Page 275 of 452

Truck-Camper Loading Information
This label is inside your glove box. It will tell you if
your vehicle can carry a slide-in camper, how much of a
load your vehicle can carry, and how to correctly
spread out your load. Also, it will help you match the
right slide-in camper to your vehicle.
When you carry a slide-in camper, the total cargo load
of your vehicle is the weight of the camper, plus
·everything else added to the camper after it left the
factory,
·everything in the camper and
·all the people inside.
The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It doesn't
include the weight of the people inside. But, you
can ®gure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each seat.
The total cargo load must not be more than your
vehicle's CWR.Refer to the Truck-Camper Loading Information label in
glove box for dimensions A and B as shown in the
following illustration.
Use the rear edge of the load ¯oor for measurement
purposes. The recommended location for the cargo
center of gravity is at point C for the CWR. It is the
point where the mass of a body is concentrated and, if
suspended at that point, would balance the front
and rear.
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Here is an example of proper truck and camper match:
A. Camper Center of Gravity
B. Recommended Center of Gravity Location Zone
The camper's center of gravity should fall within the
center of gravity zone for your vehicle's cargo load.
You must weigh any accessories or other equipment
that you add to your vehicle. Then, subtract this
extra weight from the CWR. This extra weight may
shorten the center of gravity zone of your vehicle. Your
dealer can help you with this.
If your slide-in camper and its load weighs less than the
CWR, the center of gravity zone for your vehicle may
be larger.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 Certi®cation/Tire
label to ®nd 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 of²Consumer Information,
Truck-Camper Loading.²
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Page 277 of 452

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 spring 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.
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, ®rst contact GM Customer Assistance for information
on such conversions speci®c to this vehicle. 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 GM Customer Assistance.
See
Customer Assistance Offices on page 7-4.
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Page 278 of 452

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. 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 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 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.
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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 ªHitchesº 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.
·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.
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Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul is a feature 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.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a switch at the end
of the shift lever which when pressed enables
Tow/Haul. When the switch 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 switch 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.Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when
the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR). See Weight of the Trailer later in this
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 bene®t 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.
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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 only the
driver is 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.
Vehicle* Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
K-1500*
6000 V8 4.10 10,000 lbs. (4 535 kg)** 16,000 lbs. (7 257 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 conversions. 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
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Page 282 of 452

Weight of 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. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-48for more information 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 or 600 (272 kg) for the 1500 series 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 (453 kg) for the
1500 series with a weight distributing hitch.
Fifth wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15 to
25 percent of the trailer weight up to the maximum
amount speci®ed in the trailering chart for your vehicle.
See ªWeight of theTrailerº in this section.
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