
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 299
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips
{Warning
You can lose control when towing a
trailer if the correct equipment is not
used or the vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too heavy or
the trailer brakes are inadequate for the
load, the vehicle may not stop as
expected. You and others could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged, and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a
trailer 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.
Driving with a Trailer
Trailering is different than just driving the
vehicle by itself. Trailering affects handling,
acceleration, braking, and durability.
Successful and safe trailering requires proper
use of the correct equipment.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 towing a
trailer.
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with, and follow all state
and local laws that apply to trailer
towing. These requirements vary from
state to state.
.State laws may require the use of
extended side view mirrors. If your
visibility is limited or restricted while
towing, install extended side view mirrors
on your vehicle, even if not required.
.Do not tow a trailer during the first
800 km (500 mi) of vehicle use to prevent
damage to the engine, axle, or other
parts.
.Perform the first oil change before heavy
towing.
.Do not drive over 800 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle during
the first 800 km (500 mi) of trailer
towing.
.Tow in D (Drive). Tow/Haul Mode is
recommended for heavier trailers. See
Tow/Haul Mode
0229. If the transmission downshifts too often, a lower gear may
be selected using Manual Mode. See
Manual Mode (Mechanical Shifter)
0227
or
Manual Mode (Electronic Shifter) 0229.
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned off when towing
a trailer:
.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, unless equipped with
Super Cruise:
.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
.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, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) feature is automatically disabled
when a trailer is attached to the vehicle.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 301
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0346.
Viewing Systems
If equipped, the viewing systems on the
vehicle can improve visibility while hitching,
backing, and driving with a trailer. See
Driver Assistance Systems 0272.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park). Turn the wheels
toward the curb if facing downhill or
into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the vehicle.
.Shift into the desired gear.
.Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Launching and Retrieving a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle before backing onto the sloped
part of the ramp. Lower the driver and
passenger side windows before
backing onto the ramp. This will
provide a means of escape in the
unlikely event the vehicle slides into
the water.
.If the boat launch surface is slippery,
have the driver remain in the vehicle
with the brake pedal applied while the
boat is being launched. The boat
launch 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.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
302 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.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 trailer wiring before backing
the trailer into the water to prevent damage
to the electrical circuits. 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. If equipped, place the vehicle in Four-Wheel Drive High or Automatic
Four-Wheel Drive.
2. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no further than
necessary.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
4. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the vehicle. 5. Gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
6. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
7. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer out of the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into 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.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the sloped part of the boat
ramp, the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into 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
Schedule 0417. 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 0346.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
304 Driving and Operating
the GCWR for your vehicle. The GCWR for
the vehicle is on the Trailering Information
Label.
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 Trailering Information Label.
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 on the Trailering Information
Label.
The GCWR 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.
Gross Combined Weight (GCW) Alert
If equipped, the GCW Alert can display a
message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), indicating that the estimated
combined weight of the vehicle and trailer
may exceed the vehicle’s GCWR, under
certain circumstances. See “Gross Combined
Weight Rating” above. The vehicle does not
actually measure the loaded weight of your
vehicle or trailer. It uses vehicle data to
estimate these weights after you begin
a trip.
The alert will not activate unless:
.The feature is turned on in the trailering
application. See Trailering App0318.
.The vehicle-trailer combination have been
used enough together for the software to
estimate the combined vehicle and trailer
weight.
.The estimated weight could exceed the
vehicle’s maximum GCWR.
If the GCW alert message is displayed, stop
the vehicle when it is safe and check the
vehicle and trailer weight using a scale. See
“Maximum Trailer Weight” below.
{Warning
Always determine the actual weights of
the loaded vehicle and trailer using a
vehicle scale before beginning a trip.
Never use the GCW Alert to determine
whether the vehicle and trailer are
properly loaded or overloaded. Do not
drive with an overloaded vehicle or
trailer. Death, serious injury, or property
damage could occur.
GCWR is only one of the maximum weight
ratings applicable to your vehicle and trailer.
The GCW Alert does not estimate whether
the vehicle alone exceeds the GVWR, the
rear-axle weight exceeds GAWR-RR, the
trailer exceeds the Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating or the trailer tongue weight exceeds

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
312 Driving and Operating
If equipped with the fifth-wheel/gooseneck
trailer package, the harness connector is
mounted on the inside of the pickup bed
behind the rear wheel.
Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring Package
For vehicles without the fifth wheel/
gooseneck trailer package, the seven-wire
camper harness is under the rear bumper,
attached to the frame near the rear
crossmember. A connector must be added to
the wiring harness that connects to the
camper.
The harness contains the following camper/
trailer circuits:Stop/Turn
Signal Left Yellow/Blue
Stop/Turn Signal
Right Green/Violet
Tail/Parking Lamps Gray/Brown
Reverse Lamps White/Green
Battery Feed Red/Green
Ground White
Electric Trailer Brake Blue
If equipped with the heavy-duty trailering
option, see “Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring
Harness Package” earlier in this section.
When the camper-wiring harness is ordered
without the heavy-duty trailering package, a seven-wire harness with a seven-pin
connector is at the rear of the vehicle and is
tied to the vehicle's frame.
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.
See
Trailering App 0318.
