Chevrolet/GMC Silverado 1500 / Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual
(GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-16515122) - 2023 - CRC - 8/12/22
284
Driving and Operating
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
. 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
.
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 affects the
handling, acceleration, braking, and
durability of your vehicle. 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 must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:
.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.
Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
.
Gross Axle Weight Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)
See
“
Weight-Distributing Hitch and
Adjustment
”
under
to determine if equalizer bars are required
to obtain the maximum trailer weight
rating.
See
“
Trailer Brakes
”
under
to determine if brakes are
required based on the trailer weight.