2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 287

CAUTION: On some vehicles equipped with certain front mounted equipment, such as a snow plow, it may be possible to load the front axle to the front GAWR but not have enough weight on the rear axle to have proper braking performance. If your brakes can't work properly, you could have a crash. To help your brakes work properly when a snow plow is installed, always follow the snow plow manufacturer or installer's recommendation for rear ballast to ensure a proper front and rear weight distribution ratio, even though the actual front weight may be less than the front GAWR, and the total vehicle weight is less than the GVWR. Maintaining a proper front and rear weight distribution ratio is necessary to provide proper braking performance. Q: A: What is total vehicle reserve capacity? This is the difference between your GVWR and the weight of your truck with full fuel and passengers. It's the amount of weight you can add to your vehicle before reaching your GVWR. Keep in mind that reserve capacity numbers are intended as a guide when selecting the amount of equipment or cargo your truck can carry. If you are unsure of your truck's front, rear or total weight, go to a weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can also help you with this. See your dealer for additional advice and information about using a snow plow on your vehicle. Also, see "Loading Your Vehicle" earlier in this section. 4-59