LOAD LIMIT
Vehicle Loading - with and without aTrailer
This section guides you in the properloading of your vehicle, trailer, or both.Keep your loaded vehicle weight withinits design rating capability, with orwithout a trailer. Properly loading yourvehicle provides maximum return ofvehicle design performance. Before youload your vehicle, become familiar withthe following terms for determining yourvehicle’s weight rating, with or withouta trailer, from the vehicle’s Tire andLoading Information label or SafetyCompliance Certification label.
Tire and Loading Label InformationExample:Payload
Payload is the combined weight of cargoand passengers that your vehicle iscarrying. The maximum payload for yourvehicle appears on the Tire and Loadinglabel. The label is either on the B-pillaror the edge of the driver door. Vehiclesexported outside the US and Canadamay not have a tire and loading label.Look for “The combined weight ofoccupants and cargo should neverexceed XXX kg OR XXX lb” formaximum payload. The payload listedon the Tire and Loading Informationlabel is the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assembly plant. Ifyou install any additional equipment onyour vehicle, you must determine thenew payload. Subtract the weight of the
equipment from the payload listed onthe Tire and Loading label. When towing,trailer tongue weight or king pin weightis also part of payload.
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WARNING: The appropriateloading capacity of your vehicle canbe limited either by volume capacity(how much space is available) or bypayload capacity (how much weightthe vehicle should carry). Once youhave reached the maximum payloadof your vehicle, do not add morecargo, even if there is space available.Overloading or improperly loadingyour vehicle can contribute to loss ofvehicle control and vehicle rollover.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
GAWR is the maximum allowable weightthat a single axle (front or rear) can carry.These numbers are on the SafetyCompliance Certification label. The labelis located on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver seating position.
The total load on each axle must neverexceed its Gross Axle Weight Rating.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
GVWR is the maximum allowable weightof the fully loaded vehicle. This includesall options, equipment, passengers andcargo. It appears on the SafetyCompliance Certification label. The labelis located on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver seating position.
The gross vehicle weight must neverexceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Safety Compliance Certification LabelExample:
WARNING: Exceeding the SafetyCompliance Certification label vehicleweight limits can adversely affect theperformance and handling of yourvehicle, cause vehicle damage andcan result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury ordeath.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight
Maximum loaded trailer weight is thehighest possible weight of a fully loadedtrailer the vehicle can tow. Consult anauthorized dealer (or the RV and TrailerTowing Guide available at an authorizeddealer) for more detailed information.
GCWR (Gross Combined WeightRating)
GCWR is the maximum allowable weightof the vehicle and the loaded trailer,including all cargo and passengers, thatthe vehicle can handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is rated for
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operation at Gross Vehicle WeightRating, not at Gross Combined WeightRating.) Separate functional brakesshould be used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where the GrossCombined Weight of the towing vehicleplus the trailer exceed the Gross VehicleWeight Rating of the towing vehicle.
The gross combined weight must neverexceed the Gross Combined WeightRating.
Note: For trailer towing informationrefer to the RV and Trailer Towing Guideavailable at an authorized dealer.
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lower loadcarrying capacities than the originaltires because they may lower yourvehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations.Replacement tires with a higher limitthan the original tires do not increasethe GVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating can adverselyaffect the performance and handlingof your vehicle, cause vehicle damageand can result in the loss of control ofyour vehicle, serious personal injuryor death.
Steps for determining the correct loadlimit:
1.Locate the statement "The combinedweight of occupants and cargoshould never exceed XXX kg or XXXlb." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight ofthe driver and passengers that willbe riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of thedriver and passengers from XXX kgor XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. For example,if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb.and there will be five 150 lb.passengers in your vehicle, theamount of available cargo andluggage load capacity is 650 lb.(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5.Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded onthe vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargoand luggage load capacity calculatedin Step 4.
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6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,load from your trailer will betransferred to your vehicle. Consultthis manual to determine how thisreduces the available cargo andluggage load capacity of yourvehicle.
Helpful examples for calculating theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You decide to go golfing. Isthere enough load capacity to carry you,four of your friends and all the golf bags?You and four friends average 220pounds (99 kilograms) each and the golfbags weigh approximately 30 pounds
(13.5 kilograms) each. The calculationwould be: 1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30) =1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, you
have enough load capacity in yourvehicle to transport four friends and yourgolf bags. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (5 x 99kilograms) - (5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 -495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You and one of your friendsdecide to pick up cement from the localhome improvement store to finish thatpatio you have been planning for thepast two years. Measuring the inside ofthe vehicle with the rear seat foldeddown, you have room for twelve100-pound (45-kilogram) bags ofcement. Do you have enough loadcapacity to transport the cement to yourhome? If you and your friend each weigh
220 pounds (99 kilograms), thecalculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) -(12 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240pounds. No, you do not have enoughcargo capacity to carry that muchweight. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99kilograms) - (12 x 45 kilograms) = 635 -
198 - 540 = -103 kilograms. You will needto reduce the load weight by at least240 pounds (104 kilograms). If youremove three 100-pound (45-kilogram)cement bags, then the load calculationwould be:1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) =1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 pounds. Now youhave the load capacity to transport thecement and your friend home. In metricunits, the calculation would be: 635kilograms - (2 x 99 kilograms) - (9 x 45kilograms) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32kilograms.
