flushing Service 7-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underbody Maintenance 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underhood Electrical Center 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle
Control 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage Warnings iv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification Number 6
-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ventilation System 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Visors, Sun 2-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voltmeter 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .