Page 444 of 680
Four-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 162.
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.
Use an adequate clamping device to ensure
that the front wheels are locked into the
straight position.{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. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 147.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the tow vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
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Page 445 of 680

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 132for 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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Page 446 of 680

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.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to
shift the transmission to THIRD (3), or
FOURTH (4) with the Allison or Hydra-matic
6-speed transmissions, or if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts toooften, such as under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on
page 266.
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
Press this button at the end of the shift lever to
enable/disable the tow/haul mode.
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Page 447 of 680

Tow/Haul is a feature that assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load. See
Tow/Haul Mode on page 144for more information.
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 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 bene t to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the vehicle is
unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and transmissiondriving 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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Page 449 of 680

C-1500 Extended Cab
Short Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4.3L V63.23
3.734,400 lbs (1 196 kg)
4,900 lbs (2 223 kg)9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.23
3.734,800 lbs (2 177 kg)
6,800 lbs (3 084 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.736,800 lbs (3 084 kg)
7,800 lbs (3 538 kg)12,000 lbs (5 448 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 902 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8** 3.73 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
**NHT Enhanced Trailering Performance Package required.
C-1500 Crew Cab Short
Box (2WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4.8L V83.23
3.734,600 lbs (2 086 kg)
6,600 lbs (2 994 kg)10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V83.42
3.736,600 lbs (2 994 kg)
7,600 lbs (3 447 kg)12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 10,200 lbs (4 627 kg) 15,500 lbs (7 031 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
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K-1500 Extended Cab
Short Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4.8L V83.42
4.105,500 lbs (2 495 kg)
7,500 lbs (3 402 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V83.73
4.107,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,600 lbs (3 9015 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
K-1500 Crew Cab Short
Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4.8L V83.42
4.105,400 lbs (2 449 kg)
7,400 lbs (3 356 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V83.73
4.107,500 lbs (3 402 kg)
8,500 lbs (3 855 kg)13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.73 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8** 4.10 10,500 lbs (4 763 kg) 16,000 lbs (6 257 kg)
6.2L V8 3.42 8,500 lbs (3 855 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
*This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.
**NHT Enhanced Trailering Performance Package required.
K-1500 Regular Cab
Long Box (4WD)*Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR
4.3L V6 3.73 4,800 lbs (2 177 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V83.42
4.105,900 lbs (2 676 kg)
7,900 lbs (3 583 kg)11,000 lbs (4 989 kg)
13,000 lbs (5 896 kg)
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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 648for more
information.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 425for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
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Page 463 of 680

Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches
A. Body to Ground Distance
B. Front of Vehiclet
When using a weight-distributing hitch, the hitch
must be adjusted so the distance (A) remains
the same both before and after coupling the trailer
to the tow vehicle.If you use a step-bumper hitch, the bumper could
be damaged in sharp turns. Make sure there is
ample room when turning to avoid contact between
the trailer and the bumper.
If you will 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. Always
use a sway control if the trailer will weigh
more than these limits. You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailering
Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers can be
used with many pickup models. These trailers
place a larger percentage of the weight (kingpin
weight) on the tow vehicle than conventional
trailers. Make sure this weight does not cause the
vehicle to exceed GAWR or GVWR.
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 “Weight of the Trailer” in
this section for more information.
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