Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
332 Driving and Operating
1500/2500/3500 Series Pickups–SAE J2807 Compliant
Vehicle Axle RatioMaximum TrailerWeight (c) GCWR (a)
6.0L V8–Fifth-Wheel Trailer4.106305kg (13,900lb) 9571kg (21,100lb)
3500 Series 4WD Double Cab Long Box
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)3.734264kg (9,400lb) 7530kg (16,600lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)4.106305kg (13,900lb) 9571kg (21,100lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels)3.734082kg (9,000lb) 7530kg (16,600lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels)4.106123kg (13,500lb) 9571kg (21,100lb)
3500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Long Box
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)3.734173kg (9,200lb) 7530kg (16,600lb)
6.0L V8 (Single Rear Wheels)Conventional Trailer4.106214kg (13,700lb) 9571kg (21,100lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels)3.733992kg (8,800lb) 7530kg (16,600lb)
6.0L V8 (Dual Rear Wheels)4.106033kg (13,300lb) 9571kg (21,100lb)
3500 Series Chassis Cab 2WD/4WD
6.0L V83.73(d)14 107 kg (31,100 lb)
6.0L V84.10(d)14 107 kg (31,100 lb)
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 333
1500/2500/3500 Series Pickups–SAE J2807 Compliant
Vehicle Axle RatioMaximum TrailerWeight (c) GCWR (a)
(a) The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicleand trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not beexceeded.(b) This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.(c) For pickup box delete vehicles, choose an appropriate hitch and load the truck and trailer within the limits ofGCWR, GVWR, and RGAWR.(d) Maximum Trailer Weight cannot be provided because total vehicle weight is unknown.
Ask your dealer for traileringinformation or advice.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer isvery important because it is alsopart of the vehicle weight. TheGross Vehicle Weight (GVW)includes the curb weight of thevehicle, any cargo carried in it, andthe people who will be riding in thevehicle as well as trailer tongueweight. Vehicle options, equipment,passengers and cargo in the vehiclereduce the amount of tongue weight
the vehicle can carry, which will alsoreduce the trailer weight the vehiclecan tow.
Trailer tongue weight (1) should be10-15% and fifth-wheel orgooseneck kingpin weight should be15-25% of the loaded trailerweight (2) up to the maximums forvehicle series and hitch type.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 5/6/16
334 Driving and Operating
Vehicle Series Hitch TypeMaximum TongueWeight
1500Weight-Carrying363 kg (800 lb)
1500Weight-Distributing 567 kg (1,250 lb)
2500/3500Standard BoxWeight-Carrying orWeight-Distributing680 kg (1,500 lb)
2500/3500 Long BoxWeight-Carrying orWeight-Distributing907 kg (2,000 lb)
2500Fifth-Wheel Gooseneck 1 361 kg (3,000 lb)
3500 Single RearWheelsFifth-Wheel Gooseneck 1 814 kg (4,000 lb)
3500 Dual RearWheelsFifth-Wheel Gooseneck 2 495 kg (5,500 lb)
Do not exceed the maximumallowable tongue weight for thevehicle. Choose the shortest hitchextension that will position the hitchball closest to the vehicle. This willhelp reduce the effect of trailertongue weight on the rear axle.
Trailer rating may be limited by thevehicle's ability to carry tongueweight. Tongue or kingpin weightcannot cause the vehicle to exceedthe GVWR (Gross Vehicle WeightRating) or the RGAWR (Rear GrossAxle Weight Rating). See“To t a lWeight on the Vehicle's Tires”laterin this section.
After loading the trailer, weigh thetrailer and then the tongue,separately, to see if the weights areproper. If they are not, adjustmentsmight be made by moving someitems around in the trailer.
If a cargo carrier is used in thetrailer hitch receiver, choose acarrier that positions the load asclose to the vehicle as possible.Make sure the total weight,including the carrier, is no more thanhalf of the maximum allowabletongue weight for the vehicle or227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 335
Total Weight on the Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires areinflated to the inflation pressuresfound on the Certification/Tire labelon the center pillar or seeVehicleLoad Limits0259.Makesurenottoexceed the GVWR limit for thevehicle, or the RGAWR, with the towvehicle and trailer fully loaded forthe trip including the weight of thetrailer tongue. If using aweight-distributing hitch, make surenot to exceed the RGAWR beforeapplying the weight distributionspring bars.
Weight of the Trailering
Combination
It is important that the combinationof the tow vehicle and trailer doesnot exceed any of its weightratings—GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,Trailer Weight Rating, or TongueWeight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratingsis to weigh the tow vehicle andtrailer combination, fully loaded forthe trip, getting individual weightsfor each of these items.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
The correct hitch equipment helpsmaintain combination control. Manytrailers can be towed with aweight-carrying hitch which simplyfeatures a coupler latched to thehitch ball, or a tow eye latched to apintle hook. Other trailers mayrequire a weight-distributing hitchthat uses spring bars to distributethe trailer tongue weight among thetow vehicle and trailer axles.Fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitchesmay also be used. See“Weight ofthe Trailer Tongue”underTr a i l e rTo w i n g0318for rating limits withvarious hitch types.
If a step-bumper hitch will be used,the bumper could be damaged insharp turns. Make sure thereis ample room when turning to avoidcontact between the trailer and thebumper.
Consider using sway controls withany trailer. Ask a traileringprofessional about sway controls orrefer to the trailer manufacturer'srecommendations and instructions.
