2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO towing

Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy
towing, towing your vehicle will all four wheels
on the ground, and dolly towing, towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”.
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing” following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on
a Long Trip on page 416.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being towed.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
2. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
others could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is rmly set before you shift
the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 149for the
proper procedure to select the neutral position
for your vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition off and leave the steering
column unlocked.
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Dolly Towing
Front Towing
(Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Never tow your vehicle with the rear wheels on
the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with the rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being towed.
To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle, you must
tow the vehicle with the rear wheels on the
dolly. See “Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)” later in this section for more information.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Drive the vehicle up onto the tow dolly.
2. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
3. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow dolly.
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{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
others could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is rmly set before you shift
the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
6. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 149for the
proper procedure to select the neutral position
for your vehicle.
7. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
8. Turn the ignition off and lock the steering
column.
Rear Towing
(Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle
from the rear:
1. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
2. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 164.
3. Put the transmission in PARK (P).
4. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to
attach and secure the vehicle being towed to
the dolly and then the loaded dolly to the
tow vehicle. Make sure the wheels are straight
before towing.
Use an adequate clamping device to ensure
that the front wheels are locked into the
straight position.
5. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the tow vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
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Towing a Trailer
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeNew
Vehicle Break-In on page 134for more information.
{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 trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
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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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.
If you are towing a trailer up to 5,000 lbs (2 271 kg)
with a factory-installed step bumper, you may
attach the safety chains to the attaching points on
the bumper. If you are towing a trailer up to
your vehicle’s trailer rating limit you may attach
the safety chains to the attaching point on the hitch
platform. If you are towing with an aftermarket
hitch follow the trailer or hitch manufacturer’s
recommendation for attaching safety chains.
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 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.
If your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak
®,
your trailer cannot tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system.
Your trailer 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, make the brake
tap at the port on the master cylinder that
sends the 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.
466

The ITBC system can only be used with trailers
with electric brakes.
{CAUTION:
Connecting a trailer that is not compatible
with the ITBC system may result in
reduced or complete loss of trailer
braking. There may be an increase in
stopping distance or trailer instability
which could result in personal injury or
damage to your vehicle, trailer, or other
property. An aftermarket controller may be
available for use with trailers with surge,
air or electric-over-hydraulic trailer brake
systems. To determine the type of brakes
on your trailer and the availability of
controllers, check with your trailer
manufacturer or dealer.When trailering, make sure of the following:
The ITBC system is used only with trailers that
are equipped with electric brakes.
All applicable local and federal laws and
regulations are followed.
All electrical and mechanical connections to
the trailer are made correctly.
The trailer’s brakes are in proper working
condition.
The trailer and vehicle are properly loaded for
the towing condition.
The ITBC system is a factory installed item.
Out-of-factory installation of this system should not
be attempted. GM is not responsible for warranty
or performance of the system resulting from
out-of-factory installation.
468

Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply Lever is located on
the Trailer Brake Control Panel and is used to apply
the trailer’s electric brakes independent of your
vehicle’s brakes. This lever is used in the Trailer
Gain Adjustment Procedure to properly adjust the
power output to the trailer brakes. Sliding the lever
to the left will apply only the trailer brakes. The
power output to the trailer is indicated in the Trailer
Brake Display Page in the DIC. If your vehicle’s
service brakes are applied while using the Manual
Trailer Brake Apply Lever, the trailer output power
will be the greater of the two.
The trailer and the vehicle’s brake lamps will come
on when either vehicle braking or manual trailer
brakes are applied.
Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a specic trailering
condition and must be adjusted any time
vehicle loading, trailer loading or road surface
conditions change.
Setting the Trailer Gain properly is needed for the
best trailer stopping performance. A trailer that
is over-gained may result in locked trailer brakes.
A trailer that is under-gained may result in notenough trailer braking. Both of these conditions
may result in poorer stopping and stability of
the vehicle and trailer.
Use the following procedure to correctly adjust
Trailer Gain for each towing condition:
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in proper
working condition.
2. Connect a properly loaded trailer to the
vehicle and make all necessary mechanical
and electrical connections. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 427for more information.
3. After the electrical connection is made to a
trailer equipped with electric brakes:
A TRAILER CONNECTED message will be
briey displayed on the DIC display.
The Trailer Brake Display Page will appear
on the DIC showing TRAILER GAIN and
TRAILER OUTPUT.
In the Trailer Output display on the
DIC, “------“will disappear if there is no
error present. Connecting a trailer without
electric brakes will not clear the six dashed
lines.
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