2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO trailer

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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.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Traction Assist System (Option)
4
-12 Steering
4
-14 Off-Road Recovery
4
-14 Passing
4
-16 Loss of Control
4
-17 Off-Road Driving with Your
Four
-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
4
-32 Driving at Night4
-33 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-36 City Driving
4
-37 Freeway Driving
4
-38 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-39 Highway Hypnosis
4
-39 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-41 Winter Driving
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-45 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-47 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-49 Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment
4
-55 Camper Wiring Harness (If Equipped)
4
-56 Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
4
-56 Towing a Trailer

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Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle for use at your destination.
Be sure to use the proper towing equipment designed
for recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions
for the towing equipment.
When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition to OFF. To
prevent your battery from draining while towing, remove
the IGN 0 fuse from the instrument panel fuse block.
Be sure to replace the fuse when you reach your destination.
See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Tw o-wheel-drive vehicles, should not be towed
with all four wheels on the ground. Two
-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles,
they should be placed on a platform trailer with all
four wheels off the ground.
In rare cases when it's unavoidable that a
two
-wheel-drive vehicle is to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the propeller shaft to axle yoke
orientation should be marked and the propeller shaft
removed following the applicable service manual
removal/installation procedure.
Dust or dirt can enter the back of the transmission
through the opening created by removing the propeller
shaft if proper protection is not provided. Also, check
the transmission fluid level before driving the truck.

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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. If you are using a weight
-distributing hitch,
weigh the vehicle without the equalizer bars in place.
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.
Camper Wiring Harness
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with a camper wiring
harness, see ªTrailer Wiring Harnessº in the Index
for further information.

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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.
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.

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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 dealer for
important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle. Additional rear rear axle
maintenance is required for a vehicle used to tow
a trailer. See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº
in the Index.
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.
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.

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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).
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). See ªTow/Haul Modeº
in the Index.
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.Tow/Haul Mode (If Equipped)
Tow/haul is a feature on automatic transmission
equipped vehicles that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. The purpose of the
tow/haul mode is to:

Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load.

Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when the
vehicle is unloaded.

Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Automatic transmission equipped vehicles are provided
with a button at the end of the shift lever which when
pressed enables tow/haul. When the button is pressed,
a light on the instrument panel will illuminate to indicate
that tow/haul has been selected. Tow/haul may be turned
off by pressing the button again, at which time the
indicator light on the instrument panel will turn off.
The vehicle will automatically turn off tow/haul every
time it is started.

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Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of
the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
Tow/haul is most useful under the following
driving conditions:

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
through rolling terrain.

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in stop and go traffic.

When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in busy parking lots where improved low speed
control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded
or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benefit to the selection of tow/haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.
Tow/haul is recommended only when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.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 5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg) trailer rating, the
handling/trailering suspension is required on C
-1500
models and the handling/trailering or off
-road
suspension is required on K
-1500 models. The engine
oil cooler is required on C/K
-2500 models with the
VORTEC 6000 engine. Refer to the Trailering Guide
for oil cooler recommendations.

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C-1500 Regular Cab Short Box (2WD)*
Engine (Trans.) Axle
RatioMax. Trailer Wt.
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.08 4,700 lbs. (2 132 kg)
3.42 5,200 lbs. (2 359 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.08 3,700 lbs. (1 678 kg)
3.42 4,200 lbs. (1 905 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto) 3.42 6,600 lbs. (2 994 kg)
3.73 7,600 lbs. (3 447 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual) 3.42 4,600 lbs. (2 087 kg)
3.73 5,600 lbs. (2 540 kg)
5300 V8 3.42 7,600 lbs. (3 447 kg)
3.73 8,600 lbs. (3 901 kg)C-1500 Extended Cab Short Box (2WD)*
Engine (Trans.) Axle
RatioMax. Trailer Wt.
4300 V6 (Auto) 3.42 4,900 lbs. (2 223 kg)
3.73 5,900 lbs. (2 676 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.42 3,900 lbs. (1 769 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto) 3.42 6,300 lbs. (2 858 kg)
3.73 7,300 lbs. (3 311 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual) 3.42 4,300 lbs. (1 950 kg)
3.73 5,300 lbs. (2 404 kg)
5300 V8 3.42 7,300 lbs. (3 311 kg)
3.73 8,300 lbs. (3 765 kg)
* Weight
-distributing hitch tongue weight 10% to 15% of trailer weight 1,000 lb. (454 kg) maximum.
Fifth
-wheel hitch tongue weight 15% to 25% of trailer weight 1,500 lb. (680 kg) maximum.