Trailer Connection and Lamp Messages
When a trailer is properly connected and
working, no trailer connection or lamp
messages appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). However; if the vehicle detects
an issue with a trailer connection or lamp,
you may see the following DIC message(s):

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 313
.TRAILER DISCONNECTED CHECK
CONNECTION appears when a connected
trailer is disconnected. It appears
immediately when the vehicle is on,
or upon the next startup if the trailer was
disconnected while the vehicle was off.
Check the trailer connection as
appropriate.
.CHECK TRAILER XXX LAMP appears when
there is a detected lamp or wiring fault
on the trailer. Check the trailer wiring and
lamps.
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, seeDriver Mode Control 0240.
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. See Tow/
Haul Mode 0229. 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” underTrailer
Towing 0302.
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.
The ITBC system is integrated with the
vehicle brake system, antilock brake control
system (ABS), and StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system. In trailering
conditions that cause the ABS or StabiliTrak/
ESC systems to activate, power sent to the
trailer's brakes will be automatically
adjusted to minimize trailer wheel lock-up.
This does not imply that the trailer has
StabiliTrak/ESC.
If the vehicle brakes, ABS, or StabiliTrak/ESC
systems are not functioning properly, the
ITBC system may not function fully or at all.
Make sure all of these systems are fully
operational to allow the ITBC system to
function properly.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
318 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.If the trailer brakes are not operating
properly at any time, or if a DIC
message indicates problems with the
trailer connections or trailer brakes,
carefully pull the vehicle over to the
side of the road when traffic
conditions allow.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from vehicle
tires. Trailer tires are designed with stiff
sidewalls to help prevent sway and to
support heavy loads. These features can
make it difficult to determine if the trailer
tire pressures are low only based on a visual
inspection.
Always check all trailer tire pressures before
each trip when the tires are cool. Low trailer
tire pressure is a leading cause of trailer tire
blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time. The trailer
tire sidewall will show the week and year
the tire was manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend replacing tires
more than six years old.Overloading is another leading cause of
trailer tire blow-outs. Never load your trailer
with more weight than the tires are
designed to support. The load rating is
located on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed rating for
the trailer tires before driving. This may be
significantly lower than the vehicle tire
speed rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed rating is
not shown, the default trailer tire speed
rating is 105 km/h (65 mph).
Trailering App
Trailer Lights App
If equipped, the Trailer Lights App is on the
infotainment home screen.
Touch Start to cycle the trailer lamps on and
off to determine if they are working. The
test follows this sequence:
1. The running lights turn on first and remain on throughout the sequence.
2. The brake lights turn on for about two seconds.
3. The left turn signal light flashes three times. 4. The right turn signal light flashes three
times.
5. The reverse lights turn on for about two seconds.
6. Steps 2–5 repeat for approximately one minute and 45 seconds, or until the
test deactivates.
Touch Stop to stop the test. The test
automatically ends after one minute and
45 seconds.
The sequence also deactivates when any of
the following occur:
.The vehicle is turned off.
.The transmission is shifted out of P (Park).
.The brake pedal is pressed.
.The turn signal is activated.
.The hazard warning lights are activated.
Trailering App
If equipped, the Trailering App is on the
infotainment home screen.
If equipped this feature allows profiles for
connected trailers to be created to view
status, to store and track trailer usage
information, and to set up towing assist
features.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 319
The Trailering App welcome page appears
when the Trailering App is opened for the
first time from the infotainment home
screen.
When a trailer is electrically connected and
a trailer profile has not been created, there
will be an option to create a profile, use a
guest profile, or select Accessory/No trailer.
When a trailer is electrically connected and
after a Trailer Profile has been created, the
trailer detection pop-up appears with a list
of all of the custom Trailer Profiles made on
the vehicle. To load an existing Trailer
Profile, select one of the Trailer Profiles
listed, or load the Guest Trailer Profile by
selecting GUEST TRAILER. Touching
Accessory/No trailer will select Accessory/No
trailer as the active Trailer Profile and will
dismiss the pop- up. Shifting the vehicle
from P (Park) will select Guest Trailer as the
active Trailer Profile and will dismiss the
pop-up.
Create a Trailer Profile
Touch Add Trailer on the trailer detection
pop-up or touch + Add Trailer in the
Trailering App.
Follow on-screen instructions to set up
profile.After a profile is created, set up for
additional features may become available,
such as Tow/Haul Mode reminder, Trailer
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TTPMS),
maintenance reminders, or towing assist.
Import a Trailer Profile
Touch Import on the trailer detection pop-up
or touch Import in the Trailering App.
Follow on-screen instructions to import a
profile.
After a profile is imported, it can be selected
from the trailer list. The Tow/Haul Mode
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 TTPMS is detected, touch the
Tire Pressure Monitoring icon to set up tire
pressure monitoring.
The trailer tire pressure sensors can transmit
up to 7 m (23 feet) from the hitch receiver of
the vehicle.
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 maximum of two minutes
to learn. After a sensor is learned, a
checkmark appears next to the tire, the
vehicle horn sounds, the vehicle brake lamps
flash, and all working trailer lamps flash.
It then moves to the next sensor.
Touch Stop to cancel the process.
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