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284 Driving and Operating
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Tow/Haul Mode is recommended
for heavier trailers. See Tow/
Haul Mode 0223. If the
transmission downshifts too
often, a lower gear may be
selected using Manual Mode.
See Manual Mode 0220.
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned off when towing a trailer:
. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
. Super Cruise Control
. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
. Park Assist
. Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
. Reverse Automatic
Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver
assistance features should be
turned to alert or off when towing a
trailer:
. Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
. Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO),
when towing a trailer:
. Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0216.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must all be rated to carry
the intended cargo. Inadequate
trailer equipment can cause the
combination to operate in an
unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
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288 Driving and Operating
the drive mode that is
appropriate for the road
conditions.
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 Schedule0437. It is
especially important to check the
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system
before and during each trip.
Check periodically to see 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. See Engine Overheating
0 347.
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
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, and
how frequently the vehicle is used to
tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined
weight of the vehicle, vehicle
contents, trailer, and trailer contents
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294 Driving and Operating
Vehicle SeriesTrailer WeightWeight-Distributing Hitch
Usage Hitch Distribution
1500 Up to 3 175 kg (7,000 lb) Not Required 50%
1500 Over 3 175 kg (7,000 lb) Required50%
2500/3500 Up to 9 080 kg (20,000 lb) Not Required 25%
1. Front of Vehicle
2. H1/H2 Body to Ground
Distance
Towing with Model 1500 Trucks
1. Position the truck so that the trailer is ready to connect.
Keep the trailer detached.
2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening at
the fender to the ground (H1).
3. Attach the vehicle to the trailer. Do not attach weight
distribution bars at this time.
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on
the fender to the ground (H2). 5. Install and adjust the tension in
the weight-distributing bars per
the manufacturers’
recommendations so that the
height of the front fender is
approximately H2−[(H2−H1)/2]
(halfway between the two
measured ride heights).
6. Visually inspect the trailer and weight-distributing hitch to
ensure that the manufacturers’
recommendations have
been met.
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Driving and Operating 295
MeasurementHeight Example 1500 (mm)
H1 1 000
H2 1 050
H2−H1 50
(H2−H1)/2 25
H2−[(H2−H1)/2] 1 025
Towing with Model 2500/3500
Trucks 1. Position the truck so that the trailer is ready to connect.
Keep the trailer detached.
2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening at
the fender to the ground (H1).
3. Attach the vehicle to the trailer. Do not attach weight
distribution bars at this time. 4. Measure the height of the top
of the front wheel opening on
the fender to the ground (H2).
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars per
the manufacturers’
recommendations so that the
height of the front fender is
approximately H2−[(H2−H1)/4]
(1/4 the difference between the
two measured ride heights,
below the secondary ride
height {H2}). 6. Visually inspect the trailer and
weight-distributing hitch to
ensure that the manufacturers’
recommendations have
been met.
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300 Driving and Operating
Trailer Lamps
Always check that all trailer lamps
are working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
If equipped, the Trailering App will
monitor the RH turn/brake lamp
circuit, LH turn/brake lamp circuit,
running lamp circuit, and reverse
lamp circuits on the trailer. DIC
messages and Trailering App alerts
may be displayed if lighting circuit
issues are detected on the trailer.
Pressing START LIGHT TEST in the
Trailering App automatically
activates the trailer lamps. The
Trailering App is not a substitute for
manually inspecting your trailer
lamps. SeeTrailering App 0306.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When towing a
trailer, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will illuminate even if the
trailer is not properly connected or
the bulbs are burned out.
Tow/Haul Mode
For instructions on how to enter
Tow/Haul Mode, see Driver Mode
Control 0234.
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. See Tow/Haul Mode 0223.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Trailer Weight ”under Trailer
Towing 0288.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
towing a heavy trailer or carrying a
large or heavy load:
. Through rolling terrain.
. In stop-and-go traffic.
. In busy parking lots.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage;
however, it is not recommended and
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving characteristics,
heavy or light steering efforts, and
reduced fuel economy.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for use with electric trailer brakes or
most electric over hydraulic trailer
brake systems. These instructions
apply to both types of electric trailer
brakes.
This symbol is on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel on vehicles with an
ITBC system. The power output to
the trailer brakes is proportional to
the amount of vehicle braking. This
available power output to the trailer
brakes can be adjusted to a wide
range of trailering situations.
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Driving and Operating 305
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death,
even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. Then pull over to
check the trailer and vehicle to
help correct possible causes,
including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. SeeTowing
Equipment 0292 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Aftermarket Electronic Trailer
Sway Control Devices
Some trailers may come equipped
with an electronic device designed
to reduce or control trailer sway. Aftermarket equipment
manufacturers also offer similar
devices that connect to the wiring
between the trailer and the vehicle.
These devices may interfere with
the vehicle’
s trailer brake or other
systems, including integrated
anti-sway systems, if equipped.
Messages related to trailer
connections or trailer brakes could
appear on the DIC. The effects of
these aftermarket devices may have
on vehicle handling or trailer brake
performance is not known.
