2003 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER weight

Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment
Your vehicle was neither designed nor intended for a
snow plow.
Notice:Adding a snow plow or similar equipment
to your vehicle can damage it, and the repairs would
not be covered by warranty. Do not install a snow
plow or similar equipment on your vehicle.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not 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 Ð or even
at all. You and your passengers could be
seriously injured. You may also damage your
vehicle; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. 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 that would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the instructions in this section and check with your
dealer for more information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you
should read the information in ªWeight of the Trailerº
that appears later in this section.
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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 4,000 lbs. (1 816 kg) or less. You should
always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh
more than 4,000 lbs. (1 816 kg). You can ask a
hitch dealer about sway controls.
·Don't tow a trailer at all during the ®rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
·Then, during the ®rst 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.
·With 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 (eg.,
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.
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Look in the following chart to ®nd the maximum trailer weight for your vehicle.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
2WD TRAILBLAZER (L6 Engine)3.425,300 lbs.
(2 406 kg)10,000 lbs.
(4 535 kg)
3.735,800 lbs.
(2 633 kg)10,500 lbs.
(4 762 kg)
4.106,300 lbs.
(2 860 kg)11,000 lbs.
(4 989 kg)
4WD TRAILBLAZER (L6 Engine)3.425,200 lbs.
(2 301 kg)10,000 lbs.
(4 535 kg)
3.735,700 lbs.
(2 588 kg)10,500 lbs.
(4 762 kg)
4.106,200 lbs.
(2 815 kg)11,000 lbs.
(4 989 kg)
2WD TRAILBLAZER EXT (L6 Engine)3.424,900 lbs.
(2 225 kg)10,000 lbs.
(4 535 kg)
3.735,400 lbs.
(2 452 kg)10,500 lbs.
(4 762 kg)
4.105,900 lbs.
(2 679 kg)11,000 lbs.
(4 989 kg)
4-52

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4WD TRAILBLAZER EXT (L6 Engine)3.424,800 lbs.
(2 179 kg)10,000 lbs.
(4 535 kg)
3.735,300 lbs.
(2 406 kg)10,500 lbs.
(4 762 kg)
4.105,800 lbs.
(2 633 kg)11,000 lbs.
(4 989 kg)
2WD TrailBlazer EXT (V8 Engine)3.42 5,800 lbs. (2 633 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 994 kg)
3.73 7,200 lbs. (3 269 kg) 12,500 lbs. (5 675 kg)
4WD TrailBlazer EXT (V8 Engine)3.42 5,700 lbs. (2 588 kg) 11,000 lbs. (4 994 kg)
3.73 7,000 lbs. (3 178 kg) 12,500 lbs. (5 675 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
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
4-53

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
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-48for 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.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are in¯ated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You'll ®nd these numbers on the
Certi®cation label at the rear edge of the driver's door.
Then, be sure you don't go over the GVW limit for
your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
4-54

Hitches
It's important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
·If you'll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than 4,000 lbs. (1 816 kg), be sure to
use a properly mounted, weight-distributing
hitch and sway control of the proper size. This
equipment is very important for proper vehicle
loading and good handling when you're driving.
·Will you have to make any holes in the body of
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when you
remove the hitch. If you don't seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle. Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it becomes separated from
the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be
provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer.Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.
Always leave just enough slack so you can turn
with your rig. Never allow safety chains to drag on the
ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes Ð and they must
be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly.
Your trailer's brake system can tap into the vehicle's
hydraulic brake system only if:
·The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
·The trailer's brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of ¯uid from your vehicle's
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won't work well. You could even lose your brakes.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake
¯uid tap at the port on the master cylinder that
sends ¯uid to the rear brakes. But don't use copper
tubing for this. If you do, it will bend and ®nally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
4-55

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can't see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. See ªEngine
Exhaustº in the Index. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
·Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
·Keep the rear-most windows closed.
·If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. See ªClimate Controlsº in the
Index.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
4-56

Steering in Emergencies..................................4-11
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection.....................................6-16
Steering Tips..................................................4-10
Steering Wheel Climate Controls.......................3-34
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-106
Steering........................................................4-10
Stereo RCA Jacks..........................................3-94
Storage Areas................................................2-49
Convenience Net.........................................2-49
Front Storage Area......................................2-44
Glove Box..................................................2-43
Luggage Carrier..........................................2-47
Overhead Console.......................................2-43
Rear Floor Storage Lid.................................2-48
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...............5-75
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-42
Sun Visors.....................................................2-15
Sunglasses Storage Compartment.....................2-43
Sunroof.........................................................2-50
T
Table............................................................2-47
Tachometer....................................................3-38
Taillamps.......................................................5-50
Turn Signal Lamps......................................5-50
Testing the Alarm............................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-105Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-16
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-16
Passlock
ž...................................................2-18
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire In¯ation Check.........................................6-11
Tires.............................................................5-54
Buying New Tires........................................5-58
Chains.......................................................5-62
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-64
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-63
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-54
Inspection and Rotation................................5-55
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-59
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-60
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-61
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-57
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39
Top Strap......................................................1-38
Torque Lock...................................................2-31
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-54
Towing..........................................................4-44
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-44
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-50
Your Vehicle...............................................4-44
Traction........................................................... 4-9
Assist System (TAS)...................................... 4-9
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-55
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-60
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE.............................3-62
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