2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO trailer

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 — 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.
To identify the vehicle trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of the
Trailer” 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 acceleration, braking, 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
Notice:Pulling a fth-wheel camper with a vehicle
that is equipped with the SS trim package could
damage the vehicle. Do not pull a fth-wheel camper
with a vehicle equipped with the SS trim package.
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. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
4-70

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.
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,
such as 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 the highest
gear. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-52.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
The weight on your vehicle’s tires
Tow/Haul Mode
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.
4-71

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).
See “Weight of the Trailer” later in the section.
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 benet 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.
4-72

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Regular Cab Short Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto)3.08
3.424,600 lbs. (2 087kg)
5,100 lbs. (2 313kg)9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual)3.08
3.423,600 lbs. (1 633 kg)
4,100 lbs. (1 860 kg)8,000 lbs. (3 628 kg)
8,500 lbs. (3 855 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
3.736,500 lbs. (2 948 kg)
7,500 lbs. (3 401 kg)11,000 lbs. (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.734,500 lbs. (2 041 kg)
5,500 lbs. (2 495 kg)9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 535 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.737,500 lbs. (3 401 kg)
8,500 lbs. (3 855 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to
1,500 lbs. (680 kg) maximum.
4-73

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Extended Cab Short Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto)3.42
3.734,700 lbs. (2 133 kg)
5,200 lbs. (2 360 kg)9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual) 3.42 3,700 lbs. (1 678 kg) 8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
3.736,100 lbs. (2 769 kg)
7,100 lbs. (3 223 kg)11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.734,100 lbs. (1 859 kg)
5,100 lbs. (2 313 kg)9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.737,100 lbs. (3 223 kg)
8,100 lbs. (3 677 kg)**12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
5300 V8 w/4WS3.73
4.107,700 lbs. (3 493 kg)***
8,700 lbs. (3 946 kg)***13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to
1,500 lbs. (680 kg) maximum.
**Maximum 8,000 lbs. (3 628 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
***Maximum 7,500 lbs. (3 401 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-2500 LD (2WD)*
6000 V83.73
4.108,300 lbs. (3 765 kg)
10,300 lbs. (4 672 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
6000 V8 w/4WS3.73
4.108,000 lbs. (3 629 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to
2,500 lbs. (1 133 kg) maximum.
4-74

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Crew Cab (2WD)*
5300 V83.42
3.736,800 lbs. (3 084 kg)
7,800 lbs. (3 538 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Regular Cab Long Box (2WD)*
4300 V6 (Auto)3.08
3.424,400 lbs. (1 995 kg)
4,900 lbs. (2 222 kg)9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual)3.08
3.423,400 lbs. (1 542 kg)
3,900 lbs. (1 769 kg)8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
3.736,300 lbs. (2 857 kg)
7,300 lbs. (3 311 kg)11,000 lbs. (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs. (5 448 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.734,300 lbs. (1 950 kg)
5,300 lbs. (2 404 kg)9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.737,300 lbs. (3 311 kg)
8,300 lbs. (3 764 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 902 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to
1,500 lbs. (680 kg) maximum.
4-75

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
C-1500 Extended Cab Long Box (2WD)*
4800 V8 (Auto)3.42
3.735,900 lbs. (2 676 kg)
6,900 lbs. (3 129 kg)11,000 lbs. (4 994 kg)
12,000 lbs. (5 448 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.42
3.733,900 lbs. (1 769 kg)
4,900 lbs. (2 222 kg)9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,900 lbs. (3 129 kg)
7,900 lbs. (3 583 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 902 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to
1,500 lbs. (680 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Regular Cab Short Box (4WD)
4300 V6 (Auto)3.42
3.734,800 lbs. (2 177 kg)
5,300 lbs. (2 404 kg)9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg)
4300 V6 (Manual)3.42
3.733,800 lbs. (1 724 kg)
4,300 lbs. (1 950 kg)8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg)
9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
4800 V8 (Auto)3.73
4.107,200 lbs. (3 265 kg)
8,200 lbs. (3 719 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 902 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.73
4.105,200 lbs. (2 359 kg)
6,200 lbs. (2 812 kg)10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg)
11,000 lbs. (4 994 kg)
5300 V83.73
4.108,200 lbs. (3 719 kg)
9,200 lbs. (4 173 kg)13,000 lbs. (5 902 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 356 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to
1,500 lbs. (680 kg) maximum.
4-76

Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Extended Cab Short Box (4WD)*
4800 V8 (Auto)3.73
4.106,800 lbs. (3 084 kg)
7,800 lbs. (3 538 kg)**12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
4800 V8 (Manual)3.73
4.104,800 lbs. (2 177 kg)
5,800 lbs. (2 630 kg)10,000 lbs. (4 535 kg)
11,000 lbs. (4 990 kg)
5300 V83.73
4.107,800 lbs. (3 538 kg)**
8,800 lbs. (3 991 kg)**13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
5300 V8 w/4WS3.73
4.107,400 lbs. (3 356 kg)
8,400 lbs. (3 810 kg)13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
** Maximum weight 7,700 lbs. (3 492 kg) for fth-wheel or gooseneck.
K-2500 LD (4WD)*
6000 V83.73
4.108,000 lbs. (3 629 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 535 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
6000 V8 w/4WS3.73
4.107,700 lbs. (3 492 kg)
9,700 lbs. (4 399 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 356 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 264 kg)
* Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight 15 percent to 25 percent of trailer weight up to
2,500 lbs. (1 133 kg) maximum.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500 Crew Cab (4WD)*
5300 V83.73
4.107,500 lbs. (3 401 kg)
8,500 lbs. (3 855 kg)13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
4-77