TRAILERING BASICS – CLASSIFICATIONS AND OVERVIEW 7
1 Represents minimum recommended hitch(es). Please refer to your trailer’s Owner’s Manual or ask your Chevrolet dealer.
TRAILER
CLASSIFICATION
TYPICAL EXAMPLES
TYPICAL GROSS TRAILER
WEIGHT EXAMPLES
TYPICAL HITCH TYPE
1
Light-Duty (I)
Folding camping trailer, snowmobile trailers and personal watercraft trailers
(trailer and cargo combined)
Up to 2,000 lbs. gross trailer weight
Conventional hitch
Medium-Duty (II)
Single-axle trailers up to 18 ft., open utility trailers and small speedboat trailers
2,001–3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight
Conventional hitch
Heavy-Duty (III)
Dual- or single-axle trailers, larger boat trailers and enclosed utility trailers
3,501–5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight
Conventional hitch or weight-distributing hitch
Extra Heavy-Duty (IV)
Two-horse, travel and fifth-wheel recreational trailers
5,001–10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight
Conventional hitch, weight-distributing hitch,
fifth-wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch
Maximum Heavy-Duty (V)
Largest horse, travel and fifth-wheel recreational or commercial trailers
10,001 lbs. and above gross trailer weight
Conventional hitch, weight-distributing hitch,
fifth-wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch
Towing a trailer involves all major vehicle systems of your Chevrolet. Easy and safe
trailering requires a properly equipped vehicle, additional trailering equipment and
an appropriate trailer. It also requires loading both the vehicle and trailer properly,
using safe driving techniques, meeting state and federal legal requirements, and
following break-in and maintenance schedules. The vehicle owner is responsible
for obtaining the proper equipment (hitch ball, hitch type of the proper size and
capacity) required to safely tow both the trailer and the load that will be towed.
For more information, consult your Owner’s Manual or speak to a trailering expert
at your Chevrolet dealer. These charts will assist in determining how to best equip
your Chevrolet vehicle for trailering. To help you understand the charts, consider
these trailering factors:
RGAWR and GVWR
Addition of trailer hitch weight cannot cause vehicle weights to
exceed Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver
door or doorframe (no labels on Silverado 4500 HD/5500 HD/6500 HD). Make certain
you are aware of your Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and any state and federal
operating requirements. GVW includes weight of the vehicle, including the weight
of driver, passengers, fuel, optional equipment and cargo in the vehicle.
GCWR
The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable
weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer. This rating can be found on
the Trailering Information Label located on the doorframe for Silverado 1500,
Silverado HD, Suburban and Tahoe. Make certain you are aware of your Gross
Combination Weight (GCW) and any state and federal operating requirements.
GCW includes weight of the vehicle and trailer combination, including the weight of
driver, passengers, fuel, optional equipment and cargo in the vehicle and trailer.
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
This rating is determined by subtracting the tow
vehicle’s weight (curb weight) from the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
Base vehicle (curb) weight plus 150 lbs. each for the driver and a front passenger
is used, so additional passengers, equipment and cargo weight reduce this rating.
This rating can be found on the Trailering Information Label located on the
doorframe for Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, Suburban and Tahoe.
Axle Ratio
In general, a higher axle ratio offers higher trailer weight ratings, quicker
acceleration and less fuel efficiency. A lower axle ratio offers more fuel efficiency
and quieter vehicle operation but will have slower acceleration and lower trailer
weight ratings.
Note
The steps described here are by no means the only precautions to be taken
when trailering. See the Owner’s Manual for your Chevrolet vehicle for additional
guidelines and trailering tips.
Trailering Caution
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive properly, you
can lose control of your vehicle when you pull a trailer. If the trailer is too heavy, your
vehicle brakes may be less effective. You and your passengers could be seriously
injured. Pull a trailer only after you have read the information in this guide and
followed the steps on the following pages. See the Owner’s Manual for your Chevrolet
vehicle for additional guidelines and trailering tips.
