2020 CHEVROLET EXPRESS Get To Know Guide

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13882570) - 2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
200 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the
ramp was previously
submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to
launch the boat if you are
not sure the vehicle can
maintain traction.
. Do not move the vehicle if
someone is in the path of
the trailer. Some parts of the
trailer might be underwater
and not visible to people
who are assisting in
launching the boat.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before backing the trailer into the
water to prevent damage to the
electrical circuits on the trailer.
Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the
water. If the trailer has electric
brakes that can function when the
trailer is submerged, it might help to leave the electrical trailer connector
attached to maintain trailer brake
functionality while on the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water:
1. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating,
but no further than necessary.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into
P (Park) yet.
3. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the
vehicle.
4. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to
absorb the load of the trailer.
5. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
6. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer from the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedal. 2. Start the engine and shift into
a gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin
and the vehicle begins to slide
toward the water, remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal
and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0305. It is

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 201
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
0 235.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
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. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle. Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature,
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailering Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined
weight of the vehicle, vehicle
contents, trailer, and trailer contents
must be below all of the maximum
weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:
.
GCWR: Gross Combined Weight
Rating
. GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating
. Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
. GAWR-RR: Gross Axle Weight
Rating-Rear
. Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
Rating
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment” underTowing
Equipment 0208 to determine if
equalizer bars are required to obtain
the maximum trailer weight rating.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13882570) - 2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
202 Driving and Operating
See“Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0208 to determine if
brakes are required based on your
trailer's weight.
The only way to be sure the weight
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.
{Warning
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed if the trailer is too
heavy or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The
vehicle may be damaged, and the
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer.
Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the total allowable weight
of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any fuel,
passengers, cargo, equipment, and
accessories. Do not exceed the
GCWR for your vehicle. The GCWR
for the vehicle is on the Tow Rating
Chart following.
To check that the weight of the
vehicle and trailer are within the
GCWR for the vehicle, follow these
steps:
1. Start with the curb weight from the Tow Rating Chart.
2. Add the weight of the trailer loaded with cargo and ready
for the trip.
3. Add the weight of all passengers.
4. Add the weight of all cargo in the vehicle.
5. Add the weight of hitch hardware such as a draw bar,
ball, load equalizer bars,
or sway bars. 6. Add the weight of any
accessories or aftermarket
equipment added to the
vehicle.
The resulting weight cannot exceed
the GCWR value shown on the Tow
Rating Chart.
The gross combined weight can
also be confirmed by weighing the
truck and trailer on a public scale.
The truck and trailer should be
loaded for the trip with passengers
and cargo.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13882570) - 2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Driving and Operating 203
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, seeVehicle
Load Limits 0158. When calculating
the GVWR with a trailer attached,
the trailer tongue weight must be
included as part of the weight the
vehicle is carrying.
Maximum Trailer Weight
The maximum trailer weight rating 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 Tow Rating Chart to
determine how much the trailer can
weigh, based on the vehicle model
and options.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13882570) - 2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
204 Driving and Operating
Tow Rating Chart
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase 4.3L V6 3.423 357 kg (7,400 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase 4.3L V6 3.423 220 kg (7,100 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase 4.3L V6 3.423 039 kg (6,700 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 355 kg (9,600 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
4.3L V6 3.423 357 kg (7,400 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase 4.3L V6 3.423 265 kg (7,200 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase 4.3L V6 3.423 039 kg (6,700 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13882570) - 2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Driving and Operating 205
Tow Rating Chart (cont'd)
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
6.0L V8 3.424 355 kg (9,600 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase 4.3L V6 3.422 858 kg (6,300 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 173 kg (9,200 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
3500 Series Cutaway –353 cm (139 in) Wheelbase
4.3L V6 3.42/3.73(b)5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.42/3.73(b)7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
3500 Series Cutaway –404 cm (159 in) Wheelbase
4.3L V6 3.42/3.73(b)5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.42/3.73(b)7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8
(5 579 kg (12,300 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)8 618 kg (19,000 lb)
6.0L V8
(6 441 kg (14,200 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)9 072 kg (20,000 lb)
3500 Series Cutaway –450 cm (177 in) Wheelbase
6.0L V8 3.42/3.73(b)7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
6.0L V8
(5 579 kg (12,300 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)8 618 kg (19,000 lb)

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13882570) - 2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
206 Driving and Operating
Tow Rating Chart (cont'd)
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
6.0L V8
(6 441 kg (14,200 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)9 072 kg (20,000 lb)
(a) The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversion. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
(b) Maximum Trailer Weight cannot be provided because total vehicle weight is unknown.
The bumper on this vehicle is not
designed to tow a trailer.
Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
The Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating is the allowable
trailer tongue weight that the vehicle
can support using a conventional
trailer hitch. It may be necessary to
reduce the overall trailer weight to
stay within the maximum trailer
tongue weight rating while still
maintaining the correct trailer load
balance.
Do not exceed a maximum trailer
tongue weight of 454 kg (1,000 lb).

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13882570) - 2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Driving and Operating 207
Vehicle Series Hitch Type Maximum Tongue Weight
2500/3500 Weight - Carrying 181 kg (400 lb)
2500/3500 Weight -
Distributing 454 kg (1,000 lb)
The trailer tongue weight contributes
to the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
GVW includes the curb weight of
your vehicle, any passengers,
cargo, equipment, and the trailer
tongue weight. Vehicle options,
passengers, cargo, and equipment
reduce the maximum allowable
tongue weight the vehicle can carry,
which also reduces the maximum
allowable trailer weight.
Trailer Load Balance
The correct trailer load balance
must be maintained to ensure trailer
stability. Incorrect load balance is a
leading cause of trailer sway.The trailer tongue weight (1) should
be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight (2). Some specific trailer
types, such as boat trailers, fall
outside of this range. Always refer
to the trailer owner ’s manual for the
recommended trailer tongue weight
for each trailer. Never exceed the
maximum loads for your vehicle,
hitch, and trailer. After loading the trailer, separately
weigh the trailer and then the trailer
tongue and calculate the trailer load
balance percentage to see if the
weights and distribution are
appropriate for your vehicle. If the
trailer weight is too high, it may be
possible to transfer some of the
cargo into your vehicle. If the trailer
tongue weight is too high or too low,
it may be possible to rearrange
some of the cargo inside of the
trailer.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for your
vehicle. Use the shortest hitch
extension available to position the
hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This
will help reduce the effect of the
trailer tongue weight on the trailer
hitch and the rear axle.
If a cargo carrier is used in the
trailer hitch receiver, choose a
carrier that positions the load as
close to the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the total weight,
including the carrier, is no more than