Weight-Distributing Hitch and
Adjustment
Aweight-distributinghitchmaybeuseful with some trailers. Use thefollowing guidelines to determine if aweight-distributing hitch shouldbe used.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
336 Driving and Operating
Vehicle SeriesTr a i l e r W e ig h tWeight-Distributing HitchUsageHitch Distribution
1500Up to 3 175 kg (7,000 lb)OptionalRefer to trailermanufacturer’srecommendation
1500Over 3 175 kg (7,000 lb)Required50%
2500/3500Up to 9 080 kg (20,000 lb)OptionalRefer to trailermanufacturer’srecommendation
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body to Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributinghitch, measure distance (2) beforecoupling the trailer to the hitch ball.Measure the height again after thetrailer is coupled and adjust thespring bars so the distance (2) is asclose as possible to halfwaybetween the two measurements.
Fifth-Wheel and Gooseneck
Trailering
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailerscan be used with many pickupmodels. These trailers place alarger percentage of the weight(kingpin weight) on the tow vehicle
than conventional trailers. Makesure this weight does not cause thevehicle to exceed GAWR or GVWR.
Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpinweight should be 15 to 25% of thetrailer weight up to the maximumamount specified in the traileringchart for the vehicle. See“Weight ofthe Trailer”underTr a i l e rTo w i n g0318.
The hitch should be located in thepickup bed so that its centerline isover or slightly in front of the rearaxle. Take care that it is not so farforward that it will contact the backof the cab in sharp turns. This isespecially important for short box
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
Driving and Operating 339
.White: Ground
.White/Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red/Green: Battery Feed
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
If the vehicle is equipped with theheavy-duty trailering option, see“Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring HarnessPackage”earlier in this section.
When the camper-wiring harness isordered without the heavy-dutytrailering package, a seven-wireharness with a seven-pin connectoris at the rear of the vehicle and istied to the vehicle's frame.
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions areincluded with the vehicle as part ofthe trailer wiring package. Theseprovisions are for an electric brakecontroller.
The harness should be installed byyour dealer or a qualified servicecenter.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end ofthe shift lever turns on and off theTo w / H a u l M o d e .
This indicator light on the instrumentcluster comes on when the Tow/Haul Mode is on.
To w / H a u l i s a f e a t u r e t h a t a s s i s t swhen pulling a heavy trailer or alarge or heavy load. SeeTo w / H a u lMode0282.
To w / H a u l i s d e s i g n e d t o b e m o s teffective when the vehicle andtrailer combined weight is at least75% of the vehicle's GrossCombined Weight Rating (GCWR).See“Weight of the Trailer”underTr a i l e r To w i n g0318.Tow/Haulismost useful under the followingdriving conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or alarge or heavy load throughrolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or alarge or heavy load instop-and-go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or alarge or heavy load in busyparking lots where improved lowspeed control of the vehicle isdesired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haulwhen lightly loaded or with no trailerat all will not cause damage.However, there is no benefit to the
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9956065) - 2017 - CRC - 4/29/16
346 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
damaged if either the front or rear
axle ratings or the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) are
exceeded.
The plow the vehicle can carrydepends on many things, such as:
.The options the vehicle camewith, and the weight of thoseoptions.
.The weight and number ofpassengers to be carried.
.The weight of items added to thevehicle, like a tool box ortruck cap.
.The total weight of anyadditional cargo to be carried.
For example, if the snow plowweighs 318 kg (700 lb), the totalweight of all occupants and cargoinside the cab should not exceed135 kg (300 lb). This means that youmay only be able to carry onepassenger. Even this may be too
much if there is other equipmentalready adding to the weight of thevehicle.
To s a f e l y c a r r y a s n o w p l o w o n t h evehicle:
.Follow all aftermarket snow plowmanufacturer’sinstructionsforthe operation and transportationof the snow plow.
.With a snow plow attached, theengine coolant temperaturegauge may show a highertemperature than while drivingwithout one. The snow plowcould block the airflow to theradiator. This could be morenoticeable as vehicle speedincreases. At speeds above72 km (45 mph), this may causethe engine coolant to overheat.
.To i n c r e a s e t h e a i r f l o w, m o v e t h esnow plow blade postion.
.If driving more than 24 km(15 mi), angle the plow bladeposition.
.Make sure the weight on thefront and rear axles does notexceed the axle rating for each.
.For the front axle, if more cargoor passengers must be carried,appropriate counter ballast mustbe installed rear of the rear axle.Counter ballast must be properlysecured so it will not moveduring driving.
.Rear ballast may be required toensure a proper front and rearweight distribution ratio, eventhough the actual weight at thefront axle may be less than thefront axle rating.
.The snow plow manufacturer orinstaller can assist indetermining the amount of rearballast required, to help makesure the snow plow/vehiclecombination does not exceedthe GVW rating, the front andrear axle ratings, and the frontand rear weight distribution ratio.
.The total vehicle must notexceed the GVW rating.
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Driving and Operating 347
Front axle reserve capacity is thedifference between the Gross AxleWeight Rating (GAWR) and the frontaxle weight of the vehicle with fullfuel and passengers. This is theamount of weight that can be addedto the front axle before reaching thefront GAWR.
United States
Canada
The front axle reserve capacity forthe vehicle is in the lower rightcorner of the Certification/Tire label.
To c a l c u l a t e t h e a m o u n t o f w e i g h tany front accessory, such as a snowplow, is adding to the front axle, usethis formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight theaccessory is adding to thefront axle.
Where:W=WeightofaddedaccessoryA=Distancethattheaccessoryis in front of the front axleW.B. = Vehicle Wheelbase