2002 GMC SAVANA Owner's Manual

4-28
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on the rear edge of
the driver's door. 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
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). 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:
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.

4-29
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.

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

Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Payload
The Payload Capacity is shown on the Certification/Tire
label. This is the maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the weight of the
people inside as part of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle left the
factory, remember to subtract the weight of these things
from the payload. Your dealer can help you with this.

4-30 Trailering Package
If your vehicle is equipped with the trailering package,
there is also a load rating which includes the weight of
the vehicle and the trailer it tows. This rating is called
the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
When you weigh your trailer, be sure to include the
weight of everything you put in it. And, remember to
figure the weight of the people inside the vehicle as part
of your load.
Your dealer can help you determine your GCWR.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you carry inside your vehicle.
Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you buy and install
the new equipment.
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.

4-31
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 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.

4-32 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 4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg) or less. You should
always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh
more than 4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg). 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.
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).
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.
The following chart shows how much your trailer can
weigh, based upon vehicle model and options.

4-33
Model Engine Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Weight (lbs.) (kg) GCWR (lbs.) (kg)
G1500 (Cargo) 4.3L 3.42 4,600 (2088) 9,500 (4313)
5.0L 3.42 5,600 (2542) 10,500 (4767)
5.7L 3.42 6,100 (2769) 11,000 (4994)
G1500 (Passenger) 4.3L 3.42 4,200 (1907) 9,500 (4313)
3.73 4,700 (2134) 10,000 (4540)
5.0L 3.42 5,100 (2315) 10,500 (4767)
5.7L 3.42 5,600 (2542) 11,000 (4994)
3.73 6,600 (2996) 12,000 (5448)
G2500 (Cargo) 4.3L 3.42 4,300 (1952) 9,500 (4313)
4.10 5,000 (1816) 10,500 (4767)
5.0L 3.42 5,200 (2361) 10,500 (4767)
5.7L 3.42 5,700 (2588) 11,000 (4994)
3.73 6,400 (2906) 12,000 (5448)
4.10 7,900 (3587) 13,500 (6129)
6.5L 3.73 8,500 (3859) 14,500 (6583)
4.10 8,500 (3859) 14,500 (6583)

4-34
Model Engine Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Weight (lbs.) (kg) GCWR (lbs.) (kg)
G2500 (Passenger) 5.7L 3.73 5,800 (2633) 12,000 (5448)
4.10 7,300 (3314) 13,500 (6129)
6.5L 3.73 8,100 (3677) 14,500 (6583)
4.10 8,100 (3677) 14,500 (6583)
G3500 (Cargo) 5.7L 3.73 6,300 (2860) 12,000 (5448)
4.10 7,800 (3541) 13,500 (6129)
6.5L 3.73 8,400 (3814) 14,500 (6583)
4.10 8,400 (3814) 14,500 (6583)
8.1L 3.42 7,500 (3405) 13,500 (6129)
3.73 9,000 (4086) 15,000 (6810)
4.10 10,000 (4540) 17,000 (7718)
G3500 (Passenger) 5.7L 3.73 5,600 (2542) 12,000 (5448)
4.10 7,100 (3223) 13,500 (6129)
6.5L 3.73 7,800 (3541) 14,500 (6583)
4.10 7,800 (3541) 14,500 (6583)
8.1L 3.42 6,800 (3087) 13,500 (6129)
3.73 8,300 (3768) 15,000 (6810)
4.10 10,000 (4540) 17,000 (7718)

4-35
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are in the towing vehicle and
it has all the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional equipment, passengers and cargo in the
towing vehicle must be subtracted from the above
maximum trailer weights.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163
-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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 ªLoading
Your Vehicleº in the Index for more information about
your vehicle's maximum load capacity.
If you're using a weight-carrying or a
weight
-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue weight (A)
should be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B). Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for your vehicle.
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.