2009 GMC SIERRA Owner's Manual

Towing a Trailer
If the 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 2-22for more information.
{CAUTION:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well or even at all.
The driver and passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed. Ask your dealer/
retailer for advice and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read
the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used
properly.
The following information has 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 pulling a trailer.
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Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
the rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you will 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.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in
at the heavier loads.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission
to a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often
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 the vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much
the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can
depend on any special equipment on the 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.
Use the following chart to determine how much the
vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model
and options.
Weights listed apply for conventional trailers and
fth-wheel trailers unless otherwise noted.
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,800 lbs (2 177 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,300 lbs (2 404 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 5,200 lbs (2 359 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.42 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.73 8,200 lbs (3 720 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L LMG V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L LY5 V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L LMG V8 6 Speed Automatic,
K5L HD Cooling Pkg3.42 9,100 lbs (4 128 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L LY5 V8 6 Speed Automatic,
K5L HD Cooling Pkg3.42 9,200 lbs (4 173 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,400 lbs (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 4,900 lbs (2 223 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4-53

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.73 7,700 lbs (3 493 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,200 lbs (2 812 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 9,100 lbs (4 128 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.73 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.73 10,700 lbs (4 853 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Short Box (c)
4.3L V6 3.23 4,400 lbs (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 3.73 4,900 lbs (2 223 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.42 5,800 lbs (2 631 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
4-54

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 6,800 lbs (3 084 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Short Box (c)
4.8L V8 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 6,100 lbs (2 767 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 3.42 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804 kg)
6.0L, 6.2L V8 NHT Max
Trailering Pkg3.73 10,600 lbs (4 808 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Long Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.23 4,700 lbs (2 132 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,200 lbs (2 359 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.23 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
4.8L V8 3.73 7,100 lbs (3 221 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.42 7,000 lbs (3 175 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed Automatic 3.73 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Long Box (b)
5.3L V8 4 Speed
Automatic — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.73 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 4 Speed
Automatic — Conventional Trailer3.73 7,600 lbs (3 447 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic 3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,700 lbs (3 946 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
5.3L V8 6 Speed Automatic, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
4-56

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b)
4.3L V6 (c) 3.73 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.42 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,900 lbs (3 583 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 — Fifth-Wheel Trailer 4.10 8,300 lbs (3 765 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 — Conventional Trailer 4.10 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.42 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 (c) 3.42 5,900 lbs (2 676 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,900 lbs (4 037 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
4-57

Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 4.10 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 (c) 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.42 8,400 lbs (3 810 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Fifth-Wheel Trailer3.73 9,700 lbs (4 400 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
6.0L V8 NHT Max Trailering
Pkg — Conventional Trailer3.73 10,400 lbs (4 717 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Short Box (c)
4.8L V8 3.42 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
4.8L V8 4.10 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
5.3L V8 3.73 7,500 lbs (3 402 kg) 13,000 lbs (5 897 kg)
5.3L V8 4.10 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 6,400 lbs (2 903 kg) 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg)
6.0L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 9,400 lbs (4 264 kg) 15,000 lbs (6 804kg)
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