2012 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN trailer

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
9-70 Driving and Operating
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑3. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system and brake system. It is a
good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a hybrid engine,
see the Hybrid supplement for more
information.
Do not tow a trailer during break‐in.
SeeNew Vehicle Break-In on
page 9‑21 for more information.
{WARNING
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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer 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 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.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-71
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.Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used.
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. Trailer weight rating (TWR) is
calculated assuming the tow
vehicle has only the driver but all
required trailering equipment.
Weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and
cargo in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the trailer weight
rating.

Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
9-72 Driving and Operating
Use the following chart to determine how much the vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model and options.Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
1500 Series 2WD Short Wheel Base
5.3L V8 3.082 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 856 kg (8,500 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base
5.3L V8 3.082 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 540 kg (5,600 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 674 kg (8,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Short Wheel Base 5.3L V8 3.082 359 kg (5,200 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 586 kg (5,700 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 720 kg (8,200 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base 5.3L V8 3.082 268 kg (5,000 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.423 629 kg (8,000 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)

Black plate (73,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-73
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
2500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base 6.0L V8 3.734 355 kg (9,600 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
2500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base 6.0L V8 3.734 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
*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 the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices,
See Customer Assistance Offices
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑4
or Customer Assistance Offices
(Mexico) on page 13‑5.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
very important because it is also
part of the vehicle weight. The
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and
the people who will be riding in the
vehicle as well as trailer tongue weight. Vehicle options, equipment,
passengers and cargo in the vehicle
reduce the amount of tongue weight
the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the vehicle
can tow. See
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑16 for more information
about the vehicle's maximum load
capacity.

Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
9-74 Driving and Operating
Trailer tongue weight (A) should be
10 percent to 15 percent of the
loaded trailer weight (B) up to the
maximums for vehicle series and
hitch type.Vehicle Series Hitch Type
Maximum Tongue
Weight
1500 Weight Carrying 272 kg (600 lbs)
2500 Weight Carrying 453 kg (1,000 lbs)
1500 Weight Distributing 499 kg (1,100 lbs)
2500 Weight Distributing 680 kg (1,500 lbs)
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
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.
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). See “Total Weight
on the Vehicle's Tires” later in this
section for more information. After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are
inflated to the inflation pressures
found on the Certification label
on the drivers door or see
Vehicle
Load Limits on page 9‑16 for more
information. Make sure not to
exceed the GVWR limit for the
vehicle, or the RGAWR, with the
tow vehicle and trailer fully loaded

Black plate (75,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-75
for the trip including the weight of
the trailer tongue. If using a weight
distributing hitch, make sure not to
exceed the RGAWR before applying
the weight distribution spring bars.
Weight of the Trailering
Combination
It is important that the combination
of the tow vehicle and trailer
does not exceed any of its weight
ratings—GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Trailer Weight Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the tow vehicle and
trailer combination, fully loaded for
the trip, getting individual weights
for each of these items.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
The correct hitch equipment helps
maintain combination control. Most
small-to-medium trailers can be
towed with a weight carrying hitch
which simply features a coupler
latched to the hitch ball. Larger
trailers may require a weight
distributing hitch that uses spring
bars to distribute the trailer tongue
weight among the two vehicle and
trailer axles. See “Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” inTrailer Towing on
page 9‑70 for rating limits with
various hitch types.
Consider using sway controls
with any trailer. Ask a trailering
professional about sway controls or
refer to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and instructions.
Weight‐Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A. Body to Ground Distance
B. Front of Vehicle
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, the spring bars should be
adjusted so the distance (A) is the
same after coupling the trailer to the
tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch.

Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
9-76 Driving and Operating
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the 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 the trailer being
towed weighs up to 2 271 kg
(5,000 lbs) with a factory-installed
step bumper, safety chains may
be attached to the attaching points
on the bumper, otherwise, safety
chains should be attached to holes
on the trailer hitch platform. Always
leave just enough slack so the
combination can turn. Never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 900 kg (2,000 lbs) needs to
have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted and
maintained properly.
Since the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak
®, the trailer brakes
cannot tap into the vehicle's
hydraulic system.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with the
following wiring harnesses for
towing a trailer.
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a
seven-pin connector, is located at
the rear of the vehicle and is tied to
the vehicle's frame. The harness
connector can be plugged into a
seven-pin universal heavy-duty
trailer connector available through
your dealer. The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits
are installed in the underhood
electrical center, but the wires are
not connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center.

Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-77
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness
Package
The vehicle is equipped with the
seven-wire trailer towing harness.
This harness with a seven-pin
universal trailer connector is
attached to a bracket on the hitch
platform.
The seven-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits
are installed in the underhood
electrical center, but the wires are
not connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the tow/haul mode
button located at the end of the shift
lever. This will boost the vehicle
system voltage and properly charge
the battery. If the trailer is too light
for tow/haul mode, turn on the
headlamps as a second way to
boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. These
provisions are for an electric brake
controller. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires near the
data link connector for the trailer
brake controller. The harness
contains the following wires:
.Dark Blue: Brake Signal to
Trailer Connector
.Red/Black: Battery
.Light Blue/White: Brake Switch
.White: Ground
It should be installed by your dealer
or a qualified service center.
If the vehicle is equipped with an
ITBC, the blunt cuts exist, but
are not connected further in the
harness. If an aftermarket trailer
brake controller is installed, the
ITBC must be disconnected.