The above calculations also assume thatthe loads are positioned in your vehiclein a manner that does not overload thefront or the rear gross axle weight ratingspecified for your vehicle on the SafetyCompliance Certification label.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds the limitof your vehicle and could result inengine damage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
Note: See Recommended TowingWeights (page 310).
Your vehicle may have electrical items,such as fuses or relays, related totowing. See Fuses (page 342).
Your vehicle's load capacity designationis by weight, not by volume, so youcannot necessarily use all availablespace when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra load onyour vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,brakes, tires and suspension. Inspectthese components periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects your vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centeredbetween the left and right side trailertires.
•Load the heaviest items above thetrailer axles or just slightly forwardtoward the trailer tongue. Do notallow the final trailer tongue weightto go above or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a ball mount with the correctrise or drop and load capacity. Whenboth the loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightly angleddown toward your vehicle, whenviewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, aslight takeoff vibration or shudder maybe present due to the increased payloadweight. Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and setting yourvehicle up for towing is located inanother chapter of this manual. SeeLoad Limit (page 293).
You can also find information in the RV& Trailer Towing Guide available at yourauthorized dealer, or online.
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This feature applies your vehicle brakes atindividual wheels and, if necessary, reducesengine power. If the trailer begins to sway,the stability control light flashes and themessage TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEEDappears in the information display. The firstthing to do is slow your vehicle down, thenpull safely to the side of the road and checkfor proper tongue load and trailer loaddistribution. See Load Carrying (page 288).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed the trailer weightfor your vehicle configuration listed inthe chart below.
Note:Make sure to take intoconsideration trailer frontal area. Do notexceed 36.5 feet² (3.39 meters²) if yourvehicle is equipped with the standardtowing package, or 60 feet² (5.57meters²) if your vehicle is equipped withthe optional heavy duty package.
Note:Exceeding this limitation maysignificantly reduce the performance ofyour towing vehicle. Selecting a trailerwith a low aerodynamic drag androunded front design helps optimizeperformance and fuel economy.
Note:For high altitude operation,reduce the gross combined weight by2% per 1,000 ft (300 m) starting at the1,000 ft (300 m) elevation point.
Note:Certain states require electrictrailer brakes for trailers over a specifiedweight. Be sure to check stateregulations for this specified weight. Themaximum trailer weights listed may belimited to this specified weight, as thevehicle’s electrical system may notinclude the wiring connector needed to
activate electric trailer brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a trailer providedthe maximum trailer weight is less thanor equal to the maximum trailer weightlisted for your vehicle configuration onthe following chart.
To calculate the maximum loaded trailerweight for your vehicle:
1.Start with the gross combined weightrating for your vehicle model andaxle ratio. See the following chart.
2.Subtract all of the following that
apply to your vehicle:
•Vehicle curb weight
•Hitch hardware weight, such as adraw bar, ball, locks or weightdistributing
•Driver weight
•Passenger(s) weight
•Payload, cargo and luggageweight
•Aftermarket equipment weight.
3. This equals the maximum loadedtrailer weight for this combination.
Note:The trailer tongue load figuresinto the payload for your vehicle.Reduce the total payload by the finaltrailer tongue weight.
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Consult an authorized dealer todetermine the maximum trailer weightallowed for your vehicle if you are notsure.
Maximum Trailer WeightMaximum GCWRTowing PackageVehicle Type
6,200 lb (2,812 kg)12,500 lb (5,670 kg)
Standard
Short Wheel Base 4x2
6,200 lb (2,812 kg)12,700 lb (5,761 kg)Short Wheel Base 4x4
6,600 lb (2,994 kg)13,100 lb (5,942 kg)Long Wheel Base 4x2
6,600 lb (2,994 kg)13,300 lb (6,033 kg)Long Wheel Base 4x4
8,300 lb (3,765 kg)15,300 lb (6,940 kg)
Optional Heavy Duty with50% Load Distributing(FALR)
Short Wheel Base 4x2
8,300 lb (3,765 kg)15,300 lb (6,940 kg)Short Wheel Base 4x4
7,900 lb (3,583 kg)15,500 lb (7,031 kg)Long Wheel Base 4x2
7,900 lb (3,583 kg)15,500 lb (7,031 kg)Long Wheel Base 4x4
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws fortowing a trailer.
•See any instructions that come withtowing accessories for the properinstallation and adjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 552).
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on loadspecification terms found on the tire labeland Safety Compliance label as well asinstructions on calculating your vehicle's loadin the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit(page 293).
Remember to account for the trailer tongueweight as part of your vehicle load whencalculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicleswith a Trailer Towing Package and7–Pin Connector)
When attaching the trailer wiring connectorto your vehicle, only use a proper fittingconnector that works with the vehicle andtrailer functions. Some seven-positionconnectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,which confirms that it is the proper wiringconnector and works correctly with yourvehicle.
FunctionColor
Left turn signal and stop lamp.Yellow
Ground (-).White
Electric brakes.Blue
Right turn signal and stop lamp.Green
Battery (+).Orange
Running lights.Brown
Reverse lights.Grey
Trailer Hitch Cover
Your vehicle has a removable trailer hitchcover. To remove the trailer hitch cover:
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