2004 GMC SAVANA Owner's Manual

Payload
The Payload Capacity is shown on the Certication/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.
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 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 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 “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
4-37

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. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
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.
See also “Driving on Grades” later in this section.
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
Tow/haul is designed to assist while your vehicle is
pulling a large or heavy load or trailer. Tow/haul is most
useful while pulling such a load in rolling terrain, in
stop-and-go traffic, or when you need improved
low-speed control, such as when parking. The purpose
of the tow/haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts,
provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy load as when the vehicle is unloaded, and
improve control of vehicle speed while requiring less
throttle pedal activity.
4-38

Press this button located
to the right of the steering
wheel on the instrument
panel to turn tow/haul
mode on and off.
While activated, the
indicator light on the
instrument panel will be
on.Tow/haul mode will turn off automatically when the
ignition is turned off. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light
on page 3-36.
Tow/haul is 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 this section.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy load will
cause reduced fuel economy and unpleasant engine
and transmission driving characteristics, but will
not cause damage.
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.
4-39

The following chart shows how much your trailer can weigh, based upon vehicle model and options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G1500 Cargo Van 2WD
4300 V6 3.42 4,400 lbs. (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,600 lbs. (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
H1500 Cargo Van AWD
5300 V83.42
3.736,600 lbs. (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G1500 Passenger Van 2WD
4300 V6 3.42 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
5300 V83.42
3.736,400 lbs. (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
H1500 Passenger Van AWD
5300 V83.42
3.736,200 lbs. (2 812 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
4-40

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD
4300 V6 3.73 4,700 lbs. (2 132 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)
4800 V83.73
4.106,400 lbs. (2 903 kg)
7,400 lbs. (3 357 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
5300 V8 3.73 6,600 lbs. (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.108,400 lbs. (3 810 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
H2500 Cargo Van AWD
5300 V8 3.73 6,400 lbs. (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
4300 V6 3.73 4,500 lbs. (2 041 kg) 10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)
4800 V83.73
4.106,300 lbs. (2 858 kg)
7,300 lbs. (3 311 kg)12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
5300 V8 3.73 6,500 lbs. (2 948 kg) 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg)
6000 V83.73
4.108,200 lbs. (3 719 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
4-41

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
6000 V83.73
4.107,900 lbs. (3 583 kg)
9,900 lbs. (4 491 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
6000 V8 3.73
4.107,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
9,500 lbs. (4 309 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
6000 V83.73
4.108,300 lbs. (3 765 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
6000 V83.73
4.108,100 lbs. (3 674 kg)
10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg)
4-42

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
6000 V83.73
4.107,800 lbs. (3 538 kg)
9,800 lbs. (4 445 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
6000 V83.73
4.107,400 lbs. (3 357 kg)
9,400 lbs. (4 264 kg)14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
16,000 lbs. (7 257 kg
The Gross Combined 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
4-43

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. If you have a lot of options, equipment,
passengers or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the
tongue weight your vehicle can carry, which will
also reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. 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. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-31
about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to
a maximum of 400 lbs (181 kg) with a weight carrying
hitch. The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to
a maximum of 1 000 lbs (454 kg) with a weight
distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for your vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch extension
that will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle. This
will help reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight on
the rear axle.
4-44