{Warning
Use of aftermarket electronic
trailer sway control devices could
result in reduced trailer brake
performance, loss of trailer
brakes, or other malfunctions, and
result in a crash. You or others
could be seriously injured or
killed. Before using one of these
devices:
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Ask the device or trailer
manufacturer if the device
has been thoroughly tested
for compatibility with the
make, model, and year of
your vehicle and any
optional equipment installed
on your vehicle.
. Before driving, check the
trailer brakes are working
properly, if equipped. Drive
the vehicle with the trailer
attached on a level road
surface that is free of traffic
at about 32-40 km/h
(20-25 mph) and fully apply
the manual trailer brake
apply lever. Also, check the
trailer brake lamps and
other lamps are functioning
correctly.
. If the trailer brakes are not
operating properly at any
time, or if a DIC message
indicates problems with the
(Continued)
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308 Driving and Operating
reminder, Brake Gain Setting and
Trailer Tire Pressure sensor
learning, if equipped, do not import.
Trailer Feature Setup
Tow/Haul Mode Reminder
To turn the Tow/Haul Mode
Reminder setting on, touch Yes. To
turn it off, touch No.
Trailer Tire Pressure Setup
If the Trailer Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TTPMS) is
detected, touch the Tire Pressure
Monitoring icon to set up tire
pressure monitoring.Touch Yes to
set up the sensors or touch No to
return to the previous screen.
A trailer must be electrically
connected to the vehicle before
starting the sensor-to-vehicle learn
process.
After selecting Start from the Learn
Sensors screen, use the Tool
Method or the Manual Method
(described below) to learn each tire
sensor, during which the current tire
number will be highlighted.Each sensor has a minimum of
two minutes to learn, shown by a
timer. After a sensor is learned, a
checkmark appears next to the tire,
the vehicle horn will sound, the
vehicle’s brake lamps will flash, and
all working trailer lamps will flash.
It then moves to the next sensor.
To cancel the process touch Stop.
The recommended tire pressure
must be entered for the trailer tires.
This allows the vehicle to alert when
the tire pressure is high or low.
TTPMS must learn the location of
the installed tire sensors to show
correct air pressure and
temperature for each tire. To set up,
use one of the following options or
see a tire or trailer dealer for
service. The learning process must
be repeated when the trailer tires
are rotated or replaced. See
“Editing
a Trailer Profile” later in this section
for tire pressure sensor relearn
information.
Tool Method: A TTPMS activation
tool can be purchased separately to
learn the sensor locations. Manual Method: Without the tool,
the air pressure can be increased or
decreased in each tire for
10 seconds. Do not exceed the
maximum inflation pressure found
on the tire sidewalls. Make sure to
re-adjust tire pressure to the
recommended level when the
process is complete.
Sensor Learning Steps
To complete the sensor-to-vehicle
learn process:
1. Touch Start on the Learn Sensors screen. The horn
chirps twice and the Learning
Active screen appears on the
infotainment display.
2. Start with the driver side front trailer tire.
3. Activate the tool near the valve stem or adjust the air pressure
of this tire until the horn chirps
and all working vehicle and
trailer lights flash.
The process stops without
saving the sensor locations if
this step takes more than
two minutes.
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316 Driving and Operating
reminder. Touch Cancel to return to
the previous view and nothing will
change.
Edit Reminder
Touch to edit the mileage or time
settings for the reminder. Touch
Save to save the new settings to the
Trailer Profile.
Delete Reminder
Touch to delete the maintenance
reminder. On the pop-up, touch
Delete to delete the reminder or
touch Cancel to return to the
previous view and nothing will
change.
New Maintenance Reminder
Touch + New Maintenance
Reminder to set up a new reminder.
Suggested reminders that were
previously set will have checkmarks
next to them. Suggested reminders
that have not been set will have
empty boxes next to them. The
maximum number of reminders
is 50.Mileage
Touch to edit the Trailer Profile’s
mileage.
Effect on Maintenance Reminders
If the mileage is reset or changed,
and mileage has already
accumulated, any maintenance
reminders that have been set up will
be adjusted accordingly.
Average Fuel Economy
Touch to reset the average fuel
economy for the Trailer Profile.
Touch Reset to change, or touch
Cancel to go back to the
previous view.
Reverse Lights Alert
Turn on to receive failure messages
about the reverse lights. Turn off to
not receive failure messages about
the reverse lights, unless they are
later detected. This setting cannot
be edited when the Trailer Profile is
inactive or when the trailer is
disconnected.
Electric Brakes Alert
Turn on to receive failure messages
about the electric trailer brakes.
Turn off to not receive failure
messages about the electric trailer
brakes, unless they are later
detected. This setting cannot be
edited when the Trailer Profile is
inactive or when the trailer is
disconnected.
Delete Trailer
Touch to delete the Trailer Profile
and all of its settings.
On the pop-up, touch Delete to
delete the Trailer Profile. Touch
Cancel to dismiss the pop-up and
return to the previous view.
Settings View
Within the Trailering App, touch the
Settings tab to modify the following
settings:
.
Trailer Detection Alert
. Maintenance Alerts
. Theft Alert
. Tow/Haul Mode Reminder