2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE trailer

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 Combination
Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight of the
Trailer” later in this section.
Press the button at the end of the shift lever to
enable/disable the tow/haul mode.
A light on the instrument
panel will illuminate to
indicate that tow/haul
mode has been
selected.
The vehicle will automatically turn off tow/haul
every time it is started.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy
load or with no trailer will cause reduced fuel
economy and unpleasant engine and transmission
driving characteristics, but will not cause
damage.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. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on
your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
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.
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Use the following chart to determine how much your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
Notice:Using a fth-wheel or goose-neck hitch device on your vehicle could damage the vehicle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Do not use a fth-wheel or goose-neck hitch
device on your vehicle.
Vehicle Axle RatioMaximum Trailer
Weight*GCWR
C-1500 (2WD)
5300 V83.73 7,100 lbs (3 220 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4.10 8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
C-1500 (2WD)
6000 V84.10 8,200 lbs (3 719 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
K-1500 (4WD)
5300 V83.73 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4.10 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
K-1500 (4WD)
6000 V84.10 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 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 our
Customer Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 586for more information.
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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 402for 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 (B),
up to a maximum of 600 lbs (272 kg) with a weight
carrying hitch. The trailer tongue weight (A) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B), up to a maximum of 1,000 lbs
(454 kg) for the 1500 series and up to a maximum
of 1,500 lbs (680 kg) for the 2500 series 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.
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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.
Trailering may be limited by the vehicle’s ability
to carry tongue weight. Tongue weight cannot
cause the vehicle to exceed the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating). The effect of additional
weight may reduce your trailering capacity more
than the total of the additional weight.
Consider the following example:
A vehicle model base weight is 5,500 lbs
(2 495 kg); 2,800 lbs (1 270 kg) at the front
axle and 2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) at the rear axle.
It has a GVWR of 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg), a
RGAWR of 4,000 lbs (1 814 kg) and a
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
of 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg).The trailer rating should be:
You can expect tongue weight to be at least
10 percent of trailer weight (850 lbs (386 kg)) and
because the weight is applied well behind the
rear axle, the effect on the rear axle will be greater
than just the weight itself, as much as 1.5 times
as much. The weight at the rear axle could
be 850 lbs (386 kg) X 1.5 = 1,275 lbs (578 kg).
Since the rear axle already weighs 2,700 lbs
(1 225 kg), adding 1,275 lbs (578 kg) brings the
total to 3,975 lbs (1 803 kg). This is very close to,
but within the limit for RGAWR as well. The
vehicle is set to trailer up to 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg).
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But let’s say your specic vehicle is equipped with
some of the latest options and you have a front
seat passenger and two rear seat passengers with
some luggage and gear in the vehicle as well.
You may add 300 lbs (136 kg) to the front
axle weight and 400 lbs (181 kg) to the rear axle
weight. Your vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) and you
may think that you should subtract 700 additional
pounds (318 kg) from your trailering capacity
to stay within GCWR limits. Your maximum trailer
would only be 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may
go further and think you must limit tongue
weight to less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to avoid
exceeding GVWR. But, you must still consider the
effect on the rear axle. Because your rear axle
now weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), you can only
put 900 lbs (408 kg) on the rear axle without
exceeding RGAWR.The effect of tongue weight is about 1.5 times the
actual weight. Dividing the 900 lbs (408 kg) by
1.5 leaves you with being able to handle only
600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight. Since tongue
weight is usually at least 10 percent of total loaded
trailer weight, you can expect that the largest
trailer your vehicle can properly handle is
6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
It is important that you make sure your vehicle
does not exceed any of its ratings — GCWR,
GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum Trailer Rating
or Tongue Weight. The only way to be sure you
are not exceeding any of these ratings is to
weigh your vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers on the
Certication label at the rear edge of the driver’s
door or seeTires on page 492. Then be sure you
don’t go over the GVW and rear axle limits for your
vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
If you use a weight distributing hitch, make sure
you don’t go over the rear axle limit before
you apply the weight distributing spring bars.
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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.
Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches
When using a weight-distributing hitch, the hitch
must be adjusted so that the distance (A) remains
the same both before and after coupling the
trailer to the tow vehicle.If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded,
will weigh more than 5,000 lbs (2 270 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 driving.
You should always use a sway control if your
trailer will weigh more than these limits. You
can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
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. Always
leave just enough slack so you can turn with
your rig. Never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
(A) Body-to-Ground Distance (B) Front of Vehicle
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Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs (900 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes — 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.
Since your vehicle is equipped with the
StabiliTrak
®system, your trailer brake system
cannot tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system.
Driving with a Trailer
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 all trailer hitch parts 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.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a
good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can
return to your lane.
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Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very sharp
turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will
ash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the
bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you
may think drivers behind you are seeing
your signal when they are not. It’s important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
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